cruise

When the dusk is coming its way over the brimming light of the sun, the blue sky starts to metamorphose into a reddish-orange and apricot hues mixed with the slightly dim atmosphere until the darkness finally devour the remaining sunbeams and surrender everything under the moon’s ward, leaving the sky with the gleaming stars where the only space between them is darkness.

Manila Bay Sunset

There’s no wonder that a perfect sunset rests at Manila Bay. Right after the sun bids farewell, the popping stars from above would feed your eyes and imagination.

This scenario is the best time to take a pause, keep still, and relish the sight before you. And every time I watch twilight with overwhelming fascination, I always believe that there’s magic in Manila.

Having toured the Corregidor Island and Manila Bay through a Cruise within the same day was an opportunity which might happen only once in my life as a traveler. Before the dusk, we were already sailing the damaged sea of Manila Bay. The one-hour cruise has toured me to the life behind its coast which are both growing and alarming–growing because rapid urban life and business establishments are sprouting near its boundary; alarming because the sea’s condition, as time runs by, is constantly getting worse.

Growing urban life

When I was in college, my friends and I used to meander at Roxas Boulevard. It had once served as one of our refuges whenever we need a break from our (literally) noisy surroundings. We boycotted our classes twice to visit Manila Bay, watch the sunset and profess our singing prowess (if there is) at the video-oke booths and food establishments situated along the long pavements of Manila Bay. In 2005, the whole stretch of the bay was very lively especially at night. If you know of Pier One in Mall of Asia (MOA) that’s how it was like 6 years ago. There was also a time when we had picnic in the area before going to Star City but ended peeking and spying at random lovers around. Seeing them smooching and making body languages that should only be done behind the walls of their rooms was like a film to us. We enjoyed it so much to the point that we weren’t able to push through with our original plan because the free live movie screening was very tempting. It’s a must-try not only in Luneta but also in Roxas before. Should repeat this: before. Hahaha! (I think it’s part of growing up in a city where temptations are prevalent. If there are kids reading this, don’t do the same. Situation could have been different now. Hmm… Lemme check one of these days. Friends, let’s volt in. Kidding.)

Back then, my trips with friends were born out peer pressure, curiosity, and of young friendship trying to discover the interest of each in the group. It started as innocent—us being young, teenagers, and unripe— with view of a carefree world ahead of us until it evolved to treasured ones which once brought up during our meet ups today would make us overjoyed. For several times, Manila Bay has cuddled our souls when we were looking for fun, adventure, and a place to share our frivolities. It is where we learned to share our dreams and experiences, and eventually developed trust to everyone in our group. It also became an avenue for us to boast our achievements amongst us when we were in our younger years and confess our sarcasm to our classmates. If the ocean can speak, I’m sure it will tell a lot of our blissful memories.

Before twilight

Before, when I hear about Manila Bay, I always manage a secret grin and words such as fun, video-oke, food trip, sunset, nonsense talks and friendship would instantly cross my mind.

Just recently, when I joined my co-travelers on a cruise around this ocean facing the South China Sea, Manila Bay revealed a new story.

Manila Bay Cruise is not new to me since I’ve heard of this so many times from the word of mouth and read about it online. However, it made a lot of difference upon sailing its calm sea with my fellow travelers (Pinoy Travel Bloggers) who share the same passion and interest—traveling.

My fellow travelers (Pinoy Travel Bloggers)

Good food while sailing

Following our fun-filled and exhausting adventure in Corregidor Island, I found myself sitting in a cruise, listening to a live band, consuming a delicious meal, and enjoying the company of my new found friends. Life has been so generous to me when it granted me time to mingle with them; share my hilarious memories the last time I was on the road; update them with my upcoming trips; inform them of the places I want to chase; make them aware of my frustrations when I travel and in return, be inspired by their stories.

An hour of cruising has kept us relaxed and gratified of the opportunity given to us that day; much more of the chance to travel which we look forward each day of our lives. As nomads, we undyingly seek for one thing: explore, and keep on exploring as long as the time and our pocket permit.

Some shared their flashbacks of Manila Bay and in Manila Bay making them passionate of every word they uttered. I saw a sign of grief on their faces which for me is normal for those who witnessed the majesty of the ocean before it transformed into what it is today. It manifests through the unpleasant yet tolerable breeze originating from the ocean. But no matter how tolerable it is, it still boils down into one: the water is becoming extinct while the urban life in the city we admire soars.

Bitter reality indeed.

We all have our own fair share of experiences in every piece of land in our country that gives us a wider perspective of life. This latest visit in the old thoroughfares of Roxas Boulevard and my Manila Bay Cruise experience reminded me to savor the first friendship I nurtured here when I was a student and opened the gate for a new friendship among my fellow travelers while I balance my professional and personal life. But it could have been more worthy if the ocean is clean.

Up to now, my faith is still strong that if every Filipino acquires the heart of a traveler or discovers the grace of traveling, come hell or high water, it will be hard for global warming to conquer this land and there will be no damaged seas anymore like that of Manila Bay.

(Special thanks Sir Ivan Henares, Bambi Aquino, and Sun Cruises for sponsoring our trip.)