Palani Beach Resort- Boracay of Masbate

            The province of Masbate is classified as a first class province, endowed with rich natural resources. Masbate is also known as the Rodeo Capital of the Philippines. Yet, unknown to others are the different wonders of Masbate that you could be really be proud of.

            There are several places and ways to enjoy the wonders of Masbate. One of the famous and hot spots in Masbate is the Palani Beach Resort in Balud, Masbate city which is 2hrs ride away from its city, where you can enjoy the sweet taste feeling of white sand, which most people in Balud called it the Boracay of Masbate.

            Palani Beach is one of the promissing wonders of Masbate with its long stretch of white powdery sand and clear sea water. You could even see the sand ripple made by the soft waves. You can also witness how adorable the sun setting down from the sky and turning the horizon into red.

            The beauty of Palani Beach is so pristine that you will wanted to get there and enjoy its beauty while it is still unspoiled and spared from the harm that can be brought by commercialism.

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            Along the way you can see and observe how wonder Masbate is that are surrounded with beautiful grass covered hills which are very refreshing to the eyes, with its extra ordinary view of mountains and the wide blue ocean. With that, I can say that Masbate is naturally blessed by the wonders of earth.

.How to get there:

            The municipality of Balud is accesible by riding jeepneys that will take you 3-4hrs, L300 vans and buses which will take you only 1-2hrs unlike jeepneys, and both are parked in Masbate city terminal and that will cost you only 100-less than 200php.

Accomodations:

            There are cottages in the beach resort, but you have to bring your own food since there is no restaurant yet in the area. There are no overnight accomodations in the resort but along its place there were houses were you can rent for rooms for only 200-300php overnight or you can bring your tents in the beach and ask permission from the care taker of the resort.

THE TEMPTATION ISLAND

Have you ever tried to savor various types of delicious and mouth watering sea foods such as seaweeds, crabs, sea urchins, oysters, fish and seashells? Or have you ever tasted a delicacy made from a fresh cow’s milk? Have you ever tried to walk bare footed on white sand without spending lots of money? Or maybe tried horseback riding? Have you experienced being in a shark sanctuary more closely?  Do you have an idea how exiting the rodeo festival is? Well, why don’t you try to visit Masbate city and explore the exotic beauty and bountiful natural resources that only Masbate can offer.

            If you are from Legazpi city, you have to ride on a van with a fair of 70 pesos from Daraga public terminal to Pilar, Sorsogon. The travel may take an hour and after the bumpy ride, the fresh cold breeze of air coming from the ocean will fill your nostrils when the vehicle reaches its destination, the port of Pilar. There are plenty of water vessels that will take you to Masbate city, there is a ship called “roro” for a fee of 230 pesos per head. There is also a vessel made of bamboo stripes and wood and is only bigger than a normal boat called “lantsa” for only 150 to 180 pesos per head, and a bottle-like vessel called “fast craft” with the travel fee of 360 to 380 pesos, which can take you only 2 hours to reach the Masbate port, unlike “roro” that travels 4 hours and “lantsa” for almost 3 hours. If you are in luck, dolphins might entertain you along the way.

Upon reaching Masbate, you will immediately encounter carmelado vendors trying to catch the attention of the customers. You may wonder what carmelado is. Well, it is a delicacy made of fresh cow’s milk mixed with white sugar. This sweet and tempting delicacy will melt into your mouth that making you crave for more. Carmelado is one of the best foods Masbate city is been proud of.

 To avoid the extreme heat of the sun, you need to hire a tricycle, to reach one of the most popular beach resorts in Masbate city, the Bituon Beach Resort at Mobo, Masbate. With a very affordable entrance and cottage fee for only 75 to 80 pesos, you and your family will experience to have a relaxing time setting your eyes on the beautiful view of the place especially when the sunset comes. This is a very good place for a couple and anybody who wants to experience the touch of Boracay’s pride, the white sand, without spending lots of money. If you have a pretty good appetite and dreamed to taste different kinds of sea foods, this is the best place for you. They offer fresh grilled fish, different kinds of sea shells and juicy oysters that will surely make your mouth water.

 There are many islands that add color and beauty to this city, one is the Buntod Island. This island possesses a natural beauty with its white and fine sand surrounded by blue calm waters. You can reach this island by hiring a boat or a lantsa for an affordable prize. Another pride of the Masbate province is the shark sanctuary at Gato Island wherein sharks nestled themselves here because of the deep blue calm waters and the bountiful schools of fish that resides here.

 If you are the type of person who goes for adventure, then why don’t you try horseback riding? Masbate is a well known place for horses and cattle. It is surrounded by hectares of ranches owned by the richest persons in town. Want some more thrilling adventures? Well check this out. Masbate city is known as the rodeo capital of the Philippines. Rodeo Masbateňo is celebrated annually by the town’s people. This is where brave and strong men and woman dressed with long sleeves, pants and cowboy’s hat tries to win the contest by defeating a cow through strenght and by capturing it by using a rope.

Masbateňos are kind, jolly, religious and loving people. You can see how they value their culture and tradition through their festivals. These are the famous festivals of some municipalities in Masbate city. The Naro festival of Dimasalang, Pamasayan festival of Mandaon, Himag-ulaw festival, Tinagba festival, Panugway festival,Managngayam festival, PagdUlan, Panisito festival, and the famous Lapay Bantigui of the city itself.

Why go for a commercialized place If you, can discover a paradise beyond paradise. If you, can experience only few people can experience and if you, can tell other people that there is a place, where you can find peace and happiness along with an extraordinary experience that only the temptation island can offer.

Rodeo Festival

Lapay Bantigue

Gato Island

Pawa Bridge

Island Get Away

I glanced everywhere as I walk on the seashore

Things run on my mind but I was never so sure

Is it a paradise or a heaven on earth?

It catches my attention as well as my breath

From the splendid scenery that was created by our god’s loving hand

Down to its people who smile as if they never get tired

Alas! This island is blessed…

For it can offer the best

If we go hand in hand oh dear people

To enhance and protect the beauty of its nature

Then forever we’ll be happy

Oh dear people of Masbate….

                                                                                                      Buntod Island

“Carmelado Man”

Smiling wide like a grinning cat

With a beaming sweat, on the corner he sat

Carrying a bundle of sweets

As he yells over and over on streets

That sweet little delicacy he sells, is quiet a remarkable one

For it is made with fresh cow’s milk, white sugar and it’s done

You will never complete your day in Masbate

Carmelado

If you can’t savor that delicacy that makes everybody happy

Carmelado vendor’s life is tough

Walking on streets under the sun is rough

But for them it is their best way of living

Life must be tough but they never stop believing

If you happen to encounter one of this carmelado men

Better stop and buy from them

For you won’t only the one who will benefit from the savor of their delicacy

 You will also make their family                                                                                                                                                                         happy.

“Place Like Home”

By; Paulene Pujol

I’ve come to different places,

Places that consist of grown technologies

Place where you can find houses,

But can’t be defined as real home

I found this place when I was a child,

A home that I feel love and to be loved,

It can be a human that brings smile on my face

Or other creatures on this land

In all different aspects of my whole being

I can probably say this is the place,

Where I found myself my true happiness,

This is where I belong, my home Masbate.