It was supposed to be a quiet weekend, devoted to pensive introspection, an intimate gathering of eight friends out to enjoy the long stretch of the famed San Vicente beach. Add Ruffa Gutierrez and a whole kaboodle of friends and family into the equation and the sum total becomes entirely different.
Credit the country’s youngest elected female mayor, Carmela Alvarez or Mayor Pie, fresh from the Young Global Leaders Summit in Davos, Switzerland for being the visionary that she is because this trip became, in my opinion, one for the books. Cristalle Belo and Garlic Garcia became the de facto co-organizers and the next thing we knew, there was a logo, T-shirts, and swag bags. And we were separated into different teams á la Survivor.
Prior to this, so many plans were laid out amongst friends and colleagues for the Easter break. In the end we decided with a hash tag, to favor #ItsmoreFUNinthePhilippines and so it was a go for sunny San Vic. I have heard so much about San Vicente: How it has the third longest stretch of beach, next to a beach in India and Indonesia. Ironically, it was in Survivor Philippines when I first saw the white sands of San Vicente. I immediately made a mental note that I had to visit this place.
And so come Maundy Thursday, I found myself on the island with a pseudo tribal council, out to hunt for colored Easter eggs in the water. With my Belo Essentials sunblock, Parakito mosquito repellant, my Vans swim shorts, and Fila Skeletoes, I was ready for adventure. I took the plane to Puerto Princesa and from there, a Cessna plane took me to San Vicente. The others who came before me took a van from the airport. On our itinerary was to experience Palawan’s famed Underground River, freshly proclaimed as one of the new Seven Wonders.
We Are All Ambassadors
Nothing makes me more proud than promoting my own country. I was happy to be in the company of like-minded individuals. It wasn’t an easy task. We had guests from the US, UK, Argentina, plus other parts of Asia. People literally flew from around the world to enjoy a piece of heaven that only the Philippines could offer. I think we won this particular task, as so many of our guests are seriously contemplating on moving to our country. Yes, they agree that it is indeed more fun in the Philippines.
While in San Vicente, we island hopped, swan with fish, played games, played dress-up, and just had loads of unforgettable fun. We were divided into four teams, with corresponding tribal names like Luka, Wapi, Imala, and Yapavai. We had a Hawaiian Tiki luau night, a white themed dinner, and a jungle-inspired finale. To say that each night was action packed would be an understatement.
It was an “outwit, outlast, and outfit” fest as Mayor Pie showed us her side of the world. Virgin forests, long stretches of quiet tranquility, a land of untouched beauty. I can seriously say I fell in love with San Vicente, at the risk of sounding like a tuna ad. But I really did. In the end, we were all winners.
I hear there will be interesting developments in that side of the world. Mayor Pie guarantees an eco-tourism platform. An airport is in the works. I looked at the horizon and saw the infinite possibilities. Here is a chance to do things right.
Easter, after all, is about rebirth. In this place of serenity temporarily invaded by revelers like us, we played, we prayed, and we gave thanks for our bountiful blessings. We were right smack center of a beautiful beach, dining under the full moon.
Yes, whichever way you put it, it is indeed more fun — in San Vicente, only here in the Philippines.
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