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

Savoring Samal Island’s Soothing Solace (Part 2)

Summer is never over when you live close to an island as awesome as Samal. Barely fifteen minutes away from Davao City, it is billed as “the largest island resort in the Philippines”. Samal’s nearness to one of the world’s largest cities (not to mention, the home of the country’s newly elected president) has made it the perfect island getaway of those who come to Davao for business and/or pleasure.

Officially known as the Island Garden City of Samal, locals and tourists affectionately call it IGaCoS, or simply Samal, for easy recall. Right smack in the heart of Davao Gulf, the tadpole-shaped slice of paradise, one of the three cities and eight municipalities that form part of Davao del Norte, is considered as one of the region’s premier tourist magnets.

A speedboat cutting its way through the blue waters of Davao Gulf

Its promising future, however, was sabotaged by an unfortunate incident in September 2015—the kidnapping of three foreigners and a Filipina by members of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group—that took place in one of the island’s private resorts, causing a sharp drop in occupancy rates of several hotels and resorts a few weeks later.

Things, however, are starting to return to normal; the island is working hard to recover lost ground. The prospects for real estate development and tourism are bullish once again. Visitors, both local and foreign, are coming back in droves.

Except for a day-long stay in Blue Jaz Resort two summers ago, it’s been ages since I last explored the island. I’ve been wanting to seek solace in the soothing comforts of its lush forests, refreshing waterfalls and pristine beaches but some things got in the way of my plans. Recently, I decided to break the spell and headed for Samal for a long weekend wandering.

Panoramic shot of Blue Jaz Resort

Visitors going to the island from Davao City may take off from several points to reach the island. One is at Sta. Ana Whart, where ferry boats near Magsaysay Park directly take visitors to Kaputian Beach Wharf. Another option would be Sasa Wharf, where motorboats headed for Babak Wharf are docked.

Most of the resorts in Samal have their own private marina where boats transport guests from either Lanang or Sasa in Davao City to their respective camps. 

But the most convenient means for those with private vehicles is to take any of the barges plying the Davao-IGaCoS route. Stationed at the ferry terminal in Sasa, the vessels leave for the port in Kinawitnon every 30 minutes. Buses stationed at Magsaysay Park also take off via this route. I wanted to drive my way around Samal so I chose this option.  

A glimpse of Talikud Island

Made up of the islands of Samal and Talikud as well as a number of islets (like Big and Little Ligid), the city is politically subdivided into 46 barangays that are distributed in its three districts (formerly known as towns prior to its cityhood), namely, Babak, Kaputian and Peñaplata, where the seat of governance is located.

Revisited after some time, I was surprised to see the numerous changes all over the island. New resorts and hotels with rates ranging from the low-end to the luxurious, posh residential subdivisions, business and recreational establishments and the like have sprouted here, there and everywhere in Samal.

With over 70 beach resorts (and still counting!), not to mention its natural attractions such as waterfalls, rivers, mountains, caves and marine sanctuaries, the island is arguably a weekend warrior’s ultimate adventure destination, all year round.

Samal, to me, is heaven here on earth. It’s definitely one of the few islands in the country that lives up to the hype. Visitors will be delighted to know that it looks exactly the way it does in those travel magazines, posters, blogs, websites and what have you. What you see is what you get.

A pristine beach in Kaputian

There are so many things you can do when you’re there. But what if you don’t have the luxury of time and you can only see the best of the best while still getting the full experience of what life is like in that island that’s also a garden and a city? Well, here are a few things that would interest those seeking solace in this exciting destination:

Beach hopping. The main island, Samal, is endowed with pristine beaches that would surely draw ohs and ahs from frequenters and first-timers. The most popular (read: crowded) are Paradise Island,  Blue Jaz, Blue Waters, Chemas by the Sea, Costa Marina, Punta del Sol, Camp Holiday, Fernandez Beach, Kaputian Beach Park, among others. 

Parola Bar in Pearl Farm Beach Resort

For those who prefer being away from the madding crowd (read: luxurious), Pearl Farm, Bali-Bali, Secdea, Hof Gorei and the Island Buenavista are your top choices. Nearby Talikud Island also has its fair share of lovely white-sand beaches that are worth your while—Isla Reta, Babu Santa, Dayang, Leticia by the Sea, to name a few. 

