A Traveller’s Spell-Binding Sanctuary (Haven Of Nature)

                SOHOTON COVE, SOCCORO, BUCAS GRANDE located in the Province of Surigao Del Norte which is a part of the CARAGA Region in Mindanao is a place where the word amazing is an understatement. This place is more than a Paradise, it is “Heaven In The Seas” as I call it…

                It has been converted to an Eco-Tourism Park because of its potential to be one of the greatest natural wonders of the World. Thanks to Dhodo Ajoc, the Tour Operation In-Charge for his warm hospitality. For me, Converting Sohoton into a Marine Protected Sanctuary will have a double effect. It will not only preserve the marine life and ecology but allows an increase in job opportunities of the locals residing in Bucas Grande. The locals will also learn how to take care of their God-Given Natural Treasures and will be able to socialize with their fellow Filipinos and people from foreign lands as well.

                So I started my Bucas Grande exploration by renting a boat, My boatman and local guide is Lito Magalona, Thanks to him for giving me a big discount. So at 5 in the morning, I went to the public market to buy some foods that will be cooked during my visit to Bucas Grande. The boatman and I met at the Boulevard Beach in Siargao where the boat is located and from there, We started our journey…

                As I entered the Ocean boundary of BUCAS GRANDE, Nature already greeted me with a warm welcome, an almost 2 feet long Barracuda jumped from the Ocean in front of the boat where I’m located. It really excited me more that I can’t wait to swim in this staggering Nature’s Haven.

                When I arrived at Bucas Grande’s Sohoton Cove, I was so speechless with its beauty. Literally, there’s no word to describe on how marvelous and wondrous the scenery is… I visited the 2 main attractions of the Sohoton Eco-Tourism Park which is the Snoring Cave and the Diving Cave which lead me to do spelunking up to the other end of the cave and allowed me to jump on a 15 foot high board, another extreme adventure to put on my own record book.

                I stayed at this fabulous Hidden Island Resort in BUCAS GRANDE. I got the largest room for only a cheap price. Definitely, a great place to stay in BUCAS GRANDE.

                I agree with the nature’s call for help, I wouldn’t request anything like development of establishments around the Sohoton Cove as it would allow the possibility of destruction in the Natural Marine Life and Ecology. I would only recommend the preservation and protection of it. That We Humans must also RESPECT the Course of Nature.

                And what’s there to improve when it’s already perfect for being just the way it is… Sometimes, you don’t need to enhance a thing to see its real beauty, just by opening our eyes with admiration and appreciation is already enough to draw our existence with its unquestionable excellence…

- Happy Loner Traveller

42 Days Of January

                Eversince I was 9 years old, I dreamed and prayed for someone like you. But I never expected that God would make it true. Just as all the doors and windows in my heart have already closed, you just came in so swift and easily. I was asking myself, why so fast? The locks didn’t seem to protect me from my guard. Then I realized, you were that one rare and unique person sent by God that has the only keys to unlock my shielded soul. To save me from growing old alone and to let me experience the greatest feeling in the world which is to be truly and intimately inlove…

                We built our own little world together. I’ve never felt so sincerely happy now that you are the keeper of my heart. We are so faithfully inlove with each other. Everything was more than perfect. With no lights, cameras, scripts, co-stars and director, we have created the greatest lovestory together.

                                                                                       

                But unexpected and unintentional turns has occurred. Tears suddenly fell down apart, not knowing if it’s the drop of the rainfall or the mist that comes from my weepy eyes. You asked me to let you go and I did because it’s what you wanted but I never did let go of my love for you instead I fought for it because it’s the only thing that keeps me from going on and living life… This is the most painful thing I felt and yet beforehand, I already knew all the risks. But that is True Great Love, continuing and acting blindly while knowing the risks…

                Thank you to the most memorable 42 days of my life. I just wish that those 42 days could’ve been 42 years of togetherness. I hoped that God could’ve given us a lot more of time to spend and create wonderful memories that we will treasure together. So that whenever I am weak, I have our memories to go back to and get my strength from, so that I could continue living life with the same dreams and prayers that I have since I was 9 but this time, it’s for you to come back to me…

                So now that you’re gone, my life has permanently locked its doors and windows to the world of possibilities. And it cannot be opened by anyone else, for you brought the only keys with you. And it’s only you, who could open my heart again… :_(_________________________


