Sumilon Island: Cebu's newest destination

The enticing sliver of cerulean blue water amidst a lush foliage backdrop of trees and white sand was what convinced us to accept the invitation to "a new destination". Braving the steady, gray downpour one December morning, we availed of the bus service to Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort, where the meeting point was at Tsai Asian Restaurant and Tea Salon (Crossroads Mall). After the tour guides finally realized that the fifteen of us present were the only ones serious about attending the launch (initial confirmation for the 8:30 a.m departure slot was pegged at 40 pax), we proceeded to embark on a 3-hour scenic coastal drive heading south of Cebu. Destination was Oslob, known for its majestic mountains.

Along the way, we stopped for a mid-morning merienda at Alex Café in Argao. A quaint, cozy café frequented by travelers, foreigners, and locals, it serves really good torta paired with warm, delicious hot chocolate. The budbud (glutinous sticky rice) was not bad either, which we ate with ripe, fresh mango slices.

Refreshed from the sumptuous Argao delicacies, everyone was in high spirits as we rounded the last curve in the road, when we glimpsed for the first time the 24-hectare Sumilon Island shimmering in the distance. We were led towards the jetty where an outrigger boat was waiting to take us to the island. However, what was normally a 10-minute boat ride turned into almost half an hour of battling and maneuvering through the waves, as the weather was also overcast in Oslob. Needless to say, we were all soaking wet from the waves before we had even set foot in Sumilon.

A lavish seafood buffet lunch awaited us at the resort's Pavilion, where the other guests were already ensconced. Tourism and government luminaries were also in attendance, namely, our very own Gov. Gwen Garcia, DOT-7's Dawnie Roa, Board Member Agnes Magpale, Oslob Mayor Tata Abines, and Austrian Honorary Consul General Dodong Alegrado (the Alegrados own and manage Sumilon, along with the Maribago Bluewater in Mactan).

The rest of the afternoon, we spent exploring the resort and the island. The guest houses are large and airy, with bougainvillea lining private verandahs. Perfect for curling up with a good book, or enjoying the cool sea breeze while marveling at the beauty of the mountains right in front of you.

Scattered around the resort are payag-payags, or little nipa lofts with lush pillows that you could sink right into, and just daydream away. We also enjoyed swimming on the shifting white sand bar, although the seabed was a bit rocky. Massage services were also offered, but the masseuses were fully booked. We didn't have time for this, but we were told that the island has natural caves one could explore, wherein fishermen used to seek refuge (hence, the name Sumilon, which means exactly that). On the southside, a lighthouse rests on a protected tree park. Beside it is a "baluarte", a historical watchtower built as part of a warning system to thwart marauders in the 19th century. The island is also excellent for deep-sea diving.

All too soon (it seemed), it was time to head back to the city. As we headed back, we were glad to have accepted this gracious invitation to Sumilon. For indeed, the trip was a refuge, however brief, from the seemingly mundane droll of our urban lifestyles. What a refreshing Saturday respite, never mind the overcast skies and tidal waves!