celebraTINg exisTENce: Search results for kalanggaman

The paradise of Eastern Visayas Region: Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte.

I have always wanted to see a sandbar but I have not made a plan on going to one because none of the sandbars on the list I read is located in Luzon. A proof is that I have no mention of such desire in any post here in my blog although I was kind of vocal about it. Madalas kasi, pag may gusto ko puntahan nababanggit ko kahit sa isang post lang pero wala pala kong nalagay tungkol sa sandbar kasi siguro inisip ko rin na medyo impossible pa. In short, it never occurred to me that I'll be able to visit one soon. Pano pa 'to na second quarter of 2015 pa lang, 'di ba? But thankfully, I'm now here sharing my experience to you. Grabe. Kilig to the bones!

'Yung details kung paano saka kung bakit ako napadpad sa Leyte e pinag-iisipan ko pa kung ilalagay ko ba rito pero ito na nga muna, Kalanggaman Island: My accidental dream come true. :">

HOW TO GO TO KALANGGAMAN ISLAND:

FROM MANILA:

The gateway via air to Leyte is the Tacloban Airport but it's now under rehabilitation (April 14 - April 30, 2015).
From Tacloban Airport, you may ride a jeep or a van that would drive you west of Leyte to Palompon and this will take you approximately 2 1/2 hours to 3 1/2.
From the terminal, you may ride a tricycle or jeepney that would take you to Palompon Tourism Office.
From the Tourism Office, you may hire a private pumpboat (rates are available below) and the boat ride will take you from 45 minutes to an hour.

FROM CEBU:

From Cebu City port, you may ride a ship that is bound to Ormoc or Palompon, Leyte and this will take around 3 to 4 hours then follow the directions above.
From Malapascua or Daangbantayan, resorts and/or boatmen are offering trips to Kalanggaman.

Here are the current rates and the contact numbers of Palompon's Tourism Office.

Before the pumpboat leaves, one staff from the Tourism Office will orient you.

1. You will be given two garbage bags. One for non-biodegradeable and one biodegradeable.
2. You're not allowed to swim in the part of the sandbar because the waves there are strong.
3. You're not allowed to take home shells and sands from the island.

"Take nothing but pictures, bring nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints." - Chief Si ahl

Ako may sabi...
#4. Mga mahuhuling magkakalat at mag-uuwi ng kung ano e ilalaglag sa dagat habang pabalik ng Palompon. Hahaha. Pero seryoso, respeto pls. Kaya nga may binigay na basurahan eh at ano naman gagawin mo dun sa buhangin at mga batong iuuwi mo? Itatapon mo lang din naman 'yon.

Ayan na siya. <3
Hindi pa nga nagsi-sink in sa'kin noon na andun na ko eh. Wala, sobrang ganda talaga.

On my way to paradise.💜 #sandbar #nature #philippines #beach

A video posted by Tin Gallemaso (@xtintina) on Apr 12, 2015 at 10:25pm PDT

'Yung time na nagb-boat kami e oras 'yon ng labasan ng mga dolphin pero dahil malakas 'yung alon e wala kaming nakita.

Sobrang linis at clear ng tubig kaya pag tingin mo e parang nakalutang lang 'yung boat. Although nakalutang lang naman talaga 'yon. Muntanga lang ako mag-describe forevs. Hahahaha!!

As soon as I placed my bags at our cottage, I walked straight to the sandbar. And yes, I haven't eaten my breakfast nor applied sunscreen. Yan. Yan. Tas magre-reklamo ako na ang itim ko saka nangangayayat ako. Hahahaha. Jk lang. Maitim pero hindi payat.

I didn't expect the sandbar to be that long. Perfect for a morning walk!

Hirap mag-decide kung alin ang maganda..., 'yung island mismo, 'yung mga puno sa likod, 'yung sandbar o ako? HAHAHA. Jk. Sandbar syempreeeeeee. :))))

May parts na maliliit na shells and corals.

May part na powdery white sand. White talaga 'to tignan to beige e sobrang init kaya overexposed 'yung ibang pictures.

