Raymen Beach Resort

Raymen's Air-Conditioned Rooms

Raymen Beach Resort is located at Alubihod Cove, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Province.  At present, there are four resorts located along Alubihod Cove but so far, Raymen Beach Resort is the most developed and the most visited resort in this area.  An advance reservation is needed especially if you're planning to stay during peak seasons like summer.  Reservation can be done through telephone with no advance payment required.

We stayed at Raymen Beach Resort for two nights staying in their air-conditioned room which is good for 4 persons.  The room was provided with two double-sized beds, a small cabinet for our belongings and a bathroom.  Nothing fancy about the room and the beddings and towels provided were old and may already be considered for disposal. 

There's a corkage fee for foods brought outside but they are not really strict in inspecting the visitors' baggage.  Anyway, even if you don't bring food, they have a restaurant inside with a lot of menu to choose from.  I really liked their adobong pusit (squid cooked in vinegar and soy sauce), the squid is so fresh and tender ... yummy.  It will save you time if you'll just order in advance and tell them the time you want your food served.

Fresh catch direct from the local fishermen.

There is also a common grill area provided and some guests have brought their own cooking utensils.  They cooked rice and noodles using charcoal.  If you wake up early, around 5:00 in the morning, you can wait for local fishermen on the beach unloading their catch for the day so you can buy fresh fish at a cheaper price.

The easiest way to cook the fish.  No utensils needed.

The beach front along Alubihod cove is just a short span (less than a kilometer) with rock formations on both ends.  The water is calm and clear with fine (not as fine as that of Boracay though) and cream colored sand.  Just perfect for swimming both for the young and the "young once".

A view of Raymen's beach front taken at their sundeck.

Raymen beach front at dusk.

Overall, we had enjoyed our stay at Raymen Beach Resort, we enjoyed the beach and the fresh seafoods.

How to get there?

From Iloilo City, you can reach Raymen Beach Resort by taking a 15 minutes ride in a passenger pumpboat from Ortiz Wharf to Jordan Wharf which costs 14 pesos per person.  From Jordan Wharf you can ride a jeepney going to Nueva Valencia town which costs 30 pesos per head and from there, take a tricycle ride going to Raymen Beach Resort which costs 10 pesos per person.  From Jordan Wharf to Raymen Beach Resort, it will take you about 45 to 60 minutes of land travel.

If you travel by group you may opt to rent the service of a mini jeepney from Jordan Wharf going to Raymen Beach Resort.  We took this option and we paid 400 pesos for the service.  We also asked the driver to come back for us two days after.

If you have an extra budget and you want to skip the land travel, you may also opt to rent the service of a pump boat from Jordan Wharf going straight to Raymen Beach Resort.  It would take you about an hour to reach the resort at a price starting at 2000 pesos.

For more information, see their leaflets here or contact them at 0918-5207271/(033)3960252/3960383.

Our Air Philippines Flight Experience

I booked for a round trip ticket for 4 persons at Air Philippines thru their on-line booking.  For our mid-April flight for Iloilo, I booked our flight as early as January so we can avail of discounted fares and of course to make sure that we already have our flights reserved for our planned vacation in the province.

On the day of our flight, we arrived at the airport at about 9 AM, just enough time to check-in for a 10:50 AM flight.   NAIA 3 terminal was not really crowded that time and there are two check-in counters open for our flight.

It was already our turn to check-in when the person in-charge at the counter got our e-tickets same also with the other passengers at the back of the line.  She brought the tickets to her colleagues and they had a little conversation.  After a while, she went to us and told us that our flight was overbooked and that we cannot be accommodated anymore.  She offered us their late afternoon flight which is 5:30 PM.  Whhaaaat???!!!



That means we will be arriving in Iloilo at about 6:30 in the evening and we still have to travel on land for 2 to 3 hours to get to Antique, our destination.  Wow, that’s already late, thinking that we have children with us.

I really want to flare up but I was thinking, getting mad won’t do me any good.  If the plane was already full, then there’s no way that we can be on that flight no matter what I say or do.  So I just remained calm just like the other passengers.  There were about 12 of us that can’t be accommodated on the flight.



We asked for other alternatives aside from what they were offering us, which is the 5:30 PM flight.  After several discussions with her colleagues, the person in charge went back to us and offered us the 11:30 AM flight to Kalibo, which is a 2 to 3 hours land travel from Iloilo.  The land travel will be at their expense and as a way of saying thank you for understanding their incompetence, they will give us a voucher which can be claimed for a free round trip ticket in any Air Philippines destination here in the Philippines.  The voucher will be valid for one year after issue.



At first I was hesitant because I never been to Kalibo but later on we decided to take their offer since it’s their remaining morning flight and it’s still early so maybe we can check if there are trips going directly to Antique ... if none, then we will just go to Iloilo and travel again going to Antique.



Air Philippines plane at Kalibo airport

Air Philippines plane going to Kalibo is just a small one, there are only 4 seats per row and 2 seats at the last row.  I felt like I’m riding an air-conditioned bus.  There are two flight attendants checking on the passengers and in the middle of the flight, they sell snacks.  At first I thought it was for free … I was wrong … it was for sale.

