Caraga was a home to a different islets and islands that is untouched and unexploited by local and international tourists. One name I will never forget was the place called Bagacay. Bagacay is a barangay that is found in an island separated from the mainland Dapa, Siargao Island, province of Surigao del Norte.

After reaching Siargao with MV Sweet RORO in the town of Dapa for 4 hours from Surigao City, I proceeded with my friends to Bagacay, a 15 minutes ride using pumpboat. When I first heard the word bagacay I thought boracay which is not. I misheard it, maybe, due to some excitement on my part.

When the pumpboat began to cross the island, you will see corals below with white sands. The way I see it, it would be best for diving and fishing activities. As you get near the island, a lot of mangroves standing on the side in another island. A unique blend of nature that I have not seen before. Reaching Bagacay was a sweet experience for a trying hard traveler like me (hehehe!).

Stepping Into A Residential Paradise

When I jump out from the pumpboat, I am stepping into the place that is surrounded with large body of seawater. You can view different mountain ranges, mangroves on the neighboring island, never ending horizon in the east and in the west. You can feel the fresh winds mixed from seas and mountains embraces your being, and take a long, long breath to rejuvenate your lungs that have grown from the city.

The place located separately from the mainland Bagacay, and isolated like an island –only mangroves on the other side that is linking to the mainland Bagacay. This is the home of Mayor Peter Ruaya. The simplicity of living takes you back to the older times when man and nature blend each other in a simple and harmonious way. I have discovered a paradise that is right into the home of Ruaya’s family. Hopefully, they can transform the area into a resort for local and international tourists in the near future. You cannot only appreciate the location, but the place was a sanctuary of some marine life in the ocean. While you are here, one of the most interesting attractions in Bagacay was hopping from one island to another island, fishing, and diving coral sites. Atmosphere in Bagacay is a very calm and peaceful place to live endowed with a gift that natures possess.

Vicinity And Delicacies

The foundation of this future resort was made of mixed concrete sands and stones from the deep of the sea to the surface – a solid ground against rising sea waves. Family house was standing at the edge facing another island. Outside of the house were lots of big cages that will serve as marine sanctuary to some animals living in the ocean. This will create attraction that can draw so much attention to the visitors coming to the place. In your best time, you can go to the cages, seeing them not only refresh your body, but refreshes your mind as well.

Coming inside the house mostly made of hardwoods. Some furniture were created out of bamboo that I’ve noticed one unique swinging chair on the left side of the house that is best for resting and sleeping. Winds coming in and out the whole day. A quiet place to live with. A healthful way of living, and if God’s well, it will make your life longer.

Foods were already served in the kitchen table. Grilled liplipan and kinilaw (fresh fish) became my food of the day. I have tasted the sweetness of banagan (lobster) that is freshly picked at the bottom of the house. Also became a fan of eating tajom and saang (sea urchins). These could be the healthiest food I’ve ever swallowed. Seafoods were the best delicacies of Bagacay. You will never forget the temptation and mouthwatering sensation of the foods that is rightfully fit into your stomach (hehehe!). The best of the island!

Hospitality

Stepping the residential paradise likes a second home to me. I have never expected the extra warm accommodation that is afforded to us by Mayor Peter, and his beautiful and smiling wife, Madam Yolly. Welcoming us like their own family coming from a distant land – from the time we landed, put us to sleep, until we say goodbye the next day. This reflects the homegrown hospitality of peoples in Bagacay. Hospitality that cannot be compared – a true Filipino value.

Capturing Rare Moments

In this episode of life, Bagacay shows the best part of me. But here comes the location, early morning, when the moon still shining in the west, sunrise began to show in the east. Absolutely, almost meeting each other in one unique panorama. The place turned dramatic and romantic in a clear blue sky. What a show on earth before your eyes!

In this place were so many cages in which different marine life exist. In those cages were my scenes of the day. I’ve spent many hours watching those cute red sea turtles. For the first time I’ve watched them live, and not on TV! Along with them were different colorful fishes, big and small, even Nemo and his friends coming out in the open. Other cages were filled with crabs and big sea clams, and show to us how clams got angry when closing its mouth as it picked outside from the cage. Lobsters were unique and exotic creatures seeing them crawling the net at the bottom of the house. Outside the house, of course, body of seawater where you can see lot’s of different fishes coming, and became visitors too of Ruaya’s family (I hope no sharks here…hehehe!).

Seeing these marine creatures will make your day live and fruitful. You will never miss single seconds of the day when you are in these cages. The joy in your heart cannot be taken away as you sit back and take wild look of these cute and wild creatures from the sea.

I have told you the best in Bagacay. Experiences in life cannot be bought or steal. Simple pleasures will linger forever, and remain part of you memory as the days passed by. Bagacay takes a piece of me, and it will be part of my memory…forever.

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Bagacay can be reached from Butuan City to Surigao City for 2 hours by bus, then Surigao City to Siargao for 4 hours by RORO or 2 hours by super cat, then at Dapa port to Bagacay for 15 minutes using pumpboat.