Travel

Beginning September 1, 2021, a strong alliance between Banwa Private Island and Ascent Flights Global (“Ascent”) will provide a completely customized experience of personal safety and privacy via sustainable chartered air travel. From on-demand private flights to the opulent island hideaway, Banwa Private Island and Ascent are now offering an exclusive, smooth, and highly personalized travel bubble experience.

Located in North-eastern Palawan and nestled in Sulu Sea, Banwa Private Island is set amidst one of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty imaginable. The glistening island of lush, verdant landscaping and pristine white sands is the ultimate in luxury, tranquility and infinite privacy.

With Ascent, the exclusive island is still remote, but not removed.

A chosen 8-seater seaplane directly from Manila on a 1 hour-45 minute scenic journey, arriving on the doorstep of the exclusive island, is easily and discreetly accessible by air from Manila. Helicopters for up to ten passengers are also accessible from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport or The Peninsula Manila’s helipad. The Ascent’s fleet also includes larger fixed-wing aircraft that can fly to any destination in the Philippines.

Alternatively, guests can choose any commercial airline to any of Palawan’s three commercial airports, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa or El Nido, followed by a short helicopter flight across the Sulu Sea and land on Banwa Private Island’s own heli-lawn.

For a more cost-effective option, guests can opt for onward travel to the island by a premium Sports Utility Vehicle from either San Vicente or Puerto Princesa airports in Palawan, followed by a short boat transfer to the island.

Ascent also offers to service both domestic and international arrivals by private jets, be it in Manila or Clark for onward journey with any of their varying type of aircraft, or directly to either San Vicente or Puerto Princesa airports in Palawan.

Part of Ascent’s bespoke services is ground handling arrangements with meet and greet arrangements, inter-airport transfers, exclusive lounge service and immigration fast track.

Peter Nilsson, CEO of Banwa Private Island, greeted this new dynamic partnership with a comment: “We found a great partner in Ascent with our shared goal to deliver exceptional, personalised and intimate guest experiences to our affluent clientele. Our utmost priority is the genuine care and well-being of our guests from their chartered flight to their holiday experience in our informal and intimate island sanctuary. Personal safety and hand-crafted travel experiences have become even more important in the luxury travel landscape nowadays. Ascent’s long-term approach and commitment to a decarbonized world is well aligned with Banwa Private Island’s continuous dedication to sustainability”.

Lionel Sinai-Sinelnikoff, founder and CEO of Ascent added: “Banwa Private Island’s vision of an enhanced experience by air between Banwa Private Island’s guests’ home, and its remote delicate environment, is dear to us. With this partnership, guests’ experience now starts with a seamless and private bubble. Ascent’s dedicated solution for Banwa Private Island, brings a holistic journey by air, like no other, beyond motion. With best-in-class air operations on fuel-efficient aircraft, Banwa Private Island’s guests elevate their journey with peace of mind”.

[email protected] or www.banwaprivateisland.com are available for exclusive island or individual villa reservations. You can also email [email protected] or visit www.ascent.flights for air and land transfer inquiries or bookings.

About Banwa Private Island

Banwa Private Island is Palawan’s most talked about new all-villa holiday destination for discerning guests seeking the ultimate in contemporary luxury, privacy and bespoke service.

Located within a marine protected area and home to an abundance of rare and vivid flora and fauna, Banwa Private Island has six magnificent beach-front villas, each with their own infinity pool providing the utmost in privacy and tranquility. World-class amenities include a stunning open kitchen restaurant and terrace bar, a spa pavilion featuring floodlit tennis court, gym, massage suite, Pilates/yoga studio and juice bar. There’s a dive centre and short-game golf course too.

Remote, yet not removed, the 6.5-hectare island is accessible via helicopter or seaplane direct to the island from Manila, or via private jet to San Vicente or Puerto Princesa. Furthermore, short-hop heli transfers from San Vicente, Puerto Princesa or El Nido make for a stunning guest arrival experience on the Banwa Private Island’s heli-lawn, after a 1-hour commercial flight from Manila.

