Bantayan, Cebu

When you get to cool, crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, friendly town folk and delicious seafood ... you're in the island of Bantayan. Coming to Bantayan is like coming out of a time machine. It's like entering the time and place when life was simple and quiet.

In Bantayan, there are 405-year-old church the one-and-a-half century house of Anun Escario, the Ogtong Cave and the rest of the ancient unarmed caves the old Spanish kota (fort) in Sta. Fe, the beautiful islets in the vicinity and the sunset at the wharf.

But there is also the human dimension. You see kids with even tan running around the beach lines, naked, simple-hearted and friendly. Bantayan Island has an interesting dialect, mixture of Ilonggo, Waray and Cebuano but one that is Greek to both Cebuanos and Ilonggos. And its tone changes from town to town. The people in every town just have their own of expressing it.

Like its dialect, each of the three towns has its own character. Bantayan considered as the town proper of the island has 25 barangays and the basic infrastructure. The town is known for its appetizing dried fish and squid. Aside from fishing, the people are also into rock phosphate and limestone mining.

If the other two town are busy with their livelihood projects, Sta. Fe is busier during the Lenten Season with hundreds of people who flock to its white sandy beaches. Reservations to Bantayan's beach resorts for the Lenten Season should be done six months to one year earlier. As early as February this year, the resorts have already been fully booked.

Your stay in Bantayan would be a dream a true.

Sugar Beach Resort - No, there are no ants in the resort. Sugar Beach was named as such by the owner, Anus Escario, because of its sugar-fine sand.

"When I dug in the sand, I was able to get a handful of white sand that was almost powder in form. It was as fine and white as sugar so that I called it Sugar Beach." Escario said.

To go there, one needs to take a tricycle. Cottages are available for two persons, a family cottage which is good for four to five and a cottage for singles. Tables are also available for those who will not spend the night there.

Santa Fe Beach Club - powdery-white sand, clear blue waters, and a relaxing rural atmosphere. Its restaurant, Majestic by the Sea offers, a wide variety of mouth watering dishes. Boats are also available for sightseeing, snorkeling, and fishing

Kota Beach Resort - Secluded. Enchanting. Unspoiled. Kota Beach resort can be considered one of Cebu's best kept secrets.

Owned by Rey Hubahib, the resort was named after the kota (fort) of the Spaniards, which is just beside the resort. Standing stoically amidst coconut trees, the kota intrigues the onlooker about its origin. Like the Spanish Kota, Kota Beach Resort has remained unspoiled despite the demands of comfort and luxury.

Aside from sunbathing and wallowing in the emerald waters of Kota Beach, one can also enjoy games like volleyball and badminton along its wide stretch of pure white sand. The management also provides board games, town tours, and island-hopping.

The cottages of Kota Beach, which are good for one to three persons, have private toilet and bath, and wide verandas. The prices depend on the location and amenities offered by the cottages.

Ogtong Cave - Located in Pook, Sta. Fe, a ten-minutes away from the center of Sta. Fe and about 15 minutes from Bantayan. One can enjoy a dip swimming in the swimming pool or a splash in the fresh waters of the cave, or bask in the cool waters of the beach.

Reprinted from the book: Cebu In Legend and History
By: Evangeline Lavilles de Paula

“Bantayan”
by: Janice M. de Barras
SunStar Weekend