'Yung tubig sa magkabila ng sandbar e parang yinyang. 'Yung isa kalmado, 'yung isa naman e sobrang lakas. Malakas kasi 'yung hangin na papunta dun sa isang direskyon kaya 'yon. Kbye. Haha.

Panoramic View taken at the end part of the sandbar. <3

Shampoo commercial eh.
Thanks, Head and Shoulders and Creamsilk gold para sa buhok kong may stunning shine at mabango pa rin kahit maaraw. HAHAHAHA!

Dalawang beses akong naglakad dito sa kahabaan na 'to kahit sobrang init ng sikat ng araw dahil sa kadahilanang hindi ko rin alam o maamin.

Morning walks like this tho. rtkopls. #beach #nature #sandbar #kalanggaman #pinas

A video posted by Tin Gallemaso (@xtintina) on Apr 13, 2015 at 12:42am PDT

Kalanggaman Island is called Kalanggaman because you'll find a lot of ants in the island. Joke. Kalanggaman means bird in their language.

Island Tour.
Ansabe buti may papaya soap at may sunblock. hehehe.

You'll find this small chapel of St. Francis in the other end of the island.

SWIMMING TIME NA!

Aside from swimming, you may rent a kayak, snorkeling gears etc.

Sorry, EDSA Shangri-La pero kung gandang natural lang naman ang pag-uusapan e sa Kalanggaman Island na ko magpapaka-sirena. hehehe. So masakit sa mata 'yung saltwater but it was surprising that the water remained cold even if it was so sunny.

At sorry rin, Blue Lagoon ng Ilocos but Kalanggaman Island now tops my list of the Most Beautiful Beaches that I've been to.

HAHAHA! Selfie pa more.

And we headed back to Palompon. <3

I don't know if they also rented those but aside from the huts, some people who spent the night were staying in tents.
There is no fresh water supply in the island. There's a water pump but the water that's coming out from the pump is salt water.
There are policemen in the island for the safety of the tourists.

Will definitely be back for more of Palompon, Leyte.

And, I heard that it was the Quezon City Government who adopted Palompon after typhoon Yolanda ravaged the area. Maganda kaya congratulations to Q.C Government because infrastractures, like this area of the Tourism Office, were built well and are still in good condition.

0 Comments

“There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.”

Before we left, I was not sure if it was the right decision to join a Medical Mission to Leyte when: 1.) It was Ilocos ver. 2.0 that I was looking forward to. 2.) I only know two persons in the group. 3.) I am not a healthcare professional.

But so as not to confuse the universe because this year's hashtags are #explore2015 and #othersbeforeself2015, Leyte it is.

Arrival link: here.
Afternoon Medical Mission link: here.
Whole Day Medical Mission link: here.
Kalanggaman Island and Sandbar link: here.

This was my second fly out for 2015. I have some (some kasi baka may madagdag pa) more so keribells. Make it work nga, diba. Hahaha.

MY TOP 5 MOMENTS IN LEYTE:

1. No internet. Alam mo 'yung ngayon pag bored ka na, pag gusto mo lang ng kausap o makatakas sa isang awkward situation, kukunin mo lang 'yung phone o gadget mo tapos okay na. Pero pag wala, we're forced to be in the moment and actually try to get to know the people we're with. On our second night, we gathered outside the house and shared stories. Seryoso, sobrang bihira na lang ng ganung eksena na sa isang grupo e wala kahit isa ang may hawak na gadget. To tell you, we even got thrilled while watching lizards plan on how they'd attack a praying mantis. Also, I'm thankful for the people I went there with. Kasi kahit dun lang nila ko nakilala, they were all accommodating.

2. Fiesta. Hindi talaga celebration ng fiesta but we never ran out of food. Bago kami pumunta, iniisip ko na kung paano kaya kami kakain pero bakit nga ba ko nag-alala? E may mga nagluto ng pagkain namin, may namili sa palengke nang naka-Sunday dress pa para lang maipaghanda kami ng pagkarami-raming pagkain nung pangalawang gabi namin, may mga hindi natulog para lang may baunin kaming lechon baboy habang nasa Kalanggaman Island kami at may nag-bake ng cake at mga nagbigay ng pampasalubong. I was really touched but how the locals treated us. It was the first time to experience such thing. Lahat nang 'yon for free eh kaya lalong woah.

