A pleasant roadtrip to Real, Quezon

Convoy to Real

It was a typical day one summer when the convoy rolled off.

The idea came from my brother, who happened to know a very good, although not very “commercialized” beach resort in Real, Quezon.

We were going to the beach with several cousins and nieces and nephews who were all excited. The roads going to Real, Quezon are mostly scenic and near the coast.

The road trip saw our modest convoy of a car and a van head toward Southern Luzon. We left very early in the morning, intending to enjoy the cool weather in the morning and to avoid the traffic rush in the city.

We also intend to enjoy the scenic route, because we will be passing by Antipolo, Tanay, and some towns in Laguna, including Pililla and Siniloan.

We then headed to Real, Quezon and proceed directly to one of the “rural” beach resorts.

Reaching Laguna

From Manila, the road begun to transform as we reached Laguna. We had packed our breakfast and planning to just eat along the way.

The scene took a gentle transformation, as an urban setting gave way to a more rural appearance. We passed by quaint houses, farmlands, and a carpet of green from both sides of the road.

After passing by Rizal, we negotiated a nice zigzag road heading to Famy, Laguna.

The travel time to the zigzag road was about 45 minutes, but we had to make quick stops. Some of the kids actually got dizzy and well, there goes the breakfast.

Thankfully, our itinerary included a sort of a pit stop in Famy where my brother’s father in-law was waiting for us.

We reached Famy and stayed there for some snacks. We got a nice “tour” courtesy of my brother’s father in-law who graciously showed us around. The kids played for a while, before we finally got ready and went on the road again.

Infanta, Quezon

The roads and the surrounding vista were even simpler, but more beautiful going to Infanta, Quezon.

The road, while still long and unwinding, was gentler. There were hills, and trees from both sides. We passed by a few bikers, and a few cars. After a few hours, we finally reached Real.

A quaint resort

The resort was along the highway and very near a small public market.

After settling in and exchanging pleasantries with the caretaker of the resort, the kids eventually headed off to the beach.

Against a backdrop of a green mountain, the beach is actually a small fishing town. Simple nipa hut cottages dot the coastline. Fishermen’s nets are hanged from houses found alongside the simple cottages.

While the kids frolicked, the grown-ups made a short trip to the market and got large squids, prawns, and some fish for dinner.

We had a nice time just letting the time pass by, sitting on the cottage with a view of the sea as we watched the kids play along the beach.

Shooting the rapids at Cagayan De Oro

There were about 6 of us, one on each side of the rubber dinghy, paddle on hand while our guide barked orders.

What started out as a tranquil trip soon became a roller-coaster ride, as the rapids became even more violent. We were told not to open our mouths lest the river decides to shove several liters of river water down our throats.

But forcibly drinking the not-so-pleasant river water was the least of our problems.

The dinghy was swaying uncontrollably on the left side, as we tried our damn best to keep the course straight. Our dinghy, and its occupants, was being thrown like a rag doll from side to side, and we were getting soaked to the skin.

The rapids seemed hell-bent on testing the group's resolve.

The rapids raged on, as we saw one large vortex after another, with white foam brewing at the center of each vortex.

We tried to steer clear of the vortex, remembering that falling off the dinghy and getting trapped in the middle of the vortex is a high possibility.

We grit our teeth and tried to listen to the orders of our guide, who seem uncannily calm and composed.

We were shooting the rapids in a white-water rafting adventure in Cagayan De Oro.

We braced ourselves, knowing that the worst was yet to come.

From two-foot high swells, the rapids soon rose to about 4 to 5 feet. Some of us were shouting in joy and in terror.

We caught a glimpse of other groups struggling as we were.

The calm water up ahead seemed too distant. Muscles started to ache, and the repeated rowing became an effort.

After a few hours, we were soon home-free, with a long stretch of flat, calm water up ahead.

The water stood calm and for the first time, we had the chance to enjoy the scenery.
The river bank was carpeted with grass and shrubs, and tall coconut trees. The river seemed unspoiled. And the ride was soon over.

We were tired and spent.

But we still raised our paddles in unison, a tradition for those who endured, and survived, the rapids of Cagayan de Oro.

Race to the Chocolate Hills

I was at an Amazing Race-type of team-building in an out-of-town junket for journalists recently.

There were four teams and my team was in the middle of a hotly-contested race against another team.

Only a few seconds separated the two teams and the tension was quite thick.

