Panaad: A Sacred Journey Through Camiguin's Stations of the Cross

In the tranquil embrace of Camiguin Island, a deeply spiritual tradition unfolds every Holy Week, drawing pilgrims and travelers alike to embark on a sacred journey known as Panaad. This revered event invites participants to walk in the footsteps of Christ, tracing the path of His Passion and Death through a series of Stations of the Cross scattered across the island's rugged terrain. In this blog, we'll delve into the significance of Panaad and the profound spiritual experience it offers to all who partake in this solemn pilgrimage.

1. A Testament to Faith and Devotion

Panaad is a testament to the unwavering faith and devotion of the Filipino people, who gather each year to commemorate the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ during Holy Week. As pilgrims embark on their journey, they carry with them prayers of repentance, gratitude, and supplication, seeking solace and redemption in the solemn observance of this sacred tradition.

2. Walking the Path of Redemption

The Panaad pilgrimage typically begins on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, with participants embarking on a symbolic journey to retrace the final steps of Jesus Christ on His way to Calvary. Along the winding paths and rugged trails of Camiguin's countryside, pilgrims encounter a series of Stations of the Cross, each depicting a key moment in Christ's Passion and Death. From the agony of His betrayal to the sorrow of His crucifixion, each station offers pilgrims an opportunity to reflect on the profound sacrifice and boundless love of our Savior.

3. Contemplation and Reflection

As pilgrims progress from station to station, they are invited to pause, reflect, and meditate on the significance of Christ's suffering and the eternal message of redemption and forgiveness it embodies. Amidst the tranquil beauty of Camiguin's natural landscape, pilgrims find moments of profound introspection and spiritual renewal, drawing closer to God and embracing the transformative power of His love and mercy.

4. Community and Communion

Panaad is not merely a solitary journey but a communal experience that unites pilgrims in a shared expression of faith and devotion. Along the pilgrimage route, participants encounter fellow travelers from all walks of life, bound together by a common purpose and a shared reverence for the sacred mysteries of the Passion. Through prayer, song, and fellowship, pilgrims find strength and solace in the collective journey towards spiritual renewal and redemption.

5. Renewal and Rebirth

As the pilgrimage culminates in the celebration of Easter Sunday, pilgrims emerge from their journey renewed in body, mind, and spirit, infused with a sense of hope, joy, and resurrection. The journey of Panaad serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring promise of redemption and the transformative power of Christ's love, offering pilgrims a profound encounter with the mystery of salvation and the boundless grace of God.

Conclusion

Panaad in Camiguin is more than a pilgrimage—it is a sacred journey of faith, devotion, and spiritual renewal. As pilgrims walk in the footsteps of Christ, they are invited to enter into the mystery of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, experiencing firsthand the profound love and mercy that He offers to all who seek Him. May the tradition of Panaad continue to inspire hearts, renew spirits, and lead souls closer to the divine embrace of our Savior, now and for generations to come.

Jungle Adventures and Water Wonders: A Trip Down Memory Lane at Katibawasan Falls, Camiguin Island

Once upon a time, in the lush heart of Camiguin Island, there existed a magical place known as Katibawasan Falls. Join us on a journey through time, back to the 1980s, when the trees were alive with mischievous monkeys swinging from branch to branch.

The Tale of Katibawasan Falls and the Monkey Kingdom

In the quaint town of Mambajao, Camiguin, lies the enchanting Katibawasan Falls, a majestic 70-meter waterfall surrounded by thick, emerald greenery. But rewind to the 1980s, and the scene was even more extraordinary. Back in those days, the trees surrounding Katibawasan were not just trees—they were the bustling homes of a vibrant community of monkeys.

Imagine a jungle symphony, where the rustling leaves played the background music, and the lively chatter of monkeys provided the melody. Those were the days when visitors weren't just greeted by the sight of cascading water, but also by the playful acrobatics of monkeys leaping from one tree to another.

As you ventured closer to Katibawasan Falls, the air was thick with excitement. Monkeys were the true masters of the canopy, putting on a show for anyone fortunate enough to witness their antics. Their agile movements, cheeky expressions, and nimble jumps turned the surroundings into a lively spectacle, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

A Short Jaunt to Binunsaran: Bintana sa Paraiso

But the adventure doesn't end at Katibawasan Falls; just a stone's throw away lies another hidden gem. Picture this: a mere 2 kilometers from the falls, nestled in the heart of Binunsaran, is "Bintana sa Paraiso" or the "Window to Paradise."

As you embark on this short journey, the scenery transitions from the lively greens of the jungle to the tranquil beauty of Binunsaran. Here, Bintana sa Paraiso awaits, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. It's as if nature crafted its very own masterpiece, showcasing the lushness of Camiguin in a single frame.

