I can’t believe I thought about cheating this place. By definition of “cheating a place” is to roll in, run around, say I’ve been here and roll out through the great yonder. I must admit that there are instances I did that but stepping on the powdery white sand beach of Gumasa with my bare feet prevented me from putting on any shoes and sandals for a while. Gumasa is a place to stop, unwind and enjoy. And that’s just what we gladly did.
Coming from a 2 hour drive from Lake Sebu to General Santos, we took a late lunch at KCC Mall and went to the terminal heading to Glan, Sarangani. We asked around and found the van terminals. The regular fare per person going to Glan is P70 but the group decided to take the whole van for convenience. The driver even agreed to take us straight to Gumasa. We took his number and as he offered to take us back to General Santos when we’re ready. It’s always nice to befriend your drivers.
Sarangani is the southernmost province of the SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos) region. Sarangani Bay slices the province in two sections, left and right of the bay. It has 7 municipalities one of which is Glan. Each municipality boasting several attractions like the white beaches in Glan, Maasim’s beautiful mangrove beach, Kiamba’s Snorkeling and Dive Sites, Maitum’s River Tubbing and Museum and the indigenous B’laan at Malapatan.
It took only at least an hour to reach Gumasa. As to the suggestions of friends and bloggers like Allan Lantaw and Avel of Gensantos.com, we went to the beach stretch where resorts Rosal Resort and Coco Beach can be found. They said they have the best stretch of white powdery sand and very good swimming spot in Gumasa. They were right spot on. We immediately fell in love with the beach that the thought of going to other places in Sarangani was put on hold.
Coco Beach took us in after finding the nearby Rosal Resort fully booked. While the resort is still under development some of the rooms are ready to use. We got the Big Green Room for 3500 a night, an airconditioned room that has 6 beds but can fit about 8 persons inside. The owners and staff there were friendly and accommodating. They helped us find a meal for the first night, drove us with their pickup for a detour around Glan and they cook a mean adobo for breakfast.
Our time spent in Gumasa was more about fun and relaxation, from morning bare foot walks from end to end of the powder sand beach, taking photos, afternoon volleyball, swimming, sleeping and observing the local community pass by like kids heading off to school or a father, his dog and family sail to the sea. It’s a slow paced life here and we joined the flow.
Now this is how vacations should be, relaxed, fun and in great company. Gumasa slowed down our gears and gave us a good time.
Coco Beach Resort
(083)8930324
0919-5330408
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
