TRAVEL: A Hidden Paradise in Kisulad, Davao Del Sur

by Nadine Loreto

STA. MARIA, Davao del Sur (MindaNews/05 October) -- With my wind-blown hair,
dust-powdered face and a butt that ached after sitting for two hours in a
jampacked jeep, we finally reached Kisulad.

I stepped down and scanned the area, wondering where the resort could be
when all I saw were tall coconut palms, an abandoned basketball court, ruins
of a concrete stage and a little view of the sea.

In the midst of my wondering, a voice interrupted, "Dayn, bag mo." (Dayn,
your bag) My big brother handed down my backpack and so the rest of us got
busy with things to carry. When there were no longer bags on top of the
jeep, when the vehicle was emptied of all the big plastic bottles of
mineral water, cooking utensils, a bag of vegetables, groceries, cooler and
tents, our leader told us to follow him. I realized we still had to travel
by foot to reach the resort.

We walked along the shore. On the side facing the sea, I saw a few shacks
made from different scrap materials. The place was quiet and even seemed
deserted. But there are residents here, as one can see freshly used black
net hanging on a fishing boat.

I looked down on the grayish sand and saw seaweeds the waves brought to
shore. When I looked at the far end of the shore, I caught a glimpse of the
rich green chain of mountains along the coastline that seemed to stretch out
towards the sea. I wondered how we were going to get there when there's a
cliff that blocked our path.

Nearing the cliff, I realized that stairs were intentionally carved at the
sides to reach the other side. The first step is just where the shore meets
the waves. I saw some worried faces of those who were wearing jeans and
rubber shoes.

Good thing I wore shorts and a pair of slippers. So I splashed my way to
reach the first step of the rocky stairs and took a careful step after
another. My knees got weak looking down at the rocky surface and the waves
that drummed against it. The only support I got was a bamboo railing which
serves only for balance. Midway, I found out there was another cliff. Before
reaching it, we walked along a narrow shore, a rock wall on one side and the
sea on the other. The very narrow shore leaves just enough room for one
person to traverse it without getting wet (at low tide).

Drops of sweat were dripping on our foreheads with the summer noontime sun
looking down on us and a heavy load of bags on our backs. I was still
scared on the next cliff but I had to stop in the middle of it to relish my
first view of the place I'll be staying in for the next three days.

All my complaints during the whole trip melted away as I was greeted with
the wonderful sight of the beautiful white sand shore with rich green hills
on one side and the clear aqua blue water on the other side. Tall coconut
palms that gently bow down to the majestic sea was such a magnificent sight
that reminded me of a postcard picture.

The scene made me feel like I was in Survivor Pearl Islands with only us
around within a paradise away from civilization. But there were thatched
huts under the shade of talisay trees that lined up along the coastline.
There were also fishing boats and a white fishing boat with bold red font
written on it that says "WELCOME TO WOW KISS." I grinned when I read it, and
shared my thoughts on how odd it was to name the place WOW KISS. Later on,
it made sense when I realized it stood for "World Of Wonder, Keep It Secret
and Simple." I also learned that the boat was owned by former education
secretary Ricardo Gloria who is known for his "WOW" Education.

I removed my slippers and enjoyed the feel of gripping the sand between my
toes, raising my foot, spreading apart my toes and letting the sand back to
the beach, and then, my stomach uttered a cry. By this time I realized I
needed to get myself under the shade of a cottage and eat my lunch. But
before joining the others, I stopped and grinned again when I read the
message posted on a wooden board on the cottage: "Midlife Crisis is that
moment when you realize your children and your clothes are about the same
size." Later, after scanning the whole place, I realized boards with
sayings like "Do Your Best and God Will Do The Rest" are everywhere, on
huts, on trees.

Everything seemed perfect as I ate my fried chicken and rice, talking to my
friends while enjoying the view of the aqua-blue sea until we found only
SMART network had a signal in this place (good thing though because we fully
enjoyed the experience without diversion of texting).

After finishing our lunch, we headed for our cabins. We walked on a path
with stones painted with white on either side and shrubs and coconut palms
lined up on both sides to accentuate the path. It somehow had an appearance
of a park with island gardens at the middle of crossing paths, carpeted with
bermuda and carabao grass.

Cabins are on the hill so one has to climb up a couple of steps of concrete
stairs before reaching it. The cabin itself is made of wood with a small
balcony that gives you a taste of the wonderful view of the sea and the
mountain ranges along the coastline that stretches out towards the sea. The
cabin has two beds and a bathroom. I suddenly felt exhausted so I laid down
on my bed.

Just when my eyelids were about to drop, someone called out, "Panganaog namo
kay magteam building na'ta." (Come on down, it's time for team building).
Though I really wanted to stay in bed, I stood up and headed down. After
all, I was here to participate in a youth camp.

Good thing I did, or else I would miss the fun of digging the sand for a
treasure, climbing up and down the hill, feeling like a challenger in
Survivor Pearl Islands with my team as a tribe.

It was late afternoon when the physical activity ended and we headed for the
prayer room at the top of the hill. Getting there was another challenge with
the steepness and the eroding soil underneath the concrete tile stairs. On
top of the hill is a simple room made of native materials -- a wooden floor,
amakan walls, and nipa roof with a balcony that gives you the panoramic view
of the resort. The room is almost bare with only a narra table on a banig at
the center and a few posters on the wall. Its walls heard us as we shared
our experiences and the learning we gained from the day's activities.

As the sun was about to set, I found myself a hut where a rattan hammock
slung from its posts. It was so nice to be lying in a hammock swinging from
side to side, watching the sunset at the horizon, free from all worries,
away from the noise and smoke of the city. Then, it was only us around and
it felt like we were in an exclusive private resort, our paradise hidden by
a wall of hills.

My day started off rough with the bumpy roads inside a jampacked jeep but it
ended with a joyful heart and a calm mind.

I closed my eyes and savored the feel of the sea breeze as it touched my
skin. I looked forward to the next two days. *(Nadine A. Loreto is currently
a 3rd year student of BA Communication Arts major in Media Arts at the
University of the Philippines Mindanao).*

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