AMANPULO: The Ultimate Beach Destination

           For aficionados of sun, sand, and sea, Amanpulo stands as the ultimate of beach destinations. Nestled on Pamalican Island, just north of Palawan and between Panay Island, this exclusive resort offers a sanctuary of unparalleled natural beauty. Pamalican Island is a private haven adorned with powdery white beaches and unspoiled coral reefs.

The entire island serves as a luxurious resort enclave, enveloped by pristine white sands and the shimmering azure waters of the ocean. Casitas and villas dot the landscape of this five-kilometer-long island, discreetly nestled beneath the lush canopy of trees, ensuring the utmost privacy for guests. No wonder it is the coveted destination of choice for the rich and famous.

There is a feeling of tranquility when you are at the beach as you have it all to yourself.  As you traverse the island's pathways, a sense of solitude envelops you. Sandy trails lead to secluded coves and verdant tropical jungles, where vibrant birds and graceful monitor lizards inhabit the sun-drenched landscape.

While the rates may be beyond the means of ordinary individuals like ourselves, one notable aspect of the resort is their attention to the spiritual well-being of their staff. In addition to hosting monthly masses, the resort also has special religious observances like the nine-day Simbang gabi masses and the Easter triduum, to which guests are warmly welcomed.

             Since the parish priest of the area cannot celebrate these services, additional priests are invited to ensure the spiritual needs of the resort's community are met. This is precisely how I found myself presented with the opportunity to visit this exclusive retreat. The former administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, where Amanpulo is located, informed me about the opportunity and, upon learning of my interest in visiting, kindly notified the parish priest.

   As a result, I had the privilege of celebrating the Simbang gabi and Christmas celebrations of 2019, as well as the Holy Week observances of 2023, where I was able to serve and contribute to the spiritual atmosphere of the resort and savor the beauty of the island.

            

Enjoyed the tranquility of the beach under the shade of the trees on the western part of the island in the morning, then transferred to the eastern part in the afternoon. The western side boasts the finest sand and tranquil waters, perfect for leisurely beach activities, while the eastern side caters to thrill-seekers with opportunities for kite surfing and other water sports.

Doing the Station of the Cross on a Good Friday. 

The chapel grotto which was just beside the sea where we had some of our services. 

I got to join a snorkeling trip with the guests. 

The island of Manamoc as seen from the western side of Amanpulo. 

On the eastern side of the island this restaurant is the only building that can be seen by the sea. 

On the western part, this restaurant is likewise the only building that sits near the sea. 

One of the monitor lizards

Many of the workers in the resort come from Manamoc island just west of the Pamalican Island. Their boats are docked at the northeastern part of the island near the airport which is far from the casitas and villas of the guests. 

The mess hall for the employees where the meals are served for free to the employees. 

Got to visit the island of Manamoc where I met the parish priest of Concepcion to which the island of Manamoc and Amanpulo belong. 

The chapel of Manamoc island. 

At the airport lounge in Amanpulo. 

THE INSTALLATION OF ABP. VICTOR BENDICO AND OTHER CHURCHES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CAPIZ

 

The installation of Abp. Victor Bendico as the Archbishop of Capiz last May 3, 2023 gave me the opportunity to visit all the parish churches of the towns of Capiz that I have not visited in my previous trips. Before flying into Capiz I arranged with the diocesan administrator, Msgr. Cyril Villareal if I could be given a ride so that I could go to the seven towns that I haven’t visited yet: Jamindan, Tapaz, Dumarao, Cuartero, Dao, Panit-an and Maayon.  Hence, in the afternoon right after the installation, I was able to visit all these towns including two other parish churches: Mambusao and Sigma that I visited before which were along the road. Was glad that I was able to pass by Mambusao as the inside of the church looked already different when I last visited it. I didn’t have a picture of the church of Sigma as I visited the church more than 30 years ago during the thanksgiving mass of my classmate who came from that town.  There was a heavy rainfall right after the installation which lasted more than an hour and it flooded two towns which we were supposed to visit: Cuartero and Dao. We had to go back to these towns the following day. 

The concelebrating priests and bishops during the processional entrance to the Capiz Cathedral. 

Capiz Cathedral

Twenty-nine bishops attended the installation headed by the Apostolic Nuncio Charles John Brown and Jose Cardinal Advincula, the former archbishop of Capiz. 

The Cathedra. 

The priests from the Diocese of Baguio doing a native dance. 

Abp. Bendico on a light moment with the bishops during the reception. 

St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Mambusao, Capiz

St. Sebastian Parish, Jamindan, Capiz

St. Nicholas of Myra Parish, San Nicolas, Tapaz, Capiz

St. Jerome Parish, Tapaz, Capiz

Our Lady of Snows Parish, Dumarao, Capiz

St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church, Cuartero, Capiz

We could not enter the church when we passed by the town the day before as the town was flooded. 

  St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, Dao, Capiz

Just like Cuartero, the road going to the church of Dao was underwater because of the  sudden storm which caused some flashflood in the afternoon right after the installation of Abp. Bendico. We had to return the following day to visit the church. 

St. Lawrence the Deacon Parish, Panitan, Capiz

Holy Child Parish, Maayon, Capiz

St. Isidore Parish, Pontevedra, Capiz

St. John the Baptist Parish, Sigma, Capiz

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