Princessa Hiliday Resort "The perfect Resort Isle"

This Unique vacation spot lies amidst a coconut plantation facing the turquoise blue Sulu Sea in a quiet bay where you will feel what it means to be part of nature.

A 3 kilometer white sand beach invites for all kinds of activities from leisurely sunbathing to swimming, beach combing or early morning jogging.

At Princessa Holiday Resort you are far from the hectic life of the major cities you are back to nature, far from civilization. But the Resort will pamper you.

All the cottages are air-conditioned and the superior rooms have waterheaters in the bathrooms. The restaurant offers the best of Palawan sweafoods, typiocal Filipino Cuisine as well as Western, Chinese and Japanese dishes.

Marine sports center for snorkeling, fishing, water-skiing, water-board sailing, wind surfing and sea kayaking. Enjoy the comfort of home in their suites with hot and cold showers, mini bar and large private terrace.

Palawan is known as the last frontier of the Philippines. This unspoiled island, an environmental heaven, has recently been discovered as a unique tourist attraction.

The attraction of Palawan lays in its raw beauty of lush green tropical forests, waving coconut plantation,soft green rice terraces, flowering fire tress, wild ferns and orchids, and a unique fauna endemic only to this island such as the mouse deer, scaly ant eater.

Palawan bear cat, Palawan peacock, Palawan eagle, hawksbill turtle, the fascinating dugong and hundreds of magnificent butterflies.

South Palawan is " The sleeping beauty" of the 460 kms. long island. Many of its treasures remain to explored and discovered.

Princessa Holiday Resort

Proceed to Delightful Recipe for the Family

Bantayan Island’s Retreat for the World –Weary Soul

On an island off the northern coast of Cebu, a disenchanted traveler can find unspoiled beaches as beautiful as those of Boracay, Palawan, and Bohol, surrounding an old town steeped in history and rooted in faith.

This is Bantayan Island, a haven for soul searchers and sun-worshippers and, for a time, Cebu’s best-kept secret. Enhanced communication, an improved road network, and a small well-maintained airstrip for charter flights have opened up the island to the rest of the Philippines.

And with the Department of Tourism identifying Cebu as one of its eight priority destinations, tourists cannot be far behind.

The name “Bantayan” comes from the watchtowers that were built all over the island in the 17th century to serve as lookout stations warning against attacks of the seaborne Moros. People called these towers Bantayan sa Hari or Watchtowers of the King,” in reference to the king of Spain. It became common for the locals to say they were from “Bantayan sa Hari.” Later, they shortened it to “Bantayan.”

The roots of bantayan town as a Hispanic settlement are unmistakably stamped in its layout, with the old church and its plaza located in the center, and the houses and other establishments built around it. The town plaza and the well-preserved antebellum houses recall a bygone era.

The Spanish influence is also evident in the old Bantayan folk’s religious traditions. On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, Bantayanons hold the Pasko sa Kasakit or Semana Santa sa Bantayan, a procession of life-size statues depicting the passion and death of Jesus Christ, mounted on huge richly decorated carrozas.

Children dressed as angels solemnly follow the carriages, which also bear images of their favorite saints. These statues, hand-sculptured by Spanish artisans in the 1800s, have been handed down from generation to generation.

Yet this somber observance has a curious twist: while the rest of Christianity abstains from eating meat, the people of Bantayan Island do the exact opposite. A papal permission granted in the 1800s exempts them from this duty, in recognition of the fact t hat Bantayan fisherman do not set out to sea for seven days so as to participate fully in the Lenten rites- their penance for t he season.

It is a practice tourists enjoy as they feast with the locals on crisp, juicy lechon, usually served with adobo liver sauce. The key to this scrumptious delicacy is the coconut milk used to baste the lechon as it roasts. One does not have to wait for Lent to taste this local delight, though, as it is available throughout the year.

For those who prefer to observe Lent the traditional way, Bantayan offers an abundance of seafood, fresh and dried.

For the less spirituall inclined, Bantaan Island’s beaches present a welcome respite from the chaos of cit life. The municipality of Santa Fe, in particular, is known for its expansive coastline, with fine, white sand and waters so clean one can watch small fish swimm and feed.

Off the beaten track and without the commercial bustle characteristic of more touristy areas, Santa Fe’s beautiful resorts present more than just privacy; they offer the rare commodity, serenity.

To get to Bantayan Island, one can take a brief 30-minute flight from Cebu City to San Remigio, where inter-island ferries to Santa Fe are available. There is also a night ferry direct from Cebu City to Santa Fe.


Manila Standard Today

Abuyog Parish Church erects a fountain to mark the event

Saint Francis Xavier’s side trip to Leyte immortalized

Abuyog, Leyte – A new landmark will soon be added to the impressive list of tourism attractions in this province with the completion of a fountain in the church plaza of Saint Francis Xavier parish church in this town. Oral tradition has it that the great Jesuit saint made a stop over in this town to fetch water for his voyage during his missionary expedition in Asia.

