It's more fun in Boracay, Philippines!

The idea came about upon figuring out what's the best gift I, can give on my youngest who will be celebrating her 7th birthday on the 3rd of May. 

When the restriction changes to Alert Level 1 in Metro Manila, that gave me the cue to spot the best destination for a travel. The exact location came in when Mikayla said she wanted to visit Caticlan in Boracay.

I never knew that the said trip would be possible. After all, I became so busy with my work and being a "TayNay" (A father and a mother) combined after my wife passed away October of 2021.

HOW DID WE PREPARE FOR THE BORACAY TRIP? 

Exactly a month prior to the 8th of April travel, I consulted one travel and tours, I found in Facebook. All of the sudden, I was told that all the trips going to the beautiful paradise was all booked. So, the agent gave me another option which was "Bohol". 

At the beginning, I got all excited with the itinerary. I was also thrilled for a fact that it was also, one of the many exciting places a tourist can visit in the Philippines. 

But, when I was about to go for it, the prices changes. I was also bothered about the time, I was about to loose, if and when I never booked earlier. But, I became doubtful, during the payment settlement. I was looking for their numbers, there was none. They kept on telling me about the reviews people made so far, on their Facebook account. 

Call me doubtful, but I never wanted to be a victim of any scam. I resorted from asking someone reliable enough to lead me to someone "trustworthy". 

Out of desperation, I asked for a co-worker, who led me to Sir Next Layderos, our Zoe Broadcasting Network Inc, Head, Programming/Sales & Marketing Department, and referred me to Ms. Ivy Canosa, General Manager, Seven Crowns Tour and Events Management. And the rest was history.

The "Seven Crowns Tours and Travel Mgt" with Ms. Ivy Canosa, made it possible to booked for the dates the family selected.

PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS INVOLVED

You know guys, when we speak of "Boracay" one must be "Physically" ready. I took time, energy and my adrenaline on working out for days, I was available. I think it was for 7 different dates from March to April. 

OTHER PREPARATIONS

We went also to shop for different outfits the kids Althea (13), and Mikayla (6), has to wear from travelling going to Caticlan, their beach wears, and also clothes they will wear back to Manila. Even some tiny details, like what dress they will put up while staying at the hotel. 

We even went to one popular shopping mall in Pasig, for the shades, additional clothes, and bags for the said trip. 

BEFORE THE SAID TRIP, UNFOLDS

My youngest Mikayla, as also part of her motivation to do great in her school, I personally took pages of March and April calendar for her to keep track of the Boracay Trip. 

I also secured a specific one day leave, extended because of the weekend from our Host/News Desk Manager, Barbie Muhlach of Balitang A2Z. Barbie was also a key factor on making the trip very successful. 

Thank you also for these! ❤️

THE NAIA TERMINAL 3, ARRIVAL

I never wanted to bother myself with many laundry after our trip, I even washed our clothes the same day before leaving. I slept around 4:00 a.m. and set an alarm at least around 8:00 a.m. But my eldest woke up early to fixed herself and it was just around 7:00 a.m. Two hours, after all the preparations were all ready to go. 

We took a regular taxi which costs P425 from C4 in Navotas all the way to NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City. Not a bad choice because I checked for grab taxi it was almost doubled. Just minus, the taxi's good air-conditioning problem. But we never wanted to be late on our flight, that's why we pursued it. I felt bad for my youngest, who was complaining about the said scenario. 

SOME HASSLES

On our way, ensuring our boarding pass, all the passengers including us has to submit all the on-line requirements. I remember, I managed all of these in advance. But wait there was more, it was a requirement too, to also submit for the kids. 

You see, I was thinking all the while that once I submitted my details on-line, that includes all of us already. But, It was designed to submit each of us details. Meaning, I have to submit mine, Althea and Mikayla, separately. 

We used the spacious ground of the airport, the kids sat there for a moment to go back filling-in information for the tourists who will visit Caticlan and submitted it on-line. 

I gave the burden to Althea, I just supplied her the information she needs and finally it was a success. 

They were looking for Althea's identification card but what we only had at the time, was her vaccination card. But it was approved. 

REQUIREMENTS ON-LINE YOU HAVE TO FILL-IN BEFORE A VALID ENTRY TO CATICLAN, AS A TOURIST

✅ Proof of identification 

*A valid ID with Philippine residency (for local tourists) 

*Passport (for foreigners/OFWs/OFs) 

✅ Proof of vaccination status

* Certificate of Undertaking Travelling with Minors (filed-out by guardian) 

✅ Accomodation Confirmation Voucher

*Hotel must be DOT-accredited, with Certificate to Operate

✅ Fligh/Travel Details

*Roundtrip flight details

The abovementioned requirements has to be ready before accomplishing the Online Health Declaration Card (OHDC) form. 

