lenard-posts-blog

[lenard-posts-blog]

Bantayan Island

Watching the sunrise never fails to invigorate the spirit. The orange sky slowly illuminates everything on its path, a cacophony of birds reverberates in the air, commanding a reverence for God and nature.

This is Bantayan, a tropical isle off the coast of Cebu. It has remained undiscovered until recently. Today, luxurious yet affordable accommodations have been constructed on the island in the vicinity of the Santa Fe Beach Resort and Ogtong Cave Resort.

It was on this paradise that my friend Bia Pabelona (of J. Walter Thompson) and I were pampered. Basking in nature’s pleasures, and soaking in the comfort of well-appointed villas – air-conditioned, with hot water and efficient communication system – what more could we ask for?

Cebu is the gateway to Bantayan. When we landed in Cebu, Bia and I proceeded to the cozy Days Inn Hotel where we had a delectable breakfast of

danggit

, native

longganisa

, garlic rice and the sweetest mangoes with Days Inn Hotel’s Reynaldo Concepcion and his son, Yongi. After breakfast, we took an hour-and-a-half car ride past scenic views of coconut and sugar plantations, corn fields and fruit trees, all the way to the port of Hagnayan. Then it was a pleasant 50-minute ferry ride to Bantayan Island.

The wind was cool and the waters calm, when our tourist guide Racquel Mata, pointed to six friendly dolphins who had decided to escort us. We also spotted the endangered

pawikan

(turtle) and

dugong

(seacow).

We reached Santa Fe Beach Resort and Ogtong Cave on Bantayan soon enough and we were welcomed by the owners and our hosts, Peter and Susan Holaysan.

If you like Boracay but are unhappy with its numerous visitors, visit Bantayan. There you will find secluded coves like the Paradise Beach where the waves lap the sugary shoreline while palm trees sway in unison.

Over a sumptuous feast of crabs, shrimps, rock lobster, fish

tocino

, and

lato

(seaweed), we learned that Bantayan is the egg basket of the Visayas since there are more chickens (1.5 million) than people (126,000). They also make the best tasting

danggit

, fish tocino,

dilis

,

palad

,

daing na katambak

and more.

Ogtong is the species of fish that abounds in the waters of the area. The name, however, was changed to Santa Fe, when the barrio was declared a town on October 3, 1872.

Santa Fe Beach Resort has powdery white sand and clear blue waters. Accommodations like cottages for two range from P500 a day to P1500 for large families. At nearby Ogtong Cave is a spring-fed pool. This water comes from a 15-km. underground pool. Bia and I went swimming in this cave, where the depth in some parts was between 60 to 80 feet deep. Water was cool, clear and rejuvenating. The place is surrounded by gardens where one can look out to the sea, and listen to the calls of birds.

The trip to Santa Fe is a pleasant one. You may choose to take a land trip north from Cebu City to the port of Hagnaya, from where a regular ferry crosses to Sante Fe or you can take an overnight trip on a ship that sails between Cebu City port and Santa Fe. Very soon, there will be direct flights from Cebu to Sante Fe which will only take 24 minutes!

image: https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-life/2001/05/19/85792/main/20010520/images/lif7.jpg

While in Bantayan, we visited the city home of Lola Anon Escario. Built in the 17th century, the ancestral house is filled with antiques, memorabilia, travel souvenirs and items made of pure ivory. Marvel at Lola Anon’s Crucified Christ whose INRI was sculpted from pure ivory. Lola Anon said that when Imelda Marcos came to visit her house, the former first lady couldn’t help but exclaim: "I have one just like it but the nails on the cross are diamonds."

To this, Lola Anon replied: "Mine are just precious stones," and heaved a sigh of relief. This was because all the while she thought Madame Imelda would buy her crucifix.

The beauty and allure of Bantayan is not only found in its natural resources, but also in the unique culture of its people. Where among these 7,101 isles can you find one where locals eat

lechon

(roasted suckling pig) during Holy Week, especially Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Irreverent? Not really, there’s a spiritual explanation.

Our hosts Peter and Susan Holaysan told us this story: Bantayan is mainly a fishing village and residents stop fishing in observance of Holy Week. Every Lenten Season for about two decades now, they let the sea rest by not fishing for seven days. This is their penance. But what will they eat? Nineteen years ago, Cardinal Rosales requested dispensation from the Pope to allow the people of Bantayan to eat meat and pork during Holy Week.

Still, people here observe Lent with the traditional

pasyon

and procession of

carrozas.

After the procession, people feast on

lechon,

which is most delectable – being crispier, juicier and tastier than all the

lechon

in Cebu. We tried one at the nearby fishing village of Madridejos which was basted with coconut milk while roasting. It was served with

adobo

liver sauce. Fantastic! Rest assured, one need not wait for Holy Week to enjoy the delicious

lechon

because the delicacy can be sampled the whole year round!

Bantayan is a balm to the soul. While watching the sunrise or sunset or swimming in its cool waters, the island enthralls. Come to Santa Fe Beach Resort or Ogtong Cave Resort. Swim, frolic, go boating, laze in the sun, loll in the shade, play beach volleyball. Or, if you want, do nothing at all

Read more at https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-life/2001/05/19/85792/bantayan-island-tropical-sanctuary-no-other#i8LRdi0Q0zpQsW6X.99