by Ten G. Ilajas

It was a mysterious kingdom from afar. There was a cloud above its crater and mist around its base. Balut Island looked like an enchanted place across from Brgy. Malabinoang in Jose Abad Santos. We arrived at the Coast Guard Area a few hours after sunrise. The weather was gloomy, and drizzles of rain started to fall, making ripples in the sea. As it rained, the mist thickened over the island from across until we can no longer see the volcanic island of Balut.

Coastguard officers briefed us about the situation. We cannot proceed in crossing the Sarangani Strait because, in that kind of weather, the waves could go as high as we can imagine. They told us that they cannot allow us to cross the strait in our rented pump-boat. One of the officers jokingly told us that he never liked going to Balut because of the huge waves that could go as high as a house, but he said that maybe our group would be delighted because we were adventurous people.

While staying at the outpost, officers were offering us water, seats, and even told us about other places to visit. People from Malabinoang were also telling us where to eat and where to buy food, as well as the places we should visit in Sarangani.

While we were stranded at the port, I saw how people in Malabinoang lived their daily lives. Kids were bathing in the sea. They climbed boats that docked in the shore and jumped happily into the waters like nothing worries them. Women were carrying basins with piles of laundry on their waist, whereas others were carrying basins with dried fish over their heads. Men were repairing their fishing nets, while others were pushing their boats ashore. The scent of the sea and the waves seemed to push everything to move harmoniously. It was indeed a lively community, but what astounded me more is the island from across. It was too enchanting. It was seducing us to go near.

Finally, the sun shone above the island. The mist was lifted, and we were allowed to board our boat. The boat was made of wood and did not have outriggers. We wore no life vests, and all I can think of were the waves that could go high as the houses. It was part of the adventure, but it scared me so much that I vowed to learn how to free-swim in open waters.

We sat on the boat, hoping and praying that our two-hour voyage would be smooth and free from tormenting waves. The waves were softly hitting our boat and rocking it like a crib, but that was only for the first hour. When we were approaching the island, it started to drizzle again, and then it rained, and we were all soaked. The waves were hitting the boat harder and were coming from two directions this time. It felt like a movie scene where suddenly, a whirlpool would appear and devour the vessels near it. I was tugging my edge of the boat real tight, praying that soon, we would reach the harbor. Luckily, we reached Mabila port safely and without encountering the house-sized waves that we were warned about.

Balut Island is a sleepy town, with only tricycles at the port, few people on the streets, and just a few kids running around. It is the kind of island that I have imagined it to be – relaxed and where time seemed so slow paced that you can just savor every moment.

After the registration at the tourism office, we were given life vests, and we proceeded to our next stop, Tuke Maklang, where we will be staying for the rest of the trip.

We hopped aboard our boat and sailed into the waters of Balut. As we were sailing, the color of the waters was shifting from cobalt blue to clear blue and then to blue green and teal. There were occasional sights of flying fish and colorful fishes under the water. By that time, I have learned to love the waves that rocked our little boat.

We reached Tuke Maklang and left our things there. It was just a small island but with rooms and facilities to cater to guests. The water surrounding the islands was clear blue green. The island was home to very friendly people and the fruit bats resting on the trees. They looked like small foxes with wings. As the wind blows, they flap their wings as if they were about to take flight.

It was still raining the when we arrived at Tuke Maklang, so we waited for about an hour before proceeding to our next destination. After the rain had stopped, we boarded our boat and sailed to Tuke Non Sol, the “Punta na naay bangag,” (the port with holes), according to our boatman. It was an island of sea caves where locals were very welcoming.

We had few stops where there were some corals, and we had the chance to dive in the open waters. It was breathtaking to float like you are one with the sea, and the only thing that you can see is the deep blue sky with cumulus-cirrus clouds forming different shapes.

Then we explored Paras Island. The sand was powder white, and the water was so clear that the reflection of the coconut trees can be clearly seen in the waters, as if there were also trees growing underwater.  We sat on the beach and just stared at the sun slowly setting. It was perfect. The view was surreal. That moment was just one of the things that made me realize how beautiful the Philippines is – not just the beaches, but the relaxing and calming experience.

On our last day in the islands surrounding Balut, our destination was Ollanivan Islet. The islet was so small that it can be explored in about an hour. Again, the water surrounding it was pristine and crystal clear, such that while swimming in the waters, I just felt that the perfect background music would have been Moana’s How Far I’ll Go. The sand was powder white with a touch of pink because of the abundance of red corals in the island. We were all in awe of how beautiful the island is.

During my two-day escapade in the islands, the boat was my home, and the boatmen were my co-sailors. We have passed different islands and have met different people. We have passed through waves and other boats in the sea. And it was indeed a wonderful experience.

The islands of Balut may not be as enchanting to me as they appeared when I first saw them from Malabinoang port. But exploring Balut and the islands surrounding it has made me admire it even more – its beauty, the waters, and most of all, its people.