A cozy family getaway in San Remigio epitomizes the charm and simplicity of living by the sea.

by Shari Quimbo

photography Ezekiel Sullano

Admittedly, there are some challenges that come with living in Cebu; but having pockets of paradise being only a few hours’ away is an upside that’s hard to beat. One such paradise is San Remigio, a town that sits on the northwest side of the island, which means its serene shores are kissed daily by an amazing view of the sunset. Sure, you’ll run into some traffic while driving out of the city, but what awaits you makes the drive up north an easy challenge to live with.

A walkway leads into the house’s main living area, which enjoys an open floor plan for a relaxed and communal atmosphere.

When a chance to visit one family’s beachside getaway landed on our laps, we couldn’t pass it up. After a brief struggle with Mandaue City traffic, we were soon cruising through the towns of the north while the crystalline blue waters of the ocean peeked through every few kilometers.

It wasn’t long after when we found ourselves going up a pebbled driveway where a bamboo gate opened up to a footpath that led to the house. “We wanted to keep it simple,” the owner explains, sharing that he came up with the design while going through photos of houses online. With a thatched roof, rounded columns and a grooved concrete fence, the space is cozy and informal—a place that definitely exuded a laid-back beachside feel.

The living areas integrate into each other, with casual dining set-ups arranged around the open space, while oversized couches surround a solid wood coffee table. There’s a communal vibe that’s slightly deliberate. “We have a lot of friends and family that come in during the weekends, so we created a space that’s ready for that,” says the owner. “We didn’t want anything too formal. Some beach houses make you feel embarrassed to come in with your wet, sandy feet. We want a place where everyone would be comfortable moving around.”

Natural tones are complemented by richly colored fabrics

That said, the concrete floors, made for walking around barefoot, lead to the manicured grass where the infinity pool looks like its about to spill out into the beach below. The blues of the sea and sky complement the more natural tones of the house’s wooden furniture pieces and painted white walls. Pops of color come in with the throw pillows, hammock and matching bright orange lounge chairs that are around the pool.

As if keeping with the house’s casual vibe, the owner’s trio of dogs roams freely around the property, curiously coming up to us for attention. “They just showed up one day,” he laughs when I ask where he’d gotten the dogs, named Beer, Tequila and Scotch—perhaps giving proof of how fun weekends here can be. A bar sits by one of the dining tables and further cements this theory, as does the homemade lamp made from a bottle of Patron.

Off to the side of the house are the bedrooms, which are simple but spacious. “It’s so there’s space on the floor to bring in cushions for when we have a lot of people over.”

The house’s infinity pool seemingly spills out into the ocean, and is one of the best locations on the property to watch the sunset.

The beach house took just two months to construct about two years ago. “Weirdly enough, we built this house while I was still living in Malaysia,” shares the owner. “My sister manages a construction company, and I would just email them instructions and photos of what I wanted. Surprisingly, it was pretty easy.”

The bar is stocked with a wide array of liquors, and is proof of the residence’s festive spirit.

Of course, when typhoon Yolanda hit northern Cebu, the house saw considerable damage. A quick browse through his photo gallery showed the roof completely ripped off the structure. “I came back the weekend after Yolanda. It took me almost a whole day to get here because we had to clear the road as we went,” he recalled.

Repairs to the house took a backseat as the family helped residents around the area before they moved to reconstruct their own house. “It took a month or so to fix the roof and everything else that was broken,” he says.

When lit up with candles in the late afternoon, the walkway takes on a cozily intimate vibe;

Long benches flank the dining table to accommodate plenty of diners.

Now, the house is as inviting as ever. We spent the minutes leading up to sunset drinking beer by the pool. A few fishing boats float off the shore, with many locals walking through the beach. “I like the idea of having no fences and having people passing through,” the owner shares. “I like that it’s open. It makes the house feel more alive.”

Sunsets by the beach are priceless.

That, in a nutshell, describes the beach house. With its cheerful, casual corners, it surely feels lived in—as if remnants of the happy moments people have spent there still hang in the air and even add to its personality. It’s not hard to understand why the owners look forward to the two-hour drive up on the weekends—if we had a space like this, we’d be heading north more often too.

(This article had already been published in Zee Lifestyle’s April 2016 Travel Issue, “Beach, Please” on pages 98-101.)

by Chrissy Grey Resaba

Discovering unique travel destinations is getting more challenging every year. Modern-day travelers are seeking new experiences far from the hackneyed summer destinations we always see like the usual snapshots of beaches and bikinis that flood our social media feeds. However, living in Cebu as a local has always been a privilege as we have easy access to these newly-explored places. For our foreign friends though, the city offers countless adventures to experience, new hip activities to enjoy and places to bask or meditate. After all, travel should always be a therapeutic experience.

A few months closer and we can finally say, “It’s officially summer!”. Of course, as early as now, some are already tapping and scrolling their mobile phones for new and one-of-a-kind destinations and getaways. Sometimes, choosing where to go is quite a dilemma. To make it easier for you, here’s our list of the hottest travel destinations in Cebu this summer of 2020 that deserve to be explored by adventurers and thrill-seekers:

La Vue Cabine – Toledo City, Cebu

Experience luxury in nature. This cabin is atop the mountains of Toledo, overlooking the cerulean Tañon Strait. At the far horizon, in clear and sunny weather is the view of the majestic Mt. Kanlaon. One can truly feel paradise in this haven of relaxation and comfort. Aside from the scenic landscape, the fresh air will surely rejuvenate your senses!

Rancho Cancio – Brgy. Adlaon, Cebu City

For a while now, this place is making rounds on social media. This rest house is located at Brgy. Adlaon in Cebu City, a few kilometers away from Brgy. Busay. Be ready to get mesmerized with what’s in store for you at this picturesque destination.

Treehouse De Valentine – Balamban, Cebu

Treehouse De Valentine is best described as nature and rustic luxury in one self-contained space. Unconventional for the right reasons, this dream house is the perfect nest away from the hustle and bustle of the city. What could be an excuse not to list this perfect nook as your next stop for this year’s summer adventure?

Formosa Camp Resort – Bagasawe, Tuburan, Cebu

Glamping has been the name of the game this season. A term that resulted from combining the words“glamorous” and “camping”, glamping  includes outdoor overnight stays in glamorized tents with hotel-like amenities. The experience will surely be a different kind of bliss.