Cantilan’s Baybay Beach: A Prelude to a Great Adventure

Living in Surigao del Sur (SdS) is a privilege surrounded with all the beautiful destinations not yet known to everyone. Exploring north of SdS did not cross my mind until I have known that my two favorite travel bloggers were visiting the town of Cantilan. It was just a supposed a casual meet up with Lois and James that I decided to drop at the place known as the "Cradle of Town". I took  this opportunity as well to meet again my newly found friend from Cantilan Bank , Cathe Duero, whom I always planned to travel with but our time wont just permit us for so long now .

Meeting James and Lois

Cantilan is one of the oldest communities that were organized in Surigao Peninsula established in early 18th century and once encompasses the municipalities of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen and Lanuza , better known as Carcanmadcarlan . I have passed Cantilan  countless times during my scheduled trip to Surigao City, and I have never heard of any wonders that this sleepy town offers until the Cantilan’s 5^th Surfing Festival. I have always thought that is was only the Municipality of Lanuza that offers such water sports festivity that could actually produce waves suited for international surfing competition.

My Dream Meet Up Turned not so 'Up'

Excited with our meet up, I gave in with the invitation of my friend and stayed at Cathe Pacific, Cottage by the Beach, courtesy of Cathe Duero. It was a long week of surfing competition attended by regional participants and those surf enthusiasts coming from far places in the Philippines and even from other countries. I could only hear all about surfing gigs and challenges that the locals and visitors had done for the day including my fellow travel bloggers James and Lois and their friends. 

Cathe Pacific at Baybay, Cantilan,Surigao del Sur

I wasn't mentally ready that day to hit the waves and check on my progress with this sport so I declined the idea to visit the surf sites in the area.Besides my attention that day wasn't focused on the activity but with the bunches of work I left at the office that I have to provide solutions the soonest possible time .

I stayed for an overnight at the resort but returned back to our office in San Miguel the next day to finish some tasks. After completion I head back to Cantilan to check on the place again. This time I was fully relaxed and willing to get wet by the sea water and enjoy the scenery of the silent wonder.

Sea Food Delight

That night we hit the local market of Cantilan for something we could cook for dinner. Fresh seafoods are displayed at the pantry and each type of seafoods really enticed me to buy more , but opppsss check the budget please! I was so surprised to see the adult size of Danggit Fish and thought it would suit best my ever favorite "fish cooked  in veneget spiced up by the special bulb species of Molluccas" or better known as PAKSIW! lol. Cathe also brought 3 giant prawns for a soup for that night that made our dinner even more sumptuous and delightful with matching glass of red wine to conclude the night.

Fresh sea foo\d at Cantilan's Public Market

Beach ka lang, Cantilan is  Super Beach!

The next day, me, James and Cathe simply enjoyed each other’s company goofing around with our attempt to record a video preparing a shake for the enjoyment of avid readers. But fate was so unfriendly that day when our ice blender did not work so we shifted to fruit coolers instead. Hahahaha.

Care to be hit by these waves , it is really  more fun in the Philippines!

Given with a good weather  that  afternoon, we chose to take a splash and hit the great waves of the beach. The place may not have pure white Boracay typed sands, but playing with the gigantic but harmless waves established  the highlight of the day. I have never attempted to go on head to head collision and be swept by 6-9 foot waves in my entire life, but that day, a challenge against my fear came to life. That wave tripping gave me a chill of adventure of a lifetime. (You should try this too!)  All we can hear were our loud cheers hoping that our fearless attempt of hitting the waves would be captured by the camera.

Awesome view of the the shore of Baybay, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur

I never thought the waves on that local shore could go higher to even twice of my height and rushed against my frail body. There was one particular series of waves that hit me, making me twirl literally underneath as if I was a garment placed in a running washing machine . The adrenalin rush reached its peak flowing into my veins giving me enough energy to conquer each waves that hit me. It's been a while since the last time I experienced this elevated liveliness. Drowning never even came through my head knowing the waist high water of the beach is safe and uniformed. I never imagined that I could ever have more fun in Cantilan's beach compared to other famous white beaches in the Philippines. 

Delectable barbeque at Larshian in Cantilan

We went back to our cottages energy drained and almost powerless but very much satisfied. To regain our energy we hit the town's famous and equivalent to Cebu’s Larsian - Cantilan’s Larshianan near the town proper.  We munched on our favorite chosen chicken part and pork barbeque for a satisfying dinner that night that only cost us P220 for the three of us. (end of Part 1)

More stories of Cantilan adventure soon, wait for my post on Ayoke Island.

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