It was afternoon, almost evening, when we boarded a ferry almost the size of our elementary school building. Well, that is how I see it. We decided to travel from Hagnaya Port because it is the most convenient for our family as some of us live near the port. It only takes an hour and a half to reach Sta. Fe Bantayan Island from Hagnaya Port, which is quite shorter than travelling to the city. While the two are similar in the nauseous feeling, travelling through water has an advantage because, aside from waves, nothing causes traffic.
It was a successful travel, and we stayed in Sta. Fe for three days. On the second day, I accidentally remembered our project in Trends subject where we featured trending destinations, and our group chose Kota Park, but at that time it was completely unfamiliar to me. It was just fortunate that one of my cousins shared about his favorite park in Madridejos, which happened to be Kota Park. I was amazed to be standing on the same land where that park was. So amazed and curious I was, my cousins did not think twice and asked me to ride the motorcycle because we were going to the said place.
It was a 20-minute ride, but the excitement made me forget the long travel it took to get there. It was heading to sunset by the time we arrived, and I could feel the wind’s temperature drop as we approached the park.
Kota Park is a popular destination in Madridejos because of its historical and tourism significance that has shaped the character of the island for centuries. Our visit to the park was not boring; instead, we had a conversation with some bystanders there who were also taking a breath. This is what I learned.
History is the heart of Kota Park, and its history runs from 1880 to 1917. Way back then, Kota Park was not the peaceful and popular sunset spot we know today. Tracing its roots, Kota Park was a Spanish fort used to protect locals from Moro pirates. In simple words, this was a watch spot to observe odd activities happening on the water that could be a sign of Moro invaders. It gave me chills and goosebumps to know that where I was standing was once a lookout spot for people who have history in Madridejos. There were people who stood before me, and them, as part of history, should be honored.
After years of being alert and combating the Moros, the fort was turned into a place of buried bodies and souls. It transitioned into a graveyard. A generation laid to rest after years of living with purpose and making history. For the third time, the fort was repurposed and later on finally served as a beach resort in the 1950s. It was regarded as a place for enjoyment rather than protection, and folks started to turn it into a landmark for the identity of the island.
The island of Madridejos was historically called Lawis. It was said to be founded by Loreto Mangubat, a descendant of Lapu-Lapu. In that early community on the island, Kota, or the fort, was part of it. That’s why I said it was a watchtower for the islanders. In 1917, Lawis was officially named Madridejos, in honor of the archbishop of Cebu, Benito Romero de Madridejos. So there is quite a history here—from being a protection spot to honoring relevant people who stood for the people of the island and their faith.
If you zoom in on the photo above, a 187-meter bridge stretches from the park to the farther water. History says this was built in 40 days and 40 nights, which shows the perseverance, resilience, and dedication of people who lived here decades ago. As a beach resort, it allows visitors to reach the body of water, presenting the rich marine life the island has.
The respected people of Lawis way back then would build a kota—a small fort made of coral stones and sturdy materials they would gather from nature, hoping that it would guard them from the dangers that came from the water or pirates.
The word Kota originates from the word for "fort," and even though most of the original fort walls are gone already in the present, visitors can still see ruins of the coral-stone structures that protected the people for years.
Now, Kota is at peace, but the history is never forgotten. It is shared and passed down from generation to generation for the purpose of echoing the important events and transformations Kota underwent. Its architecture and bridges are modernized, but the real structure of the first Kota remains on every corner of the park.
Pay attention to this photo. Look at the people in silhouette. They are watching the water and sky like the ones in the 1880s, who carefully stood as watchers to protect the island. People here unconsciously do what the old generation did, such as watching the water and burying words and memories. This is what I like about Kota. It connects the past to the present, remembering the origin by leaving traces on the sand of Kota Park.
It was already sunset by the time we decided to leave the park. But the sunset was too perfect to leave without good conversation with some folks. Perfect in color and the sky reflecting on the water, Kota Park is not only rich in history but also in nature and beach views, making it a good tourism spot. Folks visit here often, especially those living nearby, to witness a sunset only seen on the shore of Madridejos.
I stood on this staircase to watch the water and the sky. I felt the ancestors who stood on this ground before me. There was a tension between me and this spot, whether I would watch it because of history or for aesthetic pleasure. The heaven was heavenly that time, majestic as the old people of Lawis, and for sure this sky knew what happened here, especially those events not written or passed down to normal folks.
History is the heart of Kota Park, and the people of Madridejos are the soul of the island. The two have shaped the practices and culture of Madridejos as well as its tourism character. Rich marine life, famous white-sand beaches, Kota Park, night funs, welcoming people, and the land of the island are a few of its hidden gems. Only those who are willing to look closer at the island would see the meaning and soul lurking around it. As the famous book The Little Prince says, "What is essential is invisible to the eye."
How did you find Kota Park? Is it interesting or pleasing to your eyes? Let’s discuss it in the comment section.