Wander Woman

Becoming a hotelier had not crossed my mind. It fell on my lap at a time that I was so desperate to stay in Puerto Princesa after a failed business venture.”

FORMER journalist and self-proclaimed wanderer Andrea Trinidad has discovered her passion and calling right in the heart of Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

For someone who is always traveling, Trinidad is meticulous when booking her accommodation when out for either work or pleasure.

That is why when she decided to put up Wanderlust Bed and Breakfast, she made sure that it is going to be a homey atmosphere, appreciated and enjoyed by both local and foreign visitors.

Calling herself the Resident Wanderer, she said: “Becoming a hotelier had not crossed my mind. It fell on my lap at a time that I was so desperate to stay in Puerto Princesa after a failed business venture.”

“I have always wanted to have a coffee shop but the opportunity to run a hotel came. So I grabbed it,” she said.

Wanderlust is co-owned by Trinidad and the family of a friend.

Her daughter Sofia pitched the name Wanderlust during a brainstorming session. She explained that “Wanderlust” drew inspiration from the line that Gandalf wrote to Frodo in JRR Tolkien's “Lord of the Rings”: “Not all who wander are lost.”

Trinidad, who is also president and chief executive officer of Rabah Consulting, a PR and communications consultancy firm, knows how to manage her own brand. She said that she likes to wander but with a purpose.

“Wanderlust, meaning a strong desire to travel, would definitely attract people like me who love to wander.”

Transitioning to Palawan therefore came in stride for Trinidad, who has been frequenting the province as a consultant since 2013.

It took them almost five months to finish the renovation of the building where Wanderlust now stands.

When asked why she shifted from her media work to consultancy to starting a bed and breakfast, Trinidad said that Puerto Princesa is where she finds healing, peace and contentment.

“I went into depression during the pandemic,” she confided. “I needed to get a new place out of Manila. When I came to Puerto Princesa and stayed here for a few weeks, I felt in my heart that this is the place where I want to retire.” Hearing the chirping of the birds or the sound of the ocean has become therapeutic for Trinidad.

“It is refreshing, and the locals are kind,” she explained, saying that she enjoys being able to drive 30 to 40 minutes from “Wanderlust” and finds herself smack in the most beautiful spots — either in the mountains or in the ocean.

“There is hardly any traffic, and it is still green everywhere. Puerto Princesa has a small town feel where everybody knows everybody. People are nice and helpful.”

She said that when she resigned from the newspaper company, she thought that she did not know anything but write. This proved otherwise as she put into good use her business sense when she managed her own PR consultancy. Now all her experiences as a journalist and as a communications consultant became handy when she started Wanderlust.

“God not only answered my prayers. He even surprised me with the opportunity to create Wanderlust,” she said.

Knowing the importance of good storytelling, Trinidad hired local artists to do the murals and artworks in each of the 12 rooms of “Wanderlust.” The 12 rooms of Wanderlust are named after the municipalities of Palawan to spark the interest of the guests in exploring the province further.

As a sustainability practitioner, she also ensures that the facility's staff follow proper waste segregation. Eco-warriors from Eco-Kolek collect recyclables. Organic body wash and shampoo are used and placed in each room. The Café Bar also uses bagasse take-away containers and biodegradable plastic bags made of cassava.

Even if she is not a native of Palawan, she sources local ingredients from farms in the province for all the meals served in her bed and breakfast.

“When we were putting together our menu, I asked our chef to make sure all the ingredients, especially the fresh ones, can be sourced within the island,” she said.

“Wanderlust is my labor of love,” said Trinidad, who also described her joint venture as her happy pill.

The bed and breakfast might just be two years old but people have started using Wanderlust as a landmark. This is a milestone in itself. It means Wanderlust is getting noticed.

She described the journey of Wanderlust as quite fast.

Opening in December 2022, Wanderlust had already back-to-back bookings in a month's time. The growth rate of the B and B this year already was at 50 percent compared to its 2023 level.

Trinidad, however, admits that Wanderlust has its low season, as all other accommodations have. But she was able to turn this challenge into good opportunities to launch a rainy day promo and a discount for frequent visitors dubbed as “kambak-kambak” (a pun on going back) discount.

“I see challenges as motivation to become better — in my personal life, at work and in business,” she said. “I am a very positive person. I have been through a lot, and I know in my heart that God has in store something for me. I always say, I am His favorite child. I have that confidence that no matter how difficult the situation is, God will never leave me nor forsake me.”

“We have to keep on reinventing ourselves to be able to keep up with the operational costs,” she said.

But what keeps Trinidad going is that: “In Wanderlust, it feels like I am nurturing a baby again. I enjoy creating concepts, from the interior design to the menu and packages. I also enjoy making new friends.”

Trinidad has always been an achiever in life. She got her Mass Communications degree from Silliman University and was one of the Golden Jubilee Awardees of her alma mater in 2016.

She is the president of Hemophilia Advocates Philippines (HAP) and one of the leaders looked up to by hemophilia patients and their families.

HAP is a patient organization for people and families affected by hemophilia and related bleeding disorders. She co-founded the organization in 2016 and was formally elected by the general assembly in 2017.

Being used to a busy schedule, Trinidad is conscious of ensuring that her time is managed well as a mom, a businessperson and a hemophilia advocate. While her calendar is always full, she makes sure that she subscribes to work and life balance.

“Time management and having a good team are equally important,” said Trinidad.

“I work with a team for both my consulting business and the bed and breakfast. Thankfully, my kids are now all adults and need very minimal support from me,” she said.

“For my hemophilia advocacy, we have trained leaders who take on the day-to-day operations. We also have two support staff who make sure that our organization is responsive to the needs of the patients,” she added.

There is no stopping Trinidad. In the next five years, she plans to concentrate more on the hospitality business.

“I really like helping out travelers. I create itineraries for our guests for free. Now, I am planning to put more of my time in travel planning and in creating more meaningful experiences for the guests,” she said.

She is imbued with optimism. When asked for advice that she can give to budding entrepreneurs, she said: “Make sure that you are passionate about what you do. If it does not make you happy anymore, find something that makes you happy. Do not make money your motivation. Money will follow when you are passionate about what you do.” Definitely, inspiring words from a Resident Wanderer who has found her niche in Palawan.

Quick Questions

What is your GREATEST fear?

Dying and leaving my kids unprepared.

What really makes you anrgy?

People who take advantage of others.

What motivates you to work hard?

My children.

What makes you laugh the most?

Simple things, really. Good company.

What did you want to be when you were small?

Before I went to school, I wanted to be a laundry woman. I used to “help” our laundry woman wash clothes. I liked getting wet. But in elementary, I changed my mind and I wanted to become a journalist. I was inspired by my dad's courage to stand up for what is right. He was a broadcast journalist and got arrested during Martial Law together with his colleagues in the radio station.

What would you do if you won the lotto?

I'll build a farm where homeless people and the elderly can make themselves productive.

If you could share a meal with an individual, living or dead, who would they be?

Jesus. I'd like to experience how it is to be mentored by the Great Teacher himself.

What is the most daring thing you have ever done?

Starting Wanderlust Bed and Breakfast from scratch.

What was the last book you read?

“Freedom to Create Wealth” by Boni de Jesus.

What is the one thing you will never do again?

I can't think of any. When I look back at some of what I thought are my biggest mistakes, they're actually what led to who I am today. But probably, I'll be more discerning with people and not trust very quickly.

Where will you see yourself in 10 years?

I'll be running a travel planning business and bring people to the Philippines to experience authentic Filipino culture and not just do sightseeing.