Baywatch at Camp Rofelio

The West Coast of the Philippines, a gem of a summer destination. And the crown jewel? The coast of San Felipe, nestled in the province of Zambales. A tranquil town in the North, beckoning with its beauty.

The waves, the blue-green waters, and the greyish-powdery sand make it a great getaway for rejuvenating and having some pure thinking moments.

In May 2018, I discovered a newly built camping site on the coast of Liwliwa, a town in San Felipe.

It's a haven of tranquility, with several cottages and tents for an overnight stay. The moment I set eyes on it, I knew it was a place I could truly unwind and connect with nature.

Standing barefoot at the seaside gate of Camp Rofelio, you can enjoy a perfect view of the horizon. The water is clear, and the waves are relaxing. You can also sit on the sand, meditate, and capture the best view of the surroundings.

A great weekend retreat. Camping at the beach. A soulful moment to watch the sunset. Fresh-grilled seafood for dinner and a bonfire night to remember.

It was indeed a memorable and fun moment at Camp Rofelio. It's a decent weekend destination—a solemn place where you can be at peace and one with nature. When you hear the waves inside the tent at night, you'll have the most relaxing and deep sleep ever.

But, hey! I'm supposed to be bay-watching!

A Baywatch, to appreciate the area, the surrounding waters, and the place facing the West Philippine Sea, had created controversy from unwanted intruders. The pirates of the sea had been inside our Philippine waters, causing tensions and threats to the fishing livelihood of the locals.

The Philippine government is supposed to protect those waters, defend our territorial seas, and secure what's best for our people.

There were spotted dredging foreign vessels in the territorial waters of Zambales that threaten our territorial rights and the fishing rights of several Fishermen on our territory.

We are standing as a Baywatch. Someone who sees intruders from afar. But our local fishermen are powerless, and even the regional and national governments must be more powerful to defend the territory.

I love Zambales and would love to return for the next summer season. But the best Baywatch is to see happy people and not stories of intrusion—like thieves of the sea. Camp Rofelio is a good place for Baywatch, but be mindful and have a telescopic eye for the pirates of the sea.

We dream of creating and preserving safe and thriving tourist destinations. But to do so, we must be vigilant and informed about issues that threaten the rights of our people. Our silence could cost us our paradise.

San Felipe is a place of kind and peaceful people. Protect it and make it a heaven-on-earth experience—a paradise. Together, we can protect it and become a good Baywatch—a good Filipino.

© 2020 Del Cusay

The Highlands of Baguio

Baguio City, an American town nestled in the Cordilleran region of the Philippines, is a unique hill station in the North, waiting to be explored.

The "Little America," also known as the City of Pines, attracts tourists from all over the country and foreigners who want to explore the rich culture and heritage of this highly urbanized City in the Cordillera region, which literally means a mountainous area.

However, the 'American town' label is a relic of the past. It was bestowed during the American colonization of the Philippines in the 1900s.

Baguio is one of the most incredible hill stations in the Philippines. It is good that the Americans have developed this place as their mountain resort to escape the lowland heat, especially during the summer. 

And why do Filipinos love Baguio City? Undoubtedly, its higher elevation provides a cool climate almost all year round. When summertime comes, more people pack up for an adventure. It's not just during the summer season. Still, it has become a weekend getaway for people from the nearby provinces and Metro Manila, the National capital region.

In the present day, Filipinos are in complete control of the former US military base, Camp John Hay. This was not after they gave back our independence in 1946, but it was just a not-so-distant past in 1991—almost three decades ago.

That's just a little piece of history. Yes, the Igorots of the Cordilleras have a colorful and vibrant culture, which even Americans could not change or take away their identity.

Having lived and worked in Baguio City in the summer of 2015, I witnessed its natural wonders. However, this paradise is now under threat from commercialization, the foremost adversary of environmental preservation.

Housing projects, malls, and big infrastructure projects are on the rise, and it costs thousands of century-old pine trees to be cut down to make way for these projects.

Baguio City is now crowded, and you can see the hillside full of houses and even faraway mountains almost full of places. That was not what I witnessed when I first visited Baguio in 2004.

Development on this mountain resort was so fast, taking place in just a decade, and developers are eager to exploit more and make the City miserable.

The development would have made Baguio a highly livable Philippine city, but overdevelopment for business profit will slowly kill its natural charm and beauty. The once serene and picturesque landscapes are now marred by concrete structures and the loss of century-old pine trees, a stark reminder of the cost of unchecked urbanization.

One thing I admire most about Igorots (the local name for the Cordilleran people) is their hospitality and friendliness. They are also kind and honest people. I hope that they will be able to preserve its rich culture and pass it on to the next generations. Their resilience and determination in fighting for their land, despite the challenges posed by overdevelopment, is a testament to their love for their home.

Burnham Park, Wright Park, Bell House, Kennon Road, and Brent School are places of interest named after Americans who have contributed significantly to Baguio City's development.

So, Americans showed us how to build a highly master-planned city on a mountaintop. Initially, they made it for less than 30,000 people, but after over a century, the population has become ten times larger, at more than 300,000.

The highlands of Baguio are genuinely captivating to tourists. Their history and culture, steeped in the traditions of the Igorots and the influence of American colonization, are the souls of the place and the local people. The fusion of these elements creates a unique cultural tapestry that is a must-see for any visitor. 

After the Pandemic, more people will again be stuck in a traffic jam on its zig-zag road and all the way up just to feel its mountain breeze again and the warmth of the Igorot people.

In the Highlands of Benguet Province, Philippines, Baguio City is a cultural gem and a hub of great people deserving of recognition and reverence.

Baguio City is home to charming people.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Related Post:

👉 Stairway to the Mountain

The Breathtaking View of Taal Lake

As a tropical country, the Philippines is hot and humid almost year-round.

