My cousin from the United Arab Emirates is visiting Cebu for a holiday, and I (Jaya) was entrusted with organizing a family get-together at the beach for around 45 people.

Actually, this is a task for us, cousins, but for my own peace of mind, I pushed the planning. I was told to look for a resort in Badian/Alcoy, and I did. However, some resorts can't handle more than 45 people, and others are already fully booked. Fortunately, my cousin discovered a new resort in Badian called Sudiver's Dive Club and Beach Resort, which is rather pricy but well worth it because the staff are so lovely and attentive, and the location is large, clean, and somewhat private.

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DAY 1

We left around 8 a.m. and arrived at the resort by 11 a.m. You may be asking how the 45 people arrived in Badian. So, we took two Toyota Innovas (my uncles' cars), one multicab (borrowed from a family friend), one Van (rented for PHP 6,500 or 130 USD), and one motorcycle, while others arriving later in the evening in a multicab. We rented all of the remaining rooms, which included three rooms for 5 people (PHP 3,100 each room) and one room for 6 people (PHP 3,200 per room). All of the available cottages are free of use. In total, the rooms can only accommodate 21 people. A fee of 200 pesos per person applies to additional guests. You must also pay the local government 45 pesos each person. So, if you're curious about our sleeping arrangements, I'll explain later haha.

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BOND WITH FOOD

When we arrived, we walked straight to our rooms and unpacked our belongings before getting ready for lunch. We had lechon, balbacua, spaghetti, macaroni, cakes, puso, stewed banana, brined anchovies, chicken adobo, maja blanca, and budbod (I wasn't able to take a photo of all the food because I was busy organizing things 😆).

_Lechon

_{Puso or Hanging Rice}

_Budbod

After lunch, we rented a karaoke machine and began singing, drinking, and catching up while the kids went swimming.

My cousin organized a few games in which the majority of us took part.

We also grilled some fish and fried the lumpia that my cousins (the lads) had made the night before.

I snuck away for a photograph to show off my bikini, hahaha. It was a struggle because it was so windy, but I'm glad I had some good shots.

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SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS

So each of my uncles and aunts has their own room. Then it's up to us cousins to decide where we'll sleep. Some people (mainly the girls) slept in the rooms, while others slept in hammocks, sleeping mats, and tents. Hahahaha indeed if there's a will, there's a way.

_{We occupied one (1) room here good for 6pax}

_{We rented all three (3) rooms here good for 5 pax each}

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DAY 2

Many of us got up around 5 - 6 a.m. to cook breakfast, but I got up early because I wanted to swim, but the tide was low.

So I just assisted with the preparation of breakfast, which consisted of egg, hotdog, and ham. We also made coffee and milk for those who were suffering from hangovers. Others rested after breakfast, chit-chatted, then did some videoke again, and finally, when the tide was finally high, we went swimming one last time.

I did another photograph while watching my cousin play, hahaha (I bought a lot of swimsuits since the pandemic and I've been waiting this time to flaunt them 😅).

We then changed and prepared to return home. We took a quick family photo before heading home.

_{Picture with Family}

_{Picture with Family and Friends}

Some of my cousins stayed until 5 p.m., and the staff kindly let them use one room to store their belongings for an extra fee. Most of us have already returned home because we are all exhausted hahaha.

It's difficult to prepare a gathering party, but seeing my family so pleased is well worth the effort.

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