We Went Back to an Abandoned Golf Field and Found the Kind of Peace Cities Cannot Give

Just last week, we decided to visit this old-time golf field in our town in San Remigio, which was my go-to spot in my high school years. This landscape doesn't require an expensive trip to get there or structured planning, because this is just a simple getaway place for people who want to have peace in their fast-paced life as adolescents and adults. Although it is primarily established as a golf field in Maño, San Remigio, over the years it has been revisited as an abandoned natural landscape with no tourism involved. But although it is not emphasized as a tourist spot, prenup shoots and birthday shoots happen here from time to time because this is a very perfect place for photography, as the sunset and sea horizon from the coast of Maño can be seen here, as well as the perfect natural lighting essential in photography. Even after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake, this land became the local people's safe space, and many installed tents here for months because of shelter insecurity and danger.

For the record, this landscape is called Casa Del Mar. I already featured this one in my blog once, but it was another different story. Last week, I visited it again, in another version of me with another person I can say is so important in my life. I'm so busy this week that last week I planned for three days from Friday to Sunday what my errands would be, just to cherish the not-so-busy days before wrecking myself this week. It was a rainy afternoon when we found ourselves looking for a tricycle that would lead us to this beautiful and hidden landscape, with little to no visitors seen.

I took these photos during our trip using the Kodak 1970 camera keychain bought by my boyfriend. It is not so clear because Kodak really has this retro quality which we like the most. We were riding a bao-bao, a tricycle but another type, and were enjoying the music from the driver's radio. At first, he was hesitant to drive us to Casa Del Mar because it is too remote and it was still raining. So we decided to pay double, and the driver then agreed without hesitation on our second request.

We installed our tent when we got inside the Casa. There were no visitors during our visit nor authorities roaming. There were only us and the silence of nature in Casa Del Mar. By the time we arrived, the rain was not too heavy, so we kept our umbrellas and tried to reach the top while avoiding the muddy puddles. My boyfriend was wearing shoes that time, so it was kind of hard for us to walk. Of course, I wouldn't leave him.

As soon as we reached the top and found a good spot with soft grass spread on the ground, we cleaned the area of rough debris and installed our tent. It was drizzling at that time, so we had to move fast before we got caught up by the rain. Our tent was waterproof, so even if it was raining hard, we were still safe. But to be safer from the upcoming wind, we gathered big stones and barks where we could tie our tent so it would not easily get carried away by the wind. It took us many minutes to set up the tent since we couldn't find perfect barks and stones to make our tent firmer.

We were actually approached by a stranger who passed by our spot. And I figured out it was a 19-year-old male who behaviorally manifested mentally challenged attributes. So we gave him a piece of donut and asked questions, in case we would stumble upon posts in our community about a lost adolescent. We were worried he might have escaped his home and reached this hidden landscape. Eventually, he left us and then headed towards the east. I'm not sure who he is and where he went, but I wish he was safe.

We spent our hours inside the tent since it rained heavily for at least half an hour. We watched a movie while it was raining, and I could feel the softness of the grass while lying on the floor. It was a perfect moment with my boyfriend, with the newly released Zootopia, the sound of the rain, and the weather so cold it made us sleepy and comfortable. We spent hours talking after the movie, and when it was 5 in the afternoon, we left the Casa to go to a beach in the central barangay of San Remigio and have a swim before going home to each other’s house.

We took a long walk down the hill and experienced the natural sensation of Casa Del Mar. The field is so big and all I could see was the greenery of the landscape with many kinds of trees. Some local folks who live inside this area passed by us, and I could hear their motorcycle engines passing by. The clouds were perfect and it is so simple here. This is us enjoying the peace and relaxing atmosphere of this land that is not disturbed by fast-paced life. Here, we had a good break, we were slow, and there was nothing to think about. It was complete silence while on our own pace. No pressure of what is yet to come, but just pure love and friendship enjoying the moment.

Aside from us, there were also cows on the field enjoying the rainy weather with wet grasses chewed in their slow rhythm. I could see plenty of them afar, but on our way down, I saw a few of them just being themselves with all the bushes and weeds they were feasting on.

Life was so pleasant and slow that day. It was a perfect break from what we are responsible for. And somehow, in places like this, I am reminded that not every meaningful moment needs noise, crowd, or grand plans—sometimes it only takes rain, silence, and the right person beside you. Casa Del Mar once again became a witness to a version of me that is softer, calmer, and deeply grateful for pauses like this.