MANGROVE LOVING PENGUIN: The Return to Paradise (Albay West Coast Ligao City) With Grade School Classmates

 

"It's paradise here when the sun meets the sea. There's nothing to fear and so much to be."  

What does one do when one finds a beautiful place, a paradise even?  One returns to that paradise with loved ones and friends.  Sharing the beauty of a special place is a wonderful way to multiply one's joy.  It turns a solitary memory into a shared bond, builds stronger connections, and lets the people one cares about experience the exact same magic one did.  Sharing the magic of  a hidden paradise with one's favorite people turns a simple memory into a shared legacy.

Return to paradise with family and friends.  This is exactly what the Mangrove Loving Penguin (MLP) did this Philippine Indepence Day weekend (June 11 & June 12). Last March, prior to the Holy Week,  I visited a mangrove forest in the west coast area of Ligao City. The MLP was so impressed with how the Ligao City LGU was taking care of its mangroves and other coastal resources that I wrote about the experience which was posted in the Bicolano Penguin  blog.  For me, the mangrove forest in Barangay Maonon and Barangay Cabarian is like a veritable paradies that needs to be shared.  Thus, with a long weekend coming up for the Independence Day celebrations, I invited my son Marcel and several of my grade school batchmates (LCA 8379) at the La Consolacion College (Iriga City) to go with me to an adventure in the West Coast Albay of Ligao City. This adventure included mangrove planting, kayaking and a bonus visit to an enchanting islet.    

Appreciative of LCA8379 batchmates for joining me and my son in the adventure. Those who joined are Ruvill Villagomez,  Mercedes Elegado Navida,  Salve Antioquia Oronan , Marian Vargas, Marietta Verona, Gina Turiano Bernales, Iren Estor Turiano (with husband Ando), Judy Carullo Colico  (with kids Carmela and EJ), and Arni Sernal (husband of our classmate Yollie).    

Truly thankful to Ligao City Mayor Fernando Vallejo Gonzalez , thru the assistance  of  the CENRO and City Tourism Office, for granting us permission to plant mangroves inside the LGU-managed mangrove forest.  Truly thankful to the Ligao City Integrated Coastal Resource Management team based in Brgy Maonon. This team led by Bob Porcalla made sure to shepherd  us in our mangrove planting activity and guide us in our visits to some of the wonderful places in the West Coast of Ligao City.  Indeed, their actions and decisions give credence to the tacit recognition that Ligao City is one of the most environmentally responsive and sustainable LGUs in Bicol and the whole country.

Photo with Ligao City CENRO Maria Soledad Prena (in middle).

In his orientation to our LCA8379 team prior to the actual planting, Bob highlighted the importance of the mangrove ecosystem as nursery for marine life, effective protection against storm surge and flooding, and efficient carbon sink to battle climate change.  He also pointed out that our mangrove planting activity follows science-based protocols, particularly the 3 Rs.  

Right time.  Our LCA8379 batchmates were scheduled to plant the mangroves during low tide which on June 11 was between 2pm to 3pm.  Planting mangroves while the site is exposed and not flooded offers the advantage of visibility, soil access, and depth control. Also, it prevents uprooting which would otherwise happen during high tide where the moving water can easily wash away or uproot the seedlings. 

Right location.  Our LCA 8379 batchmates are planting on the right location which is a sheltered, calm intertidal coastline facing the sea on the border of Brgy Maonon and Brgy Cabarian.  We targetted the middle to upper intertidal zone which was exposed during low tide and reached by seawater during high tide.

The day before the June 11 mangrove planting, the Mangrove Loving Penguin was guided by Bantay Dagat Rudy YUson in  conducting  an ocular of the proposed planting site.     

The proposed planting site is located in the seaward portion of the mangrove forest.  Earlier last May, a group of PNP officers conducted a mangrove planting activity beside the proposed site for LCA 8379.  

The MLP is inspecting a grown Bungalon mangrove tree which is the same species that LCA 8379 will be planting.  It is the ideal mangrove species for the seaward location.

Rudy showing the Bungalong mangrove seedlings in the nursery

Right species. The most suitable mangrove species for a seaaward or seafront intertidal location are the Avicennia marina (Bungalon)  and Sonneratia alba (Pagatpat) .  These pioneer species are specifically adopted to endure daily tidal inundations, high wave energy and coarse, sandy substrates.  Our LCA 8379 batchmates were provided  Bungalon seedlings by the Integrated Coastal Resource Management team.   

