The people of Miag-ao enjoys a scenic 16-km shoreline facing the island of Negros and Panay Gulf, which is also part of the inland body of seawater called Sulu Sea. On the far south of Sulu Sea is Mindanao and Sulu Archipelago.
Like most shorelines in the Philippines, the beach of Miag-ao is dotted with fishing villages. Sunsets in Miag-ao are particularly stunning during the summer and certainly worth staying at the beach longer. ‘Sahid” or beach seining is a community activity where villagers and visitors alike can participate. Two boats laden with fishing nets are stretched over a kilometer wide area. The people on the shore pulls the nets towards the shore. The catch is variable and mostly small fishes. Everyone who pulls the nets may share the catch no matter how meager the catch might be.
The beach is also many things to many people. It is like a park where everyone comes to walk, admire the sunset. It is where the kids and adults play and swim; a place where lovers sit on the sand and watch the sea.
One of the most unique activity during the summer months is salt making using bamboo called budbud. The process is a time consuming, complicated process that probably dates back before pre-Hispanic times. 
The resulting sea salt produced is priced by Miagawanons for cooking and household use and is more expensive than conventional commercial salt. To learn more about the process, please read here.
The photo here shows the budbud salt farmer of Barangay Guibongan spraying the sand with seawater as early preparation for budbud salt making. Photo by Norman Posecion which won the Grand Prize for the 2014 PAGCOR Photocompetition.
Seashore photos by Norman Posecion
Seashore photos by Jason Matias
More seashore photos