3. Water. The house we were staying at did not have its own water supply. Pinagi-igib pa kami para may magamit lang but since we were more than ten, nakakahiya magpa-igib ng tubig kaya problema kung pano kami maliligo but on our first night, may nag-offer na dun na lang kami maligo sa bahay nila since they have their own water pump. On our second night, nakiligo kami dun kay Ate na namalengke ng nakapang-simba mapaghanda lang kami ng marami. We were strangers but they treated us as if we were friends who've known each other for years. Kapag kulang ka a lot of people would be there to help you at times but it's still better to find solution on your own. 'Cause on our third day, we bathed at the water source. Yep, dun kami naligo sa bundok kung saan galing 'yung tubig. Sarap maligo. Masagana sa malamig tubig. Fresh. Parang buhay lang natin diba, hindi dapat lagi na ma-mroblema kasi pakiramdam natin kulang kasi kung hahayaan mo lang sarili mo na mag-isip ng paraan and to let blessings pour in, lagi naman enough at minsan pa nga, sobra. Wala naman talagang shortage ng grace sa universe; hindi lang natin agad mahanap 'yung source. Hahaha. #ansabe

4. Language Barrier. I felt ashamed. I can converse in English because English is still my second language kahit ganito lang level ng English ko. HAHA! I can somehow converse in Korean and I am a level 2 basic TOPIK passer. I can introduce myself and count from 1 to 100 in French, Spanish and Japanese (Sino-Japanese). Pero wala naman masyadong relevance, gusto ko lang sabihin skills ko. #yabangkainis HAHA! But in all seriousness, I felt ashamed not knowing any Philippine language apart from Tagalog. I've been to a lot of provinces but in all those places, Tagalog-speaking persons abound or so I thought. I forgot to take into consideration that in all those provinces, I was a tourist who only went to famous tourist attractions and that's the reason why conversing wasn't a big problem - marami sa mga taong nagt-trabaho doon sa mga lugar na 'yun ay bi-lingual o multi-lingual din.

"Tagalog lang."
"Ah galing pala kayo ng Manila."

"Tagalog lang."
"......."

Wala. End of conversation sa isang hand gesture na nagsasabing hindi nila maintindihan.

Ayun pala 'yung pakiramdam kapag pumasok ka, hindi lang 'yung titingin ka lang mula sa labas. 'Yung pakiramdam na kasama ka kahit panandalian lang kesa 'yung napadaan ka lang sandali. Pero alam mo 'yon, one thing I noticed is that during the priest's homily, I didn't know every word he used but I somehow managed to understand what he was talking about by picking up the familiar words and applying context clues. Nakakatuwa rin na kahit wiz ako sa conversations, naiintindihan ko ng kaunti pag may nagk-kwento. Balang araw, matututo rin ako ng ibang wika sa Pilipinas. I also want to adjust to the locals as much as they are adjusting to me.

5. Quotes.
"There is always something to be thankful for."

"Whatever is worrying you right now, forget about it. Take a deep breath and trust in God."

"The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see."
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

I have stopped telling myself that I am lost. I am on my way and I am enjoying my journey now more than ever even if I do not have a definite destination yet. I have learned to be grateful and to stop worrying even if I feel that I am not good enough or I am not suitable for something. I have learned to do things for others without expecting something in return.

Last but not the least, I am convinced, that in this lifetime, I am not only destined to go places but I am also made to influence and share stories with others. Kaya nga nagb-blog ako eh. Charot. HAHAHAHA! Pero uyyyy, universe sige na please! Marami pa please!! Paka-Dora the Explorer forevs please. Hala ito na naman ako, sabi ko gagawin ko 'tong seryoso. Haha! Pero ang lifestyle peg ay maging isang traveler at hindi lang basta basta turista. Haay, funds. Ginusto ko 'to eh.

