Islands Treat Poparazzi

CEBU, Philippines -  I’ve had my fair share of “banca” trips, with the most unforgettable one bordering on the precarious.

There was this banca we rode in Mati, Davao Oriental that gave us quite a scare as its motor suddenly died down in the middle of what already seemed like an open sea, where waves heaved and no island was near.

Some banca trips were, on the other hand, too uneventful that…I remembered the boat, but I don’t remember the feeling anymore.

But I’m sure not forgetting the Islands Banca Cruise I had together with some members of the tri-media Friday of last week… for all the right reasons.

When Islands Banca Cruises got launched late last year, Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano lauded it as an alternative means to counter the effects of the global financial crisis on Cebu tourism. Why so? The global crisis is expected to curtail the influx of foreign tourists to Cebu, and this kind of “adventure tourism” has the potential to maximize domestic tourism. 

Many tourists have turned to the banca to enjoy as much sea-based activities they possibly can when in Cebu and in neighboring islands. But many domestic tourists are also turned off by the hassle of securing one, including locating a reliable bankero, finding reasonable rates that provide good value for your money, among others. This is where Islands Banca Cruises, another brainchild of award-winning entrepreneur Jay Aldeguer, comes in. Islands Banca Cruises made it its business to elevate and professionalize the island-hopping business.

And so Friday of last week, we hied off to the islands on a large pumpboat named after the Butanding, the features of which alone told us enough that it was no ordinary banca trip. It can accommodate as many as 35 people, is furnished with amenities such as an iPod dock, bean bags, wi-fi (yes, it’s possible), and manned by uniformed, solicitous personnel who are really natives to the area; and armed with a clear itinerary. 

We made a brief stop at Hilutungan Island for snorkeling and fish feeding before heading to Pandanon Sandbar in Bohol for lunch with lechon and for an entire afternoon of lounging, which was made more meaningful with ah, the foot and back massage. Actually, these treats can be made available upon request, in the same way that Islands Banca can whip up an itinerary that can work around your budget and schedule.

As the sun was about to dip, we all piled back onto the Butanding, and enjoyed a breathtaking sunset cruise amid flowing drinks (by the way, drinks offered on board are similar to supermarket prices) and songs from the 80’s to the 90’s blasting from the iPod dock. Freeman business reporter Ehda Dagooc and Jaja Chiongbian, who organized the whole-day cruise together with April Rama—they’re the power PR tandem behind top hotspots Vudu and Formo—took turns in leading the group singing.

Indeed, after a pretty heavy week (highlighted by the two separate press cons and one grand launch for the first-ever Belo Clinic—but that’s another story), the cruise plus great company proved to be a welcome breather and a fitting kick-off for the summer. 

For more info on packages and promos, visit islandsbanca.com.