Which has to be submitted at www.touristboracay.com and choose Boracay in the "Where To" page. 

TRAVELLING AGAIN AFTER SO MANY YEARS

When was the last time, I travelled outside the country and flied a domestic travel? 

It's been ages. 

When my deceased wife, Meanne was still alive, I think it was in Baguio in 2018. 

I was fully aware of our arrival and departure details from two different airlines Cebu Pacific and Air Asia, but one thing that surprised me was our Cebu Pac seats were far from each other. This was the time, I spoke to one flight stewardees and told her about the situation. But I became worry-free, when it was resolved immediately. A little later, we were all seated together. 

My youngest, to her amusement requested for a window seat. Beside her was my eldest and I was seated beside her. 

At the beginning, Mikayla was seen excited, but not after a little turbulence. It trigerred her fear, and later on she was really crying. 

But her Ate Althea was comforting her that somehow made Mikayla felt less scared. 

THINGS WE LEARNED BEFORE FYING

The boarding tickets has so many details. 

I learned a certain acronym which says TBA, meaning to be announced later, referring to a specific gate where all passengers has to go before boarding the plane. 

This happens when, you arrived early for your scheduled flight. Along with understanding all the specified gate numbers. 

As well as, all metals will be detected by the machine scanner at the airport, so better bring them out together, same as all your baggages that also went through it. 

Everything, which includes Mikayla's stuffed toy named "twilight". 😁

HELLO, CATICLAN! 

We were welcomed with rain showers when we arrived in Caticlan. 

There was also an announcement, before our landing that because of the rain, the runway became less visible. I think that added up, for an hour late arrival around 4:15 p.m.

I wasn't so sure about this, but we were walking with umbrella towards the Caticlan airport. 

EXPERIENCING HUE HOTELS AND RESORT IN BORACAY

When we were offered with a service back and forth from the hotel, we never thought of thinking it twice. For one, we were new to the place, and that we wanted of course to have a worry-free/hassle free trip. 

Upon arrival, we saw a guy in uniform holding a "hue" hotel logo. For us, it was so welcoming. I even remembered my daughter Althea said..."Ang sosyal"! 

From the port terminal, he carried our baggages and fallen in line for the tickets. The hue guy even took an umbrella from a van and gave it to us, but was asked to be waited for a moment for he will bring the car towards where we are standing. 

He's very friendly and welcoming. He made us feel as tourists experiencing one good Filipino trait in welcoming visitors, being very "hospitable". 

When we arrived at the hotel, we were very hungry. So we decided to dine at the Hue's famous restaurant "Laud". We spoke, to one waitress whom I approached, if we could dine-in in their restaurant. But to my surprised, she was asking if we have any reservations made. She even asked me to call to do that. 

The next thing I know, the family decided to dine somewhere else. That was another impression communicated with us. 

The very good thing was the hotel suite room accomodation was very good. A cozy and relaxing feel, very clean air-conditioned room closer to our home back in Manila. 

After our dinner outside the hotel, I even fell a sleep ahead of my kids. The next thing, I know, my youngest slept comfortably beside me, while my daughter occupied the sala bed, also slept near her laptop. 

The powerful nap, gave us restored energy, around 12:35 a.m., we all gathered in the small sala and had our midnight snacks. 

The following day, we finally experienced having breakfast at the hotel. We chose to have a heavy breakfast, we all ate rice to power-up our morning activity. 

I had eggs, sausages, fish and beef. Mikayla only had scrambled eggs and chicken. While, Althea had sausages and scrambled eggs too. I never had coffee for the first time for my breakfast but had orange juice and water. 

AT THE BORACAY BEACH 

After our breakfast, we immediately went to our room and got ready for our beach adventure. 

We learned about how far the beach from our hotel, when I was emailed by our booking agent. I was told it was, 2-3 minutes walk, and it was a verified information. 

The beach was literally located at the back of the hotel. I think, it was just a block away. Before our morning visit, the night before, we tried exploring the place. So, we became a little familiar about it. 

While walking, you'll see offerings from locals many possible beach activities you can do. So far, I did a research and here are some things you can explore while enjoying the sun, sand and the beach. 

✅Snorkeling

✅A Helicopter Ride

✅Para sailing 

✅Jet ski

✅Paraw Sailing

✅Sunset Yacht Cruise

✅Wakeboarding

✅Paddleboarding

But since, I was with my kids, that limits our adventures instead think of their welfare. 

