My mornings this week are getting better and better, not because I have money or I had 9 hours of sleep, but because I am spending my mornings with some slice of nature—or therapy, so to speak. I started my week with an early morning stroll last Monday on the slope I used to look at from the house’s terrace and took the chance to get on the peak, and today, I had a morning water dip on a not-so-popular beach in San Remigio named Tomasa Beach that neighbors the most popular beach spot of the shoreline—The Lapyahan Sa San Remigio. I was very happy to achieve this kind of morning experience, a simple swim on the beach with my siblings, instead of just rotting in bed ’til noon. I say this beach is not so popular, but I write for it, and other undiscovered beaches, to shed light on these beautiful places deserving of more attention from visitors.

San Remigio is a municipality in the northwestern part of Cebu that is known for its longest shoreline—the Lapyahan—and long stretches of fine beaches and resorts with significance to the town’s vibrant culture, celebrations, and religious practices. Among all beaches, Lapyahan Sa San Remigio is where tourists most flock, featuring a square of comfortable spaces for family bondings, modern cottages, weekly night shows, and its famous fine white sand beach and horizon. Most of the tourists who flock here are from the city and neighboring islands, and Lapyahan, which brought significance to the tourism and natural beauty of the municipality, made San Remigio a known tourism destination.

San Remigio is also a coastal area, so it means the water is a source of living for those who live near the coast. My family used to get fresh sea produce from any part of the shore during low tide where sea urchins, fishes, and edible seaweeds are abundant and evident. During low tide, people flock to the long shoreline of San Remigio, guaranteed to get a bucket or two of fishes and other sea produce every time they attempt to. Kinhas is our word in Cebuano for the act of searching for seafoods in the time of low tide, which usually happens in the morning or at 5 in the afternoon.

Aside from the coast being the local folks’ partner for living, the coast is also used for religious practices such as baptisms made by the San Juan Nepomucino Parish, one of the famous historical landmarks of San Remigio. It is a church that stood for decades but now the walls have collapsed due to the 6.9-magnitude earthquake. It is now under assessment if it needs to be demolished or not. Aside from baptisms, a fluvial procession is also held along the whole coast for the celebration of Sinulog Festival every year. A fluvial procession involves hundreds of pumpboats lined up on the water while people on board carry the image of Sto. Niño, with boats etched with vibrant and religious designs to respectfully honor the saints.

Sinulog Festival and Lapyahan Festival are its most awaited celebrations that unite the people and the whole municipality together every year. These festivals, religious practices, and culture are relevant to the coast itself, because the two are interconnected, as well as the beaches on it.

Besides Lapyahan that we talked about earlier, other resorts show the same beauty and level of standard as the former’s beaches. One of these is the Beach of Tomasa, which sits just beside Lapyahan, and although not well-known, it is popular for the folks who live in this town. This is where I went early this morning. When I spent my hours earlier today, I could still see the Lapyahan Beach, and I will give some peek of it, unintentionally, because of a funny reason.

This is the entrance part of Tomasa Beach, a narrow road with buildings beside it, most selling beach necessities, and a direct view of the beach and its horizon. There is no entrance fee, a thing beach enjoyers like on this beach, but cottages and accommodations are charged at various prices. Unfortunately, cottages and rooms are not opened as of this month because of the recent earthquake and the facilities are still under assessment by engineers. Cottages were also washed away by the monstrous waves of Typhoon Tino and Typhoon Uwan, which occurred months after the earthquake. So there are changes on the beach, but still the beach water is beautiful.

Greeted us is this view of the beach and the coast to the east point, complemented with perfect cloud formation and daylight. The beach water of the entire coast is seasonal; sometimes it makes a blue, crystal-clear water but sometimes a green part occurs near the shore. If you look at the photos, the water is not as blue as on the far side because seaweeds and algae are present in the near water, which is not a disturbance but an indication of the coast’s rich and abundant marine life.

I intentionally took this photo even if I am too far from the thing I want you to see. Zoom in and you’ll see two dots on the photos, which are big rock formations and not islands. In that specific area is where most of the fishermen and folks flock during low tide because the rocks are surrounded by small aqua rocks that home fishes, sea urchins, and other produce. Every rock you roll will have a gift for you—it could be an octopus, a fish, or scallops.

This part is the cabin of Tomasa Beach where they sell junk foods, liquors, and other foods complementary to beach escapades. Supposedly, the cabin is hidden by the cottages in front of it, but they had to remove the cottages because all were destroyed by the waves of Typhoon Uwan. Soon, maybe next year, they will bring the cottages back to maximize accommodation. Now this is just the only view which is okay, and some parts inside are still under construction after the destruction. Karaoke and cheap rooms are also offered inside, especially for those who are too drunk after karaoke, which is not complete without liquor.

