Haha-happy moments on Dedon Island

Every so often, we need to refresh,  reconnect with nature, listen to our inner selves.  To recharge and rejuvenate away from the madding crowd. When such inevitable moment comes and we want to close ourselves from the world, there is a place  to come home to — Dedon Island!  “A world of barefoot luxury, of blue skies, white sand, crystal clear waters and outdoor living ... an isle of dreams.” Nowhere in the world is a place like Dedon Island!

Located at the tip of reef-ringed Siargao, just around the corner from Cloud 9, the legendary surfing wave, Dedon Island  is a palm-fringed paradise sheltered naturally from the raw tropical wilderness all around it. Dedon’s beauty is magical ... with its biodiversity and exquisite harmony of nature, architecture and design.  Simply beyond words — a must-see-and-experience haven!

Last December, my son Karlo, with wife Macel and daughters Javea and Maria, went to Dedon Island, which  at that time was for me a never-heard-of-resort. Coming back, they excitedly and exhilaratingly described the place as “paradise.” Even Javea and Maria were ecstatic about it, as they really enjoyed the place so much. 

Buoyed by the happy-relaxingexperience Karlo and his family had, I called up my two laughing buddies, Marivic del Pilar and Lynda Geraldez, to join me in experiencing Dedon.  Thankfully, they right away agreed. Marivic  texted me later that “we were just a few days away from paradise.” My Gold’s Gym mate Precy Raquel  invited me to join them to South Africa, but upon learning about our trip to Dedon, she got interested. Immediately, she and sister Eleanor Saez hopped into our bandwagon. Laughter really is a direct connector with people because Precy unabashedly kept telling friends  she was joining us because of my laughter and wanted to bond and laugh with me in Dedon. Hahaha!. A laughing order for me.

With much anticipation and excitement, the five of us proceeded on our paradise trip. Surprised were we that even before disembarking at the Cebu airport, Dedon’s representative, Carmela Yu, already texted me where to meet us.  Graciously and warmly, she welcomed and assisted us till we boarded a plane for Siargao.  A feat she repeated on our way back home again.

The Sayak airport in Siargao, though small, is modern, efficiently-run, and well-maintained.  From the airport, we boarded a custom-built-for-ease-and-comfort Dedon jeepney, that is beyond compare. Very Dedon — a prelude to what awaited us. Inside Dedon, I saw the most breathtaking scenery in my whole life!  Nothing can rival Dedon’s magnificent super-relaxing, tranquil, peaceful beachfront that the eyes can feast on tirelessly.  A sanctuary for one’s whole being!

From the beautiful native villas we stayed in, we could view the garden, the white sands, and the blue waters of the sea. A soothing sight to behold, store in one’s memory bank, to calm ruffled emotions when stressed-out. Dedon was home away from home and more.  Just tell the chef what you want for your meals, and where you want them delivered. Lynda and I had breakfast by the beach in Dedon’s signature furniture, and later walked barefoot on the sand, one of my life’s little pleasures. On the beach were some  exquisitely made Dedon furniture, like the teardrop-shaped native furniture that further enhances the extraordinary beauty of the place. We enjoyed our snacks at the mangrove tower,  juices  in the pool,  watched  movies under the stars beside the pool, had lunch and dinners in the bar and restaurants that overlook the garden, pool, and the enticing beachfront.

The spectacular one-of-a-kind 5,000-hectare ancient mangrove forest in Dedon,  the second biggest in our country, is a must-see!  Lynda went with Marivic and Precy in kayaking and upright  paddle boarding in the mangrove forest, and kept raving about it.  She thought such awesome -fantastic scenery existed only in the movies. While in Dedon, it rained four times daily with the bright sun shining intermittently.  Exciting!

We rode the Dedon yacht driven by adventure manager  Sean Harttey  to the nearby two islands.  Like the Naked Islands, so called because it literally is naked — no inhabitants, no plants, just light brown sands all around.  Lynda and I sat  on the sand, waited for  big waves to roll in and thrust us against the sand while we clawed our fingers firmly on the sand so as not be carried away, laughing nonstop as this was happening. As the waves rolled out, we would find ourselves thrown lying down on our sides on the sand.  I called this unique fun-filled way of enjoying the waves, “romancing with the waves.”  Our roaring laughter echoed in the mini-circular island! 

Seeing how invigorating and fun-filled it was, in the second island, Marivic joined me on the sand, where waves  from the left and front sides of the island hit us,  that made “romancing with the waves” even  more thrilling. We threw cautions about sun exposure to the wind and allowed ourselves to be sun-kissed even on high noon … to enjoy the haha-happy moments and the wonderful-and-unforgettable experience!

After our Dedon experience, where nature’s beauty is at its best, I decided to forego my annual summer vacation abroad — for there is so much to see and have real more fun in our beautiful Philippines!   Mabuhay!

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Laughter Yoga Phils will spread joy to  Tuguegarao’s Metro Water District’s 250 employees. For more info, visit www.laughteryogaphils.com.  To  relax and laugh, visit lycphohohahaha.