Dumaran, Palawan

Just recently Palawan has been cited as the top island for 2016 by a travel magazine. This is not the first time that palawan earned this citation.  I have been to Palawan and I couldn't agree more with the citation. Undoubtedly, Palawan is the last frontier of the Philippines and the top island of the world.

This month, I got an opportunity to visit Palawan for the third time.  Together with friends we visited Dumaran, another spot in Palawan that is slowly attracting attention of tourists and travelers alike.  It is a town north east of Palawan facing Sulu sea.  A woman seated next to me on the van asked if where we will be in Dumaran and continued by asking mainland or island? I found out that the municipality covers a portion of Palawan island(mainland) and a portion of the namesake Dumaran island. The poblacion is located at the island which is approximately 45 minutes boat ride from the mainland.  I never heard the place before and I was clueless about what to expect.  But i had pristine beaches in my imagination, after all that is what Palawan is famous for.  While on our way i can't hide my excitement.

Calampuan, Renambakan & Maruyog-ruyog Islands

There are five of us in this adventure arriving on the same day at Puerto Princesa but with different flight schedules.  Vans and buses ply the Puerto Princesa-Dumaran-Puerto Princesa route.  Trips are limited though. As advised by the woman seated next to me, vans have 3 trips and 2 for the bus.  Van trip schedule are 5am, 10am, and 3pm while bus has 1 trip in the morning and 1 in the afternoon.  Our group took the first trip of the van the next day.  Travel time is approximately 4 hrs by van and longer by bus. Van fare is 350 pesos while bus fare is 300 pesos.  We left Puerto Princesa around 6am and arrived in Sta. Teresa, Dumaran past 9am.  

Everything was already arranged the night before from our contact person to the things that we will be doing in Dumaran.  Pastor Leove,   an active pastor and at the same time president of Dumaran's tour guide association was our contact person.  It was a Sunday when we arrived and we had to wait for pastor who was at a church service.  While waiting, we took the chance to dropped by the market to buy supplies that we will be needing.  When we head back to the port, pastor and crew where already there waiting for us.  We wasted no time but before jumping to the boat, pastor gave a short briefing all about the history of the town and the things prohibited on our schedule of activities.  

Off we sailed to our first destination, the Renambakan island.  Clear water and white sand shore greeted us.  it was past 12 noon when we arrived and everyone was hungry.  While our lunch was being prepared, pastor toured us around the island which we did in 15 mins.  we took a dip into the clear water under the mid-day sun before finally taking our hearty meal.  snorkeling was our next activity.  This i enjoyed the most!  the underwater of Renambakan island is teeming with marine life.  Thick and healthy corals of different shapes, sizes and colors were amazing!  School of fish of different sizes and colors were fantastic! I even spotted dory!!!   The snorkeling site was huge and when ebb occurred a big portion of it was exposed.  

Dumaran's underwater

Calampuan island was our next destination.  It is in this island that we stayed for the night.  The island was thickly forested but no accommodation available.  We scouted and found a perfect spot next to the beach with trees strong enough to hold us in our hammock. It was also the perfect spot to watch the setting sun.  Perhaps, the snorkeling activity drained our energy that we fell asleep while dinner was being prepared by pastor and crew.  It was already past 8 pm when we're waken up to have our dinner.  We enjoyed the food by the bonfire.  It was a starry night and i fell asleep caressed by the soft sound of the waves the gentle wind blowing occasionally.  There were no other souls in the island but us.

On our day 2, we ventured again into snorkeling around Calampuan island.  Again, I was in awe of the rich marine life underneath. Definitely Dumaran has one of the best snorkeling sites that i have been into.  Good thing i had my under water camera.  I got snapshots and captured the beauty under water.

Pastor took us to Maruyog-ruyog island for our lunch.  So far this is the only island with developments. It has its own port and some cottages but surprisingly no tourists.  The island is privately owned by a business man.  We had our lunch on a concrete hut at the port.

Pungtod Sandbar

After our lunch, we headed to the poblacion. I found it interesting that the center of the town is located in the island and not in the mainland.  I asked pastor on this and according to him, it is because during the early years of Dumaran, the mayor is from the island. Ok i got it! I just thought that is more convenient if poblacion is in the mainland.   We dropped by the municipal hall to log our names.  Right after we trekked to Mt.Turing, the highest point in the island.  From the view deck, a 360 degree view awaits.  However, we're annoyed by so much mosquitoes.  On our way back to the port, I noticed a ruin which according to Pastor was built during the Spanish era.

