Sassyzeal

Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm is under the Bureau of Corection, Department of Justice. Iwahig Prison is the subject of an award winning documentary film “out of Bonds” way back 2005 by a French Director Alexandre Lebergne.

Iwahig is an open air penal colony with 38,000 hectars. Prisoners of Iwahig are those long term prisoners who passed the probationary period. They were allowed to become fishermen, farmers and wardens. They are self-managed and self-supporting. They organized their community and find their living inside Iwahig Penal Farm.

I was amazed with how life of second chance would be more peaceful and free for the prisoners of Iwahig Penal Farm where discipline, integrity and freedom are smoothly implemented.

"Biangguan man ay paraiso rin sa patakarang maka Diyos at makatao"

Iwahig Penal Farm is a clear picture of a sound rural community. Imagine how disciplined people here are. We asked Bro. James how many percentage of prisoners are escaping from Iwahig and he said "very rare". Well, if we'll come to think of it, if I were a prisoner of Iwahig and no one is waiting for me outside the penal , I would rather stay in this peaceful community.
Getting inside the community will take you to a bumpy and dusty road. There is no entrance fee to be paid here. The only thing is that, you will need to either commute or rent a van or tricycle going here which I already mentioned in my previous post.

Greenery with the view of mountain

Sports Court and School

Row of Nipa Hut where prisoners and Staffs dwell

Souvenir Shop
Upon arriving in Recreation Hall, some of "kosa" (term use to refer to co-inmate) fetched us from the van and guided us going up to the recreation hall with umbrella. They are very accommodating and friendly.

Here is the front view of Iwahig recreation Hall. The structure is very hispanic.

If Cebu have the youtube celebrity dancing inmates, Iwahig have it too! These three gentlemen rendered a dance number while we are buying souvenirs!

There are handcrafted souvenirs that you can buy here. They were personally created by the inmates.

Most of these are carved items! I bought this coin purse made from coconut shell painted with embossed blue flower and faded gold plated bracelet with heart shaped padlock.
There are key chains too! The legendary pasalubong for everyone! Haha!
So cool! These great creations are the symbol of the inmate's creativity, hardwork, productivity and a proof that every wrong decision or act in the past can be corrected. Chances are for those people who repented and who faced the consequences of their wrong deeds. Life is too short, do not wait to regret because we can make it right today.

---BE SASSY ---BE ZEALOUS---

Monday, January 07, 2013 1 comments

The first time I went here, I did not noticed that Olivarez Plaza is a City Market Place located at the heart of tagaytay near rotonda. I thought it’s just a “Park. The second time we went here, we got a chance to explore the whole place. It has rows of stalls. Each stall has a store name and unique address. Addresses are derived from tagalong plant/ tree names like balimbing, alatiris, guyabano etc. Everything you need is in here. There are also tiangge here where you can buy cheap Bags, footwear, cloths, towels and toiletries. For your personal and home needs, there is also UNO super market (air-conditioned department store). For services, there are laundry stall, payment center, Altering stall, picture studio, spa, etc. For tourists, you can also buy pasalubong here.

There is also a very large Ukay – ukay here. It’s a large pavilion for about a basketball court size.

See the swimming pool – cool!

It is neither crowded nor hot. This going to be a relax shopping ever!!! My mom bought some slippers, shirts a big shopping bag, wallets and towel for amber.

Along the department store, there are doors. I was curious what is it so we decided to walk and we saw an open door with staff in Filipiniana uniform.(A room boy)

Surprisingly, we found out that it is a hotel room, we walked more and found that at the end of the way it was the Tagaytay Country Hotel. So…there is a hotel within the Olivarez Plaza…hmmm!! That’s cool! Very accessible. If only we knew it before we checked in, we may choose this hotel to stay. Anyway, there is always a next time.
Here is agoda link for hotel rates: Tagaytay Country Club Hotel Rates

The good thing about this hotel is that it is located at the heart of tagaytay where all of the things you will be needing is just around you. Fast-food, drugstore,

Market place, mall…everything! And also, its just minutes away from different famous destinations of tagaytay such as Picnic grove, Palace in the sky, Residence Inn, Taal Volcano,Mahogany Market and many more….

Their accommodation is very flexible. From a luxurious room to economy room for the whole family are available.

They have a landscape in front of the hotel. Truly a relaxing place to drink your hot coffee in a breezy atmosphere while sitting is a tiffany chair.

HOW TO GET TO TAGAYTAY?

BE SASSY * BE ZEALOUS

Sunday, December 30, 2012 No comments

Philippine Wildlife Resource and Conservation Center or known before as Irawan Crocodile Farming Institute is the sanctuary of wildlife and mostly, crocodiles situated in Irawan, Palawan. In fact, two newest large crocodiles are dwelling in here today. These crocodiles were caught last February 13 and 14, 2012, wherein, the crocodile names were derived; “Valentino” and “Valentina”. Valentino is 16 feet long while Valentina is 10 feet long.

