When one island closes, 7,000 other islands open. With the temporary closure of Boracay, I wanted to highlight a few resorts in the Busuanga-Culion-Coron area that are worth considering. Personally, I think these beaches are totally more private, and their marine life beautiful and breathtaking.

 

The entire area is known as “Coron,” but Coron is actually the smallest of the three islands and there are no resorts or towns to be found on the island itself.

 

This is great for the long-term preservation of the island, which is a treasure of limestone cliffs and clear lakes.

 

Coron town is found on Busuanga Island directly north of Coron Island. It is on Busuanga that the airport and main port are found, as well as a number of superb resorts.

 

Here are some of the resorts where  I have experienced wonderful service and accommodations.

 

Club Paradise Palawan (www.clubparadisepalawan.com) is one of the star attractions of the Discovery World Resort group. I can imagine that guests who cannot be accommodated in Discovery Shores Boracay will be shuttled to Club Paradise Palawan, and I am certain they will not feel aggrieved at the change. Club Paradise is one of the gateways to a Calauit safari experience.

 

Busuanga Bay Lodge (www.busuangabaylodge.com) is probably the top Busuanga Island-based resort at the moment, with its Ibiza-theme reception area and infinity pool overlooking the calm waters of D’ Pearl Bay and the nearby yacht club. From the pool, on the opposite shore is upcoming Al Faro Palawan Hotel (www.alfaropalawan.com), which is currently upgrading its rooms and infinity pool.

 

If you must have a sunset view, consider Al Faro. Huma Island Resort, BBL and Al Faro are great options for divers interested to see the 14 famous World War II wrecks of Busuanga, many just minutes away from the trio of resorts.

 

Two Seasons Coron Island Resort & Spa (www.twoseasonsresorts.com/coron) is a bit further from the rest, situated further south at the northern tip of Bulalacao Island. The resort is farther from the wrecks but nearer the southern tip of Coron, which features great swimming lakes and treks along the limestone cliffs. Bulalacao is also nearer Culion, the most overlooked and remote of the three main islands in the area.

 

Over the Easter break, we discovered Bamboo Private Islands (www.bambooislands.ph), the ultimate dream island with powdery-white sand, turquoise blue water with amazingly rich marine life and fabulous organic food.

 

Located in the middle of southeast Culion Bay, Small Bamboo is just a short boat ride from Two Seasons. Big Bamboo is located closer to the southern tip of Culion Island.

 

Owned by a French-Filipino couple, Bamboo Islands were originally their private sanctuary for 12 years. With their penchant for eco-conscious island living, the couple opened the islands to guests. Bamboo produces its own organic, 100-percent pesticide-free food.

 

Additionally, their operations are 100-percent solar-powered, and their water is filtered by solar-powered desalinators.

 

These are among the many great properties in the Busuanga-Culion-Coron corridor, known as the Calamianes Islands, all of which offer superb alternatives to tourists while we wait out the six-month closure of Boracay.

 

Superbods

 

Six months are also what I need to get back into summer bikini shape. After watching the sizzling Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018 Finals Night, where a bevy of sexy bodies took to the stage at The Cove in Okada Manila, I knew I was far from ready!

 

Superbods introduced the Ageless category for 38-50 years old, with sultry singer and beauty consultant Angel Jones, 39, and the boyish BPO trainer Johann Ludovica, 42, emerging as winners. The two prove that one can be at their fittest, healthiest and attractive best regardless of age.

 

In the Superbods category for 18-37 years old, the good-looking print model Jules Aquino, 25, and former Miss Arizona Maureen Montagne, 24, took home the top prizes. The runners-up were Anthony Wahl and Bella Ysmael in the Superbods category, and Mica Fuentes and Jerome Salvado for the Ageless category.

 

The four Superbods winners received fabulous cash prizes of P500,000 each, an appliance showcase from Indesit, Mabe and Philips, an editorial campaign from Zalora, a training contract from Star Magic, a yearlong unlimited elite membership at Gold’s Gym, a May 2018 Mega Magazine supplement feature, Vansydical Sportswear, and a special prize from Cove.

 

Greg Banzon, Century Pacific EVP and COO, was on hand to greet all the guests, accompanied by Superbods endorsers Alice Dixson, Ina Raymundo and Sunshine Cruz, together with Yummy Bodies of Century Gerald Anderson, Matteo Guidicelli and Paulo Avelino.

 

H2O Active

 

I’m excited to work out and swim with the new Speedo H2O Active. Made for the modern fitness enthusiast, H2O Active is designed for those who want more from their workouts.

 

Suddenly my Speedos are not just for swimming, as H2O Active lends itself to a multitude of land- and water-based activities. H2O Active is made from an innovative and sustainable fabric that lasts twice as long as standard swimwear.

 

Born in the water in 1928, Speedo has been innovating for almost a century.

 

Its new Watershorts line is made with durable, soft and lightweight fabrics with strengthened seams that allow swimmers to enjoy beach and pool activities freely.

 

Also new this season are three styles of vintage-inspired Speedo Watershorts made from eco-friendly fabric. The Watershort is made using the Xpress Dry Eco fabric, a quick-drying and environmentally friendly fabric constructed from recycled polyester.

 

Speedo is available at Gloretta 4, Alabang Town Center, Trinoma, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Megamall, UP Town Center and SM Mall of Asia.

 

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