Plan Your Adventure: Rediscovering Katibawasan Falls and Beyond

Fast forward to today, and while the monkey kingdom might not be as populous, Katibawasan Falls still stands as a testament to the timeless beauty of nature. Visitors can still revel in the cool embrace of its crystal-clear waters, surrounded by the same greenery that once hosted acrobatic monkey performances.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, bring your sense of wonder, and venture into the heart of Camiguin Island. Rediscover the magic of Katibawasan Falls, reminisce about the lively monkey kingdom of the past, and don't forget to peek through the "Window to Paradise" in Binunsaran—a mere 2 kilometers away. Camiguin's wonders await your exploration! 🌿🐒💦 #CamiguinAdventure #KatibawasanFalls #BintanaSaParaiso

BINTANA SA PARAISO: A window to paradise.

One year after the lockdown was imposed because of the global pandemic, our feet are starting to itch to go somewhere far and serene. We are all dreaming of staying at the beach or enjoying the cold water of the pool while taking pictures and posting all those on our social media. We are hopeful that 2021 will be a year of relaxation and vacation but as the Covid-19 scare surrounds us, the safety protocols of provinces are still strictly imposed and that makes our eagerness to travel far from the bustling atmosphere of the city too exciting!

There are some provinces that allow tourists to visit their favorite destinations however, the tourists must comply with the necessary documents to be able to enter their premises. Such documents include travel pass and negative Covid test results. Some provinces, on the other hand, allow tourists to stay in hotels and resorts provided that they are a local resident of their province or island.

It’s okay! In the meantime, let’s fill your imagination with more anticipation for a well-deserved vacation! Let me introduce to you one of Philippines’ best resorts that is located on an island near Bohol Province. 

The Philippines has hundreds of thousands of recommendable tourist destinations from Luzon to Mindanao that are just waiting for tourists to explore and enjoy. One of these exemplary destinations is the breathtaking Bintana Sa Paraiso hotel and resorts in Camiguin Island!

Camiguin Island is an island province located in the Bohol Sea and the island capital is Mambajao. It is the second-smallest province in the country in both population and land area after Batanes. The island locals speak Cebuano as their dialect.

Camiguin is also well-known for their sweetest lanzones fruit in the country! The locals also celebrate the annual Camiguin Lanzones Festival every October as their tradition. So if you are looking for a tourist destination that will also keep you healthy with their crops and fruits, Camiguin is the choice to fly to!

Lanzones Festival: https://images.app.goo.gl/RLFc6ZHJ8fnmu9M68

Bintana Sa Paraiso is situated about 4.3 miles from the center of Mambajao and from the local airport, you can reach Bintana Sa Paraiso through an arranged airport shuttle that will only take you a 10-minute drive. If you wish to drive your own car, they have a provision for parking and guess what? The parking fee is FREE! Or, if you don’t have a car to drive, the hotel can arrange private transportation to let you explore the island. Isn’t it wonderful?

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Bintana Sa Paraiso has two astounding branches in Camiguin Island. One in Naasag and the other in Binunsaran. Both branches have an ambiance that is breathtaking and definitely relaxing. 

The Naasag branch sits on a lovely hill at the foot of magnificent Mount Hibok-Hibok. The resort will give you a dramatic feel of Santorini in Greece for its whitewashed, cube-shaped buildings that are indeed patterned to the well-known historic landmark in the world! The property also has a secluded hot spring and infinity pool that you can enjoy. You can also enjoy the instagrammable 90-degree view of the island while sipping your favorite fruit drink from your room! Get ready to pump your phone and camera batteries because you will never get enough of the lovely view, interior designs, and vivid color of the fresh greens and flowers! 

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The Binunsuran branch, however, exudes a different ambiance but is still as astonishing. It is located at the mountain with a Balinese theme. There is one big swimming pool where you can also enjoy the view of the serene surrounding. This resort is highly recommended for its intimate vibe that gives you a healing feeling because of the peaceful lush of the mountain trees.

The Binunsuran branch is your best go-to resort if you are a “nature person” rather than a “beach person”. This resort speaks volumes about being close to nature. The stillness of the surrounding brings relaxation and peace of mind that you will only get from Bintana Sa Paraiso.

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While the best vacation lies in the comfort of the amenities and the activities you can do in the resort like having a relaxing spa and doing some diving activities, breakfast also plays one of the best parts of your stay in a resort. In Bintana Sa Paraiso, both branches, Naasag and Binunsuran resorts offer the best and high-rated breakfast that has a selection that includes Italian, Vegan, Asian, American, and Ala Carte service.

The Bintana Sa Paraiso hotel and resorts are famous for their delectable meals and excellent services. You can even enjoy your breakfast while you are in the pool! Surrounded by perfect scenery, the experience is also unforgettable with all the Instagram-worthy structure plus you can bring your fur-babies with you as the resorts are both pet-friendly! 

