All Over The South

Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu

Pearl Farm Resort, Samal Island, Davao

Kota Beach Resort, Sta Fe, Bantayan Island

Passus sa Bantayan

Ang Mga Sikat Sa Bantayan Island

Bantayan Island from Maia's Beach Resort

" a vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking."
--Earl Wilson

And so I did. For three glorious weeks, I was in the Philippines.

Well, it's been an annual thing for the last three years that I would go there during Holy Week. First year was Panglao Island in Bohol, last year it was Camiguin Island. This year the choice was Bantayan Island in Cebu. Everyone says go to Galera or Boracay. Ugh! I think I'd rather stay here in San Francisco than go to those places during holy week. Overcrowded, over expensive, overrated, over everything!

Bantayan Island is what I expected it to be. Beautiful, warm and far!!! It took almost a day to get there but it was well worth the trip. Specially since I was with friends. There are two distinct locations on the island: if you like to party, stay at Santa Fe and if you like it quiet, stay at Bantayan itself.

We went to the town itself and they were getting ready for the Maundy Thursday procession. Bantayan is known for its tableaux of the Christ's Passion (Passus sa Bantayan). The bigger than life statues are part of the procession; most are antiques and belong to old-time Bantayan families.

The resort we stayed at was really nice and the people running the place were great! I would recommend it. Their access to the beach kinda sucks but a 20 minute ride in the resort's air conditioned van to Kota Beach (without the crowd at that resort) is well worth it. Plus it's only 300 pesos to transport six people and they'll come back and pick you up. And then, the 'lechon'! Bantayan is also famous because it is one of the only few places where meat is available during Lent. The island has received a special dispensation because, the rest of the time, they would only eat seafood and veggies as pork is expensive. Also the town fiesta happens to be fall on Holy Week. Best 'lechon' for the money. Cheap and very good! And mangoes!!! Yum!!! And 'dangit' for breakfast! A little too salty for me but that's how you can tell it's fresh.

Then back to Cebu City on Easter Sunday. Evening mass at Sto. Nino Basilica, followed by dinner at 'sutokil' in Lapu Lapu City. This is fascinating as I've never been to this part of Cebu. The 'sutokil' place was right next to Lapu Lapu monument. Great history. The park was closed since it was already 10 pm but the nice guards let us in for a little bit to take some pics. Ended it all up with drinks at Formo and more chismis and then lunch the next day at Abuhan Uno. Pochero or Bulalo (or Osso Buco) was really good and is the signature dish in this restaurant.

Then to Davao. I had been to Davao at least three times before but I am always fascinated by it. Stayed at this hotel which was really nice but had this notorious motel right behind it. Shades of Anito Lodge or Victoria Court in Manila. It was pretty funny watching all these cabs going in and out with couples trying to hide in the backseat. The place was specially hopping around lunchtime! Hahaha!!! Had a great dinner with a friend and his wife. And then to Pearl Farm Resort on Samal Island. This is the second time I had been to this place but it's still as beautiful as I remember it the first time. From the iconic 'parola' to the world class service and accommodations, it has yet to fail me. The only issue I had with the place was how expensive it is. An average Filipino will think 20x before going to this place! That's pretty sad considering it is in one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. The first time I was at this resort, I stayed at the other island (Isla Malipano) which was more private and quiet (and therefore, more expensive). I will definitely come back to this place though. Nights here seem to be longer...just to marvel at the stars, look at Davao City lights, and fall in love all over again.

And then it was back to Cebu! I was told that I cannot come back to San Francisco without going to Kawasan Falls. While Bantayan is to the north, Badian is to the south; past the beautiful town of Carcar. Carcar reminded of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. The old-style houses with big sliding capiz windows on all four sides of the house are very similar in both towns. Well, Kawasan is really three waterfalls flowing into each other; the most famous and often photographed is the first fall: high, cold and beautiful. The second fall, located after hiking briskly for about five minutes up the mountain,i s smaller but has three distinct falls. The second fall is also notorious for it is where the urban legends of swimmers disappearing under the falls, never to be found again, is said to occur. That's why there are statues of the Sto Nino and of the Virgin Mary on this fall. The source of the falls, located after much more strenous, uphill hike is a little disappointing: there's just this gush of water coming out of what looks like a big pipe. Nevertheless, the whole experience was well worth it.

Then time to go back to Manila and hang out with really great friends from there. And before I knew it, it was time to go back home. Where's the trip for next year? Maybe go north this time... Saud Beach looks great.