Paradise Found

February is the perfect prelude to the glorious days of summer. With the temperature rising higher than usual and the days stretching on longer than we’ve gotten used to, the season for tan lines will do anything but elude us. So bring out those fab pair of shades, your fave sun block, and the skimpy swim wear for that time of the year when we get to kick off our corporate duds and whisk ourselves off to that piece of paradise that we’ve been day dreaming about ever since summer of last year came to a close.

With Valentine’s Day drawing ever closer, you can start crushing out that template dinner plus movie plus coffee date from your V-day IT. Instead, make this year’s Valentines Day the opening salvo to summer by celebrating love month amidst the backdrop of a glittering sea and to-die for sunset.  And get this, you don’t have to go all the way to Bali to do that.

Having recently moved to the Queen City of the South, I’ve fallen in love with many of its heavenly beaches. So whether you’re tied to a honey or going solo, feel pampered and fall ridiculously in love in these beaches:

Sayaw and Candugay Beaches in Barili

Having had my fair share of travelling on south west by land and crossing to Sibulan to get to my hometown of Dumaguete, I often pass by Barili, the municipality after Dumanjug. Roughly 61 kilometers from Cebu City, Barili is best known for two of its beaches—Sayaw and Candugay—which boast of long stretches of fine white sand and clear, aquamarine waters gently crashing against the shore. Both Sayaw and Candugay are a hit for sun worshippers on a budget since you only have to spend pocket change to rent a cottage.

What to do if you’re with your honey:

Bring sleeping bags, some shot glasses, and recipes for cool mocktails. Mix your own mocktails and play your version of Pinoy Henyo with words focusing on anything about either the two of you. It could be your interests, your dislikes, your families, your jobs. One shot if the time runs out for the person who has to guess the word pasted on his or her forehead. Do this amidst a roaring bonfire with the crashing waves as your background music.

Malapascua Island

If there’s one thing that puzzles me to no end, it’s why Malapascua was given its name. Malapascua comes from the Spanish phrase meaning Unfortunate Christmas but finding yourself in this new it-place for beach bodies is anything but unfortunate. Malapascua Island is nestled in the Visayan Sea and although the place may make you lethargic with its combination of gentle sea breezes and cerulean blue skies, getting there will be (gulp) a real road trip. Malapascua is only four hours away from Cebu City by bus. After reaching Bogo, hop into a boat and breathe a sigh of relief at the last and final leg of your journey to paradise.

What to do if you’re going solo:

No date? No problem. Malapascua is one of the best spots to go diving or snorkelling with its lush underwater gardens. So if the scenery above the surface is already enough to make your jaw drop, the scenery beneath the water’s surface will probably already take you to kingdom come. Malapascua is home to the Thresher shark so grab your diving gear and spend some down time bonding with this gentle denizen of the deep. I swear, it will be a date to remember.

Nalusuan Island

Here’s another one of Cebu’s best kept secrets: Nalusuan Island in Cordova, like Sumilon, is a marine sanctuary teeming with biodiversity. This tiny island has a man-made salt water pool with your friendly neighbourhood sea turtles, and fish like Lapu-Lapu. When you’re in Nalusuan, make sure to grab one of those charming cottages on stilts facing the open sea so you can gaze at the seascape and feast your eyes on the vast expanse of blue as you sip your cocktails with the sea breeze whipping against your face.

What to do if you’re on a date with your barkada:

Okay, so it’s a band of singles out on V-day. That should be a rad way to spend this day of love and mush. There are two things to do (this is non-negotiable) if you’re with your berks in Nalusuan: rent a boat, bring a picnic basket, and go island hopping in the nearby islets. Pig out in any one of the islands just before sunset and toast to the joys of being single just as the sun begins to set. You can also opt to go on a banana boat ride with the rest of the group by late afternoon and while your time away in Nalusuan’s crystal clear waters.

Olango Island

Pristine white sand beaches—check. Aquamarine water—check. Endless sunshine—double check. Olango Island has all the makings of paradise with an added plus: it’s also a haven not just for sun worshippers but also for various species of migratory birds. Getting to Olango Island is fairly easy. You only have to make it to Mar Y Cielo Beach Resort in Lapu-Lapu and take a short boat ride to Olango Island. As many as 32 species of birds like the Little Egret and the Common Sandpiper are frequent visitors in Olango Island. Who knows, they might also have come to human watch.

What to do if you’re on a date with Mom or Dad:

So it’s another V-day with mom or dad, huh? Olango Island is the perfect place to bond. Make sure you bring along your binoculars and your camera for some serious bird watching and picture taking. Collect as many photos of birds as you can find in the island considering that these babies won’t be staying there for long and will be going back home to Siberia, China, and Japan.

Bantayan Island

Bantayan Island, which is made up of the municipalities of Santa Fe, Madridejos, and Bantayan is and will be another unforgettable experience for the serial beach goer. With many of its best beaches in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island has become home to many people who wish to experience a little piece of heaven here on earth. Bantayan is the quintessential spot for romantic walks along the powdery shoreline, the ideal spot for romantic proposals on a small outrigger boat cast into the sea amidst a bright full moon. Bantayan Island has a particular charm that makes you fall in love with it the moment you sink your feeble toes into its fine white sand. 

What to do if you’re on a date with your honey:

You have to get to Bantayan first before you can enjoy the place. Hop into a bus at the North Bus Terminal and take a three-hour ride to Hagnaya. A ferry will take you to Sta. Fe in an hour but you also have an option to directly reach Sta Fe via van ride. If you’re with your honey, hold hands while snorkelling the afternoon away. Watch the sunset together in the middle of the sea as you take a break from snorkelling. Head for the shore after dinner and lie on your backs while gazing at the canopy of stars above you.

The beach is a welcome escape at any time of the year—not just for summer or valentines. Here’s a tip to milking out every iota of enjoyment here in Cebu: visit at least one of these islands for every month that you’re here until you’ve visited them all. Talk about living in paradise!