by Marilie Bomediano
The Philippines still guarantees pleasurable holidays. On offer are amazing scenic spots, mighty adventures and that rare chance to get together with loved ones that spell a memorable holiday.
This time around, I headed to Coron, Palawan in Luzon for our family bonding with my younger sister, also a fellow Thomasian and artist, Maria Corazon Bomediano-Serafin and her hubby Chad Serafin who was coming from Perth.
Our action-packed adventures in Coron, Palawan.
They had arrived in Manila a week ahead of me and they had already been to Pagsanjan Falls and Hotspring Resort in Laguna with our younger brother Engr Heriz Jun Bomediano.
I first met up with them in Manila along with our younger brother, Heriz Jun and his banker wife Claire Bomediano on February 5 at the Sangkalan Restaurant in Quezon City, where we savoured authentic Pinoy cuisine like pork binagoongan, laing, tuna kinilaw “ceviché”, tawilis, beef caldereta and the famous pork sinigang which goes well with all dishes.
The next day, we flew out of Manila to Coron, South of Palawan. We took the ‘Coron Super Ultimate Tour’ which was packed with so thrilling adventures – from kayaking, snorkelling & island hopping. We toured Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, Coral Garden, Atwayan/Banol Beach, Balinsasayaw Garden and Skeleton Wreck with Asriel Roan Travel & Tours. We comfortably stayed at Coron Visitor’s Hotel.
The highlight of the tour was the scuba diving and snorkelling of the Skeleton Wreck which is a mysterious shipwreck from World War 2. There were also tourist groups from France, Netherlands, USA & Australia and everyone enjoyed our tasty native lunch of fish sinugba, chicken adobo, lato [seagrapes] salad and mixed pancit with chicken.
After our enjoyable four days of sightseeing and trekking in Coron, we flew back to Manila very tired but truly pleased.
Three days later, I joined our MSU-IIT DHS ’81 High School Reunion at Manams Comfort Filipino at North Edsa where we feasted with kare-kare, crispy pata, adobo and many more. This was followed by more bonding at Solaire Resort and Casino.
On Valentine’s Day, I stayed at New World Hotel, Makati, courtesy of my best friend Jena Fetalino, a columnist of the Business Mirror, along with my fellow Filipin-Oz bestie, Miriam Scott. We had the buffet breakfast at Café 1228 where I had previously interviewed the Executive Chef, Warren.Brown, who is married to a Pampangueña and very proud of it.
Towards the end of our trip, we took time to visit relatives in Tagaytay and Lipa, Batangas as well as in Valenzuela.
The Philippines never disappoints. Reunions with families and friends always bring many pleasurable memories.
6 March 2025
All photos by Marilie Bomediano.
