BalutPress

Narra is situated 2 hours south of Puerto Princesa, it is a bumpy ride but the scenery was well worth it. The winding road boasts of rows of trees, farm lands, open sea and mountain ranges that never seem to end.. It was just magnificent.

It is where the most beautiful waterfall in Palawan is situated, Estrella Waterfalls which is a good 21 or so kilometers away from Narra’s town proper. After about 10 kilometers along the National Highway, take a left and enter a long, unpaved and underdeveloped path. This road should lead to the much coveted tourist spot.

At the entrance, a flight of cobblestone stairs leading to the main attraction greet tourists. Above are lodges and cottages where visitors can stay for a minimum of P75. Just go straight down the path to the waterfalls.

Voila! Breathtaking!

Estrella Waterfalls is a beauty that beckons its visitors to stay and linger longer than planned.

This is another waterfall on top of the main one, to get here, one must take an uphill climb which would last a good thirty minutes.

But it is all worth it!

Honda Bay is situated thirty minutes north of Puerto Princesa City. One can hire a tricycle in town to take him to the coveted tourist spot and wait for him there while he tours the islands. It will be wiser to leave early in the morning so in order to get the best each island around Honda Bay has to offer.

Once at Honda Bay, you will be required to pay for the boat ride, it will cost you P1,300.00, that is for the whole day already. The boat will give you a tour to all the islands around the bay area, you can choose where you want to stay to swim and snorkel but of course, Snake Island is the most recommended for this activity since there is no entrance fee to the place because it is government owned and they have quite a magnificent display of marine life. If you don’t have snorkeling gears, they also rent out for P100 a piece.

It will also be wiser to come equipped with necessities since most of these islands sell commodities at expensive rates, in Snake Island however, you can choose to have one of the residents cook your favorite seafood for you for a reasonable price. It will still be best though to bring your own drinking water and a few snacks, just in case.

Backpacking Gears

Honday Bay, Puerto Princesa City

Palawan, Philippines

Two months after Rachelle Gerodias left her beloved Philippines for Vienna, Austria, we are so happy to finally see pictures of herself off and on stage while she takes Europe by storm.

Religiously sending emails to her friends here in the country, Rachelle never tires of keeping everyone abreast of what is happening to her career halfway across the world.

Here are some of her photos in Vienna:

On Stage

With the other stars of Turandot

Her first few days in Vienna:

Maria Rachelle Gerodias recently left the country for Austria to perform Liu in Puccini’s famous Turandot. Although she terribly misses the Philippines, she is also very happy to finally arrive at the pinnacle of every classical music artist’s dream - to perform in Vienna, at the Volksoper Wien nonetheless! As an artist who believes that one does not stop from learning, Rachelle sought the help of Carol Byers in preparing her for her role in Turandot and she was convinced to audition for a summer opera festival there. Apparently, she was asked for a third aria, which she said is a good sign.

RACHELLE’S CAPTURED MOMENTS BEFORE VIENNA

As she prepared for her European debut, Rachelle kept her schedule jampacked with rehearsals and a beautiful comedy as finale’ at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) with Die Fledermaus, an operetta in three acts, where she played the role of Adele. We captured these final moments with Rachelle as she let her hair and her guard down amidst the accolades and applause from her colleagues for her shining star.

Rachelle gets a new hairstyle for her role in Die Fledermaus

Rachelle kids around with the production staff as she looks down on her shoes

Rachelle takes a moment to be photographed with her fellow artists

Rachelle makes a face at us as she retrieves something from her car

Rachelle with the male cast of Die Fledermaus at the CCP

Rachelle with the female cast of Die Fledermaus at the CCP

With Jae-joon Lee, Korean Conductor and visiting professor at the UST Conservatory of Music

In 2006, Rachelle’s sterling performance at the Singapore Lyric Opera Production of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro earned rave reviews from acclaimed critics because of her perfect comic timing and excellent rendition of her role as Susanna.

Rachelle gets a warm applause after a powerful performance at the Cultural Center of the Philippines

Rachelle receives a hug from a fan

Rachelle signs an autograph for a fan

Rachelle enjoys a brief chat with former presidential daughter, Ms. Irene Marcos-Araneta.

Rachelle is known for her versatility. She sings oratorios, musicals, art songs and Kundimans and has collaborated with top and noted musicians. Her solo appearances in international orchestras and music festivals gave her the chance to work alongside famous conductors such as Julian Quirit, Christoph Echenbach, Oscar Yatco, Georg Tintner and Pierro Gamba. She is also the only Filipina to have ever worked with the great Italian opera diva Ms. Mirella Freni.

Rachelle can be heard in her recordings with the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic and Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestras conducted by Maestro Redentor Romero.