I'll be forever thankful for the three days I spent in Leyte because they proved something... possible pala. Kahit anong gustuhin natin, pwedeng mangyari. Naniniwala ka ba???? Hehe. OO YAN! GO. PUSH. KERI! :)

0 Comments

I was putting watermarks on my pictures and I looked at them in a different way. Hindi naman 'yung binaliktad ko muna 'yung pictures ah. When we there, yes ang ganda but my reaction was more like, "O ano pang meron?"

Maybe I thought of it that way because I'm used to seeing man-made statues that's why it was as if there's nothing special but then when you keep in mind that those are all formed naturally. As in, million years na pagso-solidify ng minerals na galing sa saltwater then na-form 'yung mga ganung klaseng figures and shapes, everything in that cave would take your breath away. Maski nga 'yung pusong bato na shape hindi ko kayang i-form sa clay eh, tas magkakataon na mafo-form siya dun sa loob ng cave. Diba? hahaha. Ktnxbye.

Wala lang. Mas na-appreciate ko kasi sa pictures kaya if ever na makabalik ako ng Palawan tas kayanin naman na pumunta ulit dito, why not?

You would still have to ride a boat from Sabang Wharf (here) to reach the National Park.

This is also the registration area for tourists; the only step that would take a long time especially if there are a lot of tourists waiting in the area.

Then we were called by our guide because the boat that would take us to the Underground River Park has already arrived.

The boat ride took us around 15-20 minutes.

Limestone Karst can be found almost everywhere in Palawan.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site off my list.

San Agustin Church, Intramuros link: here.
Paoay Church, Ilocos link: here.
Calle Crisologo, Ilocos link: here.

Next plsssss. Hahaha! I'm looking forward to my next adventure. No plans yet but I'm letting the universe surprise me this time. O wag akong umasa kasi masasaktan lang ako? Hahaha!

Our tour guide volunteered to take my pictures since I was alone but you know, selfies can always do the job.

Naalala ko tuloy nung nasa Kalanggaman Island, Leyte sabi ang hilig ko raw palang mag-selfie. HAHAHA. E kasi, nakakahiya naman pa picture ng pa picture sa iba. Bilang lang talaga ang mga taong matyaga at 'yung keri lang na maging makapal mukha ko para magpa-picture lagi. Haha!

Kalanggaman Island Sandbar link: here.

Bayawak

Only saw one monitor lizard though.

You can reach the National Park through trekking as well.

Our turn to enter the cave!

Pag galing dito mo titignan, ang liit lang pero pag pasok mo, ang laki. Grabe mas malaki pa sa'kin. haha!

It's really a good thing that I became more courageous in doing these things. I couldn't imagine bringing my younger self here. Baka nagwala na ko. Bangka tas madilim na cave? Hala mas malala pa sa horror story sa'kin 'yan nung bata ako!

This is one of the figures you'll see in the cave.

Hindi ko talaga masyadong na-appreciate when I was there kasi nga, you can see horse figurines everywhere e pero pag iisipin mo that everything there was naturally-made. Grabe. And to think that naka classfiy sila, like sa isang part parang mga religious statues like last supper, si Mama Mary and three kings tas sa isang part, meron naman mga vegetables. Diba. Ang galing galing?

It was said that the crosses were put there even before this became a tourist spot and that vandalism from something-57. Bawal na ngayon!

Done.

Meron lang allotted area for the tourists and can't take the risk to explore farther because of the reduced oxygen level in the air.

Nga pala, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is also called St. Paul Underground River Cave.

Bakit? Akala mo ba e hindi kita kayang KALIMUTAIN?? :)))

I was looking forward to seeing a lot of monkeys in the area but I only saw one.

Feeding them isn't allowed and you must not bring plastic bags with you because for the monkeys, plastic bags mean food.

Shades pangontra haggardness.

Mas okay ang walang tulog kesa walang gising!! :))

On our way back to the wharf for lunch.

Mabilis lang.

Mas matagal pa nga byahe papunta rito but it's definitely worth visiting!

Huhu. Kamote fries is love.