Recently voted ‘Private Island of the Year’ in the Destination Deluxe Awards, Banwa Private Island’s sought-after exclusivity is more timely and important than ever before. Guests can opt to stay in any one of Banwa Private Island’s six beach-front villas or, for the ultimate friends and family escape, the entire island can be chartered on an ‘exclusively yours’ basis.

For more information, please visit www.banwaprivateisland.com

About Ascent

Ascent is Asia’s Air Mobility leading company, powering air taxi, experiential, medical and cargo services. With Ascent people and businesses can avail of on-demand flights on helicopter, jets and seaplanes across cities and regions. Ascent ambitions to democratize Air Mobility, as a convenient, reliable mode of mobility that addresses congestion, connectivity, environmental sustainability and health issues generated by rapid urbanization and the pandemic. Ascent operates across the Philippines with hubs in major locations such as airports, central business districts, and popular leisure destinations. Users can complement their journey by availing of value-added services including luggage transport, first and last-mile ground transport amongst other services. In addition, passengers fly on curated aircraft in accordance with COVID-19 related safety protocols such as enhanced aircraft cleaning and frequent health checks on crew.

With Ascent, passengers regain control of their time, and move in safe, crowd-free and controlled environments, with flights operated by best-in-class operators such as INAEC Aviation Corp. and AirTrav in the Philippines ensuring the highest operational and safety standards. Ascent is committed to Climate Neutrality and is endorsed by governments. Awaiting all electric aircraft, Ascent makes use of helicopters and planes today.

For more information, please visit www.ascent.flights

Calabarzon is the country’s largest industrial hub, according to Colliers International Philippines, with an economy that has risen sharply than the country’s average over the past two years. As a result, the locality has become a hotbed for real estate development, spanning from significant market such as malls and businesses to residential complexes varying from opulent estates to public residential units.

Eight years ago, Lumina Homes — Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.’s affordable housing arm — anticipated this growth as it launched its flagship project, Lumina Batangas, in Barangay San Vicente, town of Sto. Tomas.

With a total development area of 32 hectares, Lumina Batangas had eight phases, with over 4,500 house-and-lot units and total actual move-ins of 4,100. The said project has officially been sold out as of December 2019.

Since the launch of Lumina Batangas in 2012, the company has since developed in other nearby progressive towns, including Tanauan, Lipa, Bauan, Rosario, and San Pascual.

This year, Lumina goes back to where its ongoing success started, as it launches another signature development right at the heart of Sto. Tomas.

The 27-hectare development will offer a roster of rowhouses, townhomes, duplexes, and single-firewall homes, with amenities such as shuttle service, mini gardens and playground covered multi-purpose hall, and provision for commercial area.

Like all other Lumina house and lot projects, the new development pushes for ease and convenience in terms of transportation and logistics. It is located only 1.3 kilometers away from the National Highway and has an access road going to Tanauan and Lipa in Batangas, and San Pablo in Laguna. Via Star Tollway and South Luzon Expressway, it is only 45 minutes away from Alabang in Metro Manila.

Also intended for the working class, the housing project will rise about nine kilometers away from one of the country’s fastest-growing industrial parks, the First Philippine Industrial Park, and other technoparks and manufacturing companies in the Batangas-Laguna corridor.

More significantly, the proposed site is located only 100 meters away from the Parish and National Shrine of St. Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, a known pilgrimage site and a significant landmark that attracts thousands of visitors from the neighboring towns and provinces.

More than just a sensible affordable housing for young beginning families or low wage earners, the new Lumina initiative pledged to keep one in line with Calabarzon’s ongoing progress, rendering one’s own personal successes more visible over time.

For further details, call 0999.886.4156, visit Lumina Homes’ official website at https://www.lumina.com.ph/, or follow them on Facebook at @luminahomesofficial.

As we face this new year we have a lot of things that we want to shade in our bucket list and one of these is traveling and experience new site. However in our new normal is it possible for us to do it? While certain areas are approved for travel, always make sure you have your travel documentation with you and ensure that safety procedures are followed so that you can make your 2021 “Ride to New Places” resolution a reality! 2021 is about choosing the correct way to be happy and to live.

