Okay, hear me out, It’s my birthday month, the group chat was lit, and I knew it was time to pause the deadlines and play some island vibes. City life? You’ve been loud. So guess what? We dipped. Destination? Bantayan Island, baby!
People always say, “You need 3-4 days for Bantayan.” But your boy says: one epic overnight can already fill your cup. Trust me, it’s the vibe, not the volume. So my friends and I decided to take a short vacay to celebrate my pre-birthday celebration and a very dear friend who arrived home from Thailand. For me it’s time to recuperate and have fun in the paradise as we rekindle our friendship as well.
ROADTRIP REALNESS
We hit the road from Cebu City around 10 AM — window down, music up! Had a quick detour in Danao to switch cars, stock up on mangoes (because, priorities), and made it to Hagnaya Port just in time to ride the ferry.
Ferry pro tip: download your fave Spotify playlist (mine was a mix of Hailey Steinfield, + Ariana Grande) and grab your gentle monster sunnies — sunrise over sea = instant peace.
ISLAND MODE: ON
Touched down in Bantayan around 2PM (a bit late as expected) and boy, that salty air hit different. We checked in at Aplaya Beach Resort near Sugar Beach — cute, clean, and steps away from the sand. Yes please!
Bags dropped, slippers on, and the first order of business?
DO. ABSOLUTELY. NOTHING.
Just lay there, breathe, and let the island wash away all the stress.
LUNCH GOALS: SOLVED
Next stop: Kota Beach Resort for lunch — because island hopping on an empty stomach? Not on my watch!
1. Chicken Inasal
2. Pork Liempo
3. Fresh Fish Kinilaw — that one slapped, in case you were wondering.
We headed back to the resort to freshen up, took a slow beach walk with the breeze in our hair (yes, I wore SPF lol), and snacked on the most underrated merienda ever: banana turon. Island life is good
BREAKFAST + BYE FOR NOW
Woke up early for a quick beach jog and a hearty brekkie:
Fresh eggs
Strong coffee
Fish Tinola + Fried Chicken (island combo? 10/10 would recommend!)
Had a quick swim before checkout (because why not?), visited the Bantayan Church, then had our final food stop at Kermit’s Bantayan — super worth it!
By noon, we were heading back to Cebu — sleepy, sun-kissed, and soul-fed. ????
FINAL THOUGHTS
To anyone saying “wala’y time” — stop overthinking and just book that trip.
Sometimes all you need is a change of view, good food, and your favorite people to feel alive again.
Bantayan, you already know:
Even for a night, you gave me LIFE.
Til the next birthday (or weekend escape),
#iamkimcharlie
