by Ar. Ranelle Dela Paz
"Go out from the city, and embrace nature and its beauty!"
Last May 9-10, UAP Marikina Valley Chapter Architects/Members, family, and dear friends spent their Summer Team Building in the remarkable Busuanga, Coron, Palawan.
May 9. We’re all excited, especially me as the chairman of this year’s Summer Team Building. Although with circumstances, we were divided into 3 batches flight accommodating all the attendees. I arrived around 5:00am at NAIA Terminal 4. I have to make sure everyone in the 1st batch of flight is present. One by one as my batch mates are arriving, we talked and taking each other pictures, and shared so many fun stories. Thankful enough everything went smoothly and no delayed departure flights happened.
As the plane is nearing to land the Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga International Airport) I can see the Island and parts of its sea and lake waters were so green! I felt more thrilled to swim ASAP! From the airport, we traveled 30 more minutes by land to Coron Town Proper. Dropping our luggage on Mountain View Garden Inn, we spent our lunchtime in Karl’s BBQ. After this, we spent our siesta time while waiting for other batches to arrive at the hotel. On dinner, we ate dinner from the Inn’s roof top. Everything is at peace and very probinsya.
May 10. On the second Day after we took the breakfast we manage to do some team building games. All participated and had so much fun as the minute-to-win-it games were held. One architect heard so many cheers and shout from lower floors.
After lunch, the itinerary started: first stop is at Luwalhati Park Port which was known before as ‘tambakan’ -the original port area of Busuanga. Then, to San Agustin Church at Town plaza followed by souvenir shops, for pasalubong items. The highlight of the trip is the challenging Mount Tapyas wherein you storm the mountain by continually going up through the 700 concrete steps. Mt. Tapyas with a height of 210 meters above sea level, is the second tallest mountain and one of the most dominant lands features around the town of Coron in Busuanga Island, Palawan. It took us around 2 and a half an hour to go up, stood for minutes to savor the view of the town and the sea, and going down. Very tired, sored, and can’t wait for a hot spring!
We arrived at Maquinit Hot Spring around 5pm. I saw a lot of my colleagues can’t wait to see and swim through the waters, but right there and then, a lot of guests are in! it’s not a steamy site of the pool though, but when you dip your feet, it was so hot! I saw some of our colleagues enjoyed the hot spring. Everyone did, as I can tell –we were joking around, laughing while gradually dipping our feet, then half of our body, to full. This is truly a gem, that is in reality, so far from Manila!
May 11. Everyone is excited, as I saw some architects reserved snorkeling gears the night before. I even boasted to my colleague I have my different outfit for this day. As we reached the port, batch-by-batch, we prepared ourselves, get instructed by our boat tour guide, and fastened our life preservers. 1st is the Kayangan Lake is by far the most popular spot on Coron Island and for good reason. You cruise into the ‘parking lot’, which in itself is an immaculate reef with crystal clear water. After parking the boat, you take a short hike up the stairs to the viewpoint before clambering down the other side to reach the famous Kayangan Lake. It’s a crystal clear freshwater lake with unbelievable underwater rock formations, which make it one of the most incredible sites in Coron, Palawan. it's a bit tired to climb just to see the majestic beauty but in the end, all members were happy and enjoy these 1st stop. the second island hopping is the twin lake lagoon.
The first lagoon is where the boats dock, while the second lagoon is hidden, the only access of which is a small crevice underneath the rock, or during high tide, a ladder over the rock. One may notice that the waters in the twin lagoons may sometimes be blurry, this is caused by the meeting of the salt water and fresh water. it's still fun for everyone. then next stop is Beach 91 for the Lunch All was hungry and a bit tired. but we were surprised all the food they Cather on the lunch was so perfect fish, adobo and fruits the chef of the boat and tour guide who prepares these was so great it’s delicious yet elegant in presentation how they served we were all amazed. and satisfied how they served.
After lunchtime, the weather starts to rain but the team does not stop exploring the remaining Island, not even the weather from sunny to rainy. We still manage to go Siete Pecados, Wallawey Reef, Skeleton Wreck, and last CYC beach. It’s a bit short but still remarkable for the Marvalley LEADS.
Then we go back to the hotel for our Fellowship night. Dinner, awards for the winners of the games, challenges, and raffle prizes, thanks to sponsors, Boysen, Emerald, Queensway, Timberpro, Crown Pipes and August Alliance, for their support. lastly, we did a few drinks and start to sing videoke.
May 12. It was amazing nature exploring in Busuanga, Coron Palawan. To all the members and staff and the team who help me in this summer Team building thank you very much. Until next time for the next chapter and adventure.
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