Our last stop before going back to the mainland was Pungtod sandbar.  It was a sunset when we got there.  The sandbar is long and of course beautiful.  We took pictures and yes, including jump shots!

some snapshots of the ruin, trail to mt. turing, calampuan island.

During our entire stay there are no other groups but us.  We had the snorkeling sites, islands and the sandbar all to ourselves. Most of the islands remained untouched.  No amenities. No accommodation. Not touristy.   Commercialism has not taken place just yet in Dumaran.  I hope it will stay as is in the years to come.  But i'm sure that would only be a wishful thinking.

Interested in going to Dumaran, Palawan?  Below contact numbers maybe of great help.

Joseph (van driver) - 09988686926

Pastor Leove (tourguide) - 09302610066

KOTM 2016: Mt. Ugo Marathon

I'm honored to be a part of this running event now on its fifth year of staging.  As the title suggests, this run take us to the very summit of Mt. Ugo at 2,150 masl.  I did prepare for this but not as rigorous as to the preparation of other joiners.  It was just enough to give me the confidence I needed.  It also helped that I was familiar with the route. 

Majority of the runners arrived in Kayapa a day before the event in time for the race briefing and race kit claiming.  According to the race director, this year's attendance was record breaking.  It was like a reunion of runners.  Many friends and familiar faces in trail running were present.  Excitement can be seen from each runner's face while being briefed by the RD on the dos and donts and the things to take note about the event. A photo op ended the briefing and as a welcome treat, runners were served with sweet potatoes and local coffee.

Runners were released 4 am the next day at the grounds of Kayapa central school.  It was a cold morning but with clear skies although it rained earlier.  I stick to my game plan of starting slow until my body adjusted and got its rhythm.  I walked on the uphills and run on flats and downhills.  Trailwise, from the starting point until kilometer 16 was a combination of tire paths and dirt roads.  It was wide enough for runners to freely move and carry out their game plan.

Two hours after, I arrived at the first aid station at kilometer 10.  Since I still had enough supplies in my hydration pack, I just picked three slices of apple and left.  I was expecting a beautiful sunrise, however thick fog enveloped the surroundings obscuring any spectacular sunrise.  The thick fog remained even after I reached Ansipsip viewpoint and Domolpos village.  My camera had to remain in my hydration pack.

At 8 am, I reached the second aid station at Domolpos waiting shed.  I rested for a while and replenished my hydration pack in preparation for the toughest part of the route - the assault to the summit.  I left the aid station re-energized and confident.  Slowly I made my way into the the pine forest, my favorite part of the entire route until I reached the start of the assault part. 

As expected, the summit assault was hard.  It took me almost an hour at a slow pace to reach the top.  I had many stops along the trail to catch my breath. Upon reaching the top, I rested for a while and refuel.  Regaining strength, I took the opportunity to visit the summit marker and have my picture taken beside it.  I missed this during my first and second visits.

the summit assualt

Descending, it was swift until I was annoyed by a cramp on my toes. I had to stop and let the pain subside.  Continuing the run, it became not just a physical struggle but a mental one as well.  In this state and with a halfway to go, it was hard.  Giving up was not an option for me however.  I was determined to finish the run. Patiently, i made it down back to Domolpos waiting shed. Somehow I was relieved knowing that the hardest part was over. It boasted my dwindling confidence.

Minutes after leaving Domolpos waiting shed, I caught up with some friends. Together we negotiated the trail by walking and running until reaching AS1. It was during this point that I get to appreciate running buddies. Their encouragement and push came exactly when needed.  Exhaustion was setting in all of us but with support and uplifting from each other, feelings get lighter and better.

Mt. Ugo summit

I had to stop and refuel at AS1 making sure I'll have enough strenght and energy for the last 16 kilometers.  My game plan was to run the last 10 kilometers.   Trailwise, it was all going down. If there was a challenge that was the intense heat.  As planned, I picked up my pace and run the last 10 kilometers.  I passed by a number of runners along the way.  Having a glimpsed of Kayapa Central school meant I'm nearing the finish line.  All the more that adrenaline came rushing in my system. 

Finally I crossed the finish line and clocked at 7:27.  It was a nice feeling as always! All the negative thoughts on my low points during the run vanished amidst the cheers and congratulatory gestures and messages from other finishers.  I'm now officially a finisher of Mt. Ugo Marathon. 

proud finisher

The organizer, Frontrunner led by the race director sir Jonnel did a good job.  Hats off to all of them from the race marshals to the other crew.  Runners were in good hands!  To all the finishers, I extend my congratulations.  I hope to be back by 2017.

http://frontrunnermagph.com/official-results-2016-mount-ugo-marathon/#