Infinity pool at Secdea Beach Resort

Bamboo bridge at Fernandez Beach Resort

Diving. The life aquatic takes on a different meaning the moment you plunge into the depths of the waters surrounding this sought-after diving destination. Samal’s indescribable under-the-sea sanctuary and biodiversity, said to be at par with the more popular diving sites in the country, offers divers a one-of-a-kind underwater experience they’ll treasure for the rest of their lives. 

One of the many virgin beaches dotting Samal's coastlines

Samal boasts of almost two dozens of exciting dive sites (e.g. Aundanao, Balet, Limao Reef, Maxima, Mushroom Rock, etc.) but the most frequented ones are around Talikud Island.

Talikud’s underwater life is laden with colorful corals that provide shelter to a wide array of exotic sea creatures such as  seahorses, starfishes, cuttlefishes, jelly fishes, clown fishes, and a host of other interesting aquatic denizens. The most popular sites there include Angel’s Cove, Babusanta, Coral Gardens, Dayang, and Mansud Wall. 

Island hopping, anyone?

Babusanta  Beach



 

Island hopping. Thrill-seekers cruising in Davao Gulf will find this experience the coolest way to soothe their tired senses by basking in the beauty of the awesome seascapes and the marine life of Samal.  

A number of  cruise companies offer tourists half or full-day tour packages, inclusive of boat rides, scuba gear and equipment, underwater cameras, kayaks, and of course, food. Most of these sea trips cover the lovely beaches and underwater sanctuaries in Samal. Some tour packages also feature fish feeding activity, dive safaris, dolphin watching, swimming and snorkeling in marine sanctuaries, among others. 

One of the many tiers of Hagimit Falls

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Nature-tripping. Dare to take a “green” sojourn into the interiors of Samal, which offer some of the best experiences of life in the great outdoors. Probably the best way to jump-start your trek is a visit to Hagimit Falls, a shallow multi-tiered falls that gushes into a natural swimming pool. The cascade, which is found in the village of Peñaplata,  also happens to be one of the major sources of freshwater in the island. 

A lesser known wonder compared to Hagimit, the secluded Tagbaobo Falls is another natural attraction found in the village of Tagbaobo. With a drop of approximately 12 m (40 ft), water from the falls cascades into a small basin where visitors can take a dip.

Scaling Mt. Puting Bato, the highest point in the island  at 415 m (1,362 ft) above sea level will take mountain climbers and nature trekkers to a different  kind of high (pun-intended!), with a picture-perfect view of the island and its neighboring places, the magnificence of Mt. Apo and the vastness of Davao Gulf  as a fitting reward for the effort.  

Rafting in Hagimit Falls

Not to be missed in your itinerary is the Monfort Fruit Bat Sanctuary in the village of Tambo, a Guinness World Record-holder for having close to two million inhabitants—the largest colony of Rousette fruit bats in the planet!

Sunrise in Secdea

Food tripping. Expect the freshest seafood from the waters of Davao Gulf to be served by most of Samal’s beach resorts and seafood restaurants—steamed  lobsters, crispy shrimps, grilled mackerel, baked scallops, tuna ceviches, crispy crablets and so much more! Name it and chances are, the restos there have it!

For intrepid foodies, the island has several exotic offerings that would surely delight even the most discriminating palates. In some of Samal’s villages, you’ll notice some itinerant vendors urging visitors to sample their sea urchins. These delectable bounties from the sea are usually eaten raw and/or dipped in vinegar. Many local peddlers may also be seen selling fishes and other seafood.

Grilled tuna belly...one of the many delightful offerings of Samal's restos

Mind you, Samal is also known for its sweet mangoes, whose sweetness can rival those of Guimaras, the Mango Capital of the Philippines. Why not head for the public market, say, in Peñaplata and try it? 

At a time when the world seemed more anarchic, more fragile, more cynical, more belligerent than ever, you’d feel the urge to seek solace in the comforting arms of nature in places like Samal. For there’s something about nature that relieves even the most jaded and broken of souls. And when you do get that chance, bask in it. Savor it. Indulge to your heart’s content. 

Whenever you hear that tiny voice telling you to run away from it all even for a day or two, take heed and set sail—hot summer or not—towards Samal, one of the few places where you’ll get to experience heaven here on earth, a paradise where the most soothing, the most ethereal, the most bucolic pleasures will soothe you—no matter how ephemeral they may be—from the savagery of life. :-D