Anyway, we arrived at Kalibo Airport and overall, the flight was great.  Though it’s a small plane, yet we didn’t feel any bumps, maybe because the weather was great.  It was a 1 hour flight and my children enjoyed looking at the cottony clouds and the large body of water below. 



Our return flight (one week after we arrived at Kalibo Airport) from Iloilo to Manila went smooth.  We arrived at Iloilo airport very early so we have to wait before the check-in counters opened 2 hours before the flight.  Air Philippines plane from Manila to Iloilo (the same plane that will fly us back to Manila) arrived on time so we have boarded the plane on time and we took off right on schedule.  The weather was great that we arrived at NAIA 3, 15 minutes earlier than the estimated arrival time.

Air Philippines plane arrived at Iloilo airport on time.

This time Air Philippines plane was much bigger than the one we boarded going to Kalibo.  There are 6 seats per row with more rows available.

Aside from the over-booking issue, flying with Air Philippines was such a great experience for us.  I won’t have any second thoughts flying with this airline once again.  Until our next flight Air Philippines.

Sun Maiden Plus

Sun maiden plus is a packaged life insurance offered by Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. which gives emphasis on female critical illness and maternity benefits.  The policy’s coverage is until the age of 65 and the premium is adjusted every fifth anniversary of the policy. 

At my age, Sun Life’s offer starts at 12,207.50 pesos annual premium and adjustments will be made every after 5 years of the policy until I reach the age of 65 where the policy automatically terminates.  Calculating the total premium I’ll be paying to Sun Life until I reached the maximum coverage of 65 as per their proposal, it will sum up to 382,937.50 pesos.  There is no money back guarantee in this package.

This packaged life insurance policy has the following benefits:

1.      Female Critical Illness Benefit which includes the following (first five benefits can be availed if the diagnosis occur 90 days after this policy takes effect):

a.       Cash benefit of 125,000 pesos once the policy holder is diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer of the breast, cervix uteri, uterus, ovary, fallopian tube or vagina or carcinoma-in-situ of the uterine corpus, ovary, fallopian tube or vagina must actually undergo required operation.

b.      Cash benefit of 125,000 pesos for systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.)

c.       Cash benefit of 75,000 pesos for rheumatoid arthritis

d.      Cash benefit of 50,000 pesos for severe osteoporosis

e.       Cash benefit of  25,000 pesos for hysterectomy or dilation and curettage

f.       Cash benefit of 50,000 pesos for plastic surgery due to accidents

g.      Cash benefit of 50,000 pesos for skin transplantation  due to accidental burning

  

2.      Maternity benefits which include the following (can be availed  12 months after this policy takes effect):

a.       Cash benefit of 50,000 pesos for pregnancy complications such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (D.I.C.), ectopic pregnancy and hydatidiform mole

b.      Cash benefit of 10,000 pesos for every child delivered (maximum of three)

3.      Critical Illness benefit is a cash benefit of 250,000 pesos once the policy holder is diagnosed with the following (must be diagnosed 90 days after the start of this policy):

a.       heart attack

b.      stroke

c.       cancer  (other than female related cancers)

d.      kidney failure

e.       dissecting aortic aneurysm

f.       end stage lung disease

g.      progressive muscular atrophy

h.      major burns

i.        multiple sclerosis

j.        paralysis

k.      total blindness

l.        loss of limbs

m.    aplastic anaemia

n.      bacterial meningitis

o.      benign brain tumour

p.      deafness

q.      encephalitis

r.        amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

s.       progressive bulbar palsy (PBP)

t.        meningeal tuberculosis

u.      cerebral metastasis

v.      loss of speech

w.    coma

x.      parkinson’s disease

y.      terminal illness

z.       medullary cystic disease

aa.   alzheimer’s disease

bb.  fulminant hepatitis

cc.   major head trauma

dd. end stage liver failure

ee.   motor neurone disease

ff.    guillain-barre syndrome

gg.  major organ transplant

hh.  coronary artery bypass surgery

ii.      surgery for disease of the aorta (aortic surgery)

jj.      replacement of heart valve

4.      Total Disability Benefit waives all the premium balance once the policy holder becomes permanently disabled.

5.      Five(5) free diagnostic procedures can be availed within the first 10 policy years to be performed at medical clinics appointed by Sun Life.

The coverage for each benefit under the female critical illness benefit and pregnancy complications terminates once the said benefit will be availed.

In cases where two or more diseases and/or surgery occurred, only one with the highest benefit will be paid.

To know more about this Sun Maiden Plus offered by Sun Life of Canada (Phils.), visit their website and contact them so they can give you a proposal suited to your needs.

Premier Expanded Health Package

Premier Expanded Health Package is a health package offered by Caritas Health Shield, Inc. which can be used only at CHSI accredited doctors, clinics and hospitals.  This health package is payable in 5 years and you can choose for a coverage of 6 or 10 years.   Depending on the plan and number of units you want to avail, the annual payment ranges from 15,408 pesos to 157,530 pesos.   This range is effective as of this writing. 

