Tandag is a magnetic little town,
which pulls in travelers,
who are looking to take things slowly.
Do not worry though if you’re the active sort;
there’s plenty to keep you occupied in and around the town as well.
This year, I spent 14 days
for holidays,
indulging in idleness some days
and out exploring on others.
One morning,
the sleepy sea seduced me.
So I took a morning walk along Mabua Beach,
had some fresh fruit juice and beers
and listened to the different tunes of karaoke there.
Thank you to Dr Grace for taking this picture.
The next day, I wanted to try a new sport,
but the time left in Tandag was too short.
Glad I managed to learn the basic
and I realized that skim boarding is fantastic.
Later,
I jogged along the boulevard with High School friends.
Then we headed off to Jollibee
for breakfast and coffee.
Chillin’ with friends. – Photo by my friends Rodrigo Paganpan and Dr Grace Cacho de Jesus
When in Tandag,
I spent great time with friends,
tried good coffee at VML,
and had loads of fun with them.
Chums you’re the sweetest bunch of all.
Another beautiful day had come.
I decided to go to the farm.
Walked through the rice paddies with my son,
and enjoyed birds’ sweetest melodies.
During my stay,
my family and friends
pampered me a lot with plenty of seafood,
grilled Gangis, kinilaw na Malasugi,
crabs, Tinola na Katambak, and a lot more.
Not to forget other Filipino foods too
like roasted pig, dinogoan, ginataang langka
papaya pickles, laing (pangat) to name a few.
Many days have passed,
I realized I haven’t done much.
I visited Saint Pio’s Shrine with my family in the morning,
hiked up Tandag Grotto in the afternoon,
and spent the rest of the day
lazying at the beach.
I stayed one more night,
and took one more sunrise swim.
In Tandag, it’s so easy
to laze through one day
and the next to sneakily begin.
Suddenly, I remembered all the activities
I said I would do but I didn’t do. Such as –
Bicycle trip in the surrounding countryside.
Island trip in Mangcagangi Island.
Camping at the beach.
Fishing and sunset watch at Lapaz bridge.
Enjoy the breathtaking Green Falls in Cagpangi.
Swim in the jungle at Villa Azarcon.
Caving in Danakit’s Cave.
Visit the sweetness of Laswitan Lagoon.
Spend a day trip in Magkawas Falls.
And chillin’ in Cagwait Beach.
With further reflection, I recalled.
I haven’t done much at all.
It’s not my fault.
The town’s easy rhythm
and quiet charms,
lured me into its laze,
looked like I will just have
to stay one more day.
Little Lilly Meets the World 