A Bunch of Random People and a Beautiful Island

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Growing up, I remember my family always take me to the beach- and that’s how I fell in love with the sea. I consider myself as a beach person. It runs in the blood; I think. Throughout my childhood and into adulthood, family gatherings typically involved either a bountiful table of food or a trip to the beach where my uncles would sip cold beers as they dipped in the sea.

So when my mom and dad got an invitation to go to Camotes Islands, they asked if I want to come. And with nothing to do with my life at the moment, it’s a natural yes for me. I don’t exactly know where on the island we’ll go, or where do we stay and why do we have to go.

So I packed my stuff and find myself having just slept for 4 hours as we are to pick up a bunch of random people along the way before heading to Camotes Islands at the very early morning. The only people I know in the pack were Mr. and Mrs. Lim Lee Soon. The couple were a long-time friends of our family. I can pretty remember them well even when I was just a small boy.

The Lim Lee Soon husband-and-wife connect us to the random people that’ll be with us on this trip. One was Mrs. Judy Tucker.

The first time I see Mrs. Tucker was at Mr. Jimmy Impas’ home – whom I found out that he’s Mrs. Tucker’s brother – where they’ll be staying for the meantime while they’re here in the Philippines.

Mrs. Tucker was wearing a tiger skin bucket hat that matches her leggings, and so her cute sling bag. Her eyebrows are tattooed and her bag’s sling has a big “MICHAEL KORS” in a repeated style. I can see a Filipino mom with a fashion statement that screams for the West.

Before we head to the pier to Camotes, we enjoy a morning coffee and the Philippine’s famous pan de sal. One woman approached my mom and dad, exchanged good mornings and took the back of their hands and put it lightly on her forehead- a Filipino gesture of respect to elders, which is called “mano”.

When the turn went to me, she asked with a bright smile on her face, “How old are you?” and then I answered, “Twenty-eight”. She return my hand and offer hers instead for me to do my “mano”, and then everybody in the house of Impas family laughed. I realized she was older than me then. Her name’s Michelle.

At that breakfast, I also get to know Kristen, who, as I have understood, was the daughter of Michelle’s friend back in the US. If I hadn’t known Kristen, I would have thought that she’s Asian. My top guesses were Japanese, Chinese or Korean. Later on, I found out that she had a Korean descent from her mom’s.

So at this point, connecting the dots, Mrs. Tucker, is having a vacation here in the Philippines with her daughter, Michelle, (as I’ve heard her calling Mrs. Tucker “mama”) and tagging along with Kristen.

So the only question that comes to my mind was, why go to Camotes Islands?

After that breakfast, we head up north of Cebu to Liloan port to take a 2-hour ferry ride to Camotes and drive about one hour and a half to Santiago – our final destination. The moment I stepped onto the island, it was nothing but simple and province. We drove past of only trees, Filipino houses and crops. There’s only green and road, with the angry heat of the sun complimented by a cool wind as we travelled.

On the journey, Michelle already knew that I had a sister who’s living in California. The guess was that my mom or dad had shared that with her prior to our meeting. I also learn from that journey that they are Texans. That led me to tell them that my sister has an interest in moving to Texas, as the house prices are lower. The American Dream is much nearer to reach in that state, apparently.

As soon as we hopped off, I was in awe of the place that we’re staying. The place was on the rocky cliff and you can see the white sand beach of Santiago on the left, and on the right was the blue-green waters of Santiago Bay. The only thing that’s in between that cliff and the beach was a concrete staircase for easy access. Far out, behind the beach, was nothing but trees that paints a lush green in the scene. Although the tropical humid was present, the sea breeze cooled us down that would help you fall asleep given if there was a hammock standing by. As I saw this beautiful place, I said nothing but “wow”.

Among beaches around Camotes Islands, Santiago Beach was the most famous. Asked anyone who’ve been to Camotes and they’ll point you to this beach. This is where you’ll find most of the hotels and resorts are located. This added the prime location of the place we’re staying. Just before the tree line, there were restos and bars in huts where you can dine and enjoy some drinks. Further out lies the local community located right at the beach.

As I stand at the cliff, I can’t help but wonder who owns the place. With me, who just knew the night before that we’re going to the beach, with bags packed and with no idea where to go and who’s with us, I had to ask my dad later on what we’re up to.

My dad said that this is Mrs. Tucker’s vacation home and that we’re warming this place up, as it’s new. That completes the puzzle of what’s going on in this quick holiday that I took a chance on.

They, Mrs. Tucker and Michelle, had invited our family and a bunch of random people, well at least to me, to their wonderful place on this beautiful island of Camotes. They open their newly built vacation home to liven up the place. The location and the way they built it was nothing but impressive.

And there it was, a sign that says “Tucker’s Hidden Gem”, a fancy name for their place. And the highlight of it all, a Catholic priest blesses the place- it’s a Filipino religious tradition to make the place safe and full of good blessings. My mom helped decorate the place for the event. Food was served and drinks were drank. Of course, we don’t miss the lechon.

We feel privileged that they open and share Tucker’s Hidden Gem with us. We enjoy the food and the beach. We dive and swim. We relax and cozy up ourselves. We went around Camotes and went to an island called Tulang Diot. We also went by to a lake called Lake Danao. All of it was a fun experience!

I appreciate their warm hospitality and opening Tucker’s Hidden (well, not so hidden anymore) Gem for us. Every morning, when you get to see the view of the blue sea and the silent beach, sipping a brewed Dunkin’ coffee on top of the cliff, was a prime experience- and nothing could beat that.

If not with the Tuckers, I wouldn’t have an interesting reason to go to this humble island of Camotes. I was excited to know that they tagged me along to go to this wonderful island, as this is my first time. And I can’t thank enough the Tuckers for this opportunity and experience. We’re not related by blood, but we’re treated as a family, and for that we’re honored.

I’ll always remember Tucker’s Hidden Gem, and the people that are not random anymore and the wonderful island of Camotes.