A big group of Japanese delegates from TOBA Aquarium, one of the world’s giant aquariums, recently held its 10th Goodwill Mission in Taytay, Palawan, and one of the province’s world-class resorts, the Club Noah Isabelle in Apulit Island.
TOBA Aquarium, now on its 50th year, is a long time institutional partner of Club Noah-Isabelle in the conservation of Palawan’s endangered species and fragile environment. It houses Serena, the female seacow (dugong) given by former President Cory Aquino to the Emperor of Japan.
As of press time, Serena is pregnant – a result of breeding in captivity. If successful, it will sure land on the pages of the Guinness Book of World Records as the first seacow to give birth in captivity. Hopefully, this method of breeding may help address the issues on the dugong’s extinction.
"I’ve seen and gone to Europe, America, Africa, other Asian countries, but I like it here and I fell in love with the Philippines, I know about your 7,101 islands. I studied the history of your country. And I love Palawan – mainly because this is the home of the beautiful, sweet dugongs and charming, warm people. My mission is for this place to be known worldwide," said TOBA president Haruaki Nakamura, through a Filipino interpreter. Nakamura was the leader of the TOBA group.
While on mission to further strengthen the ties between TOBA and Palawan, these Japanese guests had the chance to experience ecotourism at its best.
To start with, the group was treated to the neo-ethnic rhythms of Mitu’s Tribe, a local band led by Mike Tupas and wife Susan, and to the world-class music of violinist Jay Cuenca. The Japanese guests were welcomed by Club Noah’s chair Keizaburo Homma and top man Ricky Tamparong. The resort’s staff was naturally accommodating, always ready to assist visitors. And like any usual day in Club Noah Isabelle, Dragon Force, a well-trained intelligence unit, guards the area to assure the safety of each and everyone.
Marketing guy Ito Tuason promised the guests a stay that would be filled with surprises – a signature Club Noah Isabelle is known for. And that, we believe, makes the resort one of the country’s top destinations offering ecotourism in the real essence of the word – minus the promotional travel gimmicks.
Ecotourism, for Club Noah – Isabelle, means exploring the entire island – on shore and under. Visitors went strolling to appreciate the foliage; some tried the 109 steps to the Rock Bar, where a great view of the beach awaits those who patiently endured the way up. Most were seen kayaking, swimming, fish-feeding, snorkeling (best spot for this is the area by Café Isabel, Club Noah Isabelle’s floating restaurant), and of course, no one declined to try scuba diving. Who could resist Palawan’s underwaters filled with interesting and literally colorful marine life – jackfish, giant truali, clownfish, eels, and baby sharks (if you’re lucky), as they all find their way into a maze made of luminous corals?.
Nature tripping and cultural immersion followed at the break of dawn, as visitors readied themselves (and again, their cameras) for the most awaited Irrawaddy dolphin watching at Malampaya Sound, withstanding an hour of boat ride, a bumpy jeepney/bus ride, plus another boat ride along the mangroves. And blessed are those who dragged themselves out of bed, at 4 a.m., because of dolphins, pairs and trios, came out for a brief show.
"Now, they’d swear we have dolphins here," we overheard from an insider. Well, as an old adage goes, "To see is to believe."
After the dolphin watching, the group was led to a nearby public school. Students, in full costume of improvised kimonos and Japanese parasols (bathrobes and two-fold umbrellas), were in long queue, waiting for guests under the scorching heat of the sun. Never mind if they’ve missed their classes, or they stood there along the sidewalks for over three hours, waving the Philippine and Japanese flags, as long as guests would smile back at them. This affable act, initiated by the school principal and the municipal officials, was a picture of what Pinoy hospitality is!
Another highlight was the stopover at historical Fort Isabel, where a school band was playing at the entrance, while inside were attentive hosts and hostesses, serving "merienda" – buko juice, sago’t gulaman, and banana que – all prepared by the locals. In between bites, the guests had a chance to interact with the Palaweños—language barriers forgotten.
Also considered best moments of the trip were the Jungle Tour (which gave the guests the chance to partake in the buffet lunch prepared by the natives) and the picnic at the Isla Blanca (where the perfect backdrop of skies and waters virtually transported the visitors to a summer haven synonymous to paradise).
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