Pride P hi li p n p i e s,

By Angelica G. Labtic

It is truly heart-warming and something to be proud of being a Filipino citizen. Recently, many Filipinos bring remarkable achievements not just within the country but also around the world. Want to have another glance of these? Take a minute on this page and be fascinated of what a true blooded Filipino can do. Enjoy reading!

1. Miss International Queen 2022, the 16th Miss International Queen pageant was held on 25 June 2022 at Pattaya, Chonburi province in Thailand. Valentina Fluchaire of Mexico crowned Fuschia Anne Ravena of the Philippines as her successor at the end of the event.

2. Kapamilya star Jodi Sta. Maria was awarded the Best Lead Actress plum at the 2022 Asian Academy Creative Awards — a first for a Filipina — for her role in the television show “The Broken Marriage Vow.”

3. Another Filipina beauty queen has made waves in the international pageant circuit. Annabelle McDonnell won first runner-up in the Miss Charm 2023 pageant in Vietnam last February 16,2023.

4. Philippines’ Maria Luisa Varela wins Miss Planet International 2023 January 29, in Koh Pich Theater, Phnom Penh City in Cambodia.

5. The Philippines’ Carlos Yulo won two gold medals at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series, which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan

6. Filipino act Power Duo ended their stint as grand finalists in America’s Got Talent: All Stars without placing in the reality competition’s Top 5.

7. Filipina actress Dolly de Leon won the award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role at the Guldbagge Awards in Sweden for her performance in the Ruben Östlund black comedy Triangle of Sadness. Casting director Pauline Hansson received the award on her behalf during the awarding ceremony held at Stockholm, Sweden on Monday, January 23 (early Tuesday morning, January 24 in Manila).

8. Another industry veteran, John Arcilla won a Volpi Cup for Best Actor in 2022 at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, considered the oldest film festival in the world. He won the Best Actor award for his role in the HBO television series, On The Job: The Missing 8 – making him the first Southeast Asian actor to do so.

9. “He’s into Her” star Belle Mariano won the Outstanding Asian Star award at the 17th Seoul International Drama Awards.

Iwas lying on my couch one dull Saturday morning, surfing the net, logged in with my Facebook account when I saw a post of one of my friends on my newsfeed. It was a selfie with picturesque islet on her back. The place was a bit familiar to me but I did not pay much attention to it, instead continued scrolling. Yet after a moment, I saw another post with the same background, captioned “ATM at Sambawan Island”. So, I clicked the photo and I found out that it was a beautiful place to visit and to spend for a summer vacation, So I and my friends visited the island and here’s what we have observed and experienced.

Swimming on its translucent water, seeing its panoramic view and relaxing on its grandiose bamboo cottages, these are but an impeccable proof of a God-made-splendid creation that one must see and must visit.

Travelling by a pump boat from Kawayan, Biliran port going to this islet surely gives you a lasting impression of a well-paid-off travel. And when you reached there, you will never regret the excitement, fun, and thrill that you will experience for it offers an impressive, worth seeing and relaxing vicinity perfect to spend for a vacation.

If you wish to go swimming, you better not forget to wear your bathing suit and swimming trunk as its crystal-clear seawater and white powdered sand will suffice your needs. Once you bathe to it, its’ inviting lustrous seawater sooth every nerve endings of your skin. Likewise, if you want to relax, its grandiose bamboo-structured and rattan-roofed built cottages will offer you a native ambiance and a serene of tranquility while witnessing the sunrise and savoring the gentle breathe of the sea breeze coming from Maripipi Island Strait.

Moreover, if you want to have a perfect picture for an Instagram, Twitter or Facebook post, you can leisurely roam around the island by climbing the 105 steps until you rich the top where the lighthouse was located. From there you can witness a picture-perfect view of the entire island. The enticing white beach with its blue crystal water, the beautiful rock formations on both sides, and the green-chocolate mountain covered with cogon lawn flooring will mesmerize you as you watched the beautiful disappearance of the sun from the blue clear sky. Truly, sunset seems to embody the sheer power of an utterly romantic point in time. Just like love at first sight, it takes your breath away, leaves you speechless and if only for a mo-

By Celeste Anne McCormack

ment, slows down time. In that instant, you will feel the love and gratitude for Mother Nature exude from every inch of your body.

If you want to stay for a night, don’t worry because the island was safe. Caretakers will accompany you as you watched the dazzling constellation of stars while listening to the rhythmic rise and fall of the sea waves.

Geographically located 5km of the west coast of Maripipi Municipality and south of the Samar sea, Sambawan Island is indeed a fast becoming the most visited attraction by the tourists as the newest haven undiscovered respite.