JOMABO : A Paradise in the North

When the rain comes in June, July, August until October, we take out our jackets and raincoats with us, the bigger the umbrella you carry, the better so it won’t be blown away by   the winds brought about by the summer monsoon. Indeed it was drizzling early in the morning when we were on a road trip to the north. Surprisingly, the weather changed and the sun came up, we were on a fifteen minute speed boat ride to the white island. This was the calm after the storm and you can see clearly through the water underneath.

We were so excited for a three-day stay in the island formerly known as Isla Puti because of its white sandy beach.  The island is about 2.5 hectares when the tide is at its peak, and is about 5 hectares at its lowest tide. As we approached Jomabo Island Paradise Resort, one would want to jump and dive before docking.

There are about six fan family cottages with a capacity of 10 persons for each, where there are two bedrooms, a kitchenette and steps towards the water for swimming, a mini hotel with about nine rooms good for 2, 3, 8, 10 or even 15. They also have open cottages for day tourist. Some trees that gives you shade under the sun, where one can sit and relax and enjoy the sunset, luckily we were able to view the huge moon before the lunar eclipse with its light reflecting on the waters.

          Waking up to a view of the sunrise  by the beach  is equally refreshing, we walked around the island, some were jogging, a little girl was sitting on the sand playing with her plastic shovel and colourful bucket trying to build a sand castle.

          We had barbecue, grilled fresh fish, sea shells, grilled squid, native delicacies such as puto lanson,  budbud,  pan de saya, benignit  a snack which is made of  glutinous rice flour balls and coconut milk and sago pearls with brown sugar otherwise known as ‘lugaw’ in this side of the island.

          There were visitors playing with their jet ski, and most of us were swimming, kayaking, and balanced with surf boards, there were about 35 fisher-folk and bantay dagat, resorts staff and local environment and disaster risk and reduction management team undergoing a three day basic water safety and lifeguarding training organized by the Philippine Life Saving Society with the Local Government of Escalante and the Provincial Government. About 31 made it to the end after strenuous activities of swimming, surface diving, sculling, rescue techniques, huddles, plus the use of Automated External Defibrillator and Artificial Manual Breathing Unit.    Late in the afternoon, when the tide was at its lowest, some fisher-folk walked with their pails for sea shells. We also walked to the mangroves wearing comfortable beach shoes which protects our feet and is highly recommended. We saw birds and small lizards, my first time to see lizards by the beach and my first time to see a group of ‘tambasakan’ also known as mudskippers at the port of Escalante where people were also harvesting juvenile  puffer fish, the small ones called ‘buriring’ is abundant at this time of the year but needs experts to cook this which is also known as a special delicacy in the City of Cadiz.

          When one goes to the beach, you should apply sunscreen to avoid sunburn on your skin, bring a waterproof bag which comes in different sizes such as  2 liters, 5 liters or even 20 liters.  To enjoy the view underneath always have a handy anti fog goggles which is either just for the eyes or a full mask with snorkel that can easily be bought online depending on the size of your face from small to extra-large. Just be sure to wear proper swim wear, a two piece would do, a swimming shorts and a rush guard, it comes safe and covers your bulges. In the month of August we have long weekends and I do recommend you visit Jomabo Island Beach Resort , they have overnight or day tour packages, for bookings please call 034-433-0105 or 034-7080247.