Why Agojo’s mangrove haven will leave you in awe

On the furthest end of Romblon lies Agojo, a small coastal town about an hour’s drive away from the airport. Initially, our destination was a private resort that had yet to open to the public. Looking out the window, it was mostly vast fields and carabaos grazing on the grass as birds flew by. Certainly a calming sight, almost enough to make you want to stop the car and stay awhile, but we were on a tight schedule and had to keep going. Yet, somewhere along the drive, our vehicle took a wrong turn and ended up reaching the furthest end of the island. Though we were lost, one short look outside had us in a momentary state of bliss.

Carabaos grazing and birds flying by along the path to Agojo

At the tail end of the narrow road, one that our van could barely pass by, was a small barangay community. It was quite peaceful, with the only sign of life being a group of locals hanging by a shed, drinks in hand. They waved, curious about how we landed there, and it was then that our driver realized we had taken the wrong turn 30 minutes prior. We waited for the other vans of our convoy to reach our point and had a brief encounter with the seemingly unbothered waters of the coastal area.

It had this bright, blue-green color that let you know the area was practically untouched. Even with the bangkas anchored by the shore, you wouldn’t have thought any human hands had ever touched the area. If you went out of the vehicle to take a step in the water, it’d be crystal clear. And to think, this wasn’t even our final stop yet.

This unnamed resort, soon to open to the public, has a pathway where the water rises when the tide is high

Now, after setting course for the correct path, we eventually made it to a muddy path that had us going on a mini hike. Difficult, yes, but whatever strength we lost on the way to our destination was fully regained after arriving at the private resort where we had our lunch. When we went, it was still closed to the public, with a good chunk of the area still undergoing observation and construction. But from the preview we were given, it’s exciting to see the potential the area had to offer.

This nameless resort had a unique design. When the seawater levels rise during high tide, the pathway to the sheds fills up with water. Some parts reach up to the waist, but by the shed areas, it’s only up to the leg, letting you enjoy it like a little spa treatment. As you walk, you’ll notice tiny fish just swimming about, unbothered by us giants roaming about. Mangrove trees are aplenty, offering ample shade throughout.

A portion of the area opens up to the sea, allowing visitors to go kayaking or snorkeling right away. While it’s still closed to the public, it’s exciting to see just how far the place will go once it decides to open up. And as we had our lunch, munching on freshly grilled liempo and seafood, we were left thinking how Romblon is a wonderful place to get lost in. — Poch Eulalia