Most weekends, I’m either out of town or out of the country. But when I’m home in Metro Manila, I keep it simple. Just me, the couch, and my dog. So when I saw a Facebook post from Don’t Skip Manila about a special Manila Day cruise aboard a modern-day replica of the ancient balangay, I almost scrolled past. Almost.

The balangay is an ancient Filipino boat, traditionally made of wooden planks fitted edge to edge and fastened with dowels. It dates back to at least the 4th century and is considered one of the oldest watercraft found in the Philippines. The name comes from the Austronesian word barangay, which also refers to a community, likely because early Filipino settlements were formed by families who traveled together in these boats.

Recent articles have brought renewed attention to the brilliance of early Filipino navigation, and the balangay remains a living, floating reminder of that legacy.

So I signed up. I figured I needed to hit my 1,000 steps anyway. I could take the train, walk to and from the dock, and enjoy the bonus of a balangay ride and a Manila Bay sunset.

That’s exactly what I did.

It was a very hot afternoon. The meet-up was at 2:00 PM, and I arrived early enough for cold drinks at Starbucks. After that, I followed Google Maps and walked to the dock.

There she was. The Florentino Das. A vessel that blends old-world craftsmanship with modern features. It is the country’s biggest and so far only motorized balangay. It is equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and an engine. Named after Florentino Das, a legendary Filipino yachtsman who famously sailed solo from Hawaii to the Philippines on a 27-foot homebuilt sailboat, this boat carries his name and spirit. 

Last year, this very vessel reached Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea to conduct a medical mission, asserting our presence in contested waters surrounded by Chinese vessels.

Our orientation was led by former DOTC and DENR Usec. Art Valdez, the expedition leader of the First Philippine Mount Everest climb and the Voyage of the Balangay. It was an honor to meet him and hear stories of adventure, of sailing, and of that historic journey to Pag-asa.

Anne of Don’t Skip Manila also gave a short talk, and something she said stayed with me. She shared how they started Don’t Skip Manila to encourage people to see and appreciate the city, instead of overlooking it in favor of more popular destinations outside Metro Manila.

The wind was not in our favor that day so we cruised using the engine. Still, they raised one of the sails just enough to give us a glimpse of what it might have been like to sail the bay the way our ancestors did.

We set off from the Manila Yacht Club, passing the reclamation areas of Manila Bay, heading toward the port, the dolomite beach, and the skyline along Roxas Boulevard. From a distance, Manila looked beautiful. Of course, the environmental impact of the dolomite beach is another conversation altogether.

The sunset was stunning. The wind, the colors, the sail, everything came together. From a distance, we could see Bataan. We took photos with the balangay's sail as our backdrop and the city behind us. In that moment, I felt it. The quiet but powerful pride of being Filipino. Of knowing we come from a lineage of dreamers, explorers, and builders. Of sailing forward together.

Just before dark, we returned to the dock. I walked back to the train station and in less than an hour, I was home.

What a beautiful Saturday.