Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m generally pretty easygoing. Generous, patient, good at keeping my cool – that’s what people say. And I try my best to live up to that reputation.
But there’s one thing I absolutely can’t stand: getting ripped off. I hate the idea of someone taking advantage of others, and I don’t like feeling like a fool.
Unfortunately, scams and shady dealings are sometimes part of the travel experience, especially in popular tourist spots like Sumilon Island.
So, how did I end up losing 200 pesos and my temper on the way to this picture-perfect island?
Let me tell you the story…
We were on our way to Sumilon, and one of the boat crew told me to pay 200 pesos upfront for our entrance fees. I didn’t think twice about it. I was in a good mood, and the guy looked harmless enough – older, with a hunched back and a receding hairline. Okay, his eyes were a bit shifty, but I tend to let my guard down when I’m traveling in the provinces.
I often think that people in rural areas are more honest. Turns out, that’s not always the case in Oslob.
Hear me out and avoid becoming the next victim.
Sailing to Sumilon Island
Back in 2014, there weren’t any organized boat transfers to Sumilon, and boat owners could charge whatever they wanted.
So I was thrilled to see that the local government had stepped in and set a fixed rate of 450 pesos per person. This included the roundtrip boat ride and the 100 peso entrance fee for the island. Not bad, considering the resort charges a whopping 2,000 to 2,500 pesos for a day tour!
I was feeling pretty smug about snagging such a good deal…
Until we docked.
Clueless that we had to pay the entrance fee at Sumilon Island (not in the mainland), Jaira and I just moved along, not paying attention to the crew members in LGU-issued blue uniforms. But one of them started chasing us for something. Guess what? Entrance fee.
I turned to him and without hiding my annoyance, I said, “We paid at the mainland.”
Concealing his grin, the staff asked for an official receipt.
I was dumbfounded. I didn’t bother asking for a receipt. When I paid for the boat trip, I didn’t ask for a receipt. But they still let me get on the boat. I didn’t understand why I needed a receipt to enter Sumilon Island. Was staying on the boat an option? I was about to spew this sarcastic reply yet I suddenly remembered I was with a vacationer. I couldn’t ruin her awesome South Cebu adventure for P200.
Reading my mood, the official advised me to retrieve my P200 from the man who collected it in Oslob. He said I should not tolerate his misdemeanor. In short, he still collected the fees from me.
A few minutes later, Jaira and I decided to search the island for uncrowded spots. Within minutes, we found an area without many swimmers. But the sky was as gloomy as my mood. The sun was shrouded by clouds. I didn’t swim.
Jaira told me that the seawater smelled weird. I thought it was just my awful mood clouding my judgment. So it’s true, Sumilon Island’s beauty is fading..
It’s not just in my head.
