Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort

CebuPortal.com has discovered Sumilon…

Who ever said the bliss of secluded paradise is beyond the local scene?

In a season demanding sand, beaches, relaxation and total isolation from the rush of urban lifestyle, ‘private paradise’ may be a difficult find.
But who ever thought that in only 3 hours bus travel, we would stumble into our ultimate summer getaway.

Early Morning-Going to Sumilon
After a brief nap, a little sightseeing and a 3-hour bus trip, we were greeted by a huge sign: Sumilon Bluewater Island Beach Resort—the getaway destination.
The island was very visible from across the Oslob shoreline. The sky was clear and the early morning blew coolly in our faces. While waiting for the pump boat to take us to the island, the lobby and the fantastic view kept us comfortable.
By 7am, the pump boat arrived and took us to the island. The 10-minute trip offered us the view of crystal clear waters. The colorful corals looked like they were within our reach. The fishes swam around as if they didn’t mind the boat at all. It was a marine wonder to eyes that have been used to sandy seabed and…well, dead corals.

The Arrival
We finally set foot on the wooden dock that was laced in red—a bright welcome. At the end of the dock, a surprise met us. A man offered us ice-cold tea upon our arrival. With a matching smile and a sweet “Welcome!” summer just couldn’t get any ‘cooler’.
When we were led to our cottage, we were adorned with shell necklaces. Which I honestly thought only happened in Hawaii.

Rooms
Finally, the cottage, which is an important ingredient for a ‘perfect vacation’ caught us all in amazement. The sliding doors were in two layers: a wooden layer and a screened layer which opened wide enough to give you a wide view of the beachfront.
Mr. Leo Go, Hotel and Resort Manager, explains the ingenuity of the rooms.
“We use indigenous products.”
“If ever the guests want fresh air, they can just open the sliding doors.”
With a generator working 24/7, we didn’t have to worry about electricity usage in case of emergencies. Water was never a problem, although they encouraged the guests to use it wisely. A comfy room, and an assurance to stay fresh all throughout your stay—seclusion didn’t have to mean mediocre service.

Food
If you’re not a breakfast person, this stay will definitely change your mind. Their breakfast meals come in different dishes that cater to a wide variety of tastes. A choice of American, Native or Sumilon breakfast dishes—each a full and satisfying meal. But the meal I fancied most was the Sumilon dish and the delicious inon-onan—fish meat with a sour taste, a favorite Filipino dish. The fruits they serve are fresh and the shakes freshly squeezed. My favorite in particular was the watermelon shake. Mr. Leo Go recommends the four seasons—4 freshly squeezed fruits. The ingredients however, were a trade secret.
It was buffet during lunch. It was a complete line-up of different viands and deserts to sweeten up the rest of your afternoon.
And for dinner, which was essential to a good day’s end, we were served grilled delights. From grilled pork to grilled squid, and a divine desert, food for the gods, we knew it’d keep us satisfied ‘til the morning.

A Chat with Hotel Manager Mr. Leo Go
Our day started off with a welcome, a full breakfast and a chat with Mr. Go. He explained to us the aim of the resort, its great amenities and briefed us with their simple rules dedicated to the care of marine life.
“You’ve got to have a stress free stay. Have your own time. Don’t have a structured stay.” He stressed how highly he values this as he recalled times when he and his staff surprised the guests as they served lechon in each table.
“This island has endless possibilities. Menu doesn’t necessarily be the menu.” He further added, “You can have your breakfast at 11, your lunch at 5, and your dinner at 11…this is your time.”

Mr. Leo Go is a strong environmentalist. He clearly pointed out to us, “If we’re not serious in keeping the environment, we’re dead.”
Nowhere in the island could you find any artificial plants. Although he believes it’s cheaper in terms of maintenance, he just wants things to go on naturally. The island also uses recyclable plastics.
“I want us to be known for something unique and traditional.”
The island also encourages barangays to be productive in terms of raising vegetables, hogs and the like.

