by Jims Vincent Capuno
There is absolutely nothing like the Samal group of islands, an archipelago consisting of nine islands which stretch over a land area of 28,000 hectares. Some people who have been to these islands tout the place as a little paradise on earth.
Exotic, tranquil, beautiful are some of the accolades used to describe Samal island which has a coastline dotted with white sand beaches, abundant marine life, rock formations, mangroves, and landscape featuring coconut palms and fruit-bearing trees.
Often mistaken in the past by outsiders as part of Davao City, the island became a city in 1998 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8471. This organic act paved the way for the dissolution and merger of the three former-municipalities of Samal, Babak, and Kaputian into one local government unit. Today, it is called the Island Garden City of Samal, or IGaCoS for the sake of convenience.
Since its rowdy beginnings in the early Spanish regime, the island situated in the Gulf of Davao was named after the early settlers who migrated from Jolo and Basilan–the Islamic tribal group or “Isamal.” For some reason, it ended up being called “Samal” by Visayan settlers who dropped the letter “I”.
Samal is a second class city because it does not yet have the income of a first class city. It does not have a so-called business district featuring the usual shops, bars, and restaurants. But if you are looking for a peaceful and quiet place without the hustle and bustle and distinctive sound of commerce, then Samal is it! You have to actually experience it to be convinced.
Over 20 beach resorts — and still counting — dot the island’s 116 kilometer-stretch of white sandy beach. Heading the list is the world-famous Pearl Farm Beach Resort, which was featured in the Miss Universe contest some years back. While visitors are always fascinated by its Parola wharf, the resort’s exceptional features are the houses over the sea patterned after the stilt houses of the seafaring Samal tribe of Sulu. All in all, there are 19 houses and six Samal suites. There are also two large hilltop buildings with a conference room and game room in between.
Also highly recommended is the Bluejaz Beach Resort and Waterpark. Among its biggest attractions are the two giant slides. When Dyan Castillejo was doing a segment there for Sports Unlimited, she was told that the slides were the longest in Southern Mindanao. She begged to disagree. “I think this is the longest in the country,” said the sports television host who has been around the country and knows whereof she speaks on such matters.
Then, there’s Bluewaters Resort and Village whose beachline is only 150 meters long but has an infinity pool that faces Davao City. It has also two other swimming pools for children and for adults. Instead of the usual fresh water as far as swimming pools go, the pools there contain sea water. Never mind if the tide is low at times, guests who prefer to swim in salt water can do so in the infinity pool.
Other affordable resorts are Maxima, Paradise Island, Camp Holiday Resort and Recreation Area, Costa Marina, and Isla Reta.
Samal is rich in coral reefs, ideal for scuba-diving and other aqua sports, such as snorkeling and sailing. Two sunken World War II Japanese vessels await discovery by divers only 60 meters away from the Pearl Farm Beach Resort.
However, the two famous diving sites are the Ligid Caves and Pinnacle Point, both on Ligid Island. In Ligid Caves, you get a glimpse of fine golden sea cucumbers densely littering the reef amid a rainbow of soft corals, hydroids and basket stars. In Pinnacle Point, you have the opportunity of viewing schools of pennant butterflyfishes and schools of unicorn surgeonfishes, emperorfishes and jacks.
Samal is also dubbed “Island of Festivals.” Hugyaw Madayaw Samal falls every 29th and 30th of August; the Kabasan Festival, which is a seven-day celebration, falls every May 22nd-29th; the Caracoles Festival is held every 28th and 29th of April and is also among the more famous festivals in the Philippines where the richness of marine life and the cultural heritage of the people on this island are highlighted by street dancing, parades, sports competitions and a beauty pageant.
There’s more to Samal than just beaches and festivals. About two kilometers from Peñaplata is the Haguimit Falls, a haven for picnickers, swimmers and nature trippers yearning for the simple, inexpensive pleasures in life. The area is well-covered by a canopy of full-grown trees from the scorching heat of the sun.
Another must-see is the Monfort Bat Cave whose bat colony was certified by the Guinness World Records as the largest colony of fruit bats in the world with a population ranging from 1.8 to 2.5 million as of 2006.
Great caves abound. The most famous ones are Balete, Magongawong and Baga Caves. Spelunkers will certainly have the time of their lives making discoveries and following the trails in any of these caves.
