The Bridge To Biasong: Crossing Into A Hidden World Of Rock And Sea

It has been a long, hot, but refreshing Friday to me, which might be confusing because there is nothing refreshing and scorching at the same time. But let me explain to you how I felt these sensations in one setting, and this travel blog might be the most adventurous and fun so far this year. Friday means a free day for me and my boyfriend, no work and classes, just freeing time in this world. We already planned this trip yesterday, impulsively, and never expected we would actually push through it today. When we woke up this morning, there were no errands or chores to attend to, it was immediately a packing of things and cooking of food to bring for today's trip in Maño—a town in the municipality of San Remigio.

Maño is home to a stretch of green landscapes popular for prenup shoots and other photography opportunities because of its natural features that add a unique story to these arts. Anyone who was able to pass here knows that Maño really is a beautiful land, containing endemic plants and trees and a natural biodiversity. Maybe its green biodiversity made it also popular for visits. Now, whenever you are able to climb its valleys, to the north is a wide blue horizon of the sea. It will make you interested to travel towards the water while you are at the peak of its valleys. The view, a vast blue Tañon Strait, would make you intrigued that this beautiful coast lies in this part of Maño. Personally, I experienced this kind of scenario, where I asked what might await me if I go to the part where the shoreline is accessible. I always go to its landscape but never to its water. So today, I grabbed the opportunity to find the water and asked for some directions from the locals because it is quite hard to access, which is the primary reason why I haven't experienced swimming there yet.

Fortunately, I had the energy and guts to follow the trail instructed and find this hidden beach we were interested in. It was not a smooth trip nor an easy journey towards the water. It might look easy to access from above the hills, but when you personally navigate the paths, all you can see are tiny paths in the woods, uncertain where they will lead. And that's the reason why this journey was exciting and fun. Because it took us many directions, roads, and decisions to access the shoreline. It took us many turns and sweat to get to the seawater, since most of the paths we ended up on were mangrove areas.

After a half hour trip, we were dropped at this old court now used for repairing pumpboats, and pumpboats ready to fish were floating in the water. We asked one of the elders how to access the water and he told us it would be hard since most of the beach here doesn't have a shore, or sand, only rock formations. There is no sand where you can put tables and camping chairs, nor resorts for a fine experience. But we were searching for sand, to relax, and put our things, but couldn't find it. We were then directed to follow a bridge and go straight to this path with our instinct.

This is the bridge we were told to walk through to get to the other side of Biasong, the place where these hidden beaches are situated. The bridge is actually old but repairs made it appear newly built. It is simply made with cheap concrete and metals, just for the sake that the local folks have a comfortable bridge to walk on when going to the other side of this village. The blue waters were singing in my ears, the pumpboats swung with the rolling waves, and the sun was just hitting right on everything that it was so cool to be there. But since we were walking, what I could feel the most was the heat, and by this time I was hoping to swim in the water and release all this heat. There was also a resort I spotted nearby but it is closed for maintenance.

It took us many turns, many directions, and inquiries to the neighborhood to search for a beach. We even ended up going back to where the bridge starts and leaving that place where we were dropped, and going to the other side of the village. It was hot but fun at the same time, although our backs were in pain with all our backpacks and camping essentials. We also stopped on the village road to eat a small lunch since it was already noon and we were still not able to get to a beach.

Finally, we found one, although not our desired resort. It has an entrance fee of 20 pesos per person, and you can access the whole place containing cottages, tables, and a beach. They also have kayaking charged at 300 pesos per hour, but the waves were too big for us to use it so we couldn't avail the offer. We then paid the entrance fee and searched for a perfect spot to place our food and belongings. The cottage has a charge but since no one was around, we utilized it for a while just to eat. The owner also told us we can use it for a while so we decided to accept the offer.

We bought food from the central market, in a mini restaurant or karenderya, and also bought kakanin, a rice dessert, for sweets. We cooked rice at home so we wouldn't buy it in the restaurant which costs more than cooking it at home. We started eating our real lunch inside this small cottage. Honestly, this resort has no name, but even if it has an entrance fee, it is only charged for maintenance of the resort.

There are many trees inside this resort. They have maintained nature and respected its biodiversity through leaving it in peace, which are the things I like the most about this resort. The decency and respect they have for nature reflect how kind this resort and the owner are. Coconut and mango trees are what I was familiar with and I really love how these green trees are paired with the blueness of the water.

There was a sign containing information about warnings for illegal activities in the water. It explains how important Tañon Strait is and this resort advocates and supports this advocacy. Rock formations are the gems of this resort, only this spot has sand where kids can play but it is too hot to stay here since tree shades couldn't reach here. I saw kids playing in the sand and the turquoise fresh water was perfectly bordered by rock formations in my view.

After eating, we proceeded to the end part of the resort. This is the end part, where the biggest rocks are situated. It is also hidden, and the best thing that happened here was swimming around without clothes. Our bodies touching the water and the water refreshing our bodies. Alive and happy is how I can describe the experience. With the right place, and the clear fresh water amidst bad weather, made it seem more expensive than those trips we had that dried our wallet.

The waters were gradually splashing heavily as time went by. The rocks were making sounds as waves hit them, and the breeze was right. There are many crabs and iguanas here that I found interesting, especially the latter although it shook me. The plants grown on the rocks added a natural detail to this corner and music complemented our swimming. My boyfriend was enjoying deep diving and I was just watching from above since I was afraid of being frozen by the water but I eventually swam with him.

Another corner has pumpboats on standby. But later this afternoon, the fishermen arrived one by one and started their engines to begin fishing. It was a raw fishing scenario and I could see how passionate they are and respectable when navigating the water. I even learned they catch only what they need and come back here when they need food again. Never did they think of abusing the resources.

And as we left with our sun-kissed skin and tired backs, I realized that not all beautiful places are loud with names and advertisements. Some are hidden in rocks, in small bridges, in directions given by elders, and in courage to follow uncertain paths. Maño did not just give us a beach, it gave us a story written in sweat, saltwater, and simplicity.

How to Get There:

Assume you are in the North Bus Terminal in Cebu City where most tourists start their trip towards north. Search for a bus that is labeled "Hagnaya/Lambusan". The bus will take you there and once you arrive at San Remigio, just say you'll stop at "Maño" and search for tricycle driver that can lead you inside to Casa Del Mar Golf Course which fortunately drivers know where this place is. And welcome, you arrived at home.!