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No wonder why tourists who have been in the resorts keep on coming back every time. They have definitely seen the value for money and the unparalleled experience and memories they bring home with them.

There are also tourists, influencers, and travel bloggers who have visited our resorts and loved its soul-refreshing ambiance and they have nothing but great things to say! They have also shared their once-in-a-lifetime experience in our resorts through social media like Destination Philippines, Retx Ed, Jay-ar Labial II, and it was also the resort’s pride to host the ever-lovely Moffatt brothers, Clint and Bob when they stayed in Camiguin for their music trip!

Don’t wait long to visit the resorts and do not forget to comply with the safety protocols of the island to make your stay extra safe.

Bintana Sa Paraiso has been featured by reputable media facets like Forbes and Asian Journal. It is also recognized as the top resort in Camiguin! True to its value, the resort is rated 9.2/10 in Booking.com, 8.2/10 by Agoda, and 4.5 by TripAdvisor! It is indeed a place to visit! 

Visit one of the Philippines’ best resorts you would not want to miss! The best hotel and resort in Camiguin Island: the Bintana Sa Paraiso!

To book your reservations, you may visit the resorts’ official website: https://bintanasaparaiso.com/ and you may also visit their official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bintanasaparaiso. 

The Top 5 "Go To" Wellness Resorts In The Philippines

March 2020, the Philippines have experienced a historic pandemic lockdown that is still ongoing today. From the beginning of the pandemic restriction, we have gradually felt stress and anxiety paralyzing our bodies being locked inside our houses, and going out is almost next to impossible. The pandemic has put a halt on all vacation plans, local and international and all canceled flights and hotel bookings are heartbreaking. 

Sadly, as the Covid pandemic is dragging longer than we thought, most people are experiencing emotional breakdowns and are currently demoralized as most of them have lost their jobs because of the sudden economic shift. With all these overwhelming emotions we are keeping to ourselves, we end up burned out and fed up. How can we keep our sanity and emotional wellness amidst the pandemic? How do we cope with anxiety and stress when all that we see from the news are not good? Where do we go to find our balance and peace? What activities can we do to destress?

Now that the quarantine restriction has been eased, traveling has become a top of the bucket list of people who need to recharge and reconnect with nature. It is now somehow easier to book flights to travel as long as the safety protocol requirements are met. It is now time to plan your travel to wellness resorts that are best for relaxation and unplugging from the noise of the city.

Here are our recommendations to those who are planning their trip to the best go-to wellness resorts in the Philippines:

1. The Farm At San Benito.

   This vast and beautiful healing sanctuary sits in the peaceful city of Lipa in Batangas. And is well-known for its wellness activities like golf, and health optimization programs like radiation detox. People who are looking for a home away from home will definitely love The Farm for its peaceful ambiance.

2. Bintana Sa Paraiso Wellness Resort.

This top luxury boutique hotel and resort with two exquisite locations can be found on the beautiful island of Camiguin in Mambajao, Bohol. The famous Santorini-inspired wellness resort is located in Naasag while the second resort that brings you closer to the mountains is in Binunsaran. For people who are planning to travel away from Luzon to unplug, this wellness resort is your must-go destination! Known for its nutritious and delectable set of cuisines, calm scenery, and relaxing sound of the beach, Bintana Sa Paraiso is undoubtedly the best choice!

Visit one of the Philippines’ best resorts you would not want to miss! The best hotel and resort in Camiguin Island: the Bintana Sa Paraiso!

3. Nurture Wellness Village.

This cozy wellness spa is located in the cool city of Tagaytay. They are known for their distinctive brand of Ecotherapy or “healing by and through nature”. Nurture Spa offers various treatments while maintaining their services purely Filipino from the spa services down to the food they offer. So if you are looking for a wellness spa that is near Manila, Nurture Wellness Village is your go-to place.

4. Bahay Kalipay Raw Food & Yoga Retreat House.

This relaxing wellness and yoga retreat house is situated in Puerto Prinsesa City in Palawan. Kalipay means happiness in Visayan dialect and true to its name, you will surely enjoy staying in this retreat house as you will have an immersive experience with their culture as they promote a raw-food lifestyle and the calm, introspective practice of inner dance as you also mingle with the community. If you are seeking adventure and cultural learning, Bahay Kalipay is the best retreat house for you!

5. Luljetta’s Place Garden Suites.

Located in Angono, Rizal, Luljetta’s Place Garden Suites is a solace near the busy city of Manila. The expansive grounds are said to be home to the only hanging gardens in the country, and there’s a spa with an extensive menu of services. Their social media-worthy landscape is so inviting that you can bring your friends along with you for a Jacuzzi Spa Party. Are you looking for a wellness spa that is fun? This is the right place for you!