I was able to eat rice during lunch because I wasn't alone anymore. I got acquainted with the couple in our tour group and we ate together. Dapat kung magjo-jowa ako 'yung pareho kami ng interests, noh? hehehe. Relationship goals ang magbilang ng miles kesa years. Haha Edi wow. Loko lang. Hindi muna.

I also like to try the Mangrove Boat Tour and Firefly Watching Tour.

Next time, Palawan!!

This was supposed to be the only itinerary for the day but we headed somewhere else for spelunking and caving.

To follow na lang :)

0 Comments

I had plans for my Leyte posts.

Sabi ko when I was there, I'll share the pictures of the persons I was with for three days but now that I'm in the process of composing this, I realized that I still can't do it. I really can't bring myself to post pictures or to write a lot about the people I am with in all my posts... maybe someday. Maybe someday when I get to announce that I blog. Maybe someday when I feel comfortable in exposing all aspects of my life online. Maybe that time will come, maybe that time won't come. Bahala na.

Second day started really early because we had to catch the 6 AM Sunday Mass.

I had a different "assignment" during the second day. Importante na ginawa ko. As in super important. Ako lang naman, A-K-O nagbanlaw ng mga dental tools at nag-disinfect ng mga ito. O DIBA!!! E kung wala kami ni Ate na kasama ko?! Wala. Kung importante ang mga doktor, importante rin kami!!! Hahaha. So ganito na nga, syempre kailangan din itaas ang self-worth.

Habang nakikipag-usap ako kay Ate, sabi niya sa'kin, "Bukas, dun kayo pupunta oh." Sabay turo sa isang isla na medyo malayo. Tanong ko, "Saan 'yun?" Sagot niya, "Kalanggaman 'yan. Lilipat pa kayo ng Palompon tapos magba-bangka para makarating diyan." ^TAMA BA 'YUNG NARINIG KO?! KALANGGAMAN ISLAND?! OMG.

Gusto ko lang ipakita sa inyo ang mga dental tools na hinugasan at dinis-infect namin. BWAHAHAHAHA.

During the afternoon, I was asked to stop disinfecting and start taking pictures again. I gladly obliged because it meant that I will be able to roam around the vicinity again.

Thank you, Colgate-Palmolive for sponsoring the toothbrushes that were given away.

And Lamoiyan Corporation for the Happee Toothpastes.

Isa sa mga batang nagmamadaling tumakbo papunta sa palikuran dahil pinapapila na sila sa mga tutuliin.

Hindi ko alam kung sadista lang talaga ko pero 'yung mga batang tinutuli ang pinaka-paborito kong pinapanood at pinapakinggan.

Nakakatuwa lalo:

1. 'yung mga magkakaibigan tas kahit na may gusto ng umiyak, hindi pa rin siya iiyak kasi makakan-tyawan siya.
2. 'yung mga ngiting tagumpay ng mga batang bumababa pagkatapos tuliin sa taas kasi natapos na sila.
4. 'yung mga tatanungin ko kung kinakabahan ba tas hindi kami magkakaintindihan, buti na lang e merong iilan na marunong mag-Tagalog.
3. HAHAHAHA. Sa lahat ng natutuhan kong salita this my favorite. :))))) "PATYON TAKA!!!!" na ang ibig sabihin daw e, "PAPATAYIN KITA."

Kahit na pinipigil na nilang umiyak e may mga bata pa rin na hindi kinakaya kaya umiiyak nang sobrang lakas. Pag nangyari 'yon, lahat ng nasa kwarto e iiyak na rin. Pag-akyat ko, may isang batang nakahiga na sumisigaw sa doktor na, "Patyon Taka!!" Pagbaba ko, naririnig din pala ng lahat ng tao 'yung sigaw nung batang 'yon kaya tinanong ko agad kung anong ibig sabihin... Ah, 'yun pala. Patyon taka!

0 Comments

Translate

Search This Blog

Featured Post

All The Places I've Visited in Japan (three trips so far)

Popular Posts This Week

Blog Archive

Labels

Follow Us

Report Abuse

instagram