- Poetic Prince

A Traveller’s Colossal Wave (Surfing Capital Of The Philippines)

          When you say the name SIARGAO, the first thing that will come up from your mind is a place called “The Surfer’s Ultimate Paradise”. This is the place where you will find the highest measured waves in the Philippines and it has been included in the surfer’s World map where numerous foreign surfers from all over the world are visiting SIARGAO to experience the Elegant Gigantic waves…


          From Surigao City, I rode an express Sea vessel called Britphil for only 180 Philippine Pesos where the travel time to SIARGAO is only 2 hours. When I arrived at SIARGAO, I went right away to the World famous Surfing site called CLOUD 9 located at General Luna SIARGAO and I was readily amazed when I saw my First Colossal Wave, it was a 15 foot high wave that welcomed me in CLOUD 9…


          I stayed at BOARDWALK RESORT and was happy that I had a great accommodation because the owner DAVID MOTBEY gave me BIG DISCOUNTS and the Hotel Staff Logo and Jane are very entertaining to guests like me.


         After having a short rest, I immediately prepared myself for a long day of adventure. There are a lot of activities besides surfing that SIARGAO offers and I am about to experience these in my 3 day vacation. I rented a “habal-habal” and met the driver Lino Espejon and became my local guide around SIARGAO. It is a 2 hour ride going to my first destination. For 700 Philippine Pesos, I visited the awe-inspiring Tourist attraction located at PILAR BEACH called MAGPOPONGKO ROCK FORMATION where rocks created a natural pool formation. The waves of PILAR BEACH are also good for surfing. After the MAGPOPONGKO ROCK FORMATION, I headed to my 2nd destination which is the biggest mangrove reserve in the Philippines, the DEL CARMEN MANGROVE SWAMPS, I hired a boat for 30 minutes and checked the Beautiful Mangroves which is very helpful in balancing the Marine Ecosystem by becoming a hatchery for different species of fishes and protecting the land from strong winds, storms and tsunamis. And I also checked the famous saltwater Crocodile swimming in that area. My last destination for my 1st day is in the PANSUKIAN RESORT, the only 5-Star resort in SIARGAO, they have their own architecturally customized BoardWalk heading to the still and tranquil river.


         When I got back to the resort, I went right away to the famous CLOUD 9 BOARDWALK where I just rested and felt the strong breeze of the wind together with the humongous splash of the waves and the romantic sunset, it was just truly overwhelming and magical…


         My 2nd day is an 800 Philippine Pesos Island Hopping to the 3 neighboring Islets of SIARGAO. I started at NAKED ISLAND, it is called as such because it is bare with pure white sand with no trees found in the small islet. Next is DAKU ISLAND, the Biggest of the 3 Islets which also offers a great white sand beach. But my favorite of them all is the last islet which is GUYAM ISLAND where I stayed longer because it’s like you have your own small version of SIARGAO, the wind and waves produces sounds that will relax your ears and would just make you lie and fall asleep in the fine sandy shore…


         Of course, my exploration to SIARGAO wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t surf in the known SURFING CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES. Good thing, my local guide Lino is a former Surfing Champion and he taught me how to surf for free…


         And again, my vacation wouldn’t be complete without FOOD! So I ate in some of the famous restaurants in SIARGAO like the Dajon Restaurant, Payag Island Cafe, Kalinaw Restaurant, Ocean 101 Bar and Restaurant and my favorite restaurant of them all where I keep coming back every night is RONALDO’S where I ordered grilled varieties of Chicken Gizzard, Pork, Chicken Neck, Chicken Legs and Prepared Meat. It’s very tasty, mouth-watering and delicious…


         SIARGAO is not only for Surfers, any person with different intentions is free to visit the spellbinding Island of SIARGAO and the locals will welcome you with waves of embrace as if you’re returning to your own home…


- Happy Loner Traveller

Letter From A Princess

        Who is Armie for Me? My Ideal relationship is simply to be with the prince of my life… A simple guy who has everything that a girl would dream of… A smart, humble, loving, god fearing, respectful, sweet, honest, trustworthy, loyal, dignified, and most importantly faithful… A gentleman who would listen to your problems. A superhero that would save you from troubles and protect you from harm. A perfect guy… I know that no one is perfect but I have my own definition of a perfect man for me… Which is a man that would admire and truly love you even when you’re at your worst. A man that would never leave me and stay with me whatever happens until we grow old.

