by Kat Mayuga

My companions and I have just reached the base of the mountain from six hours of trekking. The hike was a challenge, and it made our limbs feel exhausted, so it was fitting that we regain our energy and chill by the beach nearby. Malabrigo beach was only minutes away from the endpoint of Mt. Nalayag, which is why it is a great place to head to after a few hours of trekking.

Shortly after arriving, the first thing that I noticed was how different it was from the other beaches I have been to. Instead of sand on your feet, you’ll step on hundreds of pebbles. There was little to no sand around, but being different doesn’t always have to mean being inferior. Instead of building sandcastles, you’ll get to build rock castles, and I think it’s just as fun as the former. Don’t worry; the rocks are comfortable enough to walk on.

I took a look at the surroundings and appreciated how calm and serene the place was. The water was crystal clear; it shore was quiet and wide, and there were very few people around. This was a great place to get some rest after trekking for hours. If the mountains screamed “adventure,” this place whispered “serenity.” I stepped back and stayed in one of the huts on the beach, feeling its calmness as the wind massaged my back.

One of my companions tapped my shoulder and signaled that we were about to leave. I didn’t even realize that I fell asleep. The place was so peaceful that it’s conducive to taking a nap even just for a while. This beach in Lobo, Batangas is surely one of the places where you’ll find inspiration for writing or art. We were about to leave, but I wished we could stay a bit longer.