The Trip North

The second leg of my Cebu road trip was totally unplanned.

That day, I was planning to run 15 kilometers with the Runnroo.com crew from Balamban to Asturias. It was supposed to be a test of endurance for me, and I promised myself to go with that run because I liked the Balamban road (see my previous trip). The run was supposed to start at 3pm that Saturday, and the crew went there early. I decided to run some errands that morning, thinking I could still leave from the city at about 11am and have lunch when I arrive, and still have time to prepare before 3pm. But a series of events derailed my schedule and I was able to leave at 1pm from the Ayala Center Terminal, and without lunch at that. Rain made the trip a bit slower along the Transcentral Highway and when I arrived in Balamban, it was late for the run and I was in no condition to do it. So I met with the team as they were going to the starting line, deciding to run with them the next morning from Asturias to Tuburan.

North of the City

As it was still early, I decided to explore Asturias. I got on a tricyle and off I went.

Asturias is a small town just a few kilometers north of Balamban.

Asturias Church

After I went to the plaza and church and took pictures, I asked around if there was a place with a nice view in the area. The ones I asked told me that the next town does, so I took a bus to Tuburan, thinking to go back later to Asturias for the morning run. It was past 5pm when I got there.

After taking the customary pictures of the church, I went to the plaza to explore. Like most towns in Cebu, Tuburan has a plaza near the church and the town hall, a design of the Spanish era.

Tuburan Church

The plaza is located by the pier, and I saw some people — families, teens — hanging out, so I joined in, and sat down on the concrete enjoying the breeze and the calm sea, as the sun started to set.

Sunset in Tuburan

The view of the sunset was magnificent, as if God was trying to show off. I was seduced, and right then I decided to stay the night in Tuburan, foregoing the run, and deciding to go on with the road trip the next morning.

Sunset in Tuburan

As the sky turned dark, a sprinkling of stars appeared in the cloudless sky overhead, and in the dstance, the storm clouds gathered, as lightning struck from behind them. The contrast was beautiful, it was like a poetry of starlight and storm, and I could not stay away. After quite a while, the storm clouds drifted nearer, and the thunder grew louder and lightning struck more frequently. I was in awe as I watched the stormclouds and the lightning streaking nearer and nearer, and I realized — experienced — just how helpless I am against the forces of nature, but for the mercy of God.

Lightning in Tuburan

As the rain started to fall, I finally left the pier to look for a place to stay for the night. After asking around, I found Dayang’s Pension House near the police station — a bit expensive, but clean and spacious, and I was satisfied.
Later that night, a pop band played in the plaza, unmindful of the thunder and rain. As the rain trickled to a halt, I wandered again in the pier, breathing in the cool night air and listening to the music. After a while I decided to call it a night. My sleep was thankfully quite restful. In the morning, I checked out and had my breakfast.

Tuburan in the morning

At the terminal, I was told that the bus to Tabuelan had already left, and the next bus won’t be for a little while, so I took a ride in van.

Tabuelan is a small place, and as I got there, I didn’t see many people and wondered where everyone went, until I remembered that it was Sunday. So I asked for directions to the church, and attended the mass there.

Tabuelan Church

Afterwards, as I wondered where to go, I saw some pictures posted in a bulletin board about a place called Durhan White Beach Resort, so I decided to check it out. Durhan White Beach Resort is quite scenic. The calm sea and the fine sand beaconed and I could not resist — I took off my shoes and walked barefoot on the beach.

Durhan White Beach Resort

After learning from the kind caretaker at Durhan’s that to get to the next town by the coastal road, I would have to ride a motorbike passing 4 barangays, then a jeepney to San Remigio, I decided to go back to the Tabuelan terminal and check my options. Luckily, there was a bus going eastward to Cebu that would pass by the Lugo intersection where buses for San Rem normally pass by, so I took that route. But halfway through, I realized that for lack of time I would need to postpone that trip. So I asked my bus seatmate to direct me to get off the bus by the church of Sogod, which she graciously did. It was noon when I got off, and the day was hot.

Sogod Church

I climbed the small hill where the church was and took pictures. There I met a kind old man who directed me to go to the pier and take a picture of the church from there. The market was also by the pier, and I had lunch there. The proprietress of the place strongly recommended that I go to Alegre Beach Resort, the best view in the area.
I went by tricycle to Alegre and the ride was longer than I expected (about 15-20 minutes). Finally, I arrived at Alegre Beach Resort and was thankful to have found it. The place is a beautiful haven. I asked the receptionist if I could take pictures, and I was given a tour of the place by one of the staff. The place is quite huge, and the white sand beach is inviting.

Alegre Beach Resort

Alegre Beach Resort

Alegre Beach Resort

Afterwards, I was again on the road, this time to Carmen.

Carmen

After I took pictures, I was on a bus again to Danao City. I lingered for a while to take a picture of the big seaside park, and the church, and the city hall and the surrounding mountains, until my iPod went out of power.

Danao Church

Danao City

I boarded a bus back to the City, and arrived tired and hungry. Thankfully, my friends were having a picnic at the Ayala Terraces, so I joined in, and we ate and rested and laughed.
In this trip, I took many redirections, but somehow, I was led to beautiful places that I would have difficulty finding on my own, and I felt so blessed for having found them.

Accounting:

Ayala Terminal to Balamban by van	Php 110
Balamban to Asturias by tricycle	Php 15
Asturias to Tuburan by bus	Php 25
Dayang’s Pension House	Php 500
Tuburan to Tabuelan by van	Php 30
Tabuelan terminal to Durhan by motorcycle	Php 15
Durhan Entrance Fee	Php 20
Durhan to Tabuelan terminal by motorcycle	Php 15
Tabuelan to Sogod by bus	Php 40
Sogod to Alegre Beach Resort by tricycle	Php 15
Alegre to Carmen by bus	Php 12
Carmen to Danao City by bus	Php 15
Danao City to SM City Cebu	Php 40