The next leg of the race required the teams to choose an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and ride in tandem.

The ATVs were lined-up and ready. About ten ATVs will accommodate ten riders and their tandems.

There were 6 of us in the team, and it would be a huge advantage if all of us can have a go at the ATVs ahead of the other teams. We would be riding in tandem, which means we would need 3 ATVs.

The first wave of riders, including myself, did not have the pleasure of choosing the color of the ATV that we need to ride and race with.

The race had an interesting twist: instead of racing on sand or unpaved roads, we had to ride the ATV all the way up the viewing platform of the scenic Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

After donning my safety helmet, I did a nice short leap to mount the ATV.
The race guides quickly gave the basic control scheme of the ATV.
Press the throttle to go, release to slow down.

There was no time to plan for the ATV race, and a teammate instinctively leaped behind me, because we were supposed to ride in tandem.

The opposing team, our closest rival, was also gearing up and doing the same.
The roar of the ATVs meant the race was on.

The paved road was long and winding, very similar to the famed Kennon Road in Baguio City, although a bit easier to negotiate.

The road was on the side of a mountain, with a cliff on the other side. The hills were also on the other side.

But at that moment, I was not entertaining any thoughts of enjoying the view, as the ATV roared.

From time to time, I kept on looking back and checking on the position of my teammates and of our opponents.

As the angle of the road got sharper, the ATV engine seemed to roar in louder and louder in agony.

Thankfully, me and my teammates reached the platform first.

It was a grueling race, but for a few minutes, I finally got to admire the beauty of the world-famous Chocolate Hills.

The hills can be seen standing from afar like quiet, rotund sentinels, towering above green plains.

The view from the top is simply breathtaking.

Travel to Angeles City and try the ultralight

If you have a fear of flying, and you want to overcome this fear, then flying in an ultralight might be the cure.

What you can do is travel to Angeles City in Pampanga and visit the Angeles City Flying Club (ACFC) for an unforgettable adrenaline rush.

At first glance, you will see that the ultralight is nothing more than a glider with a small motor and a huge propeller attached to it.

So there I was lining up to wait for my turn to ride in one of these ultralights. I was with colleagues and we were at the ACFC, participating in an Amazing Race-like challenge where one of the legs of the race required us to ride an ultralight.

I thought I was lucky that my designated pilot was one of the founders of the ACFC.

Before it was my turn, I watched this pilot execute funky maneuvers such as shooting straight up and dropping straight down in midair.

The jolly fellow gave me a reassuring smile as I strap on my seat belt and put on a headset. The headset does two things; one, block the noise and two, allow me and the pilot to talk to each other.

The takeoff was very short. And soon, we were airborne.

I did not take out my cellular phone to take a selfie, remembering that it would be disastrous if somehow the device would slam onto the propeller.

At 300 feet, I saw the small silhouette of the ultralight casting its shadow to the fields below.

The surrounding area was mostly flat terrain. Farms, plantations, and picket fences can be seen. It was serene, although the noise of the motor can still be heard, as we ascended higher.

At around 600 feet, the jolly pilot asked me if I was “ready.” I said "Yes," without really knowing what he meant.

Then it happened. First, he pulled the throttle up. I felt the G force (the experience was like having a concrete block pushing down my chest) for a few seconds as the ultralight went straight up. The gauge read 800 feet. The pilot then leveled the ultralight.

After leveling, the unthinkable happened: the propeller and engine became dead silent!

Sensing my apprehension, the pilot said he was just putting the engine on “neutral.”

I haven’t really recovered from the G force experience yet when the pilot suddenly revved up the engine, and jerked the throttle downward.

The ultralight immediately nosedived.

Terrified and excited at the same time, I was actually facing down at the ground below. I saw the ground below rushing toward me alarmingly fast and I felt the adrenaline rush.

The pilot then quickly leveled the throttle to "correct" the ultralight.

I took a quick glance at the gauge and saw that from 800 feet, the ultralight went down to 400 feet in a matter of seconds.

From G to negative G in a few seconds. It was unlike any roller-coaster ride.

I thought I’d spill my guts out and throw up, but it was over soon.

The ultralight landed smoothly and taxied for a few seconds along the short, grassy runway.

Fortunately, my legs did not turn to jelly as I disembarked from the ultralight.

And I had to try it again.

Rider of the waverunner at Alegre

The control is very simple and in reverse, when you compare it to the conventional controls found in a motorbike.