Valentina is almost half as large as “Lolong”, the official largest crocodile in captivity as recorded in Guinness book of record. Lolong is 20 feet, 3 inches long captured in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, Philippines on September 3, 2011. Lolong is named after Ernesto "Lolong" Goloran Cañete, one of the veteran crocodile hunters from the Palawan Crocodile and Wildlife Reservation Center who led the hunt.

Crocodile Farm Palawan is preserving wild life such as these crocodiles. They are nurturing these kinds of animals with the proper habitat and balance food and environment. They are concern with the conservation of rarely found and endangered species. Crocodile Farm Palawan helps the natural repopulation of animals, especially crocodiles.

Upon entering the Crocodile farm, you will see a museum-like area where a huge skeletal bone crocodile measuring 17 feet long is displayed.

Here is the hatching house where baby crocodiles are being taking care of. Their ages are from 1 year old to 6 years old. They have limited movements because crocodiles are more aggressive during night time than daytime.

The next area is for adult crocodile’s ages 30 years old to 35 years old. We needed to step into an elevated view or else we’ll go out of the Farm with missing body parts.

Meet Mac-Mac , he is the second biggest Crocodile in the Philippines. He is named after the town of Macaracas after it was captured in the river of Macaracas Palawan. He is 16 feet long at the age of 16 years old. He is the biggest salt water crocodile in Palawan. He is eating either pork or chicken meat.

Aside from the crocodiles, we have met Ellah, a banana eating bear cat or “musang”. In english, it is called toddycat while musang is a malay term. It Is a nocturnal mammal called civet.

It seems Ellah is trained! Whenever there are guests, she goes down from the ceiling and mingles with them. She knows how to pose! We paid an amount to for Ella to ride on the back for picture taking. Nice Ellah! Good Job!

Crocodile Farm Palawan is not only for crocodiles! It is also a Nature Park too. Actually, this is my second time to see this place. Three years ago, I was able to explore the whole place where they are preserving the wild life. The nature park seems to be a virgin forest. There are giraffe, bearcats, Ostrich and different kinds of birds such as Kalaw and many more.

Souvenir shop outside

LOCATION AND HOW TO GET THERE:

Palawan Crocodile Farm or the Philippine Wildlife Resource and Conservation Center is located in National Road, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Five minutes travel time from City proper and get-off in Irawan Crocodile Farm.

More to enjoy in Palawan!

Palawan | 3/ 2 Days Do-It-Yourself ITINERARY

Palawan | Cheaper way to explore Puerto Princesa

Palawan | City Tour at Puerto Princesa

Palawan | Iwahig Penal Farm

Palawan | Get wild at Crocodile farm, Puerto Princesa

Palawan | Booking a Permit for Underground River Tour

Palawan | Underground River Tour

Palawan | Mitra's Ranch

Palawan | Baker's Hill: The Baker’s Artistic Haven

Palawan | Bunuatan Weaving Center: Preserving Filipino’s hard work and culture

Palawan | Plaza Cuartel: A piece of history

Palawan | Souvenir Shop: Hand-crafts and native delicacies as Pasalubong!

Palawan | Firefly Watching

Palawan | Honda Bay: Palawan snorkeling and Island Hoping

---BE SASSY --- BE ZEALOUS ---

Saturday, December 22, 2012 No comments

In every travel destination, food hunting is not an option but a must! And so, upon arrival in the airport on our first day in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, we first proceeded to Ka Inato!

The Restaurant

Ka Inato has a nice landscape. The restaurant welcomed us with a homey feeling, fresh air and artistic interior. The concept is cultural since most of the interior materials are wooden; tables and chairs, the wall and reception area. The plain auburn color of the restaurant is highlighted by colorful wooden Anito sculptures and abstract painting.

The Food
What I love about this resto is that the menu book is entertaining. Even we are too hungry to wait for our food to be served, we still managed to smile because of the uniqueness of the meal names such as “Mga Sari-Saring Pansit” – Walang Kamatayang Pansit, Kambak-Kambak, , Mga pampagana, Sinabawan, Mga pagkaing swak na swak, Bancuber JQ Shake (Banana/Cucumber Shake), etc.

We asked the waitress by the name of Rhea about their best seller food and she recommended us the Inato Chiken Special. It is the inasal version of Ka Inato. We ordered two original flavored Inato (non-spicy) for the guys, Pastor and Ovi and two spicy Chicken Inato for the girls; Ate Aiza and I. They have super spicy and mild, and so we bought mild. Upon serving the chicken platter with rice, cucumber, sliced watermelon and atsara, the look is really mouthwatering. I sliced the spicy chicken breast and tried it. It was really flavorsome; however, the spice is too much! We assumed that the waitress mistakenly served us the extremely spicy one instead of mild. We added Calamares and bought Graham cake for desert, fresh Buko, Choco banana and Mango shake.

The price is very affordable. Meal s are ranging from P 90 –P 200 while drinks and shakes are ranging from P 50 – P120.

Overall, I was satisfied with Ka Inato especially for the experience of dinning in a completely refreshing open restaurant while gazing at stunning artworks and above all, being with the people I really love the most!