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I arrived at Puerto Princesa with limited foresight of what I was going to experience and endure. This was the beginning of my journey of understanding and developing my cultural heritage. While I was here, I was given a seashell necklace that comprised of tiny little shells that symbolises as the beginning of this journey.

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Seashell Necklace being put over my head (Figure 1.1)

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"On this site, once a military base during the Second World War, some 150 American Prisoners of war were burned to death by Japanese soldiers, 14 December 1944. A few survivors swam to Iwahig. The remains of those who died were brought and interred in a common grave at the Jefferson barracks National cemetery, St. Louis County, Missouri, United States of America, 1952." (Translation from Tagalog to English) (Figure 2)

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This was located at a place called Plaza Cuartel and it holds testimony to what occurred during World War II. This historical place holds significant historical value and highlights the great sacrifices of people past. Walking through Plaza Cuartel made me feel disturbed that where I was walking was a place where chaos unravelled. It made me understand and appreciate the little things that I often took for granted.

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This traditional wooden loom machine is commonly used to make straw items such as hats, wallets, etc. (Figure 3)

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While I was in Puerto Princesa, we came across a local souvenir shop that made all souvenirs by hand with the help of this traditional wooden loom. I had to opportunity to experience using this with the help of some locals. Initially this felt like a fun and meaningful way to connect with local culture as it was hands on, personal and something that I had not experienced before. However with each straw I put through, it made me realise the gravity of what I was doing. Palawan in the midst of a tourism development, a large number of visitors began to affect the culture and environment. I realised that even through participating in this small activity, which seemed as a traditional practice, it ultimately felt like it was shaped by the tourism industry. Through this item it made me realise how tourism can both support and change cultural practices.

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Created with a Traditional Wooden Loom

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Taho is a Filipino snack that is typically made with tofu and a brown sugar syrup. In the Philippines it is typically served in cups as a street food by Taho Vendors. (Figure 4)

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In the bleak morning of Puerto Princesa beachside, we got to experience fresh Taho from a Taho vendor. It reminded how local life continue to work despite how the environment can typically be influenced by tourism. Taho Vendors are a common sight to see in the Philippines, dating centuries ago. With this in mind, this experience truly felt raw and unfiltered. This moment ultimately contrasted the tourism influenced environment as a I explored further into the city.

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St. Paul Limestone Formation National Geological Monument 

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St. Paul Limestone Formation National Geological Monument 

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While visiting the infamous Underground River at Puerto Princessa, we came across a sign outlining the historical significance of the Underground river. This sign acts as a symbolisation of how this site is protected for its geological significance from promoted tourism and locals alike. It made me aware of how sites like the Underground river are managed to meet tourist demand.

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The Underground River in Palawan, Puerto Princesa is a significant tourist destination that garners millions of tourists each year. The Underground River was also named as one of the 7 Wonders of Nature during 2012, hence why the growing amount of tourists coming various parts of the world to come see it.

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Tay Tay is a town roughly 210km away from Puerto Princessa (Figure 6)

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While travelling by car from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, we made a pit stop at a nearby town named Tay Tay. While casually strolling at Tay Tay for a couple photos, we had noticed a sign that largely imitated the Hollywood sign. This made me realise how the influence of outside landmarks such as the Hollywood sign contributed heavily into how tourism can shape destinations.

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Photo of the view we had from the hotel balcony (Figure 7)

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From Puerto Princesa, we moved to our next destination at El Nido. My Mum and I needed to find a clothes line within the hotel we stayed at so that we can leave it overnight to dry. While doing this we came across a hotel housecleaning attendant. Through her we learnt of the working conditions and the struggles she experienced in order to make a living as a mother with a family. We learnt that she worked 9 hour days almost every day to make roughly 350 pesos (roughly $9.00 AUD). Hearing this made me feel upset, it made me realise how well I had it back in Australia. With this in mind it also made me realise how the increasing demand of those working in the tourism industry is placed on workers like her, often getting overworked and not getting compensated for her efforts. She is one of the examples that often occurs in developing countries, especially where tourism drives and boosts the economy.

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This is a map that surrounds my hotel and I primarily want to discuss of the restaurants that are here. Within the past decade there has been a recent surge of tourists coming from everywhere around the globe. All the restaurants around the hotel I stayed at are primarily restaurants that have various cuisines that ranged from Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, American and Chinese food. This piqued my interest as my family wanted to try something new and when searching for restaurants at Google this was among the top searches for restaurants. This made me wonder how tourism can affect local businesses as many would try and take opportunity to expand and cater to the mouths of international tourists rather then trying something authentic and new. While I cannot say for all that tourists are going to these restaurants and not trying new experiences, it shows the impact that tourism has had in the past decade with El Nido only being a humble town only 20 years ago. With the development of tourism only increasing, it raises questions if there will be a loss of authentic tastes from local restaurants as restaurants with international cuisines continue to grow tremendously.

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Reflection of Palawan (Conversation on discord)

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Reflection of Palawan (Conversation on discord)

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1st Part

(Sam)

yk whats wild

in palawan a lotta the districts are very underdeveloped

and theyve only become more famous in tourism

so a lotta things i took for granted like water

humbled me i cant lie

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(Friend)

Yea we take it for granted how we can just drink from any tap on NSW

And u know its safe

In countries like that u cant

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(Sam)

like this one woman that was working in the hotel who cleans the bed sheets and all that

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(Friend)

Yea its sad

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(Sam)

gets paid 350 pesos every day for 9 hours shifts

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2nd Part

(Sam)
and the bottled water is the only water source

my mum said she purposefully booked like a bad "hotel"

so that we can experience what its like

like in its purest form ykwim (you know what i mean)

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(Friend)

Its good in a way

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(Sam)

theres very few 5 star resort typa (type of) places

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(Friend)

Shows yous how lucky u r (shows you how lucky you are)

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(Sam)

but youre never like close close to the beach

because it was only recently developed

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3rd Part

(Sam)

i was like very concerned we was staying at these places

but its really something else

like it really does make you self reflect

i think at the third place i visited

cause we were kinda hotel hopping to go to diff districts in palawan

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Reflection of Palawan ext. (Conversation on Discord) 

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Reflection of Palawan ext. (Conversation on Discord) 

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This was after my trip at Palawan. Although a short trip, it had truly invited me to deeply self reflect what I took for granted sometimes, e.g clean drinking water. It also made me recognise the impacts of tourism to a place that is still developing, It was not easy and as accessible to be comfortably living and made me truly humble and appreciate and recognise how well I had it back in Australia.