Manoush Zomorodi, on one of her TED talks, encouraged people to “love being bored.” She mentioned about a one-week challenge she designed, Bored and Brilliant, wherein you are given a simple challenge everyday involving ignoring your phone, challenges such as deleting a very important app in your life and having a photo-free day among others. Here’s an excerpt of her talk towards the end of it:

“So the next time you go to check your phone,remember that if you don’t decide how you’re going to use the technology, the platforms will decide for you. And ask yourself: What am I really looking for? Because if it’s to check email, that’s fine — do it and be done. But if it’s to distract yourself from doing the hard work that comes with deeper thinking, take a break, stare out the window and know that by doing nothing you are actually being your most productive and creative self. It might feel weird and uncomfortable at first, but boredom truly can lead to brilliance.”

It was very timely that I stumbled upon this TED talk when I was planning a trip to Tatlong Pulo, Guimaras. Aside from #BEACHgoals, I just wanted to take a break from social media so that I have time to do some other things and actually finish them. Since I’ve been there twice already, I figured it’s the perfect place for this “experiment” because there’s no electricity.

In the talk, Moment was an app recommended to track your phone addiction, but since this was only for iPhone users, the BreakFree app was an alternative for android users. It basically tracks the number of your screen unlocks and the amount of time you spend using your phone. I used this app for my little experiment.

UPDATE No. 1: The ferry terminal is now at parola both for those going to jordan and buenavista.

I was not informed, LOL, and I went straight to Ortiz Wharf. Anyway, same fare at 14 pesos and just FYI, 20 pesos beyond 6 pm.

MANONG ROY

I contacted Manong Roy to take me to Tatlong Pulo in his single motorcycle. I saw his number in a blog and I told him that. He acknowledged that fact and shared to me how, at first, he wondered how he received texts asking for his service. He then later found out it was because of that blog post written two years ago. He said he had already taken many travelers to Tatlong Pulo for two summers already. He was thankful for the recommendations.

As said by a different driver I met there, it’s better to get a driver who is around the area of Tatlong Pulo. In my case, I made the right choice because Manong Roy lives there and owns a sari-sari store. I’m not sure if it’s because we were in a single motorcycle but he dropped me just before the steep slope part right after his house which meant foregoing a longer trek.

On my last day, Manong Roy and I agreed he’ll take me to the Jordan Wharf at around 11 am but since I was already set at around 9 am and I got nothing to do, I decided to go up [the hill] to his store to “tambay.” Manong Roy wasn’t around because I think he got another passenger but his wife (I assumed, I didn’t actually confirm) saw me and was already expecting me. We talked again about the blog post and how it improved Manong Roy’s “business,” shall I say. She never saw the blog post so I showed it to her.

MY THOUGHTS: I have this thought of Manong Roy monopolizing the business but I think he also deserves the blessings. He is accommodating, responsive to text and provides good service plus he’s living there. In my situation, it’s very convenient ’cause if ever I lose all my phone battery, all I need to do is walk up to his store.

Here are the rates:

Single motorcycle, one-way from Alibhon (Pitstop/Drug Mart) to Tatlong Pulo – P120; up to you how much you’ll add if you want it to/from the Jordan wharf; maximum of three passengers daw but I think it’ll be very uncomfortable because it’s a bumpy ride

Jeepney, group of 15 or something, back and forth, both day and overnight – P1,500, negotiable

Contact number: 09276892962

THE BEACH and MANANG JIJI and CO.

Update no. 2: manang jiji is responsive to text this time. contact number: 09158787377

I arrived there and found out that I was their only guest. Manang Jiji, the caretaker, walked me through the cottages and told me the rates but I told her I’ll just stay in a tent. She then suggested for me to stay near cottage 1 because she was worried that if I stay somewhere cottage 3 and 4, it might get really cold at night and also for my safety ’cause it’s near their house. I looked at her, quite alarmed, and as if she understood my expression, she assured me it’s safe there but just in case I need something or I’ll get frightened. Hihi.

She let me use the cottage 1’s table and told me that at night, I can go to their house to use their comfort room.

update no. 3: new entrance fee rates: P100/day/head, P200 overnight. cottage rates are separate. cottage 1 (can accommodate, I think, up to 10 or more if siksik is okay) P500 and cottages 2, 3, 4, P350. free to put up your tent even for overnight.

Manang Jiji and her husband, Manong Arnold, were the caretakers of the beach. I was told there was a price increase because last summer, there were so many guests and they received a lot of complaints about their service and the comfort room and water, etc.

