#palawan

By Mmarinrz

Sure! I'll do the Philippine pangolin.

Cocoon Sphere Havens, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines,

First, I want to say hello to my fellow people who desperately want to escape the invasive algorithmic junk and polished influencer-driven social media platforms, finding refuge in this nostalgic blogosphere in the name of *ahem* "self-expression", like seriously, Tumblr in 2025? That's WILD. Anyway, the only thing that saved me from completely abandoning this space was the occasional Tumblr notification that I receive on my phone. I am reminded that it's nice for my brain to share things here that I felt were kinda out of place in social media, like who reads and appreciates lengthy posts like this on those platforms? Fucking nobody. So here I am, back with an update about my life that nobody asked, exercising my brain cells with another tumblog post with zero ROI, but all for the love of this community that somehow separates us from the noise from other social media.

The last "serious" post that I wrote here was the Pulag climb I did last year, and since then, I have actually had the privilege to do a lot of things for the first time. I feel like 2024 was a major breather for me, financially, professionally, and physically as I was able to get my shit together and wander in places that I never been to and reconnect with the people I really cared about, which as self-centered as it sound, what this post is all about. I’m breaking these down into separate posts (and they are sitting on my drafts since forever, mind you) because it’s just so lengthy and at this point I’m on the verge of who-tf-gonna-give-a-shit about this, but hey, this is Tumblr ala version 2025, who’s judging?

First stop… Coron, Palawan (September 2024)

Let’s fucking go!!!

This is my fourth time in Palawan, and twice specifically in Coron Islands, and I am still captivated by the beauty and the serenity of this paradise. It wasn’t really my plan to go back here soon, but helloooo piso sale flights plus one of my close friends has invited me to celebrate her birthday there, so why not? 

As soon as we landed, we went on a hike to Mt. Tapyas, located straight in the center of the town of Coron, with rewarding panoramic views of the town, bay, and surrounding islands. It was a short hike, probably about half an hour, but a steep one, but the salt air brushing your cheek and the majestic sunset that welcomes you once you reach the top? August by Taylor Swift would start playing in your ears. Heaven.

After sunset, we went straight to a saltwater hot spring located in the woods, which felt like the middle of nowhere. I hadn’t been to Maquinit Hot Spring the first time I came to Coron, so I made sure I’d get to visit the place because I’ve heard it was hot. WRONG. It was REALLY REALLY HOT. It was super hot, where some people who dipped their toes decided not to go in. That level! We were told to enter the hot spring gradually, like feet first, wait for a couple of minutes, then on your knees, wait again, and so on. But once you have your body acclimated, it is spa-level peak relaxation, all negative energy, poisonous and toxic elements in your body, all GONE. Eme. It was very soothing. I’d like to think that it did something healing and therapeutic for my body because I’ve heard about that regarding natural hot springs. 

After that, we spent the remaining days of our short trip with the usual Coron itinerary go-tos: we went island hopping, swam in open waters such as the world-famous cleanest Kayangan lake and the Malcapuya Island, which to me is still one of the best beaches in the Philippines. Imagine Boracay, but without the crowd and commercial places, but even better, especially for diving, snorkeling, and budget-friendly too! Overall, Coron was always as serene as I experienced it for the first time. If I see another piso sale, I will go back.

So that's it for now. Next stop, I’m taking you to Saigon, Hanoi, Seoul, and Japan. I’m taking you around the world, baybeeeeee. Like I always say on this lil space, it's always an honor to have your ears... or eyes, and here we are still sharing stories in this community freely and unapologetically, keeping this what seems to be an online journal we are willing to have random people get a glimpse of, and I thank you for your time. Part 2 coming right up!

JOSHY.