Palawan by Road — The Scenic Journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

In partnership with

Hello and Mabuhay!

Welcome to Finding Utopia — your trusted guide to exploring the wonders of the Philippines and beyond.

In this edition, we bring you inspiring stories and essential travel insights to fuel your next adventure:

• Palawan by Road — The Scenic Journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

• Manila Ocean Park — Where City Meets the Wonders of the Sea

• Mount Binuluan, Kalinga — Steam, Stories & Altitude in the Cordillera

Wherever you're dreaming of going next, we're here to guide you closer to your utopia.

Enjoy the read!

— The Finding Utopia Team

Palawan by Road — The Scenic Journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Traveling by road from Puerto Princesa to El Nido is more than just a transfer—it’s a curated adventure through coastal vistas, cultural markers, and wild, underrated charms. Each stretch of the highway tells a story—of resilience, beauty, and discovery.

Highlights Along the Way

• Puerto Princesa - City in the Forest: Start your journey in Puerto Princesa, dubbed the “Eco-Tourism Center of the Philippines.” Known for its clean streets and well-managed growth, the city serves as a calm, green launchpad for the northward route. 

• Underground River Detour: A short side trip to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reveals a hidden underground river winding through limestone landscapes. It’s a natural wonder that makes the detour unforgettable. 

• Interesting Stops En Route: On the road north, you’ll pass the Palawan Special Battalion WWII Museum, a moving tribute to Filipino wartime heroes, and smaller natural stops like Olangoan Waterfalls—great for stretching your legs and absorbing local stories. 

• Coastal Drive & Scenic Views: The highway hugs the coast for several stretches—offering window views of rocky coves, hidden beaches, and the vast blue. It’s a scenic spine linking islands by land, seascape by seascape.

• Arrival in El Nido - Gateway to Paradise: El Nido stands at the northern terminus, known for its limestone karsts, crystal-clear waters, and role as a marine conservation hub. It’s a UNESCO-protected managed resource area and a natural gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago. 

Why This Route Stays in Memory

• Authentic Pace & Discovery: Driving gives you time to pause—at a waterfall, a beach, or the shadow of WWII history—bridging well-known destinations with intimate local moments.

• Eco-Conscious Access: With Puerto Princesa’s green credentials and El Nido’s conservation efforts, the journey aligns with mindful travel that values nature and culture.

• Ocean-Cut Landscapes by Land: Instead of a quick flight, you absorb Palawan’s geography—rock-finged coasts, forested ridges, and rural life blending into island ecosystems.

• When to Go: For the smoothest experience, aim for the dry season (November to May) when roads are passable and coastal conditions are serene—perfect for both driving and spontaneous side excursions.

Ready to read the full guide and plan your coastal road adventure?

Manila Ocean Park — Where City Meets the Wonders of the Sea

Standing beside Manila Bay and just steps from Luneta Park, Manila Ocean Park is the Philippines’ first world-class marine theme park—and immersive escape where the rhythms of the city intertwine with the mysteries of the ocean. Its oceanarium and attractions welcome curious minds and ocean lovers alike into a world of education, entertainment, and conservation. 

Must-Visit Highlights at Manila Ocean Park

• The Oceanarium: This is the crown jewel of the park—boasting over 14,000 marine creatures from some 277 species. Walk through a 55-meter tunnel with a 220° curved walkway floating with sharks, rays, and coral reef dwellers. 

• Trails to Antarctica (Penguin Habitat): Step into a polar world with live Humboldt penguins, snow, and frosty air—an extraordinary contrast to Manila's tropical climate. 

• Interactive Shows & Encounters

  Dive deeper with:

  • Sea Lion Show—watch trained sea lions perform playful stunts while promoting marine education.

  • All-Star Bird Show & Birds of Prey Kingdom—highlight avian wonders from parrots to majestic kites.

  • Shark & Ray Encounter—get up close with some of the ocean's most iconic species. 