These buildings are where the room accommodations are offered, with rent ranging from 500-1500 for standard room and 1500-2000 for air-conditioned. Prices may vary considering the number of people who will check in and the type of room they choose. I experienced a check-in here with my friends from college but we were not charged because the owner of this resort is actually a close friend of my father and she knows me as my father’s son. The owner is also welcoming, generous, and kind; she gives some promos from time to time. The rooms stretch from the shore to the part where we made our entrance, so it has quite a lot of rooms offered.

A wider view of the cabin and the buildings.

The buildings actually don’t only carry the rooms for rent but also upgraded concrete cottages which are more expensive than the ones made of wood. The walls with striped lines are the cottages of the buildings, where family occasions and celebrations are held because they are more comfortable and appropriate for celebrations. The ones above with blue buildings are rooms for rent.

This is where I stood when I took the previous photos, a not-so-natural rock installed on the shore and, if high tide, is reached by the water. If I remember it well, this concrete is elevated, higher than me, almost as tall as the cottages, where beach goers jump and dive into the water. But now, the concrete is almost lost in the sand; I think they removed the upper half because it also blocked the way when people walked along the shore. Now, people who are swimming use this part to sit since it is shaped like a long bench and where they can pose for photos with the words “Tomasa Beach” behind them.

A wider look of the cottages and the part where I stood for pictures. If you follow along this coast part, it will lead you to many beaches and villages with some natural landscapes and coconut trees. I say in that farther part, it is more island vibes because of many pumpboats, coconut trees, and a village that looks like one from the movie Moana.

My siblings and my brother’s daughter were already swimming while I took a walk along the shore. They were having fun under the gentle morning sun, which was made special because there were no visitors aside from us. I guess it is because of the news about sinkholes occurring in the water, which is actually scary, but since we just swam near the sand, we were safe from sinkholes.

The water is actually confusing today because if you look far from it, it has a green color in the near-sand part and turns blue as you go farther. The sun also contributes to the color of the water whenever I take photos.

But when I get closer or very close, the water is not green anymore but something like white or pale white and is clear.

A closer look of the water with this light reflecting from the surface, which looks stunning and perfect.

I viewed Lapyahan Beach from our spot and that one with the coconut trees and cottages is the Beach of Lapyahan. I was just too far; I couldn’t get a good shot also because I was busy talking with my sister while I was in the water. But in the next shots I will give you some clear views of it when I had to reach for something in front of that beach.

My sister and niece were enjoying the cool water and the perfect moment to bond. My niece is afraid of the bottom part of the water; it gives her chills whenever her feet step below, so my sister had to carry her like a mother.

I gave you some views on the right part, so here are some peeks of the left side where many fishermen are living and where most fish vendors display their catch. That island-like formation under the clouds is still part of San Remigio, which consists of many towns like the ones in Manyo and Tambongon. Beaches and resorts are also there but not the ones that get flocked always, aside from Elegant Resort and San Remigio Beach Club which I featured in my past posts. There are many beaches here because the waters are different—some have clear waters, some with mangroves, some with many rocks, and some with slimy sand ones.

I sat here to enjoy the view I was talking to you about. Good wind, cool water, a bright sun, and a picturesque view that cannot be bought by any other materials. This view is free and I feel rich to have seen it. It relaxed my mind early in the morning and the whole day I was very productive and good. Such a view is so calm and therapeutic. The view just needs to be appreciated so it will give you a calming experience.

I was playing volleyball with my brother when I found out one of my slippers was lost. I couldn’t find it and I forgot where it floated because I was busy playing. I came back to the shore and tried to search for it even if it was hard because it is a blue-colored slipper and the water is blue. It was like I was looking for a chameleon in the bush.

Fortunately, I found it in the water of Lapyahan. I was lucky I still have good eyesight so I tried to reach for it, and I was scared because the water had reached half of my body and anytime soon a sinkhole might get my feet swallowed. LOL. It did not.

Then I got a view of the Lapyahan square. Welcome to Lapyahan, where experience is its premium. Cottages, banana boats, a stage for shows, a green artificial grass on the center for family or friendship bonding, and booths are present in this square. A few coconut trees are also standing here, which are best in silhouette when sunset comes—the majestic sunset of Lapyahan that attracts tourists because of this phenomenon existing perfectly in this beach. It faces the sunset perfectly, not on the right nor on the left but front.

If I gave you a view from Tomasa to Lapyahan, here is a view from Lapyahan to Tomasa. They are just close to each other but separated by an abandoned beach lot. Look at that stunning view! Come visit this coast so you can experience this relaxing experience for free (well, if you don’t rent cottages or rooms).

We stayed on the beach of Tomasa for almost an hour, but when the sun got hot, which could burn our faces, we raised from the water to go home. And as we walked away from the shore, I carried with me the calmness of the morning—the kind that stays in your mind long after the saltwater dries. It reminded me that sometimes, the simplest mornings are the ones that make the whole week feel hopeful and lighter than I see it.