“Some scenes don’t just unfold—they stun you into stillness.”
When Stillness Surprises You
“This place, this scene… is way more beautiful than I imagined!” I blurted out, literally running toward the beachside.
The eastern horizon was glowing orange. Panic set in.
“Oh boy! Panic time!”
I scrambled to set up my gear, scanning the seascape. Where should I even begin? In front of me were hundreds of stoic mangroves, standing still against a receding tide. Their silhouette mirrored by the wet sand, all waiting for the sun to break.
I had 8 to 10 golden minutes to shoot. I moved from left to right, framing everything from minimalist roots to mangrove silhouettes against the lightening sky.
Here’s a few of what I captured:
A Hidden Gem at Dawn
Of all the places I visited on this road trip, Sunrise Boulevard in Baganga surprised me the most. I’d only heard about its potential through friends. There are no resorts nearby, and the location is a good 20+ minute drive from both Cateel and Baganga town proper.
Most tourists visit when the sun is already high or closer to sunset. That likely explains why very few photographs capture the soulful magic of daybreak at this mangrove-lined coast.
📌 Did You Know?
Thousands of mangrove trees line the shores of Davao Oriental. These trees played a critical role during past typhoons, buffering storm surges and shielding coastal communities. In a twist of nature, a major typhoon carved the coastline to create what we now call Sunrise Boulevard.What you see today is a living monument—stoic mangroves standing in harmony with light. The LGU turned this natural marvel into a tourist site, honoring the resilience of these trees.
Recommendations for the Mindful Photographer
✅ Best Time to Go: Before dawn, and during low tide for maximum compositional variety.
✅ Access: Roughly 20 minutes from either Cateel or Baganga town proper.
✅ On-site Amenities: There are a few beachside benches, but it’s unclear if overnight stays are allowed. Early birds arrive as early as 6 AM, so come even earlier for that pristine moment of solitude.
Sunrise Boulevard isn’t just a photo spot—it’s a meditation on resilience, light, and perspective. A scene that humbles you, even as it challenges you to capture it.
Filed under: Mindful Frames | Mindfulness — for creatives chasing meaning, not just moments.
