guimbitayan | One Setting Travels

Malapascua is an island located at the northern tip of Cebu, and a barangay of Daan Bantayan with its local name ‘Logon’. The island of Malapascua is known for the crystal clear water beaches and white, powdery and warm shoreline. Also, it’s been a diving spot for people who loves witnessing coral reefs and under the sea wonders. Malapascua is also known for the Thresher Sharks that are abundant in the surrounding waters of the island.

I still can’t forget the first time I went there ten years ago: we struggled going there but when we arrived at the beachfront; it awed me to my soul. The clear blue waters were at the most splendid and captivating. The memory stuck in my mind up to this date.

Not until I went there ten years later.

THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT MALAPASCUA

Let’s start from how we traveled.

First, we rode a Ceres Bus bound for Maya that has a sea port where numerous boats await. The ride was a painful 4 hour drive (not unless you have your own car or service). We started our trip from the North Bus Terminal by 7:00AM and arrived at Maya port by 11:30. It was long and torturous. But I let it pass and just enjoyed the annoying smoke and dirt that are visible in my face.

The boat you will ride on from Maya port to Malapascua Island

Next, when we arrived at Maya port, there were several boats parked in their port. So my partner told me that we should go to the ticketing office to pay the port fee. But then, one local told us that they were not present anymore because of typhoon Yolanda. The ruins left by the typhoon are still visible in the port, actually. There were people (usually locals) barking at everyone who reaches the port and it feels like everyone new to the place has no idea where to go. So, we asked one local on what to do and where to go. He just pointed at one boat that will transport us to the island.

We waited there for an hour or so because they have to fill 30 people in that boat. The fee for the boat is P80.00 per person. (If the tide is low, there will be an inconvenient small boat or banka that will transport you from the port to the boat waiting afar that will cost you another P20.00)

After Yolanda, there was no organized direction on what to do and where to ride there at the port. We were frustrated about that plus it was scorching hot.

Then we arrived at Malapascua after 20 minutes. Before we docked; we could see the beauty of the crystal clear water (you can see in the video below) as the boat rushes to the beachfront, and it is magnificent.

Then we docked, and unfortunately I was not impressed. What welcomed us shocked me, which you can see in the pictures below.

It is fitting that Yolanda struck the island so badly that it destroys most of the trees and nearby buildings/cottages but it’s unfathomable for the government not to take actions in any of these unfortunate circumstances when it’s already six months passed. And there were no governing rules upon littering.

The part where we stopped 10 years ago in the island was now a place of garbage.

We hadn’t had our lunch so we ate at Mabuhay Restaurant. We ordered many foods (ala cart kuno) because the waitress said it was good for 1 person only when in fact it’s good for 2, DUH. We waited for almost an hour and a half before our meal arrived. It annoyed me to say the least. Although their food is OKAY. But still, it was beyond frustrating.

At that time I felt like it was a wrong decision going there.

THE PARADISE FIND IN MALAPASCUA (THANK GOD)

We were there because a friend of my brother invited us to come over the island for their fiesta, and so it’s good to know that there’s someone who could navigate us to the place.

I was not hoping to find a good beach, but then when we went to his family’s house in Guimbitayan, located at the other side of the island: the beauty of the beach there was magnificent. I was in awe seeing the shore and the clear blue waters.

When I dipped, it was just perfect. I was then transported back 10 years ago, and reminisced the feeling of awe. It was almost deserted, and I can only see us playing around the very long sea shore.

The sunrise is just perfect for the Instagram/Facebook fun-shoot we did. The camera lense quickly captured the island’s vibrancy to life.

My father and our friend’s grandmother built a tent for us to relax and feast our eyes to the beauty of the beach. It was so blue ,it was really pleasing.

At night, the moon serves as your spotlight to go and take a dip.

We just brought tents with us to stay for the night.

The people built a campfire on the nearby shore, but I don’t know if it was legal, but at that time I heard that the son of a politician spearheaded that campfire… so I kept my mouth shut.

THE ISLAND VIEW AND THE YOLANDA RUINS

Our friend told us to go to Bantigue cove which is just a walk away from where we were staying. And so, we realized how little we have seen from the island. Until we reached the part where the sand is softer and the view is nicer.

To reach Bantigue cove, we have to climb up the hill which shocked me upon seeing the back part of the island where there’s a tall lighthouse.

It was stunning as you can see in the pictures.

But then when we reached the cove itself where ruins were everywhere.

Our friend told us there was a resort there was destroyed by Yolanda.

The beach in Bantigue cove was not at all nice now, so we climbed back.

CONCLUSION

I realized that I should never just be mediocre, just because the beach front frustrates me doesn’t mean there’s no other part of a place that will ‘wow’ me. It’s very essential to everyone who loves to travel. Never Stop.

The island is full of garbage now, there are so many issues I’ve found when I was there from Maya port to the island itself; and the government needs to take action and the people also needs to make initiative.

Malapascua is such a beauty! Reliving its potential means potential for a booming tourism. People just have to create ground rules and not just write it but to apply, organize and follow it, and with just that; the island will be perfect again.

COSTS AND FEES

Bus (back and forth) – P163.00 + P163.00

Boat (back and forth) – P80.00 + P80.00

Small Boat (if lowtide both to and from) – P20.00 + P20.00

Stay (At Moonlight Resort – for me not advisable) – P1,600.00 AC Room

Note: I cannot post all the costs, room availability and the food here because our friend’s family plus my parents paid for many things there.

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