There was a great feeling of happiness, imagine, we were only imagining ourselves being in the said place. When it happened, we felt that nothing is impossible, when you believe and we believed. 

Saturday, 9th of April was a sunny, good weather. Friday, when we arrived, it was raining. I was thinking, we wouldn't be enjoying our stay. But, we were blessed with a very wonderful weather. 

My youngest, Mikayla for some reason, did not enjoy swimming. She feared drowning. But, it was her among us, who was more excited about the beach adventure. 

When I tried, bringing her to the sea, Mikayla showed fear and even resisted to be in the water. I do not force her to do so, instead, I just allowed her to play in the sand under the shade of palm trees. 

We were there for a family vacation, even though Mikayla had tantrums, we enjoyed hours of our stay at the beach. Later on, the siblings were playing on the sand and I and Althea played Frisbee. 

After our morning adventure at the beach, we fill-up our stomach on the nearest food station along the shore. We had our lunch, while seeing the wonderful view of the beach while eating in the restaurant. 

SOME SEGUES

I remember, I planned everything for the Boracay trip, but there was one missing activity, I never did because of time constraints. 

After, our beach adventure, we went back to the hotel and rested for a while. At noon, I visited "Studio A" hair and nail salon, and had a hair color fix. 

BORACAY CRAVINGS

After a quick hair color fixed, I took the kids to a nearby restaurant and ate pasta, pizza and shakes. 

The "SuperMagic" restaurant is owned by a Filipino couple, who were based on Manila bu has businesses in three stations in Boracay. The one that we've visited was located in the station 2. 

We enjoyed what we ordered, except for a small fries, which was served in a small amount and yet pricey. 

The restaurant is operating in 2021, but the pandemic restrictions like the rest of many businesses in the said province became temporarily closed. 

EXPLORING BORA LIFE AT NIGHT

I remember, when I was doing a research on the island, I discovered about 'D' Mall' a small shopping area that has almost everything. 

At some point, we discovered this area and we walked to each stores and restaurants built around. For some reason, we found fast food restaurants like Jollibee and spotted newly opened Chowking, we dined there. 

You will notice, a number of people still busy going around. You would also say, that life begins at night in Boracay. 

D' Mall business hours ends around 9:00 p.m., but bars are just starting only around that time until morning. Most of the bars has police on standby, I think for keeping peace and order. 

LAST DAY BUT HAD FUN

Around 7:00 a.m., had a quick visit to the Boracay beach again. This was the moment, I've been dreaming of, I will be at the sea, having a moment alone. 

I took photos, for souvenirs one last time. You see, there was an attachment right away to the beautiful island. 

The weather was gloomy. It's like it was showing sadness for someone who will be leaving at the moment. But you know what they say, "People come and go". But this one was different, it will give you so many beautiful memories. 

Who will not remember, how relaxing the ocean breeze, the shade of palm trees that gave you protection from the direct ray of the sun, the locals who seemed to be very busy with many tourists, visiting the lovely island. It was such indeed, a paradise to earth. 

I was having a moment at the beach shore, when a local approached me and the next thing I know, I was paddleboarding. 

For the 30-minute used of the paddleboard, it will only costs you P300. I think that this was the only thing, I can possibly enjoy and really enjoyed it. 

The full video was uploaded on my YouTube Vlog account at Bong's Vlog, watch the full 8-minute video, and do not forget to hit the subscribe button. 👇😀

https://youtu.be/iSgf9o4wmSw

FOR THE VERY LAST TIME

We had breakfast, but never tried the hotel swimming pool. We were then thinking, to have at least an hour dipping before going back to Manila, but it was raining. 

We never had the chance to claim our complimentary drinks, upon arrival. But when we asked for it, they've delivered it directly in our room, before our check out. 

We left for our Manila Trip from Hue Resorts and Hotel around 11:00 a.m. There was again a service van that brought us to the port for a 5 minute boat ride.

We were at the airport, before noon. 

Pretty weird though, the bag checker from Air Asia told us to remove some of our clothes in our travel luggage for it was weighing 10 kilos. I used the same luggage, going to Cebu Pacific Airline, they allowed us for they had seen the logic that my kids, do not have other luggages. 

COFFEE BREAK

Found a coffee shop within the airport that sold water and coffee. While the kids, settled with chips, we carried out going to the terminal. 

Then, finally around 2:00 p.m., we boarded on the plane going back to Manila. 

MANILA, FINALLY 

Mikayla were able to sleep during our way back to Manila while riding the plane. Around 4:30 p.m., we landed safe in Pasay City, Manila.

It was a dream come true family trip. We only have regrets that our family isn't complete when we pursued the travel. But we believe that they were with us, in this very wonderful vacation.