The end of the rainy season is just around the bend. More and more "bakasiyonistas" are once again trying to come up with a shortlist of get-away sites for their early summer escapades. The month of December is a thrilling cold summer month, and hard-working people who knows how to party hard as well are probably wondering where to spend their Christmas bonuses. I was not spared from the bandwagon of curiosity, so I made a list myself.
I remember a beach area where me and my friends frequent during our College days, but I don't remember going there on a December. So, for a change, I said to myself, “Why not try it this time?” This place I'm talking about is Calatagan. It is a town in Batangas. It is a 3 to four-hour ride from Manila via bus or a personal vehicle. It's beachfront faces the South China Sea, and you can see the traffic of cargo ships and luxury lines from the shore. But why Calatagan? Why not somewhere else?
Calatagan is not so much flanked by the masses. For those who want to relax and avoid the hassle and bustle of the rural jungle, this is the place for them. You may find yourself sitting on the sand without anyone around you for 40 meters or more, unless of course your with your friends enjoying the soft heat of the sun. And unlike the regular commercialized beaches like Lemery, San Juan, Boracay, and Puerto Galera, Calatagan enjoys the reputation of an eco-tourism spot. This is good because in this manner, the locals won't be bugging you for things they want to sell you or begging from you coins and food perennially the whole day. And unlike the mass-commercialized beaches you know, Calatagan's beach is not combed. You will be fascinated by the number corals, starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and hermit crabs, dotted in the aplaya (a local term for beachfront). This is why snorkeling is one of the amenities and activities here. Of course, the biodiverse population of fish stands out as the major attraction to he snorklers and divers.
Its relatively white sand enhances the beauty of the scenic area where you can enjoy a picnic or a beach volleyball the whole day. The waves are not too violent like that of the La Union and Quezon beaches, so you can leave your children alone to bask in the sun and make their own sand castles without worrying where the tide might take them, literally. The cool summer sunrise rejuvenates each of your morning with a calming breeze that elevates your spirit and make you forget your problems that you left in the city.
Personally, it's one of my favorite beaches. Of course Tubattaha, Pagudpud and El Nido would always be on top of my list, but for a weekend get-away, this would be most appropriate. One, because it's relatively near Manila, or I should say, the nearest among my favorites. Two, because it's relatively cheap and you need not book for it months before your actual trip. And three, because pasalubongs are always handy on the way back.
And if you think you might be missing out on the popular beach activities like what Puerto Galera and Boracay sport, you are worrying yourself too much. Yes, there is always the chance of riding your much-awaited banana boat, tagging your friends for a pedal boat ride, testing your speedboat, surfboards, and skimboards on the wave. But of course you have to bring these things with you for there are no commercialized tents there that rent these things out. All these, plus the joy of walking along the breakwaters, thrill of jogging towards the lighthouse nearby and climbing it, and the extravagant feeling of prancing on the low tide sea shore. And before I forget, nothing compares to the divine tableaux of the sunset.
I once had a summer vacation here where I enjoyed trodding the peripheries of the shore, climbing over the exhilarating cliffs, and viewing the overwhelming drop alongside the gorges and gullies. This was that summer get-away when I had a drowning experience trying to save a friend who can't swim. A fisherman nearby who was on his way to the middle of the sea, was helpful enough to save our souls before everything starts to be scandalous. It was an experience I will never forget. Though, it may sound traumatic, the aesthetic surrounding alleviated my soul and made me want to go back even before I left the beach.
I am no endorser of this beach and I don't own a resort there even, but if you won't at least consider putting this on your list for your early summer or Christmas vacation, you would surely miss a lot. Enjoy your early summer get-away!