I’ve been to several provinces here in the Philippines but amongst all, Palawan has a special place in my heart. Dubbed as “The Last Frontier of the Philippines”, it truly lives to its moniker. It has the right blend of being urbanized and being laid back.

I was fortunate to be able to visit Puerto Princesa, its capital in 2015 as a part of a civic group that have offered to clean up the non-touristy coastal community of this city. I have fell in love with the place, the verdant greens, the magical beaches, delectable foods and the warmth of the people enamoured me. I can still vividly remember the first time I have walked from the airport and hailed a tricycle (which is the primary mode of transportation in the city proper) to see the Cathedral, the Plaza Cuartel and the Baywalk. I was really in awe as I navigated my way to the tourist destinations like Binuatan Creations, Butterfly Garden, Baker’s Hill and Mitra’s Ranch.

This year, I get to visit this lovely city again and to my surprise, a lot has changed. Infrastructures are being built all over the city proper. It was as if the whole city suddenly awaken from a deep slumber, as if a witch had cast a spell on this quaint place. The modest airport has been replaced with a topnotch international airport, aesthetically and functionally designed for visitors from all over the globe. The main streets nowadays are lined with newly opened artistic restaurants and food parks, beckoning holidaymakers. The trend is that they not only offer mouthwatering cuisine but also ambiance which are not only perfect for relaxation but are also very instaworthy? instagrammable?

Four years ago, the nearest mall was few kilometers away from the city proper but nowadays, it’s just a stone throw away. Progress is oftentimes synonymous with positivity but there really is no absolute thing. Along with the rapid industrialization are problems like overcrowding and congestion. Gone are the days when the national road are comparable to freeways. But alongside this growth, Puerto Princesa exhibited readiness and resilience. Touring the underground river is now a lot organized as compared before. Back then, queues seemed endless, this year, I’ve noticed a remarkable decrease in the length of waiting time from Sabang Port. The way the LGU handles tour activities is very commendable. Employing the use of technology to lessen environmental impact like the use of audio device to decrease disturbance due to sound is praiseworthy.

In this fast changing world, the environment and the people are often compromised but this city showed us that it shouldn’t be the case. We have options, we just have to choose wisely.

Puerto Princesa, kudos to you!