Traversing Puerto Princesa's wonders

By Alex Villanueva, Jr.

Puerto Princesa

This paradise called Puerto Princesa is endowed with unadulterated natural wonders.

Blessed with the beauty and opulence of nature, its stunning islets, vast forests which are filled with various species of wild life, its pristine white-sand beaches, and fresh and clean turquoise waters teeming with different kinds of marine life, are no doubt, His gifts to mankind.

Puerto Princesa is also recognized as one of the greenest and cleanest cities in the country and shall stay the way it is, says Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

No doubt, tourism is one of its thriving - in fact, its major - industries due mainly to its natural beauty, diverse attractions, center of trade and a well disciplined denizens.

One of its magnificent wonders is the Subterranean River and National Park. It is popularly known as The Underground River, located in Barangay Bahile, some 81 kilometers southwest of here.

From here, the underground river can be reached through an hour and 30 minutes of bumpy jeepney ride to a locality called Sabang and about 10 minutes of boat ride to the mouth of the river; or one could take a pump boat ride straight to this wonder, or long hours of trekking through a monkey trail.

As the world's longest underground river, this natural wonder, which winds through a spectacular cave before flowing out to the South China Sea, is about 8.2 kilometer long and is navigable.

The additional special feature of the park is the cascading water within a deep cavern under rugged limestone and marble cliffs.

One can travel through the tunnel aboard a paddle boat. At every turn of the boat, one can be amazed by the stalactite pillars, rock formations and domed amphitheaters that it reveals.

Framing the rocky and fascinating coastline of Puerto Princesa City by its cool clear blue water is the Honda Bay.

The bay consists of several islets with fabulous beaches which have become the favorite swimming, snorkeling, and diving destination of the foreign adventurists and locals alike. These islets include the cannon (Cowrie) Island, Lu-li Island, (from the word “Lulubog-lilitaw,” meaning that it gets flooded during the high tide, and gets to be very visible on low tides), the Bat Island, Starfish Island, Meara Marina, Pandan Island, Señorita Island (the breeding of red snapper fish), and the Snake Island, which is a long stretch of powdery white sand beach that nature shaped like a snake.

Honda Bay lies northeast of this city. At Sta Lourdes wharf which is north of here, pump boats may be hired to take tourists to their choice island destinations.

Also at Barangay Sta. Lourdes lays a point of interest for reflecting the ways of culture and tradition of Vietnamese people.

Manyukos

The Vietnamese Village, home to Vietnamese refugees who fled their country in the 1970s after the advancing military forces of communist north Vietnam over-ran Saigon, the Indo-Chinese southern capital.

This Viet-Filipino culture-filled haven is well-known for its lust-driving flavor of authentic Vietnamese cuisines.

Palawan Museum, which is housed at the former City Hall, and located right beside the Mendoza Park, is the home of a rich ancient culture of Palawan and Puerto Princesa.

The relics and artifacts being immortalized it that repository include the Manunggul Jar of Quezon, Palawan; the skull of the First Filipino from the Tabon cave of Quezon; jars of different dynasties; native musical instruments such as gongs, gemstones, paintings; and even specimen of grains which were raised and eaten by our ancestors.

Plaza Quartel, located along Taft Street beside the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, lies a historical landmark of the legacy of the Filipino-American cooperation during the World War II. This is one place where 143 prisoners of war were killed and burned by the Japanese Imperial Army. (Miraculously, only two of the POWs escaped the execution.)

In Brgy. Irawan, the mountainous southern part of the city, is the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (Crocodile Farm as it fondly called). It is a place where different animal species are being raised, protected and nurtured by the government for public learning, conservation and tourism.

One of the main attractions of this farm is the fierce-looking crocodiles nesting in their cages. Other domesticated animals found here are the Palawan Bearcat, Monkeys, Princesan Peacock and other species of avis. Affordable souvenirs are available right at the entrance.

Have you heard of a “prison without walls?” Yes, you heard it right - a prison without walls. In fact, it is Puerto Princesa's very own Iwahig Penal Colony, which was established by the Americans on Nov. 16, 1904.

Then, this colony served as the country's food production center for all of the insular prisoners. Now, it serves as a rehabilitation center for inmates. The inmates, who are allowed to live with their respective families and lead normal lives while doing time for their crimes, are engaged in different livelihoods like farming, woodcrafts and handicrafts.

In addition, Puerto Princesa recently built a sea-side prominade or Baywalk (a local version of the Roxas Bolivard in Manila), which offers the locality's pristine air near the main fish port.

Nagtabon View

Overlooking the bay are rows of stores and souvenir outlets. Those who may be interested in sailing can rent boats and feel the afternoon breeze. Lovers and friends can also wander around savoring the glitter of lights in the horizon and the nearby villages until they fall asleep.

With the sea's fresh air, joggers love to roam around in the early mornings.

Unbelievably, this now popular promenade where the Paskuhan celebration and New Year's fireworks are among its main attractions, used to be a squatters' colony.

Have you already decided where you want to spend your time leisurely?

No doubt, the locals are extra proud of the fact that they are denizens - and the custodians - of the Philippines' last frontier. And they assure visitors of a remorse-free vacation in one of God's gift to mankind.

Courtesy of the Philippine News Agency (PNA)