And so it's even hotter in summer!

When people need to relax and unwind over the weekend, there's a place we can travel to escape from the lowland heat.

It's Tagaytay! Overlooking Taal lake.

Tagaytay, with its cool climate, is a unique gem that I adore. A mountain resort just a short one-and-a-half-hour journey from the bustling Philippine capital, Manila.

It's not just the climate but also known for its scenic and breathtaking view of Taal Lake and, one of the world's smallest active volcanoes.

In June 2018, I had a great weekend in Tagaytay. It was just a brief moment to rejuvenate from the noise and stress of the metro. That was my third and last visit, and it was memorable.

But this charming tourist destination has a sad story about the recent volcanic eruption in January 2020. Its eruption was one of the most destructive, causing a struggle for livelihood, health, safety, and loss of lives in Taal, the province of Batangas. It affected nearby areas and reached as far as Metro Manila.

Will I ever come back to this place?

Yes, I will return. This enchanting place, nestled between the provinces of Batangas and Cavite, will always hold its allure. The people here are resilient, and their determination to bounce back after a natural disaster is truly inspiring.

The destruction of the ecosystem threatens the livelihoods of fishing and farming and will significantly reduce the tourism sector.

Now, during this Pandemic, the people in Taal and Tagaytay are again under a significant threat of livelihood due to the disruption of businesses caused by the lockdown. They have not fully recovered from the volcanic eruption in January, when the lockdown due to the Pandemic was ordered in March 2020.

That's like continuous disaster and suffering. I hope it will end.

Tourism was a big loser during this Pandemic. Given the strict travel restrictions and protocols on health standards, it could hardly recover. 

As we look forward to the end of this pandemic, it's crucial that we all play a part in reviving the tourism industry, which is a cornerstone of our country's economy.

Is it safe to visit?

Since it will take years for another volcanic eruption to happen.

Tagaytay, overlooking Taal Lake, is close to my heart. It has memories to cherish for a lifetime. It will be a breathtaking place to visit for a lifetime.

© 2020 Del Cusay

Press Freedom in The Philippines

This is another attack on Philippine press freedom. The Philippines is crippled and crushed again. The Filipino people are saddened and mourning.

Today marks another tragic chapter in the erosion of press freedom in the Philippines. The country's largest television network has been denied its 25 years of congressional franchise, a move that strikes at the heart of our democracy.

This is a grave injustice. The Philippine Congressmen on the legislative franchise committee have turned a deaf ear to the network and the Filipino people at large. They have not just killed a network, they have silenced a nation. In these trying times, they have deprived us of our right to vital news and information.

While the country is currently surviving the pandemic, the government is losing its priorities. It has turned around and faced the wrong enemy, turning the battleground against its own people.

We demand accountability. Our government has suppressed press freedom and the freedom of speech of those who dare to criticize autocratic leadership and abuse of power. This is not what we deserve. 

We don't cry. We mourn! We suffer! We are not being heard and are made to be silent and not dissent. Why Can't We Speak?

To our fellow Filipinos around the world, we need your support. Our beloved country is under siege. The democracy we have fought for over the years is now in peril, threatened to be plunged back into its darkest history.

Stay strong. This is not over yet; together, we'll regain our voice, our true democracy, the absolute freedom of expression, and the freedom of the press. We deserve to recover what we have lost and are about to lose. We deserve good governance for a better Philippines. 

Be heard!

© 2020 Del Cusay

Weekend Getaway in Boracay

I need a vitamin sea. That's how millennials or young travelers would say whenever they need a break.

The sea is medicine, prescribed not by physicians but by none other than our very own friends, our colleagues, or people closer and special to us. We feel calm and relaxed when we are in a body of water. Our mind becomes clear, and our soul is uplifted. Our well-being is healed and rejuvenated, and that's the ultimate goal to achieve.

The truth is we want to escape reality once in a while, to live in a fantasy land where there are no pains and stresses. We pause, pack our things, and go on a travel and adventure.

Dream on and go on.

In April 2016, I had a breathtaking weekend getaway on a small island on the west coast of Panay Island in the Philippines—Boracay Island, a true gem of the world.

It's a hotspot for the world's beach and island lovers. A multi-cultural hub where the East meets the West.
That was my 5th time visiting Boracay in about two decades. And each time I saw it, its ecosystem and culture had undergone several transformations. I the old Island culture I missed.

 I may have seen Boracay during its pristine days when it was less developed and had its Island vibe. So that brings back vivid memories worth remembering. 

Last year, when it underwent temporary closure, it became like a ghost Island. Only a few tourists and businesses closed for about half a year. If we humans deserve a break, a busy Island deserves a much-needed break too.

When an ecosystem is damaged by commercialization, it has to clean and heal itself before serving people again. Other more popular Islands in the country and Southeast Asian region followed suit. They also rehabilitated their Island paradise. That's a great move, made with great sacrifice and love. 

Take a break from the crowd. The party. The noise. The pollution.

I love Boracay. It has a different vibe from other Philippine Islands and beaches. So, I am pro-rehabilitation if needed so it can breathe again and rejuvenate—just like us human beings.

The Nami Resort will take you over the hills and allow you to experience exhilarating fun from an old-style elevator reaching the hilltop. Nami Resort had the best view of the Island, which was just fantastic. The food, the music, and the ambiance are great. The experience was magical.

When people can travel again without restrictions, Boracay will open its paradise for responsible business owners and kind travelers who understand the importance of preserving its beauty.

Boracay is for everyone, and I look forward to the day when I can once again swim in its water, witness its captivating sunset, see the sandcastles, and leave footprints in the sand.

© 2020 Del Cusay