I am sitting at the departure area of Lio Airport. It’s 8:40 in the morning, in twenty minutes, I will be going back to Manila. Pangulasian Island has been my home for the past two months. It’s hard to find words to describe how my experience has been. Two months went by too fast.

Living in a beautiful island surrounded by nature’s bounty is an inexplicable thing. Waking up to the sounds of chirping birds in the morning, going for a run at 6:00 AM surrounded by lush greenery and all you can hear is your breath and nature’s sounds. Hiking to the top of the island to see the moon set and the sun rise with a 360 view of the stunning Bacuit Bay. There is no shortage of majestic, painting-like sunsets.

Digging my feet into the fine white sand and looking out into the azure waters. Witnessing turtle hatchlings, swimming with the sharks, monitor lizards gallivanting around the island, monkeys in the smoking area, kayaking under the moonlight. These are just some of the things I have experienced for the past two months.

Going to the island, I did not know what to expect. I have always lived in the city and living on an island with the beach a few steps from where I sleep has always been a dream. So when I got an opportunity to work in El Nido Resorts’ Pangulasian Island, I grabbed it. And I am so glad I did. In working there, I have met the loveliest and most genuine people. Thank you for the friendship and the random adventures I will always remember with fondness. It does claim to be “The most beautiful place in the world” and it lives up to that title. Through the real gem of the island – its people.

-Tanya