Pandanon redux

It is raining today in Cebu. Most days of the past two weeks though, it has pretty been viciously hot. Too bad that the waters around the islands remain choppy. It is the monsoon of Habagat or the southwest wind which predicates tidal swells and stormy seas. The typhoon-laden wind only makes me wish for summer, when weather is gentle and perfect for the beach.

While travel to my favorite islands appear hard nowadays, I could not help but pine for the sand, the sun and the seas of Pandanon. I may not be able to go there now but I had some Pandanon Island escapade photographs to keep me company.



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/100s, f/10, 18mm, ISO 100, +1/3EV
Pandanon island, Getafe, Bohol, Philippines



Pandanon is like two islands linked by a narrow isthmus. One end is almost pure sand. The other is inhabited by a small barangay of about 300 people, ekeing out a living from the seas, and now, from tourism.
Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/80s, f/16, 18mm, ISO 100, -1/3EV
Pandanon island, Getafe, Bohol, Philippines



I was passing through the small fishing village of Pandanon when I bumped into these boys. They saw my camera and eagerly asked that I take pictures of them with their teddy bears. Ah, innocence!
Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/30s, f/5, 39mm, ISO 100
Pandanon island, Getafe, Bohol, Philippines

Pandanon island escapade

An islet heaving with white sand and sitting in the middle of a vast blue Camotes sea is the definition of paradise by most people. Pandanon island used to be a little known secret, tucked safely away from Mactan resorts and its more accessible islands. Pandanon is part of the archipelago of North Bohol and is politically appended to Getafe.



the southern face of the east end of Pandanon island, Getafe, Bohol, the Philippines



a hut at east end of Pandanon island, Getafe, Bohol, the Philippines



a talisay tree at the lagoon of the east end of Pandanon island, Getafe, Bohol, the Philippines



the south lagoon of Pandanon island, Getafe, Bohol, the Philippines


Back in 2002, when I visited it first, Pandanon was not as developed as it is now but no less impressive. Now, it has a centerpiece columnade pavilion (it was used several years back in a national shampoo commercial), a picturesque white chapel for weddings and a concrete port building.



the southern face of the east end of Pandanon island way back in 2002, Getafe, Bohol, the Philippines

Landing fee is about P100/person and no reservations are needed. There always is a hut available for renting. The other amenities like tables, grills and even food can also availed of from an island cooperative and proceeds go to the community. The resort has no overnight facilities though although campouts or home stay arrangements are possible.



a view of the western main island of Pandanon, Getafe, Bohol, the Philippines
flashback

The resort in the east end is impressive. The one-hectare stretch of white sand is carved by several lagoons. Pandanon is more than just a mound of sand. If you venture further to the west following the narrow isthmus, you will be led to the greener partition of the island where a thriving island community of about 350 families and 2,000 people reside. Obviously, island living is linked almost solely to the sea, from fishing and recently, seaweed farming.



boys displaying their catch of fishes at Pandanon, Getafe, Bohol, the Philippines


People in Pandanon are exceedingly friendly. The island alleys are quite constricted and narrow but people don’t mind strangers crisscrossing their yards. I was carrying my camera and everytime I pass by kids always beg “picture”, “picture” without fail. Of course I gave in all the time.


frolicking boys at Pandanon, Getafe, Bohol, the Philippines


Getting there. Rent motorized boats from any point in Mactan, from the northend port of Punta Engano beside the Hilton, through any of the beach resorts in Maribago, Agus or Marigondon, to the southend port of Cordova. Summer weekend prices start at about P3,500 for a 30-person sized boat to about P5,000 if you don’t haggle. Discounts or premiums are common depending on season and boat size.


approaching the north side of Pandanon island, Getafe, Bohol, the Philippines

Philippine Summer Destinations, part 1

The hot summer in the Philippines is enjoyed in the months of March to May whereupon domestic tourism will be at its busiest. Synonymous with sun, sand and sea, summer is vacation time, when school is off and people hie off to relax. In the next few weeks, I will feature in separate blogs several summer Philippine destinations, all of which are my own personal choices for the year.

Alegre Resort in Sogod, Cebu

Some 70+km north of Cebu City is Sogod, a quiet town facing the Camotes Sea in the east and rugged mountainous terrain in the interior. There amidst 27 hectares of undulating hills, beach coves and coconut groves is the exclusive five-star resort of Alegre. Meaning “cheerful” in Cebuano, as adopted from Spanish, Alegre takes its name to the hilt.


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1.0s, f/13, 18mm, ISO 100, -2/3EV, w/ 1 ND0.9 filter
a secluded cove in Alegre Beach Resort, Sogod, North Cebu, the Philippines


Pandanon Island in Gitafe, Bohol
Getting there is adventure enough. The 1 ½ hours motorized boat ride from Mactan to Pandanon island is a cruise that begs the question, why are we bypassing the turquoise waters and white beaches of several picturesque islands that hordes of tourists trek to Mactan for? Upon arrival, you’ll know.


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/100s, f/22, 18mm, ISO 100
Pandanon Island, Getafe, Bohol, the Philippines


Siquijor Island, Central Visayas
The land of witchcraft the island of Siquijor is known. Known in the past as Isla de Fuego, Siquijor justifies its reputation of mystic by the annual congregation of witchdoctors and local healers every Good Friday solely to concoct traditional potions. Perhaps beknownst only by a few, Siquijor offers definitely more than a source for supernatural tales for children. The island offers virgin forests, expansive stretches of white beaches and a culture of peace-loving, religious and gentle people.


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1.2s, f/22, 18mm, ISO 100, +1.00EV
the Princesa Bulakna Beach Resort, Candaping Bay, Maria, Siquijor, the Philippines

part of an ongoing series on Philippine summer destinations:
part 1 - Alegre (Cebu), Pandanon Island (Bohol), Siquijor Island
part 2 (the isolation series) - the sandbar of Bais (Negros Oriental), Inampulugan Island (Guimaras), Mambucal (Negros Occidental)
part 3 - (Pagudpud, Bantayan, Dakak)