“There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family”
It was a bright Saturday and I got an invitation from a friend who is celebrating her birthday. Normally, I politely decline such outings, as I am used in keeping myself out from any social gatherings. But that day felt different. The weight of boredom pressed on me, and since it was also a short break before the start of our internship, I decided to set my hesitation aside and attend. The celebrant, Mariel, is also dear to me. And perhaps that is one of the reasons I chose to come along. Little did I know that this simple decision would lead me to an unforgettable experience.
I took a bus from Tabogon and dropped off at Bogo City. There, I waited for my classmates so we could ride a tricycle together to the venue. The short ride was filled with laughter and light conversations, and we could all feel the excitement building for what the day would bring.
When we finally arrived, I felt like a tourist seeing paradise for the first time. Before us stretched a beach of pure white sand—so bright under the sun that it was almost blinding. I had read and heard a lot about this place online, but I never thought it would leave me in such awe when I finally saw it in person.
Aside from its spotless sand and crystal-clear water, another thing that impressed me was the sight of the lovely doves. They flew freely across the beach, so graceful and unbothered, as if they were just as comfortable there as the people enjoying the place.
When everyone had already arrived, we gathered to sing the Happy Birthday song as soon as the celebrant walked in. Her family was also present to celebrate her special day, and they were very accommodating. They prepared delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a variety of desserts, that we couldn't thank enough for their generosity and kindness.
After that hearty meal, we spent time chatting and strolling around. I didn’t take many pictures because I was so caught up in the moment that I nearly forgot about my phone. Later, we settled under a tree where one of my friends brought out a light drink and suggested a game: the loser had to take a sip. I can’t recall the name of the game, but here’s how it goes. Everyone counts off from one to eleven, and the eleventh person picks a number and assigns an action to it. From then on, instead of saying that number, you have to perform the action. Anyone who slips up has to drink.
When the game ended, we went for a swim. While in the water, we talked about random things such as school, life, the future, and even our most embarrassing experiences. Most of them were tipsy from the drinks earlier, except me. Aside from being competitive, I’m also not a drinker and didn’t want to come home muddled; I wanted to remember that day clearly. I think I even took advantage of the moment by asking some silly questions I knew they wouldn’t answer if they were sober.
An hour passed, the tide slowly receded, and I floated with my hands buried in the sand. While they kept chatting, I felt something cold and metallic beneath me. When I pulled it out, everyone laughed in surprise—it was a 20-peso coin. I couldn’t help but giggle because it felt so unusual and I thought of it as a little stroke of luck. Since then, I’ve kept it as my lucky coin.
Eventually, the cold made us shiver, so we decided to step out of the water and head back to the cottage. There, our endless laughter continued as we shared stories and jokes. We ate once more—this time including desserts—until we were completely full.
When the sun came dowm and we ultimately run out of topics, we went to the our friend's family and expressed our gratitude and joy for their invitation. They smiled and told us that it's just a small thing, when clearly it isn't. If only they knew how happy I am that I got out of my bed and spend the weekend with them.
As the day came to a close, I realized that sometimes the best experiences are not built from grand plans but from simple moments shared with people who feel like home. Truly, friends like these are no less than family. With them, the beach was not only wonderful but also made my first time there truly memorable.