Mr. Go demands his team to abide in his #1 rule: “No. 1 rule, you’re now under my administration. Do not treat the foreigners higher than the locals.”
Everyone in the table, including myself, couldn’t agree more.
He reminds his team of a simple principle of service: “1st day, guests are very excited. 2nd day, the excitement will diminish by 75% and what would make the difference is the service…your smiles.”
Mr. Go believes that “Sayup sa isa sayup sa tanan”
And furthermore, “We have a lot to do here. We don’t stop improving. We don’t stop enhancing.”

And if there’s something fun!fun!fun! that you ought to remember in planning to stay here, The island team claims: “We would like to give out surprises.”
And yes, you heard that from the master himself.

Snorkeling
What better way to witness the amazing seabed, than to peer at it behind goggles. Fish in an array of colors came flashing by in schools or in smaller groups finding their way through corals. Corals even came in different shapes both unique and weird. And in that brief journey along the shallow reef, we didn’t only discover wonders ‘under the sea’ but also ‘found Nemo’ ?.
Fun Diving in Sumilons’ Rich Marine Sanctuary
The day wouldn’t end without 2 members of the team all boys to go fun diving in the islands’ marine sanctuary. Around 3:00 PM just when the sea waters are clear and the current is average we prepared our diving gears and rode the glass boat to the marine sanctuary where we planned to do a 15 – 18 meters depth of fun dive. We’ve been to other marine sanctuaries but this one is different, it shows how well maintained and taken cared of from poachers and abusing fishermen’s and other visitors. Life under the sea is different from just looking above, different species of corals and schools of fish and other marine life showed off as we pass by and headed to our destination and finally make our final ascend and decompress for 5 minutes, it was the best fun dive we had this summer and we headed back pass by the island sand bar and port. A many thanks to the management, staff and dive master of Aquamania the official water sports authority in Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort.

Lagoon- Fish feeding and Kayaking
Sumilon also had a lagoon. With natural mangroves, a kayak boat for kayaking around the lagoon and cakes for feeding the fish.
Although fishing was allowed in the lagoon, one just had to admit it was difficult especially with all the fish approaching you ecstatically waiting to be fed. They could be your fresh meal or just excited fishes welcoming guests to their turf.

Trekking
Interestingly enough, trekking around the island was done solely by the guests themselves—no tour guides equals sheer adventure. The paths were provided with flags each color with a corresponding meaning: Blue-move on, Red-careful, Yellow-caution and Green-go ahead. The journey included a lighthouse, a cave said to be a Yamashita cave and military barracks. Tedious but definitely fulfilling.

Sunset and the Sandbar
If the trek got you all sweaty and exhausted, it would be a great idea to dip around the beach and strut around in your swimsuits in the sandbar. And a sunset lit ocean is a romantic time for dipping with your partners—believe me, I’ve felt the ambiance.

The pool and the Jacuzzi
Feeling like a drenched ‘king of the world’? There’s no better place to feel high and mighty on the sea and at the same stay drenched than at the resort pool that overlooked the sea around the island. And with a Jacuzzi to relax those worn out muscles, your day just doesn’t get any better.

Sunrise in Sumilon
As one of his strong recommendations in ways to enjoy the island better, Mr. Go told us to greet the sunrise the next day. Especially in very clear days, the sunrise was perfect.

Goodbye Sumilon
To our dismay, we couldn’t stay in paradise forever. The call of urban duty was a painful reality. So after a final lunch meal, with baked calamari, pork and shrimps, we were all packed and ready to leave the island on the same pump boat that brought us there.

Home memories plus Sumilon island knowledge and pictures for friendster equals perfect summer vacation.

CebuPortal.com would like to thank the management and staff of Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort to Mr. Leo Go for believing in our concept and for taking care of us on our stay. Many thanks also to Ms. Margie Munsayac for giving us the opportunity to experience and discover Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort, indeed CebuPortal.com has now discovered and set foot in Sumilon….

CebuPortal.com