Select Members of the Faculty and Staff Joins DepEd Mabalacat Lakbay-Aral in Palawan

A thrilling trip to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

        As part of the Faculty and Staff Development Program of Mabalacat College, selected members of Faculty and Staff joined the Department of Education – Mabalacat in their Lakbay-aral to Palawan on July 31 to August 2, 2009.

            The Mabalacat College representation, headed by VP Administration Carmelita P. Sotto, includes Mr. and Mrs. Roel and Hilaria Aboy, Mr. Cezar G. Lumanog, Jr., Mrs. Ruby B. Gamboa, Mr. Mario G. Felipe and Atty. Robert John I. Donesa. The group is billeted at the Tourismo Hotel at the downtown Puerto Princesa City.

The tour package, sponsored by the Municipality of Mabalacat, includes sightseeing around Puerto Princesa City, island-hopping at Honda Bay and boating at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

            The sightseeing around Puerto Princesa City is in itself an invigorating treat. The city is simply the Philippines’ cleanest and greenest. Greeneries are found everywhere. The rocks at the city’s outskirts reveal stories of a lively geological past. The city tour is highlighted by a visit to Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center where the group flirted with crocodiles.

The island-hopping at Honda Bay was a terrifying experience. It was where the group braved the fury of typhoon Jolina (Goni), which brewed the country and claimed lives since the day 1 of the trip. So grueling was the experience that during the ensuing fellowship night, the Mabalacat East District presented an eerie poem describing the unbelievable survival of the group.

        The next day, the group explored the fascinating Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. With its giant limestone caves, magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, endemic wildlife and surrounding virgin forests, it is easy to see why the spot is included in the elite list of natural world heritage site.

             For the College, the aim of the trip is not only to expose select members of the faculty and staff to places but also to promote camaraderie with other educators of the Municipality.