VACATION PICK: PALAWAN

For those of you who are thinking of making a memorable vacation back home in the Philippines, I would suggest that you go to Palawan.

Palawan is the best place to enjoy your vacation if you wanted to avoid the oh so crowded Boracay.

Palawan is an exquisite destination in the southwest part of the Philippine archipelago. It is a long, narrow island pointing to Borneo. It is known as the "Last Frontier" and is now being promoted as an ecotourist destination, attracting a steady stream of visitors. It is, in fact, one of the most visited tourist spots in the Philippines.

There are daily flights to Puerto Princesa-Palawan's capital-from Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo. There are also boat trips and round trips that take you directly to El Nido and Busuanga.

Here, you will find diverse and rare species of flora and fauna. There is the fish-eating Palawan Eagle, the Scaly Anteater, Giant Turtles, Palawan Peacock Pheasant, Palawan Bear Cat, Mouse Deer, and the Tabon Bird. But Palawan's beautiful beaches, islands, reefs, resorts, forests, and underground rivers are what really lure visitors to it.

Beneath the waters of Palawan lies a stunning display of underwaterlife - an ideal destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. If you want to go diving, you will find one of the best diving spots in the world here - the Tubbataha Reef. Some of the spots in the northern islands are delightfully unspoiled.

In the capital town of Puerto Princesa, you can stroll along the waterfront, where picturesque houses are built over the water. Visit the Palawan Museum, which has a display of archaeological artifacts and fossil remains; and the Palawan State University, which has a smaller museum with displays of archaeological finds, artifacts, butterfly and shell collections.

For those who wish to enjoy Palawan's resplendent natural sights, there is a 30-minute bus ride to Honda Bay where boatmen will readily cruise you along the shores of Palawan and further down to the islands of Cowrie, Pandan, Snake, and Bat Island. Full or half-day cruises, snorkeling, island explorations, and accommodations are available in these islands.