i-Explored Puerto Princesa!

Puerto Princesa sprawls across 253,982 hectares of land stretched over 106 kilometers, making it the country’s largest city. With its huge trees and fresh air, the city has managed to retain its frontier  ambience despite the onset of modern trends and structures. It's  almost like a city in paradise where lush rainforests and white sand beaches are simply hours away from the city proper. I'd say this  is a perfect place for business with leisure trips. The best time to visit Puerto Princesa would be the  summer months from April to  June or during holidays, when seas are usually calm and annual  average temperatures are at 27 degrees celsius - which for most of the Filipinos can be somewhat comfortable.


Puerto Princesa is known for boat trips through the massive limestone caves and underground river of the biodiverse Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. It was officially chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature which was officially confirmed on January 28, 2012.

The underground river

Among the original inhabitants are the Cuyunons while, Indigenous groups include the Tagbanuas and the Bataks, each group with its  distinct culture and system of beliefs. It is indeed my first time to touch a Kudyapi as I only see this in books back in Highschool and Elementary days. 

     Arrows-tools use for hunting & Kudyapi- a Philippine two-stringed, fretted boat-lute.

 
If you are fond of attending city feasts and festivals here are some dates to take note so you can plan ahead:

Love Affair with Nature, February 14th.

The yearly celebration features a mangrove planting festivity in the coastal zones to restore degraded mangrove areas.

Balayong Festival, March 4th 

Commemorates the founding anniversary of the City of Puerto Princesa highlighted by balayong tree-planting, street dancing and colorful floral parade depicting the Palawan Cherry Blossoms from which the festival derived its name. 

Pangalipay sa Baybay, 1st week of April

A summer extravaganza celebrated at the bay walk area, along the shores of beautiful Puerto Princesa Bay. A whole range of activities kicks off with a parade and an impressive fireworks display.

Kamarikutan Pagdiwata Arts Festival, April full moon (before or after holy week ).

Features varied week-long workshops in the different arts, painting in different media, sculpture, music, dance and film.  

Seafood Festival, April 3rd week 

Festival celebration of the bounties of the seas. Get ready with your anti-histamines(if you're allergic to seafoods like me..)for mouth watering seafood specialties Palawan is known for. 

Karagatan Festival, 1st week of May

Show off that colorful bikinis and trunks as this festival is celebrated during the month of the ocean. Held every year in the fabulous beaches of the City's west coast. Prepare for a grand beach party concert and a Weskini bikini open.

Feast of the Forest, 3rd week of June 

For me, this festival was the best part as a nature lover as this demonstrates a reforestation activity where citizens of Puerto Princesa City and people from all walks of life flock to celebrate a Feast of the Forest, by planting thousands of different tree species in the city's forest zones.

Baragatan Sa Palawan, June 3rd Week 

Celebrates the foundation of the civil government of Palawan. The festival derives its name from a Cuyunon terms that means 'meetThe Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Fiesta activities begin during the first week of December with the series of religious activities. The celebrations extends towards the Christmas season with yuletide activities.