Sweet Relief: When Tropical Heat Meets Halo Halo

byGeorge Banez

Picture our destination — the tiny island of Rapu Rapu, just 22 mi (36km) from the port of Legazpi City on the western shores of Albay Gulf. In 2013, it took us over three hours to reach it across the gulfs mouth facing the vast Pacific.

Perched on the eastern edge of the Philippines, Rapu Rapu sat precariously on the rim of the 34,580 ft (10,540 km) deep Philippine Trench. A