(Oh, summer, you tease. You just love to bring on the rain, don’t you.) I first went to Palawan, particularly Puerto Princesa, back in 2008. We had a work-related convention, we worked for 4 days, and slummed around for 5-6 days. And by “slumming it”, I meant island-hopping, beach-combing, and living it up in a luxury resort called Club Noah Isabelle (which is now called Apulit Island) then heading over to El Nido for another couple of days. Those days remain etched in my memory because that’s the first time that I, a girl from the boondocks, spent THAT much amount of time in the water, lack of swimming skills notwithstanding.
Fast forward to May 2014, and there was another chance to go back to Puerto Princesa. Same gig – a work-related national convention; this time, though, we aren’t part of the Secretariat/working committee. Imagine my sh*t-eating grin when I was allowed to be one of the 7 from our office to spend 5 days in Puerto Princesa yet again. I couldn’t pass up this chance!! So, sunblock firmly stashed in my luggage, I went back to Puerto Princesa.
Our group was billeted at the (Grace Park Tourist Inn), and that was where Ryan, our designated driver for the afternoon city tour, picked us up. It was already past lunchtime, and we came directly from the airport, so Ryan brought us to Ka Inato, where we had our lunch of – yes, you guessed it – Chicken Inato, a specialty in Puerto Princesa.
Out of the 7 of us, 4 (me included) were also part of the group that visited Puerto Princesa back in 2008. However, at that time, we didn’t really go around the City much. That’s the reason why, this time around, we made it a point to check out at least one or two sights.
So here’s a quick rundown of an afternoon spent roaming around the City.
“City in a Forest” is the nickname given to Puerto Princesa, and rightly so, considering how it thrives, surrounded by forested lands. It is a 1st class and highly urbanized city, and has been repeatedly adjudged as the Cleanest and Greenest City in the Philippines several times (remember this, dear Baguio?). Today, it is also famous as a tourist city, having a number of key tourist spots, and also serving as a jump-off point or entry way to other tourist attractions outside the City.
First stop: Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
Formerly known as the “Crocodile Farming Institute”, the renamed Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center was donated by the Japanese Government upon its completion in 1987, during the administration of former President Corazon C. Aquino. It was (still is, I think) popularly known as the “Crocodile Farm”, having been the home of the now endangered Philippine Crocodile.
Tours are done every 30 minutes.
The tour proper starts at the main building, where a guide will talk about the history of the Center. Behind her is the skin of a giant crocodile that has been caught in the past. On the glass case in front of her is the skeleton of said crocodile.
The place is far more developed now than when we were there 7 years ago. More structures, more modern housing for the crocs. I have vague memories of walking through swinging bridges with the sleeping reptiles down below. Now, the stairs are made of reinforced steel and iron.
First, we were led through the Hatchling House, where baby crocs were housed in tanks.
Then we were walked along the area where the bigger and adult ones were resting. Most of the crocodiles, especially the larger ones, have names and their own personalities, and if you’re diligent enough, you could read all the framed info bits near the cages.
There was an area separate from where the crocs were situated, and it’s called the NATURE PARK, which was designed to “simulate a natural wilderness where wildlife instinctively inhabit”. The Park accommodates the wildlife that have been rescued from poachers and illegal traders. Here, they are reared and rehabilitated, until such time that they can be released back to their homes.
Some of the wildlife that can be found here is the bearded pig (baboy-damo), mynah, parrot, hornbill, porcupine, and peacock/pheasant. There is also a reptile house for, well, reptiles.
There was also an area where you can see the Palawan Bearcat, local name: binturong. This nocturnal animal is one of the largest land mammals in mainland Palawan.
Unfortunately, the cage is quite a distance away, because they can be quite vicious when antagonized. And they were asleep (it was midday) so we could only catch a glimpse of one of them from a distance.
Second Stop: Mitra’s Ranch
Technically, the name of the property is Santa Monica Ranch. However, it is more known as “Mitra’s Ranch”, since it is owned by the late Senator and Speaker of the House Ramon Mitra, Jr., who also happens to hail from this place.
A short drive uphill will bring you to the ranch house, which is perched atop the small hill. There is a picnic area, a zipline, some horses for those who want to experience horseback riding (15 minutes will cost you Php200.00). Or you could just go inside the house to check out the “exhibit”. If memory serves me right, entry to the house requires Php20.00 for maintenance.
Inside the house is airy and very relaxing. We weren’t allowed inside the rooms, though; only in the living room/receiving area. We were told that, from time to time, the family of the deceased senator comes here and actually stays in the house.
It’s a small space, so going around the paintings and artifacts will take you probably less than 15 minutes. What you can do is to step out on the veranda, which serves as a viewdeck, giving you a view of Honda Bay from afar. And, of course, the sprawling spread of the ranch.
Third Stop: Baker’s Hill
A short distance away from the Mitra property is Baker’s Hill.
It is basically a wide compound of stately buildings, with a garden-cum-park, a restaurant, and a bakery as its main draws. It is a well-known pasalubong center.
We decided right there and then to buy pasalubong for family and friends back home, despite the fact that it’s still our first day (haha!). You see, we wanted to get it out of the way so we won’t have to rush at the end of the trip buying pressies.
We walked around for a bit at the park, which had several installations that are snap-worthy. It was a bit crowded, though, and taking photos would entail having to wait for your turn (and what a loooong wait it’ll be!) so we just contented ourselves with a few photos then left.
Fourth Stop: Ang Prinsesa sa Baybay
Then Ryan suggested we swing by their Baywalk. It was nothing like the Baywalk in Manila, though. Just… a spot fronting the water. One figure stood out, though, and that’s what I focused on.
This sculpture is called “Ang Prinsesa ng Baybay” which translates to “The Princess of the Sea”. It is a fiber-glass sculpture by Ronel F. Roces. The barely-legible sign also said, “Simbolo ng Kultura at Buhay” (Symbol of culture and life).
Fifth and Final Stop: Immaculate Conception Cathedral
We had the opportunity to attend mass in this blue-colored cathedral in 2008. This time, though, there was no mass when we paid a visit to the place. We said our prayers, sat for a while in silence, then walked around a bit, before heading off to an early dinner.
So what is the significance of this Cathedral? It is where the first Catholic mass in Puerto Princesa was held in 1872 by the Spaniards.
Many are in awe of the architecture and the facade of this place, but what struck me most, however, was the solemnity inside the cathedral. It’s not as huge as, say the Manila Cathedral, or even the Baguio Cathedral, but there is still that sense of something grand, something… transcendent… when you just sit down on one of the pews and soak it all in.
Except for the Crocodile Farm and the Church, it is my first time visiting the other three places. I know for a fact that there are still other attractions in the City proper that I haven’t checked out. Perhaps I’ll get another opportunity to revisit Puerto Princesa to complete that list. It won’t be this year, though. 🙂
Leave a Reply