         I have found my perfect man… He is more than what I have been dreaming of. God gave him to save me, take good care of me and guide me… He is more than perfect that no words can ever describe what he is to me… He is more than my superhero, more than my prince and more than my guardian angel… He is simply my Guy…

         I am just so proud of him. He is that kind of person who has a strong faith in God, a humble man, super sweet, caring and truly loving… Very respectful and dignified… And a loyal and faithful prince… He is the most romantic guy with full of so much surprises… He is a Traveller who loves life… My mom and the whole family likes him so much. And most importantly, he listens to me, appreciates me and accepts the whole me, even my negative side. He guides me especially in my faith to God and my goals in life because he wants me to have a good future. He also writes me non-stop heart melting letters & poems and composes me lovely songs that would entingle my fragile heart… What’s more perfect than my Guy? And take note… Very Good looking like a celebrity… So, I really Thanked God so much for the greatest Gift in my whole life… Which is my Poetic Prince “Armie Lawrence Leyva Yuson”.

- Poetic Prince

A Lifetime Of Great Love (54 years)

                This love story for me is the greatest I’ve ever known. It involves two important people in my life, for without them I wouldn’t be here today telling this short story to you. It all started on holy week in the year of our Lord 1955. This young thin 21 year old handsome man with a Spanish blood named Armando who is from Mandaluyong in Metro Manila came by train to a small town called San Carlos Pangasinan. He was brought by his friend to visit the place because there is a Fiesta (Town Gathering). But he never thought that this simple vacation would change his life forever. They went to his friend’s house and unexpectedly he saw their neighbor, a young beautiful charming 14 year old lady named Cora was sweeping the leaves of their rooftop and instantly, he fell in love... He thought that it would be the only time He would see her…

                So Armando and his friend went to the plaza to attend the Fiesta. And surprisingly Cora and her woman friend also attended the occasion. That’s where Armando and Cora were formally introduced by their friends. So Armando attempted to ask Cora to dance boogie but she refused because she doesn’t know how to dance so instead Armando danced with Cora’s woman friend. But after that night, Armando can’t stop thinking about Cora, It’s as if his heart was struck by lightning that he couldn’t forget Cora’s beautiful young face… So he made a way to not stop their communication, he consistently sends letters to Cora describing his timeless affections for her… and Cora replied as well. After how many months have passed, with their constant communication that paved the way for magic to work upon them , Cora gave Armando the greatest gift that he would ever receive in his entire lifetime… Her endearing and enchanting “YES”.

                Armando was so grateful that he immediately rode a train to San Carlos and saw the breath of his life… However, so much affected with his emotions and due to very limited financial support, Armando began missing classes just to go to San Carlos and be with the love of his being. And soon he was forced to drop out of college. So with no money, no opportunity for education, he was forced to work as a salesman who’s visiting door to door offering Philippine brands of shampoo, soap and toothpaste to every household. And together with that, he decided to ask Cora to runaway with him and proposed to her for marriage because many men were pursuing her because of her mesmerizing beauty. Cora, without pause or hesitation immediately said another heartfelt “YES”...

                Because they were young with no money and no education, they lived a very difficult life… Their scenario is poorer than that of the rats. They endured an unfortunate course. For years, they sacrificed and worked for their survival, having 5 children with Cora being only a housewife and Armando with no stable work and no enough salary to support the whole family. Also, Armando was not always at home because he was trying to work hard with his little salary. It came to a point in their lives that they thought and asked themselves, what have I entered into? Are all of these worth for love? Have I made the right decision? So they began to have their disagreements… But still, they always ended up understanding each other. For Armando to forget their quarrels, He just thought of how beautiful their past is, on how wonderful they began their whimsical relationship, then he would be calm again...

                After experiencing all kinds of trials and afflictions, they never left each other, they persisted to fight for their true great love because they knew within their hearts that they have vowed to love each other no matter what obstacle will crush their way. And in the center of their love is God, with all the misfortunes they have gone through, Armando and Cora never lost their Faith to God. If I know a couple who has the greatest devotion to God, it would be them. One day, an unexpected blessing came, all of their hardships paid-off and it’s about time to grant their reward…

                54 years later, the family grew bigger, all children were married conceiving 11 charming Grandchildren… Armando and Cora have been proofs that True Great Love in this world really do exist… And as they grew older, the more they become sweeter and in love with each other… It’s as if they were youth again, strong and ageless… And I have been a witness and testament to their undying and unending love for each other… Truly, it is the tiniest ingredient of True Love that makes Fairy Tales such as this come true to life…

- Poetic Prince

Why My Princess Is The Greatest?

