As a travel writer, I was fortunate to be able to break free from the clamps of the pandemic earlier than most people. I do remember my first trip since the lockdown, after six months following the government’s “stay at home” order, when I almost leapt for joy at finally smelling the fresh scent of nature. Unfortunately, many of us are still reeling from the global pandemic and might have shelved their travel plans on the side for the longest time.

Well, time to dust off that backpack or luggage of yours and set out on even a brief discharge from the monotonous everyday hustle and bristle. Reward all your hard work with a vacation to remember courtesy of Pico Sands Hotel’s “Break Free” holiday package.

Together with three other travel writer friends Anne, Karla, and Tina, we experienced the 3 days and 2 nights "Break Free" itinerary curated by Pico Sands Hotel. Taking advantage of the magnificent set of nature that surrounds the Hamilo Coast area in Batangas, we beach-bummed, sunset cruised, and fancy dined our way for a much-needed nature break.

After dropping our things inside our respective Lagoon View Rooms — which come spaciously furnished with modern amenities — we kickstarted our "Break Free" escape with a seaside lunch followed by a soothing dip and swim at one of Pico Sand's swimming pools.

During the afternoon, Pico Sands' experienced skipper Kuya Jojo helped us board a small yacht together with Celine Arenillo, the lovely Marketing Manager of Pico Sands, for a sunset cruise around Hamilo Coast.

For almost an hour and a half, we sailed past the other must-see nature gems in the vicinity such as the Bat Cave, Turtle Island, the three coves: Itayo, Elephant, and Subli, and the unique Broken Island.

Sharing laughter over conversations about various topics, we topped off the fun afternoon with a toast of fine wine and some delectable food items served on a premium charcuterie plate.

A relaxing, tissue-penetrating hard massage at Pico Sands' **Rain Spa** is also included in the curated "Break Free" itinerary. I booked a 7:00 PM massage session, timing it just perfectly before dinner.

After shedding off excess fatigue at the steam room for 15 minutes, I lay down on the treatment table where one of Rain's experienced masseuses, Maricel, calmingly almost lulled me to sleep with her deep, precise pressure, performing an expert combination of Swedish and Shiatsu modalities.

Topping off our earlier seaside lunch was a dome set-up dinner under the stars. Located a stone’s throw away from the beach, the comforting sounds of the crashing waves made the ambiance lovelier. Illuminated brightly against the deep darkness of the night, our dome glistened charmingly against the starlit skies.

As romantic as the set-up was, the four-course dinner served to us elevated the atmosphere to a true, spectacular moment.

The Curated Four-Course Menu:
Grilled marinated shrimp in mango salsa; New England sweet corn chowder with fresh plump mussels; Baked Mahi-Mahi fillet under a toasted coconut crust paired with garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed bok choy, and shiitake mushrooms; finishing with a dense white chocolate cheesecake layered over a tangy pineapple compote.

After starting our second day with a light outdoor breakfast, we headed straightaway to **Santelmo Cove** following a brief, scenic 20-minute outrigger boat ride.

A strictly protected marine sanctuary, Santelmo Cove is only accessible to guests of Pico Sands Hotel as it remains a private beach zone handled by the property.

The sands here are noticeably finer and lighter compared to the main cove beach in front of the hotel blocks. While waiting for our lunch hampers, we made a short trek up to the forest viewing deck that gifted us a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the waters enveloping the whole of Hamilo Coast.

Since the area is also a renowned diving spot, Karla, myself, and Tina went snorkeling while Anne free-dived down with our boatman, Kuya Jojo. In the crystalline depths, she spotted healthy schools of jackfish, mackerel, and even a brief glimpse of a baby blacktip reef shark.

This was easily my favorite component of the “Break Free” package because for half a day, I got to finally enjoy an entirely "internet signal-less" time with mother nature, simply digging my toes into the cool sands or hele-ing myself to sleep on one of the rope hammocks slung under a coconut tree.

We spent the rest of our second day exploring the other integrated amenities of Pico Sands, which includes a host of indoor sports venues like a classic bowling alley, billiard pools, darts, and multiple cozy lounge nooks where one can easily settle down and summon a true Zen mode.

