Rock the boat at Capintacillo Island, Bogo City

I’ve been traveling with or without company for the last eight years and for one, I’m well aware that not all trips are amazing. Not all trips will make you want to go back to the places you’ve visited. Not all trips will make you want to travel with the same bunch of people. I had a fair share of life’s bumps last year but never thought I’d encounter the greatest obstacle in a trip to Cebu’s northeastern side.

One day, I was invited by my boyfriend to come on a family trip; he mentioned will be spending the weekend at his Auntie’s house. It was my first time not being home during the All Soul’s and All Saint’s Day. I’ve always been the daughter who’s home on important events. Prior to COVID, we’d spend these days in the cemetery with family and relatives. Last year, I had a hard time convincing Ma to allow me to join the said trip. At times, I could still think if only I listened to Ma and never showed up on the trip. Maybe things could’ve been better for me. I should probably listen more to her. As they say, mother knows best. 😅

I was surprised to know that his friends will be there, too. I thought it was a family event. It’s not like I don’t want them to be there. Maybe I’m just not used to bringing friends to family gatherings; I’ve never done that before. The more the merrier, I guess? Or so I thought! Haha

Upon arrival, we were greeted with the usual Filipino hospitality of my boyfriend’s relatives. It’s been years since they’ve seen each other so you can imagine the tight hugs here and there and the laughter signifying gratefulness for reunions like this.

It was fun until someone dropped a bomb. There were inappropriate conversations that should’ve not been brought up in the first place. I felt that world, yes, the world betrayed me altogether. What’s the point of my presence there? Is there even one? And deep inside, I just wanted them to stop. I just wanted to freeze them and you know, walk away as fast as I could. I felt violated. I felt disrespected. I felt isolated. I’m not even sure if they wanted me to be there. And to be honest, I went through tough and traumatic weeks after that event. All I know at that moment was that I needed to get myself together and the trips to the comfort room helped me manage the situation. I almost burst into tears in front of everyone during one of the family meals. And not the mention, it’s still the first day. I have to endure it for two more days! Thank God for comfort rooms and bedrooms!

But sadly, the world and people who couldn’t or wouldn’t understand where other people are coming from would just demand that life should go on. I somehow recovered on the first day and was able to show what people wanted from me - happy, excited, bubbly. But deep inside, I’m barely holding the line.

We went to a nearby resort, Hisoler Resort in Bogo, Cebu. A random island can be seen from the resort and upon finding out that it’s Capintacillo Island, my excitement was all over the place. I’ve seen travel vlogs and blogs about this islet; it was nothing short of enchanting. My workmate had their prenup shoot in this islet as well. Spontaneity isn’t in my blood but at that time, we were already there and there was nothing left to explore in the resort. And yes, maybe I just wanted an escape, too. My boyfriend and his friends found a way to get a banca, a small motorized boat that will take us there. After lunch, we were off for an adventure!

I couldn’t hide my excitement and for a while, I forgot what just happened that morning. Our ride to the islet was pretty rough. But the waves splashing nonstop on my face coupled with the scorching heat of the sun made me extremely happy; more than anything else, I felt alive.

The island looked very near to the resort but reality check, it was far or maybe our banca’s too small to move faster. Even on our ride to the island, I wasn’t feeling so well deep inside. The incident kept flashing back; that’s when I realized I couldn’t continue showing what was expected of me. I was tired of hiding my feelings as if my feelings weren’t valid, as if they weren’t right.

Fast forward, we reached the island. It was bewitching. I know it’s weird to be sad and happy at the same time, but that’s what I felt the moment I stepped on the island’s white sand beach. I kept my distance from everyone else on that trip. I lost interest in their company; how can they expect me to stick around after what happened. Even my boyfriend couldn’t get a hold of me; I’m a stubborn kid when stirred. In moments when I feel enormously angry or sad, I always tend to take a step or two away from people, go to my little safe corner and just be with myself. I detached myself and in doing so, explored the place better on my own.

I started walking around the islet on my own. In less than 5 minutes, you can already explore the entire island. Of course, it’s a different story when you walk around with a camera in your hands. 5 minutes turned into 2 hours or more haha.

They’ve erected a watchtower or a lighthouse in the middle of the island. But it looked like it ain’t working anymore. The building near the lighthouse had been abandoned and with the passing of years, it looked more like a ruin with only its walls surviving the harsh sea conditions.

It’s not as attractive as other famous ruins such as the one in Bacolod, but as expected there’s solitude written all over the place and on my gloomy state that day, it was exactly what I needed. A friend, a company. I went straight to the other side of the building and was mystified but what I saw.

The ruin’s elevated surface gave me a clear and perfect view of the west side of the islet. I took my time and sat there facing the glimmering blue sea. I could hear the waves crashing from a distance. I breathed in the sun’s warmth and the sea’s cold breeze. It was perfect until they came so I had to move around. I just dread everyone’s presence.

Soon, I found myself dragged towards the big waves near the front part of the island. Without hesitation, I plunged into the water and played with the waves. As you can see, I really don’t have problems being left to myself. I enjoy my own company. Can we just normalize that! Haha

I swam on the outer edge of the island and men, it was just beautiful. I had to be very careful not to go near the razor-edged rocks or I’d end up with cuts all over my body. My boyfriend and his friend went freediving and he got stung by a jellyfish. Maybe the incident in the morning saved me from encountering those jellyfishes. Haha

After enjoying the waves, I felt I’d been exposed to the sun for a long time and moved beneath a tree for shade.

Not too long, I decided to continue walking around. This time I went to the back part of the island. Surely, I’ve had enough of Capitancillo but places like this should be explored up to the last bit.

I was fascinated to see the view from the other end of the island. Just be prepared with your sunscreens as there ain’t a single shade where you can hide. It was an open area with a few benches facing the sea, I’d bet this spot in the islet is perfect for sunset viewing.

What I truly love about somehow experiencing the island alone is that I had all the time to myself. It’s up to me what to do and when to do it. I’m not compelled to stay in one place just because others wanted to stay there. Now, I’m just convinced for the nth time I’m better off doing solo trips! Haha

It would’ve been nice to extend to catch the sunset, but according to our boatman, the ride going home will be longer and harder. I could feel the wind’s getting stronger and the waves bigger than when we arrived. Here are few more shots of the place before we came to an end.

This reminded me of my trip to Biri Island where we crossed the Pacific Ocean in a medium-sized boat with no life vests. That’s the same feeling I got on our way home. All the adrenaline pumped out of my body; it was scary but more than that, it was fun. Or was it only me? Haha At any given point, the waves could crash our boat and we’ll be left floating in the raging sea. But I just kept shouting the entire time; the shouting we all do when we ride rollercoasters. I couldn’t hide my love for death-defying activities. We arrived at the resort in one piece! Thankfully!

If you ask me if I still want to go back in the islet despite all the things that happened, it’s a no. Not because I had a bad memory of the place. I’m just not the kind who’d go back to the same place over and over. I still have more Provinces and more local tourist destinations in Cebu to explore. And before ending this long story, I just want to remind you to stop invalidating your feelings. Not because other people couldn’t or wouldn’t understand where you’re coming from doesn’t mean you got it all wrong. We don’t need the world to fully understand us before we start to accept what’s within. It will only be more difficult in the long run. In the end, when no one’s on our side, we got to have our own back!

That's it for today! We'll be back to Baler on my next post. See yah! 😁

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