Here are some of the  photos of our mangrove planting activity in June 11.

LCA 8379 mangrove  participants carrying the mangrove seedlings to the planting site. 

At 2pm last June 11, it was low tide. The ideal time for mangrove planting.  

Bob Porcalla of Ligao City's Integrated Coastal Resource Management team conducting an orientation of the mangrove planting activity.  

Marcel helping out in the digging in the sandy substrate. 

Mother and Son.  Judy and EJ working together. 

Gina with the Bungalon mangrove she planted.  

Salve getting low to plant the Bungalon

Marian with her Bungalon.

"V" sign for Mercedes to signal success with her planting. 

Iren about to plant her Bungalon.

Marietta all smile.

Ruvill gung ho on his Bungalon.

MLP been planting mangroves many times already in various parts of the Philippines, and the joy of such an experience never gets old.  

Under the supervision of Bob, the LCA 8379 group making sure all the 60 mangrove seedlings are planted.

Success.  Group photo before 3pm. 

For the mangrove planting activity, our LCA 8379 Batch targeted to plant 60 Bungalon mangrove seedlings. This we achieved thanks to the help of the Ligao City Integrated Coastal Resource Management team.  

Why 60?  Simple, the number is to celebrate the entry into senior citizenship of many of our LCA 8379 batchmates.  It is a meaningful way to celebrate our milestone age and leave a legacy.  Mangroves protect shorelines.  This act of environmental stewardship beautifully reflects how entry into senior citizenship represents wisdom, longevity,  and giving back to the community.   This is especially appealing for our LCA 8379 batch as we are alumni of a Catholic school who hope to align our actions with the teachings of our faith. It is a simple yet special  way for us to live out the teachings of the Pope Francis papal encyclical "Laudato Si" which calls  for the care of our common home and the protection of creation. Mangrove planting initiatives represent a tangible localized response to that call. 

MLP took the time to gather feedback on the mangrove planting activity. Sharing here the response of Carmela, the daughter of batchmate Judy and the youngest participant in the June 11 mangrove planting, to the question - How was the experience like?

"It was my first time planting mangroves and I did it with my mom's classmates. It felt good to be able to help the environment and do something positive for the planet. I think mangrove planting is important because mangroves help protect coastlines from flooding. They also provide habitat for fish and other wildlife. Also, planting mangroves helps the environment and supports local communities."  

While the mangrove planting activity was the highlight of our June 11-12 adventure in the West Coast of Wanderful Ligao, we had time for other activites that,  in addition to boosting our camaraderie,  seek to enhance our connection with nature. There was the kayaking of course in the morning of June 11.

Kayaking is such a treat for the MLP and his LCA8379 batchmates. Kayaking provides an intimate way to glide through  the mangrove forest in Ligao City, without disturbing wildlife, emitting pollutants, or making loud machine noise. The sensory immersion is cool. Seated just inches above the waterline, the rhythm of your paddle connects directly to the currents, winds and tides, forcing you to read and react to natural forces in real time. 

Collage of photos of the kayaking of the LCA8379 batchmates, all in their senior citizenship era. 

All smiles for the kayakers.  

We had a lot of fun kayaking in the beautiful place that is the West Coast of Ligao City on that day of June 11.  Kayaking  is a superb low-impact physical exercise which provides a full body workout, elevating our heart rate while simultaneously building muscle strength and endurance.  In addition, kayaking allowed us to glide through the shallow narrow channels of the forest and get up close to the mangroves. Such a serene place the mangrove forest is and kayaking does not come with the noisy machine noise and air pollution that motorized bancas have. 

Mangrove planting. Check.  

Kayaking. Check. 

Two cool activities. 

But we were not done yet with our adventure  (call it senior citizen adventure if you must) in Wanderful Ligao.  How about a third one?  After all there is the saying "Omne trium perfectum." A trio of Latin words to convey a simple philosophy - "everything that comes in threes is perfect." 

For us LCA8379 classmates, there is the 3rd activity which greeted us the following day as we woke up from a good night sleep at our Costa Kristianna   resort accommodations.  And that bonus activity in our adventure is a visit to an  enchanting island  the locals call "Batong Languyon." 

Colored or ... 

...in Black & White, the Batong Languyon rock formation is a beautiful sight to behold. 

