Philippine Asian News Today Vol 20 No 4 | Page 20

20 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY February 16 - 28, 2018 DEDICATED TO CANADIANS. TRUSTED BY CANADIANS. Thank you for your continued trust in us. Elizalde Sangalang Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.sunlife.ca/zaldy.sangalang TM Trusted Brand is a registered trademark of Reader’s Digest. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2018 . THE PHILIPPINES…REDISCOVERED Life’s brighter under the sun (Photos by Rey Fortaleza and Marieton Pacheco) many languages. Wonderful tour guides that provide an informative and entertaining tour are a bonus! Honda Bay, Palawan A visit to Palawan is not complete if one does not explore the surround- ing islands for more of the sun, sand and sea. From Honda Bay, a motorized banca takes you to Star Fish, Bat and Snake Island for snorkeling or more swimming. A hearty buffet meal was also enjoyed at Cowrie island. Luli island meantime is famous for its beautiful sandbars and fish feeding which one can do just a few meters from the beach. Basco, Batanes What was once one of the hardest places to visit in the Philippines, Basco in Batanes has now become more accessible to tourists with the opening of daily domestic flights (mostly from Clark). From the beautiful stone structure of the Mt. Carmel Chapel, to the wide stretch of boulders and gravel at the Valugan (meaning East) Boulder Beach, Basco is a series of picturesque sights one af- ter the other. Whether its stunning views of the ocean (it is surrounded by both the Pacific Ocean and the West Philippine Sea), or rolling hills (Vayang Hills) and greenery, an old lighthouse, Batanes is delightful in its raw beauty. Sabtang Island, Batanes Exploring more of Batanes is not for the faint hearted as travelling to nearby Sabtang Island entails a 40-minute boat ride in what could be rough, open water (best time to travel is March to May). It is the only way available if one wants to see the old Batanes, famous for its low built stone houses the Ivatans are known for. Heavy winds punctuate the tours but it makes one appreciate the resiliency and simplicity in living the people of Batanes are known for. In the end, it doesn’t really matter if you’ve been to one or all of the des- tinations mentioned in this article or none at all. As cliché as it may sound, the trip has reminded us how truly rich and beautiful the Philippines is. And that there are definitely more ways than one (or ten!) to have more fun in the Philippines. *Philippine Airlines offers direct flights between Vancouver-Manila and To- ronto-Manila. See more of the Philippines: From Clark: Caticlan, Cebu, Davao, Basuanga, Puerto Princesa, Basco, Bohol, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Virac, Masbate, Catarman, Calbayog, Naga From Cebu: Kalibo, Caticlan, Clark, Basuanga, Surigao, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Camiguin, Siar- gao, Ozamiz, Legazpi From Davao: Clark, Tagbilaran, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Siargao WWW.PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY.COM