As the pandemic presented us with lessons to remember, it also gave us the chance to live beyond what we used to do. The complacency of living the normal way of doing things was detached from it. And it also encouraged the ladies to discover the leisure of motorcycle riding beyond the normal way of spending their weekend!

Last January 24, the OMG Lady Squad Riders explored another town in Batangas after their last ride in December at The Old Grove in Lipa.   These Lady Riders’desire to relax, rode around 100km travelling the roads of Batangas to Agoncillo. This is quite a long ride, especially for ladies who are mostly afraid to face large vehicles and highways.  And since going to Bali isn’t too possible yet, these ladies discovered a new site in Batangas known as the “Bali of Batangas” located in Villa Jovita in Agoncillo, Batangas.

Long ride need lots of confidence, when asked what makes her confident in riding a motorcycle, Carol said, “I am confident because I was taught to practice road courtesy and discipline. I always bear this in mind, because I want to enjoy travelling alone and with friends.”

Elvie, a rider for 5 months, also shared her interest in riding. “I want to inspire those ladies who are afraid to ride and tell them, kung kaya ko, kaya morin! You just have to have the confidence in riding with a great partner on the road. That is why I bought Genio as my first bike, and this buddy already took me to Bicol safe and sound.”

The visit to Villa Jovita makes you one with nature. It has the relaxing view of the bamboos and spring, while you also feel the Balinese touch of the resort.  Krizel, a single rider who started to ride a motorcycle for 1 year, shared  “My Genio gave me the freedom to ride everywhere with the looks that I love. Mahiligakosa classic look na motor, kaya inabangan ko naagad ang paglabasnitongGenio. This ride to Agoncillo will be an addition to my bucket list in exploring nature with my Genio.”

Group rides can also be an alternative to enjoy nature with friends in a more interesting way.  Madonna, another Genio rider, says  “Iba ang sayanakasama ang grupo.  I can explore with my Genio everywhere and every placenahindi ko pa napupuntahan.   Yung height and its comfort is perfect for my daily and long ride.”

These OMG Lady Squad took off at Honda’s 3s Shop in Motortrade Topline, Inc., Tanauan and made a stop-over in Elite Motorbikes Corp in Taal, and Honda Prestige Traders, Inc. in Lemeryas they traverse the roads of Batangas to take pride of their Genio motorcycles.

The Honda Genio is another motorcycle of Honda Philippines, Inc. that has qualities perfect for lady riders especially for beginners, because of its light weight and safety features.  Fulfilling a dream for the riders is in line with the Honda’s “ONE DREAM” campaign.

There’s more to explore from Honda and its wide array of motorcycles. For more details about Honda products, promos and dealers around your area, visit our website at www.hondaph.com and follow us on Facebook, Honda Philippines, Inc. and Instagram, @hondaph_mc.

Watch out for the next Leg of the OMG Lady Riders Squad! Stay tuned in the next article as they drove for their ONE DREAM Ride.

My US trip pictures (1996, 1998, 2006, 2011 and 2017)

As per continuation on my blog entitled Reminiscing the Good Old Days in America, this new blog of mine is about my journey in getting my visa. I will talk about the favored luck I had in getting my visa. Hope you like it and can get an idea on how to get one.

Getting a visa here in the Philippines is very hard even if you have a lot of money you can still be denied in the process of getting a visa. But in my application I declared fifty thousand in my bank account and I can say that I’m a lucky one it’s because I can easily get a visa even though I don’t have much resources I think because of my good credentials in terms of job and being part of the Philippine journalist is one of the factor why I get my visa easily.

Nowadays it’s really hard to get a visa, back in 2019 when I get mine I went to the embassy early in the morning it’s 4:30 am and I used to wait for a little more to process my visa and I’m just so lucky in the manner because I always end up being permitted. I have a lot of friends that got denied even though they already did their best in their bank statement, important documents and other stuff. I guess there’s no right formula on it, it takes luck to have one. In my case I always bring the necessary documents, bank certificates and they should find a reason for you to come back home in the Philippines. Like for me I am employed, maybe that’s one of the reasons I got easily accepted.

