Sedated by Secdea’s Serenity…Again!

Somewhere along the palmy, northern fringes of Samal Island, in the village of San Isidro in Babak, lies this fast-rising hideaway that easily fell under my definition of the perfect weekend sanctuary the first time I saw it three years ago. Here’s a slice of paradise where everything seems as easy as Sunday morning, as cool as my favorite buko halo-halo, or as fun as the best island resorts in Mindanao that I’ve visited. The place? Secdea.

Serenity is Secdea's sought-after attraction

What’s with the surreal beach resort that has attracted me? Well, it’s more than the usual dose of sun, sea and sand that it offers to visitors from near or far. Nor the fascinating sights, sounds and smells it exudes. If there’s one thing that I really love about the resort, it’s none other than the serenity it gives you.

One of Secdea's cool pools 

Serenity is so precious to me. I can’t function effectively if I’m in short supply of it. Stuck with a fast-paced, chaotic quotidian existence, I can’t help but sometimes cry “Can someone please stop the world from spinning terribly fast? I need a darn break!” Human as we are, I bet the thought invades your minds every now and then, too.

Whenever the going gets tough, yes, I keep going but I usually do something to sustain my vim and vigor. I usually take out my to-do list for the month, go to the end, and add Find serenity somewhere. And when time and resources permit, I hie off to a remote destination where I hope against hope to stumble upon some peace and quiet even for a few days.

So I wander off the beaten path. Otherwise, it’s gonna be hell for me. I’ll find myself dealing with an excruciatingly short attention span, a predilection towards bitterness and hatred, and a warped sense of obligation to work myself to death. Usually, I opt for an esoteric place where the madding crowd would shun. But long-distance travel for this world-weary gadabout has taken a back seat for the moment what with the many uncertainties of the times, especially in Mindanao.

Given that, the only option I’m left with is to head for nearby hideaways like Samal. To my chagrin, finding serenity in that island these days is getting quite hard. I realized I’m not alone in my search for something placid as throngs of wanderers from near and far are going there, too, most especially during weekends and holidays when most of the resorts are fully-booked!

Serenity reigns in this crib

Sometimes, I get lucky though and manage to spend even one night in some of these resorts—Camp Holiday, Paradise Island, Punta del Sol, among others. But I had to rub elbows with swarms of beach bums! As the rainy season sets in, coming back to Secdea turned out to be the best treat for me—I had the rare chance of mixing work with a little wandering for one last summer hurrah this June.

Halfway through the year, we at the office usually find time to take stock of what we have accomplished and what remains to be done for the second half. Like other firms, it is customary for us to hold a mid-year evaluation either in June or July to assess our respective performances, both as individuals and as a team.

For my team, we’ve made it a point to hold such gathering outside the confines of the office, usually to a place where we can be in our best element to discuss ideas and find solutions to issues and problems. The choices usually are the beach, the mountain or some other remote hideaway. When asked where my staff wanted to go this year, everyone shouted “Secdea!”. So that was how I finally made it there after three years.

Few places have a calming effect on me. Secdea is one of them. The resort had me the moment we jumped out of the resort carts. Entering the resort’s clubhouse, we were treated to the picture-perfect view of the infinity pool and its spectacular background—Davao Gulf and the coastal towns of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, including the two Ligid Islands!

With its sedate and splendid ambience, the beach resort is the picture-perfect rendezvous for a great island escapade. It has lovely cottages, villas and lodges which are well-appointed and tastefully decorated. The rooms can be Spartan in a rustic way, modern Filipino or Spanish colonial depending on your choice of accommodations.

Summer or not, we all need an interlude from the hubbub of everyday life—a respite to a serene destination where we can indulge in creating magical moments and memorable holidays—enriching experiences worth relishing and reminiscing.

So, whenever your feet get itchy for adventure, cross the sea to Samal, head north, and saunter along the well-paved highway where traffic is light and easy, and stay in that place where you can stretch your legs, soothe your senses and shake your worries away to the rhythm of island life—Secdea. :-D