You press the throttle with your index finger to speed up, and you let it go to slowdown.

The engine is quiet reactive, not at a breakneck pace, but it will still jerk your body pretty good if you are not careful.


The sensations are vastly different from what you would experience when you’re driving on land.

If you reach a certain speed, it would seem like you’re skimming through the surface but feeling every bit of the trough and apex of the surface.

I was ‘driving’ a jet ski and circling around the designated ‘track’ at the Alegre Resort in Cebu a couple of years ago with friends.

It was a fascinating experience.

Although it was not my first time to mount a jet ski, or more accurately a waverunner, nothing beats speeding through water, catching the splash of seawater on your face, and creating a rooster tail behind you as you gain speed.

It was nice being airborne for a few seconds, if you happen to catch the right wave.

You do not need to worry because the waverunner is pretty squat and stable and it is highly unlikely that you will flip over. You just have to tighten your grip.

The waverunner maybe built for speed and stability, but the ride was fairly comfortable.

I had fun riding alone and imagining myself a wanderer or an adventurer. I was in the middle of the sea with my trusty waverunner, and I felt invincible, as I stood up to scout the destination ahead.


It was fun speeding up and slowing down, just to test yourself and your nerves. It was nice speeding up while standing up, your legs serving as your very own shock absorbers.

I also had fun riding in tandem with friends, and racing around with another tandem, until we tired out or until the adrenaline rush emptied.

At the end of the day, it was fun resting in one of the hammocks scattered at Alegre Resort lazily waiting for time to pass you by.

Loboc River is one very good reason to visit Bohol

Loboc iRiver is one of the most interesting spots one can visit in Bohol.

Many will think that Loboc River has become too "touristy," however, I think it should still be at the top of your list whenever you're visiting Bohol. It is all the way up there with the famed Bohol Chocolate Hills.

It was to be a rainy day when we visited Bohol, and that there was a heavy downpour the day before, we were told.

Our first stop was Loboc River, and as a first-timer, I was more curious than amazed at seeing fairly huge boats (or more like huge rafts) lined up in a designated spot in the river. The crowd was already sizable and it seems everyone is there for the experience of dining on board these floating restaurants.

Interestingly, the downpour made the color of the water turn light green, instead of muddy brown tinge.

Our small group was already at the queue, at around 11:30 a.m., following the advice of a few "contacts."

The floating restaurant is actually a modified platform, large and wide, decorated with pennants Filipiniana style. A nice buffet of native food is spread at the center of the restaurant. A singer garbed in a native costume serenaded diners. The platform is tethered to a rather small motorized banca.

The small boat pushes the floating restaurant gently around the Loboc River.

Residents take pride in maintaining the cleanliness of the river, and it showed.

The river bank is lined by lush vegetation and coconut trees towering above.

A few, very small fish cages are can be seen and a few small boats tied to makeshift bridges and walkways made of bamboo. There were a few bamboo huts.

At the end of the river was a small waterfalls. The floating restaurant and river cruise was definitely "touristy" but if you are in Bohol, trying it is a must.

Pearl Farm's huts on stilts in Davao

A favorite tourist spot

The picturesque resort of Pearl Farm is one of the most visited tourist spots in Davao. You can say the resort is "touristy," but even a jaded traveler will be impressed with what the resort offers.

There is a small port leading directly to a nice cabana jutting out of the sea and in infinity pool with a view.

There is also a stretch of white sand beach for sunbathing, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Adrenaline junkies are not left out.

There is a separate beach area that can accommodate your cravings for beach volleyball, water cycling, windsurfing, and many other water sports. Throw in a training pool for scuba diving for good measure.

Huts on stilts in Pearl Farm

But what I fondly remember are the huts/cottages on the side of a mountain standing on dainty stilts touching the water.

A small veranda offers a nice vista of the ocean. The view below the hut is equally amazing. Blue crystal clear water, fish darting from all directions, corals, the odd sea slug.

I was fighting off the temptation to dive from my veranda to the blue water below.

One can stay in the hut for a whole day and not miss a thing.

It is easy to picture yourself sitting on the veranda, sipping an ice-cold Pepsi, a book in hand, as a calm sea breeze gently whispers.

Getting there

The best way to get to Pearl Farm is still via airplane. After landing in Davao City's airport, one can just wait for a rented van to take you to the pier going to Pearl Farm. It is highly recommended that you make reservations prior to going to Pearl Farm to make your trip even smoother.