• Jellies Exhibit: A mesmerizing display of jellyfish floating like living works of art, lit with soft, shifting colors—a soothing contrast to bustling crowds. 

• Mermaid Swim & Underwater Activities: For dreamers and adventure-seekers, there’s the chance to swim like a mermaid or even dive within the marine realm—adding thrill to the learning experience. 

• Symphony Evening Show: At night, Manila Ocean Park transforms into a symphony of water, light, and music—fountain jets dancing up to 40 meters high, choreographed to vibrant tunes. 

• Spa, Dining & Hotel: Extend your visit with restful comfort. Stay at Hotel H2O, complete with aquarium walls, natural-fabric interiors, and an adjacent eco spa. Dining and retail spots are available throughout the complex. 

Why Visit Manila Ocean Park Now

• Urban Accessibility & Educational Appeal: Located in Ermita, it’s easily accessible and a refreshing lung of wildlife learning within the metropolitan sprawl. 

• Conservation Through Connection: Through attractions and educational shows, the park inspires appreciation and stewardship for marine ecosystems—bringing conservation to the city’s doorstep. 

• Family-Friendly & All-Weather: Most exhibits are indoors, making a visit enjoyable rain or shine. Ideal for school groups, families, or solo explorers hungry for marine wonder. 

Ready to plunge into urban marine magic?

Explore the full feature on Manila Ocean Park:

Mount Binuluan, Kalinga — Steam, Stories & Altitude in the Cordillera

Hidden in the rugged folds of Kalinga’s Cordillera Mountains lies Mount Binuluan—a mist-shrouded stratovolcano that blends landscape, lore, and living geology. From steaming fumaroles to volcanic myths, it’s an epic marker of nature’s raw power and regional heritage.

Highlights of Mount Binuluan’s Mystique

• High Amongst the Peaks: Rising to 2,329 meters (7,641 ft), Mount Binuluan—also known as Ambalatungan—is one of the tallest summits in Kalinga, flanked by the Chico and Pasil rivers. It belongs to the Cordillera Central range, a realm of cloud-kissed slopes and ancient geography. 

• Volcanic Pulse - Steam & Sulfur Springs: Though PHIVOLCS lists Binuluan as inactive, it’s thermally alive—boasting multiple fumarole fields, solfataras, and hot springs. Places like Bu-ot and Bum-bag radiate steam, sulfur stains, and occasional volcanic noise that hint at hidden energies beneath the earth. 

• Uncertain Eruptions, Deep Memory: Oral accounts tell of a destructive eruption—or landslide-linked disaster—in 1952, when sulfur-rich debris took lives near Sugo-oc fumarole. Similar reports of an eruptive event in 1986 or 1987 are passed down in local memory, even as documentation stays murky. 

• Veiled Views and Rugged Access: The mountain is frequently enshrouded in mist, making photos rare unless viewed from villages like Bangtitan in Upper Uma. Its rough terrain and limited development mean few climbers ever reach its slopes—a testament to Binuluan’s remote mystique. 

Why Mount Binuluan Stands Out

• A Conduit of Earth’s Breath: Steam vents and hot springs feel alive—Binuluan doesn’t just look mountainous; it exhales. The geological signs are both a scientific marvel and a cultural touchstone.

• Untamed & Untold: Its inaccessibility keeps it untouched, a landscape still shaped by volcanic rhythms and ancestral stories, not tourist footsteps.

• Cultural Echoes in the Clouds: Local narratives—especially regarding possible eruptions and calamities—anchor Mount Binuluan to community memory, turning geological shifts into stories of survival and reverence.

Ready to explore the full guide and step into the mist of Kalinga's volcanic heart?

Read the full article on Mount Binuluan, Kalinga:

How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential

Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.

No wonder 10K+ everyday people are taking the chance on Pacaso.

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.

Invest While You Still Can

_{Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.}