Gumasa,Sarangani | Life is a Beach

Traveling to the southernmost part of the Philippines will surprise you to find some of the most under rated places and some are not even heard before but possesses high potential for tourism. It was only by chance that I accidentally found myself in one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines and the name of the place never crossed my head for the last 30 years of my existence. 

My original plan was to visit the Tuna capital of the Philippines, General Santos City, but after hearing some rumors from the locals on how relaxing to bathe in the cool beach of Gumasa, I decided to gamble my whole itinerary by visiting the unheard place.

Getting Lost in Paradise

From my work place in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur , I jumped into a 12-hour connecting bus ride via San Francisco City, Agusan del Sur, then to Davao City .

Reaching Davao Ecoland Terminal, I took the Yellow Bus Line (YBL) going to General Santos City and alighted at Robinson’s Place. Tricycles were waiting in front of the mall; I asked the tricycle driver to drop me at KCC Mall where a van for hire going to Glan City is waiting for passengers.

While on travel from General Santos to Sarangani, I took a short nap inside the van to regain energy from my sleepless bus ride the night before . It only took us an hour and fifteen minutes to reach the City of Glan. Habal Habals (motorcycles) were waiting in the terminal and I asked one to drive me to Gumasa .

After 15 minutes we were already in Gumasa. Resorts were not visible at the highway and we have to drive into a pathway towards the shore. Since that was my first time to visit the area, I asked the local’s opinion on which resort offers the best view of Gumasa on a very reasonable price. But it turned out we ended in the bitchy resort of White Haven.

The resort has an entrance fee of Php 50.00. I did not rent a room (php 700 good for 2) since my plan was just to stay there for only a couple of hours as I can not stand the inhospitable ambiance of the resort. The beach was good but the personnel of the resort was the most arrogant receptionist ever. Opps did I just mention that their resort has the most over decorated resort that truly contradict the beauty of Gumasa . Oh My God. Whoever designed this resort should be sent to study ART and AESTHETICS.

Like a Virgin 

So, never minding the resort, I excitedly hit the beach. I was awed by the panoramic view that seems to be possible only in dreams. It was a revelation  that Sarangani, southernmost province of the Philippines, host a  unique place that can't be compared with other places. 

The beach has  at least 7 km crescent moon shape of a white sugar powdery sand beach thatis almost untainted by the capitalist civilization that made it more appealing just like any virgin resources, free from any intrusion of mankind.

The place was very serene and the beach was very clean that you won’t find a single human made litter on the fine white coral sands. The place was like a deserted place where there were only few delighted visitors wandering in the new found paradise.

Aside from being a tourist attraction, the beach is also a source of livelihood among the local dwellers.  I even saw a young boy wandering at the rocky end of the beach hoping to find something he can serve for lunch to his family.

Camwhoring Time !

I took more pictures of the area which I usually do. But who’s going to take my picture with this perfect background? Since I can speak a little Bisaya, I tried to use lsome charm on my conversation with the locals and without knowing it, I was already doing my tricks and multiple poses in front of my cheap point and shoot digital camera.

I walked into the whole stretch of the beach and I have had seen even more appealing resorts in the area other than White Haven; there was the Isla Jardin del Mar with a better and hospitable staff.

After I got satisfied with the scenery, I went back to the restaurant and had my pre ordered lunch. They served me Tinolang manok (Native) and 3 cups of rice for 180 pesos .It maybe a short visit but profoundly contented with this discovery. I left after I had my meal to proceed to my next destination, the Kalaja Karst of GeneralSantos City.

Getting There

Coming from Butuan:

Take the Bachelor Bus to Davao City. At the Ecoland Terminal, take the Yellow Bus Line bound to General Santos City.Alight at Robinson’s Place in Gen. Santos, then take a tricycle to take you to Glan Van Terminal at KCC Mall.Take the van heading to Glan City.Alight at the terminal of Glan and rent a Habal Habal to take you to Gumasa.

Tip: Get the number of the driver of the habal habal to fetch you back from the resort since jeepneys or even available habal habal are rare in the highway.

Personal Itinerary:

Time	Activity/Destinations	Travel Cost
5:00p -6:30p	San Miguel SDS to Tandag City SDS	45
7:00p-10:00	Tandag City to San Francisco ,Agusan del Sur	150
10:00p-2:30a	San Francisco to Davao City Terminal	260
3:00a-7:00a	Davao to General Santos City	240
7:00a-8:00a	Breakfast	30
8:00a-8:15a	Bulaong Terminal to KCC	15
8:15a-10:00a	Gen.San to Glan City	80
10:00-10:15a	Glan to Gumasa       (v.v.)	200
10:15-11:30a	Beach Beach Beach	50
11:30-12:00n	Lunch	180
	total	Php 1,250

*heading back home not yet included

What's next?

Kalaja Karst: General Santos City

Palagsing: Butuan's Pride

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