Now that we have named the top five wellness resorts in the Philippines, your next step is to plan your travel dates and book your vacation as early as possible to help you balance your emotional wellness and recharge your physical strength. It is never too late to give yourself your most-awaited break from all this pandemic news and burnout. Relax and be kind to yourself.

Healthy Habits for Wellness: How it Improves your Diet?

Eating healthy food right now has become a hype more than a healthy practice. We have absorbed a lot of influences from social media and media itself on which food to eat, where you can find it, and even how you can prepare it. While the food industry has been booming despite economic setbacks, it is also notable that the evolution of nutritious food is quite impressive.

People are now more aware of which food is healthy and which food has less nutrition because of the influences we get from what we watch from Korean Drama and other western movies. But are we really getting the right dietary nutrition from the food we are eating? Are we really getting the right nourishment from the food we buy from the supermarket?

When you go on vacation, do you prefer to bring snacks and order some meals from the fast-food chain or would you rather have your meals freshly prepared in the hotel or resort you are staying in?

In this blog, you will find out how eating healthy foods and keeping healthy habits will help you improve your diet and what are the basic food you need to remember to keep your diet healthy and balanced.

What do we really mean when we say “healthy diet”?

A healthy diet protects you against many chronic non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Eating a variety of foods and consuming less salt, sugars, and saturated and industrially-produced trans-fats, are essential for a healthy diet, according to the World Health Organization.

What are the benefits you get from eating healthy meals and keeping healthy habits?

1. Eating healthily controls your weight. Eating right and exercising regularly can help you avoid excess weight gain and maintain a healthy weight. The key to successful weight loss is developing a healthy diet and exercise habits. Diet just means eating healthy, lower-calorie meals. Exercise means being more physically active.

2. Keeps your heart healthy. High-fiber foods are crucial for keeping your heart healthy.  Avoid eating too much fatty food. The medical community has long recognized the link between trans fats and heart-related illnesses, such as coronary heart disease.

3. Eating healthily improves your mood. Some evidence suggests a close relationship between diet and mood. In a study that was released in 2016, researchers found that diets with a high glycemic load may trigger increased symptoms of depression and fatigue. A diet with a high glycemic load includes many refined carbohydrates, such as those found in soft drinks, cakes, white bread, and biscuits while vegetables, whole fruit, and whole grains have a lower glycemic load. 

4. It improves your memory. A healthful diet may help maintain cognition and brain health. A 2015 study identified nutrients and foods that protect against cognitive decline and dementia. The researchers found that foods rich in vitamins D, C, E, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, fish are beneficial to our body to improve our memory.

5. Eating healthy reduces the risk of cancer. Eating foods that contain antioxidants can reduce a person’s risk of developing cancer by protecting cells from damage. The presence of free radicals in the body increases the risk of cancer, but antioxidants help remove them to lower the likelihood of this disease.

6. Get a night of restful sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when the airways repeatedly become blocked during sleep. Risk factors include obesity, drinking alcohol, and eating an unhealthful diet. Reducing alcohol, caffeine intake and changing your eating habit can help you gain restful sleep, whether you have sleep apnea or not.

7. Keeps your bones and teeth healthy. A diet with adequate calcium and magnesium is important for strong bones and teeth. Keeping the bones healthy can minimize the risk of bone issues later in life, such as osteoporosis. Magnesium is abundant in many foods, and some of the best sources include leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

8. Keeps you from having diabetes. A healthy diet can help you, or a person with diabetes to manage their blood glucose level. It is imperative that people with diabetes will limit their intake of foods with added or excessive salt and sugar. Water is the absolute best to quench your thirst, skip the sugary drinks and go easy on the milk and juice.

Eating fruits and vegetables is the main source of a healthy diet. A well-balanced diet provides all of the energy you need to keep active throughout the day. It also provides nutrients you need for growth and repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy and help to prevent diet-related illnesses, such as some cancers.

Now that you know the benefits of maintaining a healthy diet and keeping a healthy lifestyle, always bear in mind that:

1. You don’t need too much sugar.

2. You need more fiber.

3. You need to regulate your carbohydrates and balance your proteins.

4. You need to drink more water.

5. Your body needs exercise.

That simple! So next time you will eat at the restaurant or when you go on vacation, always consider the healthy foods that the hotels or resorts are serving you. There is nothing wrong to be particular about the nutrition that you are getting from the food you are eating.

In Bintana Sa Paraiso, we guarantee you that we serve the best and nutritious meals to our guests to make sure that our guests get the right nutrition and best experience while staying in your hotel and resort. You can book your reservations through our website https://bintanasaparaiso.com/ to experience not only the best view in Camiguin but also the best meals we offer!