Discovering the beauty of Bantayan Island

What makes for a perfect week-end getaway? It’s a query often asked and, not surprisingly, receives a variety of different replies. For some, it may be exploring the unfamiliar; for others, it is something more intrepid. Whatever it is, it seems to have common ingredients – a great place to stay, either affordably luxurious, or distinctly different – and the freedom to be yourself.

Bantayan Island, located just off the northernmost coast of the main island of Cebu, is such a place.

Day 1. With fun-loving neighbors, lawyer-golfer-sailing enthusiast Julius Neri and his wife Nelia, the executive lifestyle editor of the Sun Star publications, always-on-the-go Tourism regional director Dawnie Roa, Travel Vision tour specialist Jenny Franco and my hubby Glenn, we merrily embarked on the 19-seater LET 410 aircraft of South East Asian Airlines (Seair). Within minutes, we were airborne. We were barely settled in our seats when we cruised off to a low altitude. Some green islands ringed by a dazzling, seemingly endless stretch of white beaches came to view. Little did we know that we were approaching our destination. Flying time was a mere 25 minutes.

Upon arrival at the islands’ newly-constructed one kilometer-long airport, we were warmly welcomed by the Air Transportation Office’s Susan Pacheco, the local tourism council’s likable Mary Ann Pestaño and our hosts, Peter and Susan Holaysan, owners of Ogtong Cave Resort, our home for the next couple of days.

A nothing-but-fresh seafood lunch at the Sta. Fe Beach Club, also owned by the Holaysans, gave us an insight into the gastronomic adventure that awaited us in the days to come.

An early afternoon heritage tour brought us to the center of the pueblo con mucho character, where we briefly met with Bantayan Mayor Geralyn Escario Cañares, a hands-on hardworking lady, whose clan had the awesome responsibility of running the town since the days of the gobernadorcillos without interruption.

We proceeded to the Sts. Peter and Paul Church, built in 1580, and considered the oldest in all of the Visayas and Mindanao.

We likewise marveled at the well-preserved antebellum houses that are a testament to the rich heritage of Hispanic settlement, and the high stone walls and watchtowers, which served as shield and protection for the islanders from attacking Moro vintas. These structures were called Bantayan ng Hari, or Watchtower of the King, thus giving the island its name.

Admiring the fiery sunset and its forever-changing reflection on the water, with a jug of wine in hand, at Villa Anita, a quaint little hideaway, followed by dinner-under-the-stars with a selection of the days’ catch of fish, crabs and shrimps, these were the highlights of our first day on the island.

We returned to Ogtong Cave Resort to the comfortable confines of our spacious bedrooms complete with a private balcony that promised a breathtaking view of azure blue waters by daybreak. That was all to come by tomorrow.

Day 2. A breakfast of labtingao, a semi-dried fish with just the right amount of salt, at the lush gardens al aire libre, the promise of a sight to write home about was fulfilled.

We later clambered aboard a motorized banca and gamely set out to Hilantaga-an island, a private haven of Letty Mancio, mayor of the neighboring town of Madridejos. The waters were so clean and clear; I could have stayed in the water all day.

Hopping once again on to the banca, we sailed to Barangay Tamiao for the home of Susan and her pilot husband Jun that is nestled on a cliff. Susan fondly calls it the Garden of Life Farm.

We took in the impressive vista of the sea, and then ventured into the nearby cave with a subterranean lagoon for a refreshing swim. Miko and Franz, the adorable active children of Susan and Jun, gamely joined us.

After yet another unforgettable buffet lunch of more seafood, we capped the rather short visit with the promise to return someday soon.

When evening came, Dawnie Roa hosted a moonlight dinner at the resort with special guests Bantayan Mayor Geralyn Escario Cañares and Madridejos Mayor Letty Mancio. For once, I liked the idea that nobody felt the need to dress up for dinner. I just slipped into something clean and casual sans the glitz and glam with no one out to impress or be impressed.

Day 3. A visit to Bantayan would not be complete without a visit to the local public market. There we could not believe what we saw: An assortment of dried danggit in all sizes imaginable, squids both large and small and dried fish bone, all delicious for pica-pica. With pasalubong on hand, we reluctantly said our goodbyes to our newfound friends.

We headed to the wharf and took a fast craft to Hagnaya, the northern tip of Cebu, where a coaster waited for us for the two-hour land trip back home.

Bantayan is more than just a charming island. In no time, it will be a premier island destination in the Visayas. The soul of this place lies in the simple unique pleasures it offers the guests – rich in local history, desirable beaches, excellent food and warm hospitality – and I can think of more, many more. It guarantees visitors an unquenchable desire to return.