Santander - Sumilon

An all expense-paid dinner buffet in one of the most prestigious hotels in the metropolis, Raddison Blu was at stake for our July’s sales challenge. Sounds like a great price, huh. The team was so excited to win it. Never had we won any challenges before, most especially for sales. Though hard as we try, we just couldn’t make it. But for some reason, after a sudden and inevitable change of administration, and for the first time in our 8^th month as a team, we were able to bag the prize.

Everyone’s delighted. I myself couldn't deny that I was excited with the win. I had never been to Raddison Blu before. It’s just too expensive for me. So the thought of having dinner there for free and with the whole team thrilled me.

But things turned out different on the last minute. Our team lead suggested a different prize for the team – an outing! I was okay with the idea of an outing but not as ecstatic as the way I used to react with outings before. It could be because I just got home from a heavenly-like vacation in Palawan, which I consider as my best trip so far and also maybe because I couldn’t think of any other places to stay in Cebu for outings other than Bantayan, Malapascua and Moalboal.  Some were in favor of the suggestion while others think it would be more hassle-free if we’d go for the dinner instead. And so the team was divided. A majority voted for an outing which unexpectedly turned out to be the first ever and not to mention, full-casted outing for the team.

Suggestions were then piled up and in the end we decided to go to Santander, a place I’ve only heard of and a place I’ve never been to. It was a highly recommended place by our dear uncle of the team and since our last visit to his hometown, Barili, was also a blast, we again entrusted him the whole trip.

Santander is the southernmost municipality of Cebu and with the definition, I expected a long bus ride to our destination and as expected, it took us almost 4 hours to reach the resort. Though with lack of sleep from the previous night’s shift, we still enjoyed our 4-hour bus ride to the south of Cebu. I  even had the chance to take snapshots of a very beautiful tree in Argao.  

couldn't resist the urge... i just had to take a picture of this lovely tree

We stayed in Liloan, Santander. The place is known for its lovely pebble beach and for occasional whirlpools, thus its town’s name. True enough, the beach and the scenery was magnificent. I specifically love the rising of the sun in Santander. I had never before seen such a picturesque sunrise. The perfect location of the neighbouring island, Negros, added to its sweet scenery. You’d see the sun’s rays shining so brightly and reflecting so admirably to the mountains of Negros. The waves were dancing and swaying like fairies. It was like an early morning magic for me.  With all honesty, I’m really not a morning person. I’d rather stay in bed sleeping than do stuffs early in the morning. But thanks to our dear uncle of the team, who really forced me to wake up to catch the sunrise coz he knows I love photography, I was able to capture through my camera and most importantly, experience straight, the glory of the early morning beauty of Santander.  

when the moon meets the sun

you'd feel magic

view of Negros from Santander

had fun watching these fishermen

so lovely i could cy

it was my first time seeing someone fish this way

the fisherman's wife

makes me wanna go fishing too

An added feature to the trip was our island hop to Sumilon, also another well known tourist destination in Cebu. Since it wasn’t part of our team’s incentive, we just opted to stay at the sandbar because we couldn’t afford to enter the island; it’s too pricey for us just yet. I had lots of expectations from Sumilon. I’ve heard from friends that the place is really a beauty. True enough, it didn’t fail me. The water’s so clear you can easily see the colourful corals below. My team enjoyed swimming in the crystal clean waters and I enjoyed basking the comfortable and relaxing feeling of the place. It’s a perfect place to relax and forget about the stress and pressures of the city life. 

while on our way to Sumilon

who would've thought that this tiny island is a paradise

we're almost there!!

our team, our first ever outing!!! weeeeeh!

our boat...

thanks to kuya for his artwork!! sumilon is love

Sadly, it was just a very short vacation for us. We only stayed there for a night because we still had to go back to work. Still it was a great escape to the harsh realities of the metropolis and to the demands of our workplace. I was so happy we got to unwind as a team and shared a bond that brought us tighter together.  

If asked whether I’d go back to Santander, the answer would be too obvious! Definitely I’d go back, and when that time comes, I’d have Dumaguete as a side trip.