SAMAL ISLAND: EL PARIL CALICLIC BEACH RESORT

A DAY TOUR OF SAMAL ISLAND

By Henry Libo-on

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A T'boli woman vending bracelets made of local materials available in their T'boli villages.

Kadayawan Festival Dancers

The photo shows a coastal area of Samal Island that faces Davao City.

Samal island is known for its world-class beach resorts in this part of Davao Region.  But most locals specifically those residing in the City of Davao prefer this accessible Caliclic El Paril Beach Resort thus making it popular among adventure seekers, young people as well as families to spend their week-end or just to escape the busy life in Davao City.

Caliclic Beach Resort is located at Barangay (village) Caliclic, a few minute-motorbike from Babak Wharf, on the side of Samal that is facing the City of Davao. 

The white sand at Caliclic El Paril Beach Resort, Samal Island.

From Davao City, take a barge from Sasa Wharf.  Upon arrival at Samal Island's Babak Wharf, turn right and follow that road that will lead you to Barangay Caliclic.  When you reach Barangay Kinawitan, look for the signboard of Isla Beach.  Just next to it is Caliclic El Paril Beach Resort which is already part of Barangay Caliclic.

Davaoenos prefer this beach because it is near Davao City.  It is here where they can spend the week-end enjoying the beach.  For those who wish to stay overnight, they can stay in the cottages or pitch a tent.

Johnny Libo-on II guided me around Davao City. Jehan, a member of the Davao Blackhawk Motorbike Association, together with Primo Johnny took me on a road trip of Samal Island.  After a brief road trip of Samal Island, my travel buddies took me to Caliclic Beach Resort to rest for a while. 

At Caliclic Beach Resort, I realized that Samal Island is indeed very close or near Davao City.  At where I sat, together with this local artist who did my henna tattoo, I can see the skyline of Davao City.  Perhaps it will just take 10-minute boat ride to reach the other side - Davao City.

At a convenience store in Caliclic Resort, I bought a cold, cold Sprite.  It was so refreshing.  Johnny and Jehann bought themselves bottles of beer. 

While relaxing,  a woman approached me and asked if I want a tattoo.  It turned out that she had been in this job when she was at Siargao Island.  I said yes and she did my henna tattoo.  Michelle was an expert on this job as proven by her finished product, so to speak.  It was nice that I met and interacted with this local artist who told me stories about Davao.

I also asked one guy who resides in Davao City, why they prefer to be here in Caliclic Beach Resort than in any other places in Davao City.  He was quick to reply that in Davao there is an ordinance banning Karaoke at night.  Curfew is strictly enforced and so is the smoking ban.  So, in order to enjoy Karaoke to the max, smoking, and drinking, they chose to be here on Samal Island's Caliclic Beach Resort.  Near our cottage, a couple was singing their hearts out at the Karaoke machine.  I learned that Davaoenos are, indeed, talented singers.  Some champions of Tawag Ng Tanghalan came from Davao.

My visit to Samal Island lasted for only 5 hours.  So short for a big island to explore and check on their postcard-perfect beaches and islets.

Nevertheless, I still find it a challenge to do another visit in the future.

How to get there?

From Davao City, go to Sasa Wharf and ride the Barge.  Upon arrival at Babak Wharf on Samal Island, ride the motorcycle or hire a "habal-habal" that will take you to Barangay Caliclic.  After passing by the beach resort which is called Isla Beach, your destination - Caliclic Beach Resort comes next.  That is already part of Barangay Caliclic.

If you do not have a motorcycle or a car, you hire a "habal-habal" or a van.  You and the driver should agree on the price before you start your trip to Caliclic Beach or any other destinations around Samal Island.

We left Samal Island at around 6pm.  At the Babak Wharf, we ride the Barge that will take us to Davao City's Sasa Wharf.  It was nighttime when we reached the city.  This is the second time that I traveled the main thoroughfares of Davao City at night.  The first was in 1994 when I attended a national event at the Davao Insular Hotel.  Davao City has really improved a lot.  I can sense the discipline of motorists and even the pedestrians.

When I arrived at the hotel in Davao City, I felt so sticky and hot.  My aircon room was, indeed, a relaxing place to be.  After resting for an hour, I took a shower, dressed up and went out to look for a place to have dinner.  At first, I want to savor the popular "pangahan" at a restaurant that specializes in Tuna cooking - grill, sinigang, tola, and kilaw, among others.  But, thinking that it is a bit far from where I stay, I decided to go to Mang Inasal which is just a "whisper" away from Residence Inn.

My first experience of Davao City's Kadayawan Festival 2017.  Hereunder, I share the pictures I took during the week-end celebration of Kadayawan.

A souvenir picture with one of the Kadayawan Festival 2017 dancers.

  

A souvenir picture with a vendor dressed in T'Boli attire.

Singkil is a native dance of the Royal Houses of Marawi.  Based on my memory, the best Singkil dance I saw was the one performed by the Darangan Dance Troupe of Mindanao State University, many decades ago. Singkil is also associated with the Maranaos, the lake people of Lanao.  Davao City is known as the home of people coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds. To my mind, Davao City is the melting pot of these ethnic groups.  

As a solo backpacker/traveler, I found it rewarding to visit some places that I've never been before.   "Basta may etang lang".  Touristang Pobre indeed....haha...

Meeting local residents and immersing myself into their culture, way of life and traditions, made me realize that even if people are diverse, they are connected by commonalities in their way of living and expressing their humanity.  They are courteous to tourists, hospitable, friendly, helpful, respectful, and tolerant of other people's uniqueness.

My trip to Davao also coincided with their celebration of the Kadayawan Festival 2017.  It gave me a glimpse of the diversity of Davao and yet I can sense the unity of the people.

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Arriba Samal!

Somewhere around Ateneo de Davao. 

Somewhere in Apo Hotel, Davao City.

I failed to visit PRRD in his office/home but I met him in Davao City Hall in the mid '90s just a few weeks after the Davao Cathedral bombing. It was a courtesy call with my fellow members of the Board of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Bacolod Council with then retired Judge Vicente Delfin and other officers of the BSP Bacolod. 

Lunchtime with my travel buddies in Davao City, Primo Johnny L., his wife and son, and our friend from Davao Blackhawk Motorbike Association, Jehan. 

Apo View Hotel is Davao's finest. 

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All photos by Henry C. Libo-on of Touristang Pobre. 

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