This health package offers the following benefits:

1.      Out-patient services at any diagnostic centers designated by CHSI which includes:

a.       up to 12 consultations per year

b.      up to 10 pre/post natal consultation per pregnancy

c.       treatment of minor injury or illness

d.      minor surgery (not requiring hospital facilities)

e.       eye, ear, nose and throat treatment

2.      Annual physical examination six(6) months after this policy takes effect at any diagnostic centers designated by CHSI.  The annual physical examination includes:

a.       taking of medical history

b.      medical examination

c.       chest X-Ray

d.      complete blood count

e.       fasting blood sugar

f.       urine and stool examination

g.      electrocardiogram (ECG) and pap smear for 35 years old and above

3.      Dental care at any dental clinics accredited by CHSI which includes:

a.       four consultations per year

b.      Annual oral prophylaxis (can be availed three(3) months after this policy takes effect)

c.       Tooth extraction

d.      Temporary filling

e.       Treatment of oral pain, lesions, wounds and burns

4.      Hospitalization benefits which have a maximum coverage depending on the number of units a member will avail.  This benefit includes:

a.       room and board

b.      services of an accredited physician or specialist

c.       laboratory and special diagnostic procedures such as X-ray, CT scan, basic mammography, 2D Echocardiography with Doppler, treadmill test, ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), EMG, Nuclear test and other procedures deemed appropriate by CHSI

d.      use of surgical or medical equipment and facilities

e.       administration of anesthesia and/or oxygen

f.       transfusion of hospital-provided whole blood or plasma

g.      dressing, plaster cast and other medical supplies

h.      prescribed drugs and medication used in the hospital

5.      Insurance which includes:

a.       Term life insurance amounting to the initial expanded benefit limit.  The expanded benefit limit referred here is the maximum amount a policy owner can avail, first year after the policy matures.

b.      Accidental life insurance amounting to the initial expanded benefit limit.

c.       Credit life insurance which will provide the health care benefits to the principal beneficiary once the policy holder dies.

d.      Waiver of installment balance in case of permanent disability of the policy holder.

6.      Others

a.       up to four(4) consultations per year at any designated clinics for one(1) pre-designated dependent.

b.      Discounts on non-covered health services at selected hospital, clinics, laboratories, drug stores or optical shops.

c.       A yearly increase of 5% or 8% with the initial expanded benefit limit will take effect from the first year of expanded period until such time when the policy will be terminated by the policy holder or when the maximum age is reached.

d.      The health benefits can be assigned up to a 2^nd degree relative at the start of the expanded period of coverage.

e.       A money back guarantee equivalent to 70% of the initial expanded benefit limit can be claimed if you wish to terminate the policy after the coverage period.

This package was offered to me by CHSI when I inquired about their product.

What is good about this package is that there is a money back guarantee at the end of  the coverage period and you don’t have to cash-out if you will be hospitalized unless you exceed the maximum coverage of your plan.

The downside is that you are limited to the services of the accredited doctors, clinics and hospitals so before you avail of this package or other packages offered by CHSI, be sure to know first if the hospital or clinic near you is accredited by them.

For the list of hospitals, clinics, laboratory and dental clinics accredited by CHSI, click here and click on the "medical service network".

Sun First Aid Plus

Sun First Aid Plus is a hospital income product from Sun Life of Canada (Phils.) Inc.  This product matures at the end of 10 years and provides the following benefits:
  
   1. Hospitalization benefits which include:
       a. Daily hospital income of 3000 pesos provided you are confined for a minimum of 3 days and maximum of 90 days per admission.  You can claim up to 180 days per year for sickness and 365 days per year for injury.
       b. Long term hospital income which is an additional 3000 pesos per day if you are hospitalized for more than 30 days and maximum of 60 days per admission.  You can claim up to 180 days per year for sickness and 365 days for injury.
       c. Intensive care unit income which is an additional 3000 pesos per day if  you are confined in an intensive care unit.
       d. Surgical expense benefit which is an additional benefit of up to 30,000 pesos per year in the event that a surgical operation is performed.
  
   2. Protection Benefit which includes the following:
       a.  Life coverage which is equal to the total of original annual premiums paid.  The original annual premium referred here is the annual premium at policy effective date.
       b.  Accidental death benefit which is the same as life coverage benefit.
       c.  Total disability benefit - the premiums are waived once the policy holder becomes totally and permanently disabled.
    
   3. Return of premiums which is equal to 50% of the original annual premium payable at the policy maturity date.

There is a waiting period of 30 days from the date the policy take effect before the benefit is payable for any hospital confinement due to sickness however, for  confinement due to injuries caused by accidents, this waiting period does not apply.

As of this writing, the annual premium for this product is 24,900 pesos and the paying period is 10 years.

The good thing I like about this product is that you can be confined in any hospital of your choice.

The downside is that, this policy is only effective for 10 years and you have to pay first for your hospital expenses since you can claim for the benefits after getting the required documents from the hospital.

This product was offered to me by Sun Life of Canada (Phils) Inc. when I inquired for their health insurance policy.  You can check their website for more information on their products.