Guinto, Maxiene Andrei

BSPE 1B

Palawan is an enchanting destination, a place of unrivaled beauty filled with small

islands, white beaches, and lush tropical flora and fauna. In 2011, the Puerto Princesa
Underground River was provisionally chosen as one of the New7Wonders of Nature, and since
then, it has become a must-see attraction for visitors from all over the world.

As a young girl, I had the privilege of accompanying my father, a tourist guide in

Palawan, on his tours. It was always fascinating to watch him entertain and educate guests about
the history and wonders of each destination.

One of the highlights of the tour was visiting local souvenir shops, where guests could
purchase locally made products like pearl accessories, cashews, and woven bags as personal
mementos of their trip. But what I loved most was interacting with guests, especially those
around my age. I would often teach them how to speak Tagalog, the local language, and it was
always a joy to see their faces light up when they learned something new. During our feast,
where we serve Filipino food and tropical fruits on banana leaves, we would explain how we
Filipinos eat with our hands, and how it enhances the salu-salo (eating experience). When
available, we also make them try to eat tamilok, a type of exotic food, also known as woodworm,
but is not a worm but a mollusk living inside the branches of mangrove trees.

On the other hand, one of my most unforgettable experience was when we met a Russian
guest who invited us to a party. He introduced me to caviar, a delicacy made from the roe of fish
in the Acipenseridae family, more commonly known as sturgeon. He placed a teaspoon of caviar
in my hand and told me to lick it. The slight saltiness and mild fishy taste that burst in my mouth
as the caviar popped was an experience I will never forget.

Palawan is truly a magical place that offers not just stunning natural wonders, but also an
opportunity to connect with people of different backgrounds, from different sides of the world—
an experience that will stay with you forever.