First-time in Triple G beach resort, Laiya

When the temperature rise in Manila people head off to the beach, whether it’s far-flung Boracay or a few-hour drive to Subic or Batangas, specifically in a beach in Laiya, Batangas (and in this case, it’s the Triple G Beach Resort.) The beauty of being in a tropical country, we have the sun all year round, with weather ranging from slightly cool to warm to warmer to warmest. And the good thing about being in an archipelago with 7,107 islands is that we have plenty of beaches to choose from, especially during the summer season.

You can go to far flung islands, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao, such as Camotes Islands (READ: Masamayor’s Beach House and Resort), or the southernmost part of Negros Occidental in Sipalay (READ: First-time in Robinson@Cruse Resort Sipalay), or the quiet Siquijor Island (READ: First-time in Siquijor Island), or the delightful Camiguin Island (READ: First-time in Camiguin). You can also hit the road and relax somewhere within Luzon like Caramoan in Camarines Sur (READ: First-time in Caramoan, Camarines Sur),  go snorkeling in Anilao in Batangas (READ: Slow & Easy in Anilao), drive to Zambales to get to Anawangin (READ: First-time in Anawangin), or stay in the Casitas somewhere off Subic (READ: First-time in Kamana Sanctuary).

So, as the Philippine calendar called for a long weekend, we took advantage of bringing our friend, who was vacationing from the United States, to Tagaytay, where the breeze was a lot cooler than in the capital, and to Laiya beach, where we could dip into the cool sea water.

Unfortunately, Tagaytay’s hilly terrain wasn’t enough to ward off the city’s heat. Climate change is upon us and the sun’s rays have become unbearable by the minute. On Sunday, we drove off to San Juan, Batangas, where many beach resorts abound.

We stayed in Triple G Beach Resort, a cheap place that only offered a place to sleep in the whole stretch of the Laiya Beach. Of course, there were several resorts around but we figured, we could still enjoy the sea and the sun even if we stay in a lower end resort. Triple G has trailers converted into rooms. There were also cottages where groups coming in for the day could put in their things and share a meal. Cooking equipment and facilities were also provided for those who preferred to cook and have a picnic.

There were five of us and we opted to get a bungalow-type room with two queen-size beds and one single bed. Our room was air-conditioned, with clean private toilet and bathroom, refrigerator, and some utensils which we could use should we decide to bring our own food.

It was a short walk to the shore and it was surrounded by big resorts like Kabayan and White Cove which have restaurants and other facilities.

After three hours on the road under the scorching sun, we were delighted to cool off by the sea. There were plenty of excursionists scattered by the beach and enjoying the cool water. The water was just right, not too cold nor too warm. There were no huge waves and no strong current. In short, it was perfect for a swim. People of all ages were all dipped in the water, while others tried other some water sports like kayaking, banana boat ride, and jet skiing. We stayed in the water until the sun has set. At dusk, a sandbar emerged near the shore where children and adults played and posed.

While we were at the beach, my friends and I spent some of our time gathering plastic wastes floating at the sea so we could contribute in keeping the beach clean. (And who would want to swim beside a junk food wrapper?) With climate change at hand, we should be conscious of our surroundings, not just enjoy it but also maintain its cleanliness.

Here are some ways we can help lessen pollution at the beach:

1. Use natural or biodegradable materials. Have you tried eating or drinking in a coconut husk? How about using leaves as plate? It’s an interesting way to eat and a novel thing you’d want to try out.

2. Clean as you go. When you bring in food, water bottles, and the like, make sure to dump your wastes in a garbage bin. Or, if there is none, take your garbage with you and dispose of it properly.

3. Pick up garbage. If ever you step on a plastic wrapper, even if it’s not yours, pick it up and throw it in the garbage disposal area. It may not be your garbage, but the sea and the world belong to us. Let’s keep our beaches clean.

4. Patronize eco-friendly establishments. Hotels and restaurants that are ecologically conscious may not be that many, but they’re a growing industry. A little bit of research wouldn’t hurt. If there’s none in the area, try no. 5.

5. Minimize use of electricity and fresh water. Be aware of the electricity and fresh water you consume. Unplug electrical appliances when not in use.

6. Do a volunteer vacation. Why not have fun on your vacation and do good works as well? As I am working in a non-profit organization that provide such opportunity, I found out that there are many organizations all over the world that welcome tourists who like to spend a day or more helping out in the local community.

All in all, our weekend at the beach was relaxing, fun, enjoyable, and, most of all, fulfilling.

TRIPLE G. – Beach Resort Laiya
San Juan, Batangas, Philippines 4226
Phone: +639159001570; +639214667134;
Email: [email protected]