During the night, we gathered for dinner at another distinct venue. This time, on a beautifully set-up spot called the **“Spanish Steps”**, where we feasted over aromatic pans of loaded seafood paella and an assortment of other mouth-watering Spanish tapas plates.

Culminating our “Break Free” escape was a scheduled early morning track toward Marina Bay. However, since we all wanted to deeply savor the great outdoors for longer, we opted to modify the pace into a leisurely walk, enjoying the picturesque nature trail mapped out inside the Pico Sands and broader Hamilo Coast property.

We passed by the glass-fronted beach chapel where destination weddings are frequently held, an expansive field of blooming magenta bougainvillea flowers, a rustic viewing deck sculpted entirely from woven twigs, and a long, uninterrupted stretch of striking ocean scenery.

We returned from our morning trek to a hearty breakfast buffet setup directly by the salt lagoon edges. A grand smorgasbord of classic Filipino breakfast fares, traditional American hashes, and Asian noodle choices—all plated exquisitely—was served to refuel our bodies.

Nourished once again by exceptional gastronomy, it was a fitting bookend to a wonderful three days of milking the absolute most out of the stunning natural beauty that Hamilo Coast can offer.

Coupled with the top-notch hospitality service, modern amenities, and pristine environment of Pico Sands Hotel, it is a restorative holiday escape package I would recommend to anyone in a heartbeat.

It makes perfect sense that museums are housed in repurposed historic structures, as there is no better way of narrating the significance of the past than inside a building whose four walls hides heaps of stories to be told.

Such is the case of the early 1900-era Sorsogon Provincial Jail and Courthouse that is now converted to Museo Sorsogon. The architecture of the original structure itself is already something to marvel at. When you combine its rich past with the contemporary curated art pieces and historical artefacts at the now Museo Sorsogon, every visitor gets a triple dosage of learning.

After the inmates vacated the former Sorsogon Provincial Jail in 2019 when a new penitentiary was built, then Governor Chiz Escudero saw the potential of preserving the building’s impressive architecture.

As the building was updated to meet museum standards, certain elements of the old prison was preserved when they were converted the space into different galleries, most notably the iron bars and graffiti walls painted by the inmates.

A short walking distance from the Sorsogon Provincial Capitol — itself a Neoclassical masterpiece from the early 20th century — the now whitewashed and refurbished Museo Sorsogon compliments the heritage look of the provincial compound.

Museo Sorsogon is curated by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) with the help of the Province's office of Tourism, Culture and Arts.

Inside the two-story museum are 10 galleries brimming with historical and cultural mementos as well as reproduced items related to the province. All are displayed and presented in an eye-catching manner, giving visitors an easy walk through of Sorsogon's history.

Each period of Sorsogon’s history are told through the museum’s collection from the pre-Spanish rule to the province’s role in the 1896 Philippine Revolution, the period preceding and succeeding World War II, and other cultural memorabilia unique to the region.

Apart from the museum’s many educational displays, what caught my eye was the painting of the Lady of Justice seen on a wall on the second floor. It was said to be done by the former prisoners themselves. Perhaps, the inmates' art expressed their collective plea for equality in lady justice's eye or a sense of revolt to authority, as shown by a portrait of revolutionary Che Guevara created by members of the Sputnik gang — a dreaded group immortalized in Philippine cinema’s action genre.

Outside the 2nd floor, visitors can enjoy a gasp of fresh air, just as the former inmates did on their daily 60-minute allotted outside exercise, on the more than 800-square meter open-air amphitheater now doubling as an events place.

Museo Sorsogon's journey from its origins as where the hands of justice kept its prisoners, to its current state as the new generation of Sorsoganon's window to the past, is a poignant testament to the province's reverence for its storied years.

As I walk out of the building, my mind wanders to an imagined past where the clatter of inmates banging tin cups against the iron railings of their cells resound through the old structure. I paused and realized how that must have been a terrifying and thrilling scene. Bringing my mind back to present time, I understand that the Old Sorsogon Provincial Jail is never more. Where I just stepped out is now the Museo Sorsogon, a place that exudes an atmosphere of peace and serenity. One that is replete with fascinating anecdotes about Sorsogon and its people.