Manang Jiji is the sort of manager of the place. She’s also the cook if you want to order a dish or rice. Manong Arnold and another manong is in charge of keeping the beach area clean, making sure there is water supply for the guests and making improvements in the place. These manongs can also provide island hopping tours.

This beach was called Tatlong Pulo Beach Resort. There was another one next to it which is called People’s Paradise or Balingasag Beach Resort. I wasn’t aware of the other one and thought that it was a private property but passing by on my last day, I saw that they had guests too.

STAYING IN THE BEACH AND THE EXPERIMENT

I arrived at the beach at around 3 pm. I set up my tent and stuff and I went swimming. After that I went around the beach, took some photos, and I turned on my phone and looked at the time. It was 4 or 5 pm. I found myself getting bored already. Plus side, the Globe signal was okay, not so much for Smart, but I can’t use my phone that much because there are no plugs.

Eventually, 6 pm came, so was the darkness. I was provided with a kerosene lamp we call in my place as “kinki.” I asked beforehand to buy rice so Manang Jiji included a cup of rice for me while cooking their own meals. She asked me if I brought some “ulam” and I told her I had some canned food. Perks of being alone, she offered me a portion of their own viand that night, tinolang manok. Yay!

I didn’t know what else to do that night so despite the minimal light the kinki was offering, I took out my notebook and drew a few pages for my What To Do notebook/project. I slept earlier than my usual sleeping time. I was a bit surprised to sleep comfortably in the tent as the atmosphere is neither hot nor cold.

The next day, I went for an early morning swimming then had bread for breakfast and made friends with the cats and dogs in the area. I brought with me my sewing stuff so I almost spent the whole morning sewing this bag which I was so glad I was able to finish in one sitting which is quite unusual because I get easily distracted by many things.

I finished the bag just in time for lunch and just in time for two guests to arrive. I was a bit happy  to be not alone anymore. I had lunch with them as I was able to make friends with them and swimming after that. They initially thought of staying overnight but eventually decided they prefer Raymen’s accommodation. Because their cottage was already paid and because they were really concerned about me being alone at night, they told me to take over the cottage and sleep there that night. Thank you to the both of them!

I had dinner with the dogs again, did a few drawings and slept. Although I was at the cottage this time, it rained and the wind blew cold and I wished I could go down to my tent and sleep there like a baby like the previous night. How ironic.

The next day, I had my breakfast and three guests arrived. I didn’t make friends with them. I was right to take the chance of a calmer sea and swam early that morning because at around 8 am, it rained again. Maybe the guests didn’t like the cold or something that they went ahead before I did.

So that’s it, I went up to Manong Roy’s sari-sari store and waited for him because I went there earlier than our call time. Manong Roy arrived and he took me to Jordan wharf. My boatmates realized that it’s Charter Day and it meant that the road was closed for the parade. Some people complained of the impending walkathon but I just enjoyed it what with these to entertain me while walking:

MY THOUGHTS

For me,  Tatlong Pulo is a rustic, non-commercialized (for now) beach. Some guests think that because it offers accommodation, it’s a room-type accommodation but it’s not. Here’s the deal, if you’re going to this place, expect to experience an island life. There’s no electricity so if you can’t live with your phone dead, bring it fully charged or bring a powerbank. Especially if you’re planning to stay overnight, bring your own food, toiletries, towel, etc.  In my case, I came quite ready with blankets and all and with just the right expectations so I did not have any problem.

MY REALIZATIONS

• I’m afraid of the dark and thunder and animals I’m not familiar of especially if I’m alone. I’m anxious being in new places and meeting new people. But then, I realized it’s all in my head so eventually I got over them.
• I’m not the type of solo traveler who likes Survivor mode. I realized I like going solo to places with people or with things to do such as busy cities and beaches. I realized that’s how I love Boracay because I like people watching and just observing things going on around me.
• Technology eats up my time without me fully realizing it. I was able to finish four pages of drawings, a bag, and had some ideas built out of boredom. I also made time to talk with people. But on the other hand, I still can’t fully let go of technology because it’s still a part of my creativity and productivity process with this blog, Photoshop, online shop, and my transcription side hustle.
• I had this result below for using the BreakFree app for one week. I had a maximum of four hours phone usage and if I think about what I can do in four hours, I can do a lot more. The lowest one on a Wednesday was because it was my first day at the beach and I have to conserve my phone battery. It just shows that although I can lessen my phone usage, I can’t resist fully ignoring my phone. As for screen unlocks, I had a maximum of 160+ screen unlocks. Wow.

Here are my challenges for you:

• Know your addiction score and phone usage hours.
• Try being bored and see if it can lead you to your most creative and productive.
• You might want to be alone in a beach too.