Usually, we think of the beach as a getaway, an escape from the mundane concerns of everyday life. But some people took courage to genuinely give up the spoils of urban living for spoils of Mother Nature.

Lala Magbuhat tells us how she moved away from city life to find peace and belongingness in the communities of Palawan. She is a teacher, photographer, and a visual artist. Dive into our interview with her as she experiences living by the shores of El Nido, Palawan.

Lala moved to El Nido Palawan a few years ago

● Why did you move?
Lala: 3 main reasons for moving by rank: 1) Lifestyle (slow, simple and basic) 2) People (super warm and friendly and love to share happiness) 3) Environment (being with Nature).

● What do you love most about El Nido?
Lala: Love is a strong word I greatly feel for El Nido.
I love that El Nido, on my first time being here in 2014, was able to let me be me. I always say, it was my rebirth on the first day I stepped here. I felt it and knew it. El Nido helped reveal the parts of me that I was afraid to explore and enjoy because of my upbringing and a different surrounding I grew up in (Batangas and Manila). El Nido was the extension of my education after college, in my early 20s, albeit it still is up to now, and just Life in general. Life is a big classroom. But being here, I experience and see things differently. More freedom. More understanding. More independence. More creativity. More life in Life.

Lala is reminded of a quote while swimming in Linapacan, Palawan: “The truth is, most of us discover where we are headed when we arrive.”

● What’s your day-to-day like?
Lala: Nowadays, as a faculty member of The Earth School, I do administrative work and assist in the pre-school level from 8am – 4pm. After that, if I have a photoshoot booked on a weekday, it’ll be for sunset, 5-6pm. Sometimes if there are no other options to move shoots in the afternoon, I can tweak my schedule and place it in the daytime. The school understands 🙂

Before this, during the pandemic, “buhay tambay” was real. As in, nothing to do but wake up, have coffee, walk around and say hi to neighbors. Maybe hangout somewhere at some point. Drive to the beach, watch the sunset, cook dinner, could invite friends or visit a friend’s house. And sleep soon.

Pre-pandemic Life was also different. I was living in an attic where when I stood up, I’d hit my head to the ceiling. I’d wake up, have coffee with my friends who live downstairs. Then sit outside, by the street, watch the day go by… a friend would pass by, sit, catch up “besh, anong balita?” Maya-maya, lunch na. Then siesta, maybe grab a sarong and go to the beach to lie down under a tree (wag buko, baka mahulugan). Then in the afternoon you’ll see all the guests coming back from the tours. Makikipagchikahan ka with guests. Dinner. Kapag walang ulam, mangisda sa umaga. More friends come over to catch up, play some music. No time for TV sa totoo lang. You keep each other entertained.

I was definitely living a simpler Life then, smaller circle, less responsibilities.

The Earth School community of teachers and learners in El Nido. The school aims to “discover the wonders of nature and the perfect context for connecting with earth-based traditions, applying project-based learning, and nurturing wonder and innovation.”

● What type of work/jobs are available in El Nido?
Lala: A LOT! AS IN ANG DAMIIII! Especially now that more and more businesses are starting, more concepts are being built and the pandemic has changed the way we live.
I started as a volunteer teacher for 2 months in the public high school in 2014. Then became a tour guide for a cultural tour for a few months in 2016, if not helping at the reception in my friend’s booking office. As a tour guide, I was showing guests around, talking about some flora and fauna of the area, cooking adobo, fishing and climbing coconuts (with a harness of course). I then came back again in 2017, this time with an adamant will to really live here this time. I was hired as a resort Assistant Manager. But being an assistant manager doesn’t mean just sitting in front of the computer or just watching over the employees. Some days I would be taking orders and serving food. Other times washing dishes or weeding the garden. Maybe blending a simple cocktail or smoothie bowl.

All these years I never stopped documenting the beauty of El Nido – the place, the vibe, its people, the big or small events around me, everything micro or macro. Mainly I was doing it for myself. A visual journal of how Life was unfolding for me. Photoshoot inquiries kept coming despite being employed and I was happy to take on projects from time to time until I decided to finally go full time as a freelance photographer here.

Lala drifts on the clear waters of El Nido

For anyone looking for jobs here, there are A LOT! But choose wisely and work diligently. You’re already gifted with the beauty of Nature around you, try your best to keep this lifestyle. Gratitude goes a long way, too. And don’t let social media suck you into spending money you don’t have hehe 🙂 come for the simple Life 🙂

“Introducing Gringa for Freakin’ Freedom Focaccia Friday” Lala offers workshops in Kalye Artisano to make a masterpiece out of our foraged materials.

Lala’s photos were exhibited in the Fotomoto Exhibit at the UP Fine Arts Gallery. Her works presented the stories of Palawan during the aftermath of Typhoon Odette / Rai- a contrast to usual tourism-related contents.

● Any message/s for people looking to living life beyond the usual 8-5 grind?

Lala: Many have asked me when I was 23-25 and they were around that age, too. I told them to do it. I know it’s scary and difficult and I asked so many bloggers (that time) how they did it – traveling around the world with just a backpack, leaving their 8-5 jobs, etc. Until at one point, I couldn’t take it anymore, I just had to do it. FOR MYSELF. Seeing Cadlao Island in my dreams whenever I’m not in El Nido was a clear sign for me, too. 🙂
Personally, I am glad and thankful that my 20s were used for this “trial” period. As mentioned earlier, an extension of my education. Great learning chapter for me. I have plenty of big and small dreams for my future and I attribute a lot of who I am today to El Nido.
It’ll always be different and there are factors to consider. I do not disregard those – financial, family, health, etc. But I was broke during my first years here. Broke but happy but I also knew.

Thank you Lala for sharing your stories with us!

You can follow Lala’s Instagram: @lalalelilolu #