A Perfect Spur-of-the-Moment Getaway at Masasa Beach, Tingloy

It was December 9th, Dennis and my 9th anniversary. We were planning to go to Tueguegarao but after finding out from the local tourism office that the Kaparkan Falls –  the main reason we wanted to go there in the first place – was closed for the season, we decided to change plans. We almost ended up staying in and spending the day at home, but at the last minute, we changed our minds, slung our bags on our shoulders and found ourselves on a bus to Anilao – headed to Masasa Beach. 

We were prepared to stay the night in Anilao, having read from other blogs that the passenger boats from the port to the island of Tingloy halted operations at 4PM. We arrived at the Anilao Port quarter to 5PM. 

We saw that people were huddling over a sheet of yellow paper. Not far off, a uniformed man with his arms crossed watched the scene. 

"Magandang hapon po," I began, assuming that the man was a Coast Guard. "Meron pa po ba byahe pa-Tingloy?"

"Meron pa. Sulat na kayo pangalan dun," he replied as he pointed to his left where the crowd was gathering. "Hanggang 80 lang p'wede sumakay."

We nodded our thanks and waited for our turn to write. Anxiety growing as I watched the number of passengers go over 70, but we were able to secure numbers 74 and 75. We also found out that boats are willing to sail even after 4PM if there are still many passengers.

It was already dark when we arrived at Tingloy. During the boat ride, we were seated beside a woman who asked if we already had a place to stay. We said we had none yet, and she offered her niece's homestay. We said we'd like to stay there, and so we tagged along with her, bringing us to our home for the next two days.

After our humble dinner of canned tuna, we slept fitfully, for electricity is cut off at 10PM and resumes at 12noon. For two days, we endured sleeping without any ventilation. The nights in Tingloy, for some reason, are breeze-less. I remember wondering if it would have been better if we slept in a tent on the beach. But we were tent-less and so we endured. I found out much too late that there were homestays that had generators. 

In any event, we woke up very early the next day. It was a Saturday and we were glad the beach was still clear of tents. We went around to photograph the island and it was beautiful. When there was enough daylight, we made arrangements to go snorkeling. And for just Php100, we were able to see the thriving marine life of Masasa. It was amazing how rich the waters are. The corrals were huge and vibrant. The fish were plenty and came in torrents. 

After snorkeling and a bit of swimming in Masasa's clear, cool waters, we went back to our accommodation to have lunch and to wash up. We took a nap and at around 3PM, we went for a walk to see more of the island. 

Tingloy is such a varied place. To get to the beach, one has to walk across rice fields which, at the time of our visit, were teeming with emerald young palay. The rock formations surrounding the beach were also picturesque. And the water comes in a pastel shade of blue that turned darker farther out.

By the time we decided to explore the "Lagoon", visitors have already occupied most of the beach. The once bare shores were now festooned with multicolored tents. Away from the crowd, Dennis and I went on foot across residential houses, through a canopied walkway, eventually finding ourselves before a natural swimming pool. It was almost dusk and the soaring limestone wall next to the lagoon made for a spectacular glittering canvass for the waning sunlight.

Dennis and I walked a little bit farther to photograph the rock formations which we belatedly found out were called "Tawel" or "Tawil". I was seated on a rock while Dennis took pictures when I realized my phone was missing. Surprisingly, I didn't feel upset. On a deeper part of my consciousness, I somehow knew I'd get my phone back.

We made our way back slowly, examining the paths we walked on for signs of my phone. I tried calling it with Dennis's phone and it was still ringing. After the third call, someone picked up. The voice was garbled. The call dropped not long after. I sent an SMS telling the person that I own the phone and that it had text credits so he can reply. A few moments later, he replied and we agreed to meet up in the lagoon. 

It was already dark when a middle-aged guy on a bicycle came to meet us. But I wasn't paying attention because, somehow, Dennis' camera filter case and its contents had gone missing. I probably dropped them along the way, preoccupied with my missing cellphone. Dennis thanked the man and explained that we were missing another item. The latter was kind enough to accompany us back to the Tawel rock formations to look for the case. We thanked him and told him we'll be alright. We found the case on the pebbled beach beyond the lagoon. Its black surface stood out against the peach of the sands and corral bits. Elated that we were able to come home with all our things intact, Dennis and I walked hand in hand back to our place.

Picking up dreams. Piece by piece. @celineism

A post shared by Dennis Dela Cuesta Murillo (@thedennismurillo) on Jan 24, 2017 at 11:50am PST

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It had turned dark and the moon was already up. We passed by the Lagoon and what a sight it was that night! The moon shone right above the pool. Its glow casting a natural spotlight. The water undulating, glittering, and appearing to have turned into liquid silver. Standing beneath the shadow of the limestone wall, I half expected a mermaid to appear in the enclosure. Moonbathing, I thought. And Dennis agreed.

That particular episode was my favorite part of that trip. 

The island of Tingloy is so beautiful. It was so much so that I felt something I don't usually feel when I travel: I had the strongest and sincerest urge to return.

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From Cubao or Pasay, ride a bus bound to the Batangas Grand Terminal. From here, ride a jeepney to Anilao Port. The jeep may drop you at "Crossing". If that's the case, hail a tricycle that will take you to the port. Here, there are commuter boats here. Boats are available until 4PM, but sometimes make an additional trip beyond that time to accommodate the number of passengers. Once in Tingloy, there are tricycles that can take you to the beach or to the place where you stay. There also boats that dock right at the beach, but these are only until 11am. 

For boat schedules back to Anilao Port, just inquire at any of the kind and accommodating baranggay workers that make rounds along the beach. Boats sometimes dock in Talaga Port instead of in Anilao, which is better as there are more jeeps bound to the grand terminal here. 

Bus Fare (Alimall Cubao Terminal to Batangas Grand Terminal) - Php165

Jeepney Fare (Grand Terminal to Crossing) - Php35

Tricycle Fare (Crossing to Anilao Port) - Php30

Boat Fare (Anilao Port to Tingloy) - Php80

Tricycle Fare (Tingloy Port to Homestay) - Php30

Homestay (Ate Lisa) - Php250/pax/night

Environmental Fee - Php30

Snorkeling - Php100

Tricyle Fare (Homestay to Tingloy Port) - Php30

Boat Fare (Tingloy Port to Talaga Port) - Php80

Jeepney Fare (Talaga Port to Grand Terminal) - Php40

Bus Fare (Grand Terminal to Cubao) - Php165