MALAPASCUA ISLAND, Logon, Daanbantayan, Cebu | No Frills Just New Thrills

M A Y A   P O R T

Maya, Daanbantayan, Cebu, Philippines

MALAPASCUA ISLAND | Barangay Logon, Daanbantayan, Cebu

Malapascua Island, named after the Spaniards landed ashore on a stormy Christmas day, means "Unfortunate Christmas" in Spanish. It is serenely to be found on the northernmost part of Cebu at Barangay Logon, Daanbantayan. At present, it is seriously getting heaps of attention from local wanderers and foreign enthusiasts who look for a fair deal of adventure and tremendous amount of isolation.

The water is almost identical to Bantayan but much isolated providing a real exodus for soul seekers. The island, blessed with eco-rich sanctuaries, provides diving, snorkeling and adrenaline-pumped sea activities for the spontaneous crowd. There is no posh establishment in the area but if you are a person with a sense of wonder, you've got the whole universe for sky watching as night falls.

HOW TO GET TO MALAPASCUA  ISLAND

From Manila

1. Jet over a plane bound for Cebu; travel time is more or less an hour and ten minutes; fare depends on the availability and schedule; a considerable amount of land travel upon reaching Mactan Airport is expected so booking the earliest flight schedule is a must.
2. From Mactan International Airport, hail a cab going to North Bus Terminal; fare is approximately Php 150; travel time is just 25 minutes.
3. Once North Bus Terminal is reached, hop in to either a non-A/C or AC bus bound for Maya port. Private (Colorum) SUV's also have the same route but depends on the availability. Travel time is approximately 4 hours with a few interruptions of rest room privileges; fare is Php 180.
4. Maya port, the jump off point to the beautiful Island of Malapascua, has several medium-sized sea crafts bound for the island. TRAVEL TIP: Before the boat could launch, it should be at least half-filled with passengers. Some locals would offer you a private ride with a staggering price tag, just politely decline the offer and wait aboard a wooden boat or take pictures to kill time. Travel time is 45 minutes; fare is Php 80.
5. After 45 minutes of sea travel, to reach the shore, passengers are transferred to a traditional fishing boat (some are equipped with motors); fare is Php 10; travel time is 5 minutes. TRAVEL TIP: porters would offer help to carry your bags for Php 20, decline politely if it's deemed unnecessary. 

** and, as always, get lost**

Greetings from Malapascua upon arrival

STAY | BB's Guesthouse

The 45 minute of sea travel from Maya port to Malapascua Island had given me an opportunity to meet a few locals who helped me find a shelter during my stay. Donelo, for one, one of the grandsons of the owner of the guesthouse, offered a nipa hut for rent. BB’s Guesthouse, sited approximately 5 minute walk from Bounty Beach and just about 8-10 meters away from the police station, offers backpackers just a few of the basic things they need while on the island. Room is charged at Ph 700/ night but I was able to steal it for Php 500! Inclusions: fan room type, veranda, electrical outlets, a good working private toilet and bath, a sink, a bed with clean sheets and pillows, 24/7 electricity and water supply, unlimited hot water supply for your coffee and daily dose of good vibes from the caretakers. Considering the great service and the way those people made my stay so comfortably amazing, giving tips where to dine and what to try, I feel lucky and blessed.

**If this is not for your liking, you can always try the beachfront resorts at Php 3000 -5000/ night.**

Bahay ko ng dalawang gabi sa isla

TRY | Ocean Vida - Happy Hour

Ocean Vida could be one of the best places to hang out while on the island. It offers accommodation inclusive of breakfast starting at Php 3000/ night. The bar/restaurant is also a hit for non-inhouse guests during late afternoon bumming up until night. Good feel music, with the shore in front of you and dim lights, as you lazily let past minutes to hours watching the sun, the moon and the stars on a lounge sea chair would quite mean luxury for me. Daily happy hour is scheduled at 4PM-6PM, pre-orders are allowed within the given time frame regardless if you'd stay past 6. 

Beach front view of Ocean Vida

New spot. Old feels.

Getting a little help with these two to kill time - a reliable book and that tall good looking glass of frozen margarita.

Farthest end of the coast

Magandang umaga, mula sa isla ng Malapascua!

MALIBOG |

Had an early walk along the coast this morning and was asked by a local if I wanted to avail an island hopping package. I asked for the price and the boat to be used, and saw this wooden craft which has a "malibog" logo painted on it.

L I B O G | noun; (Tagalog) lust, Eros, lewdness, passion or it can mean entirely different in Cebu Visayan dialect; adj. puzzled, complicated or mysterious.

Napakalawak talaga ng lenguahe ng pinoy. Ikaw ba, sasakay ka sa bangka ni kuya?

CLAUDIO | 

C L A U D I O | I was hoping to see sunrise on a cloudy day, got a sweet little clingy buddy instead. I thought that we could be friends, so I named him "Claudio".

For two consecutive mornings, he had been following me, giving companionship without fail. And whether he was a former watcher on the walls or from the family of Brienne of Thart, I'm sure he would have barked M'lady if he just could.

Photobombers could be cute too!

Claudio.

T U R N  O N |
That thrill you get, either from the rushing waves unto your feet
or just the plain feel of sand underneath.

Where shells and beautiful things are free, I love you.

N O  O N E | 
Gather your fears.
Embrace your flaws.
Master your shit
and save all the scars that make you unique.
And let no one use them against you.
No one baby, no one.

D  R I E D  T O B A C C O  S M O K I N G |

To use: Roll the leaf. Light the tip. Rock it like a pro.

Manay, a native Cebuana on the island, still opts for natural bomb. When asked if I could take a photo of her, she graciously looked at my lens and even handed me a leaf after the click, which we modestly enjoyed as we stroll along the shore.

Sunsets, like experience, are made to be fleeting.
Quick, unrepeatable and always nostalgic.

Make sure to get your tickets upon paying.
Anything charged more than Php 80 is suspicious.

My rollers made it to Daanbantayan!

And to embark on new beginnings or to forget who you are and who you were or what it is and what it was or how it's supposed to be, you need to get past through the gates of acceptance and forgiveness.

Acceptance on the things you cannot change and forgiveness for all that exists you refuse to change.