If there were lingering doubts whether the sun will appear when we boarded a bus from Legaspi to Sorsogon, it was quickly answered as the blue waters of the sea sparkled under the clear blue skies. The boat ride went smooth sailing over the calm waters as we approached Subic Beach in Calintaan Island. I tempered my expectation by muttering to myself "this is just another beach" in my own beautiful country.
Just another beach or so I thought. Like the swarm of humanity around us, any person could appear a typical individual. But deep inside, everyone of us hides a unique personality distinct from one another. Visiting a new place similarly gives that feeling of anticipation–of what remains to be discovered.
Same with these places I've been to in the ever moving forward journey of mine. I've rekindled and developed new relationships with fervor on every destination I plant my feet. Subic Beach is no different, yet it instantly molded an allusion that it is different in its own way.
Subic beach in Calintaan Island is located off the coast of the northern tip of Luzon and a Herculean's stone throw away from Samar.
It can be easily reached from the sleepy town of Matnog, Sorsogon. This seaside community bristles with fishing activities and the hustle and bristles of everyday simple life. The eager conversations about the day's catch and what have's of daily musings of a small town can be heard from sunrise to sundown.
Kuya Charlie fetched us from our small rented nipa hut by the beach at around 7:00AM. Still feeling hungry from our previous night's dinner of "daing" and "adobong pusit", we only took a quick bite out of a few Spanish Breads bought from a local bakery. His friend who owns the boat was waiting for us by the port near the market. The main port is where the ferry ships bound for Samar are docked. On the way there, you will pass by an arch that says "You Are Now Leaving the Island of Luzon" - while the thought of crossing to Samar was deeply entertained by myself and my friend Tin, the only thing that held us back was the work that awaits us back home.
There is always the next time, especially if you've became one who always finds a way to venture out and explore the world. That idea of crossing to Samar excites me and it remains something to look forward to. However, Subic Beach was the goal on hand and the destination awaiting us that morning along with the fishing sanctuary of Juag.
We arrived at Subic Beach around 9:30 AM after spending about less than an hour at Juag Fishing Sanctuary. Tin deliberately left her swimsuit since she's supposed to be on a "beach hiatus" as she told me.
She'd been traveling extensively the past few months, as sort of a moving on tool from a break-up and the last she visited was Batanes, which was only last month. That left me by myself to take a dip at the fine crystal clear waters while Tin played the role of a paparazzi snapping pictures of myself like I was Jude Law - only with a striking beer belly. Although, that may be justified by a method acting-like preparation for a mobster role in an upcoming movie.
She'd been traveling extensively the past few months, as sort of a moving on tool from a break-up and the last she visited was Batanes, which was only last month. That left me by myself to take a dip at the fine crystal clear waters while Tin played the role of a paparazzi snapping pictures of myself like I was Jude Law - only with a striking beer belly. Although, that may be justified by a method acting-like preparation for a mobster role in an upcoming movie.
The other side of Subic Beach which takes just a few minute boat ride was more impressive, as it has less sea-weeds scattered on the shore. We spent more time on that part staring out at the agonizingly beautiful scenery. Agonizing, because it sucks knowing you will leave the place after only a few hours. I wish I could pitch a tent right there, read a book and enjoy the strong breeze of wind under sunny weather condition and not think about leaving for the next 2-3 days.
The beach is inhabited by a few caretakers, on the other side of Subic Beach where we first docked, we talked to the owner of that part of Calintaan Island. He told us his plans of developing the beach, a part of me wishes he and the other beachfront lot owners would just leave the beach as it is, untouched with minimum man made structures.
We as travelers, should really learn to make do with what mother nature can offer. Sadly most travelers are the lazy ones, the ones who'd demand for an air-conditioned room, a pool room, a beach-side bar. Not every beach can be Boracay, as the rest should be left as it is. Barely untouched and suitable only for camping trips. I can only hope that whatever definition of "development" they had in mind - it would be more protective of nature and mindful of carbon footprints.
Yet, I still feel fortunate to have visited this beach before any form of development is put into motion. Shout out to my fellow travel blogger friends Claire and Gael for writing about this island earlier in the year. I hope we can all enjoy the beautiful places in our country by nurturing it and making sure it just don't wither away in the wrong kinds of 'development'. I am not only blogging about this place so people would troop here in hordes and help the local tourism, but also as a reminder that we should be responsible travelers as well.
It was nearing lunch time and we were moving at an Amazing Race-like pace. We regretted making the decision to leave the place, but not to be dejected for long, because we were glad to have spent some time exploring this part of the Philippines. Traveling with a new friend in Tin was also a big plus. Fittingly, it now goes into the "There are places I remember" memory vault of mine, like the Beatles song, its a perfect place to park your mind aimlessly at, especially now that I'm back in the boring corporate world in the big city.