Rachelle also has collaborative recordings such as “A Proposito” featuring music of Faye Miravite and “Souvenirs de Pilipinas” with Raul Sunico.

Rachelle strikes a pose beside Filipino-Chinese tycoon George Yang, who also happens to be her voice student

Rachelle sings with German-based tenor Abdul Candao at the PICC

Rachelle sings “Light of the Morning” at a local performance of Adeste Fidelis at the PICC last December

Rachelle was also seen in the Philippine Premier full-production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin where she played the role of Tatyana

Rachelle poses with her parents after a performance at the PICC

RACHELLE OFF-STAGE

Just like any other ordinary Pinay, Rachelle also dreams, but unlike most ordinary Pinays, Rachelle stretches bones and muscles to reach for that dream.

Her story is unlike many other celebrity story, Rachelle wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth nor was she spoiled rotten by indulging parents. Her rise to stardom is one of hard work, a series of self discoveries, trials, failures and successes.

In her mind, becoming an opera singer one day is a far fetched thought. Her love for singing was confined within the walls of the church her family attended religiously on Sundays and that was the end of it. Aside from gospel songs, she sang pop on occasions, being part of the pop culture.

“It was actually my college friends who encouraged me to try the opera,” Rachelle reveals.

No one really knew that her exposure to classical music would propel her to stardom. Taken under the wings of Professor Gloria Dizon-Coronel of the Conservatory of Music at the University of Santo Tomas, Rachelle honed her craft to its fullest potential. She earned her degree within seven years with The Young Thomasian Alumna Achiever Award added to her cap.

However, her flight wasn’t smooth and breezy for she has had her share of difficulties along the way. She acquired polyp on her vocal chords which scared Rachelle, “I was so afraid that I will never be able to sing again,” she quipped. For this petite young star, those were the most turbulent days of her life.

“I think my faith was also tested during those times, I just knew I had to stay faithful and to trust in Him, pero mahirap din kasi singing is already my career, it is my life…” she further added.

It was also a time for soul-searching and for really finding meaning in her life. Sadly, Rachelle knows that her happiness is on stage, when she is performing for a crowd, “Prayers really helped me get through that phase in my life without losing it,” she said with a woeful smile.

She had the polyp removed and after the operation, Rachelle bravely went back to face the world of classical music.

A two-time Aliw Awards winner for Best Female Classical Performer, Rachelle poured her heart into her music by performing as well as teaching at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music.

Included in her vast portfolio is a long list of awards and performances such as winning 1st Prize in the Civic Morning Musicals Vocal Competition in Syracuse, New York in 1995. Receiving her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Vocal Literature from the famed Eastman School of Music in Rochester New York, she also holds a Professional Diploma in Operatic studies from the prestigious Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. She was also a two-time participant of the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan where she sang the role of Despina in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte. She also performed the roles of Kathy in The Student Prince and Micaela and Frasquita in Carmen in Singapore where she was loved immensely by her audience.

Amidst the dark political cloud that is tainting the country’s reputation today stands a few good citizens who work hard in bringing glory to the Philippines.

One of these is Maria Rachelle Gerodias, Philippine Premiere Soprano and one of the country’s topnotch opera performers.

Rachelle to her friends, Gerodias is currently at the Volksoper Wien in Vienna, Austria where she is to play Liu in Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, an opera in three acts. This is to be her European debut and the country remains proud and confident that this is not going to be her last.

Prior to Rachelle’s departure for Europe in February this year, she was busy doing musicals in various events and venues all over the metropolis. We are lucky to have had the opportunity to capture some of these moments and to have had the chance to get to know her a little bit better.

RACHELLE ONSTAGE

Known as the country’s premiere Soprano, it is not surprising to hear a powerful voice once you hear Rachelle perform.

However, what sets this beautiful woman apart is her obvious love for the Opera and her dedication to her craft. Rachelle transforms into her role just as swiftly as soon as she steps foot on stage and no one can deny that she embraces the whole venue as her own once she starts performing.

Rachelle participates in rehearsals for the Aawitan Kita Special where she was one of the special guests

Rachelle Gerodias in a soulful duet with Raul Montesa

Rachelle Gerodias, Philippine Premiere Soprano, prepares to take center stage for Aawitan Kita Special

Rachelle Gerodias receives primping from celebrated Pop Lola, Armida Siguion Reyna

Rachelle Gerodias and the Aawitan Kita Stage Cast Performers take a moment to pray before the main event

Rachelle Gerodias on center stage at the Makati University for a special part in the Aawitan Kita Special

Rachelle performs in a musical drama with the cast of Aawitan Kita at the Makati University

Rachelle joins the rest of the cast of Aawitan Kita headed by Armida Siguion-Reyna for a photo-op