All of the great people We know have a story behind them. They say that behind the greatness of a man lies a woman. Who makes sure that She supports his man to whatever endeavor He enters in.

I, personally would agree to that saying. I may be great or not but beneath me lies a great woman, who changed my life and made me a better, if not, a great person… Her smile tires my loneliness and replaces it with unending happiness… Her voice inspires me to live a full and great life… Her eyes showed me the beauty and goodness of her heart and soul that influences me to have a joyful and sharing heart…

I never want to stop learning more about her as each day passes by, for she is like a book that has the greatest story ever told… I’m the story of her life… and I’m proud to say that she is also the story of mine… for she is not just a chapter in my enchanting story but the whole book itself… Our books co-exist with each other… We both can’t live with each other for our hearts and souls are one with each other…

She is the most unique person in my life… I know her every smile… I know her every laugh… I know her every look… her every move… her every voice… All is perfect to me… what more could I ask for?

She is everything to me… She is my wife, partner, princess and most of all, She is My Greatest Love…

- Poetic Prince

The Winner of “Be Like Happy Loner Traveller” Contest (Birth of “The Filipina Traveller”)

            Me, Armie Yuson a.k.a Happy Loner Traveller, created an ALL EXPENSE PAID Travel Contest as my Thanksgiving Celebration to the Successful 1st Year Anniversary of my Blogsite  ARMIEYUSON.BLOGSPOT.COM  which was on December 12, 2010 and as an opening article for my 2nd Series of Blogs. This is also in line with my Advocacy which is to promote Philippine Tourism, Increase job opportunities to fellow Filipinos and to educate everyone in protecting our mother Earth which is the greatest gift of our GOD to Us.

So on December 1 of 2010, I announced the First ever “Be Like Happy Loner Traveller” Contest and I was so Glad that many participated in the Travel Contest that I created. I didn’t expect the numbers, it was for me an Amazing and Successful Record of 2,658 people who joined the Contest.

The Raffle closed on December 8, 2010 at 11:59 PM. And on December 9, the winner has been announced. It was Sofia Anne Lazatin of Quezon City, Philippines who won the “Be Like Happy Loner Traveller” Contest. And I immediately planned her vacation of which she will be the one deciding where her destination within the Philippines would be and she chose… CORON, PALAWAN… She went on December 21-23 of 2010 and was pampered and treated like a Queen. Prizes were a Roundtrip Airfare via Air Philippines, Roundtrip Airport Transfers, Hotel Accommodation via Princess Of Coron, Full Board Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner), Mount Tapyas Trek, Maquinit Natural Hot Springs, 5 Destination Coron Island Tour and a 24/7 Personal Tour Guide… Now, she has experienced how the life of being a Happy Loner Traveller felt, she told me and I quote “that it was mysterious yet so addictive & spectacular and she wouldn’t have it in any other way, it was a perfect vacation”… and so I dubbed her the name “The Filipina Traveller”… I hope she continues her journey of loving the gift of life and enjoying it to the fullest…

To show as proof that my contest was real, I created a condition that she must give 3 of her best pictures while she was in Coron and while interviewing her via email, I have felt her excitement and how thankful she is that she has won the raffle contest. Thank you to all the sponsors namely Armie’s Travel & Tours, CLASSE’ Vegetable Cooking Oil, Blue Spring Water Refilling Station Manaoag, Fry-Day Cooking Oil, Reina Azul Laundry Soap, Cherry’s Video Production and Pangasinan Doctor’s Hospital, Princess Of Coron Resort and Air Philippines.

            And Thank you so much to all who joined the 1st ever “Be Like Happy Loner Traveller” Contest and to all who congratulated me for the 1st Year Anniversary of  ARMIEYUSON.BLOGSPOT.COM … It became a success because of you… Hopefully, there will be a part 2 on December of 2011. And again, an unending THANK YOU to all of my supporters and readers, you are such a big blessing to me… I will forever be grateful to ALL of YOU… May GOD BLESS US ALL!!! :-)


- Happy Loner Traveller