Encountered A Golden Hour On The Edge Of Cebu

Four days is how long it took for me to finally go outside the town and wander around. I intentionally hid myself from the people in the town because I don't want to encounter anyone I know. But not in a negative attitude. It just gives me peace when I don't have to talk to anyone I know and just see them maybe 30 years from now. A lot of folks know me and I know many people in this bornland, which I loved before, but when adulting came, I just didn't want to be that sociable.

My niece was with me in this yesterday stroll because she wanted to jog. Mind you, she is only a 3-year-old girl but is wanting to be physically active. I don't have any choice so I brought her with me. She even wore shoes and a sleeveless upper to look like one adult fighting for his health through an afternoon jog but ended up eating more than what was burned (this one ate ice cream when we got home).

It was a ten-minute walk from the house to the shore. Near enough to not worry about arthritis. In our walk, few people were in the streets, and most of them were vendors and businesshumans selling their best produces. However, most people here seldom go to market for now because they need to stay at their homes (outside part) after the 6.8 earthquake made us alert and reminded us of how important it is to be close to our families.

On our way to the nearest shore, a pair of ostriches just made their weird sound, confusing my niece about what it was. So I showed her who was responsible for making that sound and she got confused more when she saw the faces of the ostriches. Maybe soon when she grows up she'll understand biology more. LOL.

This part is the nearest shore and resort from our house. This is Mayol Beach Resort, which was once our family go-to resort when celebrations hit the calendar. But now the resort is making changes on its shore, which was obvious, because the cottages are gone and only pumpboats from local folks were present there and a family eating together. Inside were filled with cottages and upon looking from the far outside, I could feel the relaxing wind from the sea.

This area is a three-minute walk to our destination because we took a shortcut. In the stroll, we saw an abandoned ground, a detached car roof, and a bush with cosmos flowers. My niece is always my model when taking photos and this is my way of keeping memories of her childhood so soon she would be reminded how beautiful her younger years were.

The House of Fellowship was where our batch during high school graduation had our baccalaureate mass and where most religious masses are held in partnership with schools in San Remigio. It also serves as a traditional church for the sisters and brothers in our town.

This is where we took our shortcut to Tan Beach. Sanremigiohanons call this place the Amancor with no explanation why. I just remember ever since I was a child, people called this Amancor. You can notice how weary and fragile the Amancor is in the present. But it is intentionally and gradually being destroyed since this area will be repurposed soon as the official plaza of San Remigio. Before demolition, this was a ground with a big perfect circle in the middle where the sea water filled up during high tide as it found its way to the center by peeping through the little holes of the cement in the base of the walls. People gathered here every fiesta since its wide landscape is perfect for tents and gatherings.

It was nearing sunset by the time we arrived in the Amancor. I was unsure first if there would be sunset that time but when an orange hue just hit my face subtly, I then concluded a perfect one was coming.

Moving to the right edge of the Amancor is the Tan Beach. Amancor is our shortcut and became also the landmark for the resort since visitors who come to Tan Beach spend some hours in the Amancor as its proximity gives convenience.

Tan Beach was an abandoned beach on the coast of Lapyahan long after the owner got unfortunate in the process of construction. Now the building that was left incomplete can be seen from the shore and is utilized as a cottage for family or friendship gatherings. I remember how my bestfriend and I were caught multiple times here after classes when we vandalized its walls. But the caretaker erased the figures we used to call "immature art."

Now, even if this still looks abandoned, people still go here for different reasons. To watch sunset, to celebrate birthdays, or to read a book with their dogs. Only celebrations are charged, ranging from 300–500 pesos including tables and space for visitors. It is cheap which is reasonable, and the only thing I like here is its shore in perfect angle for sunset.

The sea was blue and the sky was softer than ever when I stepped foot on Tan’s shore. The waves were still rolling amidst my expectation it was still and calm by sunset time. I can even hear the sound of the waves as it hits the sand and to be honest, I am an enjoyer of the sound it creates as it soothes my mind. But only the waves, because the sand makes my body itch as much as I want to lie on it.

There were families I saw swimming in the water with fun. I even heard a karaoke session from the next beach resort but I stayed in Tan because I don't want noise. I just want to figure out how the sunset would turn out yesterday. Resorts are available until the very end of the other side. All are quality and each with variety of beach experiences.

Orange hues gradually filled the blue clouds until it replaced the latter. It was now sunset's time to showcase her neon and beauty.

Then minutes later, the orange sky brought orange to the sea water, as a natural mirror occurred in front of me. Perfect is how the sky illuminated the color of the water and the show began to escalate—the sunset.

The water had a little bit of pink because the sky kept on changing its colors until it reached blue and pink contrary to the horizon in yellow and orange hues. The sky is an ocean above and I know it, that's why I also put attention to it when having a seaside experience.

My niece started to play near the water and she just played perfectly angled on the sunset. The sky that was once a clear blue paradise was now in its full beauty as it bids farewell to the whole world. Sunset really calms my mind upon seeing those lights that are enchanting and carefree. See below my sunset photos. I hope you'll like it.

By the full sunset in Tan Beach, I could see the horizon with shadowed mountain slopes and an island sat right in front of our island.

It was my first time to see the Visayan Sea perfectly and clearly. The Tanon Strait separated our island from Negros and if you'll zoom the photos, the mountains you can see are the central mountain chains of Negros, which is known as the Sugar Capital of the Philippines. It takes a perfect sunset to see this whole different world from the San Remigio shore.

The people were still in Amancor cherishing the sunset with their best people. Pumpboats were also on standby with the calmed waters as the night winds down our Sunday hours. Dark started to cover our surroundings and the cold of the night was our sign to go home. That was the beauty of Lapyahan coast and Tan Beach by sunset and open sea view, and with that walk ending in silence and sea breeze, I felt reminded again how this hometown holds a slice of magic.

How did you find the Lapyahan Shoreline and Tan Beach? Is it beautiful or stunning? Let's discuss in the comment section.