january-2011

“We are creating a self-sustainable
community of healers, artists, teachers,
and earth-conscious people from
around the world,” explains Pi as we
wander around the garden amid the
art installations. “Our vision is to live
harmoniously while doing what we can
to heal the planet and those living in it.”
I meet the retreat organizer, Monica
Eleazar-Manzano, a yoga teacher
from Manila who relocated to Palawan
last year. “I chose Palawan because
the natural environment here is so
conducive to awareness and relaxation.
It is the perfect place for yoga,
meditation and healthy living,” she
tells me.
The next guest to arrive is Jenny, a
sculptor from Manila, who has come
to detox from her caffeine-fuelled city
lifestyle. This is her second retreat at
Bahay Kalipay.
“Before my fi rst visit, I was drinking
nine cups of coffee a day,” she tells
P URE PALAWAN
“I chose Palawan because the natural environment here
is so conducive to awareness and relaxation. It is the
perfect place for yoga, meditation and healthy living”
Clockwise from top left: Retreat organizer
and yoga teacher Monica Eleazar-Manzano,
music courtesy of fl utist/sound healer Djotay
Soluta, and guests taking a slow, meditative
walk through the Bahay Kalipay labyrinth.
me. “Now I only have one cup in the
morning and I am so much healthier.
The detox and inner dance helped me
to balance my life.”
Soon enough, 10 other guests arrive
from the airport and we begin the
retreat with a walk through the Bahay
Kalipay “labyrinth.” It is a quiet time
to unwind from traveling with soothing
bamboo fl ute music from Djotay Soluta,
a musician and “sound healer.”
We then gather on the second fl oor
of Bahay Kalipay where there is a wide
open-air space surrounded by garden
foliage. Here we listen to our fi rst talk
given by Pi on the subject of food.
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