A lovely, unforgettable time at Kandugyap House by the Sea

The glorification of ‘busy’ had been a trend. Everybody is having everything on their plate. (Soon these proverbial plates will be out and replaced by platters.) Everybody is TRYING to be efficient and speedy multi-taskers who glorify ‘busy’. I am guilty of this too. Until in December of 2012, I was seriously hoping that the actual-end-of-the-world would wait until I get my beach getaway. JUST SO I could have my beach getaway. I am gaduper glad it did.

So, beach. No, not just beach. There are dirty, foul-smelling, noisy, obnoxiously public (and publicly pee-ed on) kind-of-beach. NOT that.

But the kind that is silent, so silent, it sings. To you. To your nagging thoughts. To the things you tolerate. The principles you forgot. The compromises you made. To the hurts you hide. That they ask you in their gentle singing, what again were your intentions?

I went to Kandugyap House by the Sea.

The sea was sparkling. The clouds were near and clear. The waves and trees were dancing. Sand were on my toes. Beauty and simplicity was happening all at once. There was an orchestra of things that sing along with my silent tears, and aches that no one knows about.

It was a place where you could finally be closest to your fears. So close you could touch them, just to feel how real and big they are. They choke you. Steal your breath. And the fearful feelings could last as long as you allow them to. It was a safe place. There is no one to prove anything to. There is just you, your quietude and your strength to endure the quietness. All the things that are painful, that make you angry and bitter, you make them all float far away from the shore. With a long but sweet goodbye, you dearly remember that there is no substitute for the softness in your chest or lightness in your body, which you get from forgiving and letting things go. You want peace, then what must go, should.

In the sky, you paint your hopes and dreams. Whether you are teaching, writing, singing, dancing, creating a role, painting, or anything.. it does not have to come from a place of fear. Fears; that it is not better than your last or that it will not be affirmed, or that you were a sell-out, or it was all downright unworthy or ugly. And all other fears your fearful self could fathom. Somewhere in the sky and the orchestration of the sound of simple and beautiful things around you in that silent beach, you were reminded something you should never ever forget, and never have forgotten– that whatever you do, it should all come from a place of joy. You teach, dance, or create, or write, or sing, or paint, simply because it is joyful to do so.

Kandugyap House by The Sea was beyond beautiful. .It was divine. Inside the villa it was colorful and spacious. Mediterranean design. It was naturally breezy and cool at night. In the morning, light goes through the windows and you will only have to tilt your head and sit up an inch or two to view the sea. They serve you whatever food request you have (of course considering that they are available in the island). There were helpers 24/7. And you can ride a small boat for about ten minutes to go to a place called ‘Paradise” and oh, it was aptly named. One of those heavens on earth.  Here is a link to an article about Kandugyap House by The Sea at CNN Ireport as part of “Eye on the Philippines”, http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-784139

The Kandugyap House owners were the family of Ms. Dorivic Gigante-Espina and Ms. Riza Gigante. They were such welcoming and generous hosts! Ms. Dorivic was the one who actually sees to it that every guest who goes to Kandugyap has all their needs met. She visits daily, after her work at the Bantayan Municipal as Government Accountant and makes sure the guests are well. While I have had the fortunate chance of meeting Ms. Riza one night over dinner at the Gigante residence. Ms. Riza makes accessories from recycled materials, that are originally handcrafted in Bantayan Island, Cebu and are exported to the US and other foreign countries. I have seen her works and they were enchanting! Those Kandugyap Export accessories will be in another blogpost of mine. Soon.

The beach experience I’ve had in Kandugyap House by The Sea is an extraordinary experience not only because of the marvelous place itself, but because Ms. Dorivic and Ms. Riza were like two distant Tita’s and fairy godmothers any girl longs to have and hug and be with from time to time. It was a great, amazing surprise how there are times when you find connection with people whom you have just met, and from a totally different background, and you know it would be a long-lasting connection of friendship and goodwill. Ms. Dorivic was like a Mommy to me too! I miss her so much already!

You owe yourself your ME time.

So go get your escape. You will know when you need it. But make it one that will remind you how you are living the life you chose. You wanted. The very own risk you took at becoming a happier individual. Escape from it so you could examine it and return to it with the calm but resolute desire to make improvements. Or to be kinder. Because it is a rare gift to be able to travel and really see things.

And meet people. People you could learn about, and learn from. Let your escapades make you marvel at the realization that very very different lives are being lived all at once. That differences in age, line of work, social status, or lifestyle, doesn’t quite matter in making friends. That you truly meet the right people at exactly the right time for the reasons that these people will teach you a thing or two on how to go about your next adventures. And with them, you are sharing something valuable from your experiences and just from who you are.

 

For contact and reservations at The Kandugyap House by The Sea, click this site http://wowbantayan.com/wowhome/index.php?page=kandugyap-house-by-the-sea

Also feel free to like them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kandugyap-House-By-the-Sea/143133509082641 and see more photos, feedback and updates. I had a lovely, unforgettable time in this exquisite beach getaway. From 1-5, I give it 8 stars. Am I coming back? Yes, in a heartbeat.

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