Finding Solace in Camotes

There is a constant discovering of one's sense of self to traveling. When I was invited to join a Camotes sojourn, I accepted it mainly to be free of all impediments and of all inconveniences. It is sometimes rejuvenating to get rid of others - far from noisy vendors, jeepneys competing for passengers, strikes, rush-hour traffic, and people who find home along Colon Street. In the island, which is known as "The Lost Horizon in the South", the abundance of natural beauty was company enough for me.

Camotes, about three-hour northeast of Cebu, is worth the visit and the memory. It is a more relaxed place of life than near the Cebu metropolis. One can appreciate the island's sense of peacefulness and its idyllic beaches. The untouched island of Camotes became my breathing space to contemplate on indifferent matters.

I recreated myself in the island, history says, which was known as Camotes or Sweet Potato Island after the Spaniards asked about its name from the natives digging for root crops.

I have a terrible failure to overlook the issue of identity so that I disregarded the Camotes experience for a month. In every journey one recreates oneself to defy the feeling of being a stranger to a place. The island has its own way, an esoteric one, to heal one's painful thoughts. It has its own rhythm playing in the undisturbed silence of one's heart.

Camotes consists of four islands: Pacijan Island, Poro Island, Ponson Island, and Tulang Island. All of these islands are located in Camotes Sea, between Cebu Island and the province of Leyte. Some writer friends and I left for Camotes, from Pier 2 in Cebu City to Poro, late one night. The whole trip was very peaceful.

We arrived in Camotes at daybreak- an hour that is sacred to silence and to musing. A van picked us up, with open windows (we intentionally opened it though), and took us to Santiago Bay Garden and Resort in San Francisco- a town in Pacijan Island. There was an infinite feeling in the air; the scent of cornfields crossing the road stirred my fancy.

Santiago is one of the best places to stay in Camotes, not only because the best way to stay in the island is by the beach but also of the open-air restaurant's delicious food while overlooking at the beach.

The next morning we headed to Mangudlong Rock Resort, which is also worth staying at. Before we left, Jeneen and I walked toward the Santiago's beach only to realize that our companions - Myke, Greg, Boboi and Joshua - could not withstand the immaculate beach. Jeneen took pictures of the inviting scenarios in the island (thanks to her, she didn't forget to bring her camera. At least, our trip has pictures to boast). And yes, she likewise was enticed by the inviting sea.

If I refused to join them in swimming at Santiago, it was different at the Mangudlong. I could not refrain myself to meet the approaching waves that were very tempting. I was so impressed with the islet, reachable by swimming or bamboo raft, opposite the resort. It has open-air nipa huts - quite modern in style - to accommodate the travelers and explorers like us. We had the best lunch of seafood there!

Our next destination was the charming Lake Danao at San Francisco. The calm lake balanced the stillness of the place. It was a perfect place to summon all the metaphors in one's mind, to imagine a fool's paradise, or to strike a subject that is pleasant to talk on a journey - like great Filipino independent movies that we talked about. After all, the soul of a journey is a perfect liberty to think, feel, do just one pleases.

Afterward, we headed to Kanlingiw Island. It was a small, round piece of land with few coconut trees and rabbits. My companions - especially the men - deconstructed Kanlingiw, its quietness and solitude. Perhaps, they were enchanted by the engaging wilderness of the islet.

We went back to Mangudlong and hoped to catch the sunset, filled with joy we experienced that day. Then, we had a candlelight dinner by the beach. This time, the sea had receded, and so did at Santiago Bay. Before we rested, we went to the beach again - Jeneen walked alone by the sea, the men with their bottles of beer, and I to my reverie. I would attempt to wake the thoughts that lie slumbering on my head under the evening clouds.

The next morning was our last day. We took a pump-boat from San Francisco to Danao City. I did not mind the trip back to Cebu since the sea air during the ride cooled me off. I am back to my own place, back to myself again.