The Road I Didn't Take: Why Sipalay Can Wait

By Marie. January 3, 2026

They say a detour is just a different way of getting where you're going. But sometimes, a detour changes the destination entirely.

A few weeks ago, my bags were packed for Sipalay. I was ready for the "hidden gems," the torquois waters, and the quiet escape of southern Negros. But then, I made a quick stop in Bago City, where Typhoon Tino happened.

Nature has a way of stripping away the "aesthetic" of travel. When the bridges you were supposed to cross are washed away, and the roads you were meant to drive on are buried in debris, the "travel blogger" in me felt....small.

I've spent the last few days watching the people of Bago City-my hosts, my old and new friends-literally rebuild their lives. I've seen the mud, the food packs, the temporary bamboo bridges, and the quiet resilience of the folks of Bago City, specifically of Brgy. Bulubunuhan.

Suddenly, posting about the best sunset spots or "must-visit" cafes felt hollow. How can I write about where to get away from it all when the people right in front of me are working so hard just to stay?

I realized that "Wandering" isn't about the scenery; it's about the soul of the place. And right now, the soul of Negros isn't in a resort-it's in the mud of villages, in the hands of the neighbors clearing the roads, and in the slow, diffifult "trekking" from one point to another.

So, titamwanders.com is going to look a little different for a while. I'm heading back to Manila next week, and I'm bringing a different perspective with me. I'm still talking about travel, but I'm going to talk more about Witnessing. I'm going to talk about the places that need us to see them as they really are-not just how they look on a postcard.

Sipalay is still there, and I'll see it one day. But for now, I'm grateful for the detour that broke my heart and opened my eyes.