One of the reasons I went abroad was to travel, have my vacation and in the mere fact that my visa will soon expire. I took the initiative to use it and visit another country since I already retired on my job. My visa will just be effective for just 6 months before expiration. I decided to go to America. First I really want to stay in America for good and look for jobs that suit me but my visa will expire after 6 months and it will be illegal for me to stay longer. That’s why I go back to the Philippines and my mother always ask me to go back home and maybe it is really in God’s plan because I wouldn’t know what my life would be in America in this time of pandemic.

What I’ve learned from my experiences and journey, especially in taking up a visa is that it’s not always easy. You will be facing a lot of hurdles all throughout, there are documents that are incorrect and you will revise some of your papers and such. So you should always be ready. Indeed when getting a visa you should be thoughtful, also be polite, don’t talk when you are not asked, it’s not about how smart you are it’s about the dedication you put into and also be presentable so that they will approach you positively. Don’t be over acting, be honest on your documents and also don’t stay longer in the place you want to go because hassle will occur afterwards and I can tell it’s much more difficult to face that hassle. If I were you, enjoy your vacation and use it well but don’t overstay for you to prevent more interrogations in the embassy.

As I look back on my experiences before, this month marks a memorable thing that happened in my life. As I cherished the journey I had in the place called the Land of Free, America. This is my third year anniversary of the unforgettable travel I had in California, USA. The experience of going and visiting in another country will always be as fun and thrilling as you could imagine. It will provide you so much lesson and makes you realize the things that life has to offer.

Exactly three years ago I went to California USA to have my vacation, since I am already retired from my office job and for the mere reason that my visa will expire soon. That is why one year before my visa expired I already took an initiative to use it and had my vacation. I also decided to go to the USA to look for great opportunities that might help me to stay there for good. Nonetheless if there’s no way I can petition myself to stay I will choose to go back to the Philippines. I went there last 2017 up to April 2018 and my visa will expire in May 2018. I stayed in California, USA for almost 6 months and that was also the period of time given to me by the US immigration because if I exceeded my stay it will make me an illegal immigrant.

First, I stayed at my former officemate for more than two months. As the time went by I felt the discomfort and being unwanted. Her daughter even sometimes bad-mouthed me and I can’t even tell it to my officemate since I’m just making a favor of staying in their place. After that I also reside with my friend in college for 1 month but the thing is I also feel unwelcomed by her foreigner husband that’s why I leave there and decided to go to my relative’s place. I’m fine staying there but I can’t freely go out on my own, because they should accompany me every time I go out.

While staying in California I met my former officemate that convinced me to rent a room for my own. Since my savings is good enough to rent, so I’ve tried 2 months in bed space with two other people. It is worth two hundred fifty dollars a month. Almost all of the time, I am left alone in the room as my room mates work as a caregiver. Along with that I sometimes watch over in a room and look after in the elder that gives me one hundred fifty dollars per day.

Staying in the USA gives me a lot of experiences. You will learn a lot and meet different kinds of people. It is truly a free land and a lot of opportunities will be served by the place itself. Their salary amount is also very big enough that it can seduce you to stay and look for many opportunities. Indeed, California is really an expensive place. From the food, the hotel rooms, and even the transportation it will cost you a lot of money but in the end the unforgettable vacation I did there is truly worth it.

Thus, having a vacation in another country like the USA has a lot of consideration to make like in the place you will be staying. And staying in another place must be hard especially if you don’t have any friends or relatives that will help and accommodate you.If you want to have a good relationship you must establish a good character because you will need that especially in going to other places and you will be meeting a variety of people. Also if you want to stay longer in your relatives you must need to know basic household chores like cooking, cleaning and must initiate to work and present yourself to do the necessary chores so that they will also treat you well. Lastly, always be kind and thankful for all the things you have experienced. As I looked back to those good old days even if I encountered a lot of unwanted situations but still it left me with good thoughts and yearning to visit that place again.

For the next blog I will discuss about how to get a visa and what are the transaction needed for you to get one here in the Philippines. So you better keep in touch because my experiences in getting a visa will be soon uploaded.