Batong Languyon is a rock formation islet in the coast of Sitio Tambak, Barangay Maonon. Surrounded by rich coral reefs abundant with marine species, including giant clams called "taklobos" by the locals, it is considered one of the best snorkeling sites in the Bicol region.  The Ligao City LGU has declared Batong Languyon and the surrounding waters as a fish sanctuary and protected area to safeguard the coral reefs, marine and fish species dwelling in the area. Guarding the islet and protected area are "Bantay Dagat" personnel under Ligao City Integrated Coastal Resource Management team. 

Since it is a declared protected area, the passage and entry into Batong Languyon is closely managed by the Bantay Dagat team. One simply cannot go there.  There is only one way and that is via a 15-min boat trip handled by the Bantay Dagat personnel. For our LCA 8379 group, we had to coordinate the day before,  with Bob of the Integrated Coastal Resource Management team for our boat trip on June 12.    While Bob was not present on June 12 in Batong Languyon as he had to attend to Independence Day celebrations in the Ligao City hall, he assigned Rudy Yuson of the Bantay Dagat team to guide us thru our Batong Languyon adventure. And what a cool and refreshing  adventure it was.    

Words may not be enough to capture the essence of our Batong Languyon experience so we instead share photos, and even drone videos, of the adventure. 

Coming aboard the white boat that will take us to Batong Languyon. 

Safety first.  All LCA 8379 tourists in life vests. 

Steady the boat glides thru the seawater with skipper Rudy in front.  The rock islet up ahead.

             

Arrival at Batong Languyon at past 8am. What adventure awaits?

Confidence is in the air. Time for some fun.

Father and son.  MLP with Marcel.

Marcel the budding drone pilot. 

Briefing on the use of the snorkel and safety reminders.  

We are in the water and the snorkeling adventure begins. 

Clear water. Turqoise blue. 

Visibility is great in the snorkeling grounds of Batong Languyon

Snorkeling around Batong Languyon offers a highly rewarding and immersive escape. Immersive and safe as the Bantay Dagat personnel are vigilant to the max. 

Gliding through the pristine, calm waters of Batong Languyon. Drifting past a kaladeiscope of hard and soft corals.  

Snorkeling does feel like flying.  Gliding face-down, weightless and unbothered by gravity, while observing the vibrant marine life below. Truly a freeing sensation.

Not experienced with  snorkeling, no problem. There are Bantay Dagat personnel who will guide you thru the adventure. 

The snorkeling adventure in Batong Languyon involves swimming around the rock islet. Conquer one's fear of the sea.   

Batong Languyon is  very clean with very clear waters. Let us keep it that way. The Bantay Dagat team work hard to make this happen and they need the cooperation of all tourists who visit this piece of paradise.   

Even for those who don't try the snorkeling around the rock islet, there is still some fun to be had just by sitting down by the dock's edge and letting your feet get wet by the cooling sensation of the crystal clear sea water.    

The photos bridge the gap between a fleeting memory and a story, capturing the  emotion, light, and atmosphere of our Batong Lungayon  moment that words sometimes fail to express.  

So there we have it.  Photos of our senior citizen adventure last June 11-12, 2026 in the West Coast part of Wanderful Ligao City.   The Albay West Coast in Ligao City is a hidden gem featuring almost white sand beaches, marine sanctuaries, mangrove forests, and protected rock formation. In addition, it is a stunning and inspiring model of coastal conservation where we can see the  local government unit working together with the community to preserve marine biodiversity. 

Inquired as to whether this is a place that she will recommend to friends, my LCA8379 classmate Mercedes responded:

"I highly recommend Barangay Maonon, Ligao City for its stunning coastal scenery, exciting kayaking and island-hopping activities, and meaningful mangrove conservation efforts. It's a perfect destination for those who want to enjoy nature while contributing to environmental sustainability."

Well said classmate and thank you.

To close this long account of our visit to the paradise that is the Albay West Coast Ligao City, allow me to reflect on the opening lines (which I quoted at the start of this article) of the Elton John song "Return to Paradise" .

The first line establishes a perfect idyllic setting. "Where the sun meets the sea" literally describes the horizon on a clear day at the beach in Brgy Maonon, evoking a sense of warmth, relaxation, and escape from the real world.   

The second line "there's nothing to fear and so much to be" reflects the freedom that comes with such a tranquil environment. Without everyday pressures or anxieties, we felt safe and uninhibited in the Albay West Coast of Ligao City, allowing us to truly be ourselves and reach our potential...  

"Where the sun meets the sea..." view of beach in Costa Kristianna