Holy Week – 2017

The best way to beat the summer heat is to go where it is hottest the most. And that is the beach. We decided to spend our Holy Week in Apulit Island Resort in El Nido, Palawan.

We left Tuesday and came back Easter Sunday.  5 days under the heat of the sun. woooh.

But how do you prepare for the beach that long? What do you need to bring? How do you protect yourself from the sun? These are just some questions that I thought of before we left.

First, you need to be armed with all the spf’s in the world. Face and body. I brought everything that I have in my closet

Second, 1 million bathing suits. No repeats allowed

Third, oil. For face, body and hair (moisturize 24/7)

Fourth, the widest brim hats you can find

Fifth, 1 million shades. Again, no repeats allowed.

And while walking barefoot in the beach you have to smell good… my favorite summer scents (for the beach)

How to go to Apulit Resort:

1 hour flight from Manila to El Nido, Palawan via Air Swift. From El Nido airport, 2 hours ride (El Nido van) to Taytay. 1 hour boat ride from Taytay to Apulit Resort.

After 1 hour boat ride from Taytay, this is what you see before reaching the island.

Like they do in all resorts, you will be greeted by the Manager and the staff.

With a song and dance number while sipping the pineapple juice they serve you the minute you dock.

Welcome to Apulit Island Resort!

We arrived in the island around 11:30am. We went straight to the dining area and had lunch.

We checked the rooms right away after pigging out in the lunch buffet. Claudia & I were roomies (she’s always my roommate). When Vito and Claudia were toddlers they would always fight who gets to sleep beside Mommy.  So, what I do is I alternate them.

But not anymore now that they’re adults. Girls have to room together.

I don’t want to complain about the accommodation. Ever since we went to Maldives we have set the bar high and it will be unfair if I compare. I just wish that they will make their bathrooms bigger.

After getting settled in our rooms, Claudia and I changed to our bathing suits, asap.

and tried to get on the ‘basket’ kayak

while Vinny and Franny (gf) went strolling by the beach

My favorite spots in the island

My favorite scenes

I saw Vinny and Franny one morning on their way to have breakfast. I told them: stop! I’ll take your picture.

Mom: love your shirt Vin

Vinny: ha? matagal na ‘to

Mom: Really? Now lang I see you wearing it. How long have you had it?

Vinny: 3 weeks

Me & Ronnel. Our favorite staff there. Employee of the Year Award

Right before we hopped on the boat to go to Isla Blanca

Vinny’s phone never stopped ringing the whole time we were there. Working while on vacation

Hammock. In the beach. The bestest best thing in the world.

I have been doing this ever since Vito was a baby. Spraying sun block on his back. Glad that up to now I am still the one. Btw, nice shorts Vito.

“Mom, stop taking photos of my butt!”

I fell asleep and woke up with ant bites. This is the time and place where even if ants are feasting on your body, it’s still fun.

the way to our rooms

“Kuya, kuhaan mo nga ako ng picture”

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Si kuya is a sweeper (taga walis) in the beach. And he takes better photos than Joshua.

“Kuya, gusto mong sumama sa akin sa Manila?”

Isla Blanca

a small island right across Apulit Island Resort. 45 minutes boat ride (maybe less)

Island goddesses (jk)

Claudia: Mom, you’re a large stop insisting you’re a medium. Your boobs are popping out!

When Claudia tried rappelling…

the briefing

the ascend

this is the part where she decided she didn’t want to die yet. hahahaha. Halfway up she backed out.

and Viola!

Let’s just all pretend she rappelled all the way down. I’m still proud of her.

Our last night. Dinner by the beach

she will always be my baby… maski pa wine wine na sya before dinner

and this one, too. Beer pa more.

Claudia asked me when we got home: “Mom, did you have fun?”

Hell, yeah.