THE CAST AWAYS

For almost two decades, TAO Philippines has shown us sustainable and responsible tourism done right with a mixture of adventure and fun as a bonus

- Maritess Garcia Reyes

You hop on a motorboat with an open mind, ready to explore the mysterious paradise of Palawan, the Philippines’ Last Frontier. From the mainland where the boat is anchored, you can already see the nearby islands and towering limestones peeking through the horizon. As the boat slowly approach the vastness of the sea and go from one remote island to another, you get that adrenaline boost from all the elements of surprise brought about by this intriguing “no set itinerary” or “no set route” journey. Where will the boat take you? Will you get along with the people you meet on this trip? And even before you are able to answer these questions in your mind, the boat passes by Linapacan— an underrated group of islands in between Coron and El Nido—and an abundance of white-sand beaches, private coves, and vivid underwater unfold right before you. Such is a prelude to a surreal travel experience TAO Philippines has mastered for many years.

Each expedition is not only meant to show you nature’s beauty in its pure, unadulterated form but also a way to immerse in local communities and their culture. “It’s all about the islands, the culture and the people. It’s about experiencing the rawness of the islands that they cannot experience in touristy places,” says Edi, one of the founders of TAO Philippines, summarising their typical expedition. It is finding happiness in the mundane.