The Return of the Montemar Tradition

It has been our family's tradition to travel further north and spend Holy Week in Montemar, a beach resort in Bagac, Bataan. This yearly beach trip started way back in 2005. Since then, we have gone back every year even when not all members of the family could come along. For instance, I wasn't able to join as much as I wanted to when I started working in 2008. I was then required to report to work even on holidays.

The Montemar tradition took a back seat when my parents and I went on an Egypt-Israel-Jordan pilgrimage tour in 2011, and when we opted for an overnight stay in Tagaytay last year. A two-year break from Montemar might have been too long for the family, thus the comeback this year.

Noticeably New: The tri-color cloth roofing at the alfresco dining area

It's been three years since the last time I've been in Montemar. Except for a few details like the accent resembling a parachute at the outdoor dining area and the new members-only pool, nothing much has changed. It's still the peaceful beach getaway we have loved through the years.

Beach vegetation. Still thriving.

 

  

Read on for more photos.

Montemar has unintentionally become the venue where new additions to the family get their first taste of sand and sea. The last time the family was here in 2009, it was Julia's introduction to the beach. It's Sarah's first this time.

 

With the beach newbie, Sarah

 

Julia enjoys playing with sand but refuses to swim in sea water.

The day before Easter Sunday—the kids' most awaited day of egg hunting—there were activities lined up for the young ones. They decorated hard-boiled eggs using crayons (the melted crayon technique was optional) and colored pencils. After which they had the traditional Filipino party favorites, pabitin and pukpok palayok (hit the pot), and played relay games.

My nephews and nieces: Antonio, Julia, Emily, and Angelo

 

A party game that marked every Filipino's childhood—Pabitin

 

The Pinoy Piñata: Pukpok Palayok

Antonio busy decorating an egg.

 

Ta-da! Easter egg masterpieces!

Sunday, our last day, was rather quick. We went for our last swim in the morning and right before we checked out, the kids went Easter egg hunting. The kids were allowed to get up to three eggs only, which we thought was fair. It leveled the playing field especially for younger participants like Julia. She was able to find Easter eggs on her own in the midst of more experienced egg hunters.

I must commend the organizers for planning out Easter egg hunt well. It was quite an improvement from the last egg hunt in Montemar we witnessed three years ago.

 

Inside the eggs are numbers which correspond to prizes and goodies.

That's the Holy Week for us! I'm just happy I was able to spend time with family and I had an opportunity to be at the beach again.

Click on the slideshow to view the complete set of photos.