Saint Francis Xavier chapel was erected by the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) in 1716. The visita chapel became a parish church in 1750 after the name of the famous “Apostle to the Indies.”

The Agustinians took over the church’s supervision in 1768 after it was rebuilt. The church’s design was changed in 1781 to conform with the architecture of Roman Renaissance. In 1965, it was renovated from a vertical-shaped to a cross-shaped church when an extension was built at the center of the church through the effort of Ret.Msgr. Luis D. Caintic. Msgr. Caintic also facilitated in the construction of the new belfry or bell tower.

From Manila, to reach Abuyog one has to take an hour flight to Tacloban City. Then from the city take a bus for an hour ride to Abuyog.

Abuyog rests at the heart of historic Leyte, the islands of firsts. It is the second largest town in that province today but for many, many years, it was considered the largest because its early territory encompassed the present towns of Mac Arthur, Javier, Mahaplag and other areas. The town is tucked along the fringes of the great Pacific Ocean. It sits on the middle of two great rivers, Cadac-an and Bito.

St. Francis Xavier Parish’s priest now is Rev. Fr. Albert T. Opiniano. He is the 40th parish priest in succession, since 1839.

During the Spanish era, the parish of St. Francis Xavier caters to the spiritual needs of the Abuyognons and the surrounding areas, now presently known as Saint Isidore Labrador Parish (Mac Arthur, Leyte), Saint Michael de Archangel Parish (Javier, Leyte), and Saint Michael de Archangel Parish (Mahaplag, Leyte). “The creation of these former barangays into new municipalities paved the way for their separation from the mother parish in the late 50’s and early 60’s,” Fr. Albert told this writer.

Since the installation of Fr. Opiniano as parish priest Jan. 12, 2001, various improvements and repairs were made on the church, specifically on its roofings, ceilings
Floors, belfry and others.

Latest of these improvements is the construction of the new St. Francis Xavier Parish Rectory which was started last April 2003. Five million pesos is its target budget. And two million pesos was already raised through the support of the Parish pastoral Council, the Abuyognons-USA, Abuyog Migrants Association-Hong Kong, Mga Anak San Abuyog-Manila, the parishioners and other generous and kind hearted individuals.

At present, the La Hermanidad de san Francisco Xavier is constructing a fountain in the Church Plaza, its target date is August of this year. The construction of the commemorative fountain is being under taken for it was believed that Saint Francis Xavier had made a stop-over in Abuyog to fetch water for their voyage during his missionary expedition.

On August 29,2005 is the 125th anniversary of the La Hermanidad of Saint Francis Xavier, and for one week, a series of activities lined-up such as: the dramatization on the life of St Francis Xavier, scripted and directed b Mos. Jimmy Villanueva of Cebu City, the inauguration and blessing of the commemorative fountain, pastoral visitation of the different barangays, socio-cultural activities for nine nights sponsored by the different parish sectors, youth sports program and entertainment show by performers from Manila and Cebu.

The highlight of the affair will be a Pontifical Mass at 7 a.m. Theme of event is “National Eucharistic Marian Year.”

“Abuyog population is roughly 70,000, and 90% of which are Roman Catholics,” Fr. Albert said”.

For your donat5ions on the on-going construction of Saint Francis Xavier Parish, please call Rev. Fr. Albert Opiniano at tel. No. (053) 3342057.


Louie Guairin February 20, 2005

Manila Bulletin

Proceed to Delightful Food For Family

Ilocos Norte expedition

When I got the invitation to visit Ilocos, the first thoughts that instantly came to mind were things associated with Ilocanos: The Marcoses, papaitan, longganisa, empanada and bagnet. My favorite vegetable-the saluyot- was also used to describe the Ilocanos.

Ilocanos are also known for their frugality, industry, cleanliness and even heroism. Historical records have it that many of them died for their country during the Spanish times and World War II.

I had been to Ilocos Sur once when I was a kid when my elder brother, a merchant, brought me with him in Vigan and in some Ilocos Sur towns in his Ford van.

The sounds of cattle-driven karetelas, the smell of tinubong (ricecake cooked in bamboos), the images of ancestral houses in Vigan and gun/bolo-totting men in town plaza and marketplace, have remained fresh in my mind up to this day.

But our invitation today was to tour Ilocos Norte, a sister province of Ilocos Sur, a place I heard so much about but never visited. So, I readily accepted the invitation to validate and experience what I heard and read about the province.

Evening fell over Laoag City when we arrived there on board a PAL jet plane after a pleasant 45-minute flight from Manila.

Our media group of eight being seated at the forefront of the plane started to disembark first and then walked our way to the arrival section of the airport building, the only place well-lighted in the area. Beyond that was all darkness except a few scattered lights seen from the horizon.

Soon the sounds of Ilocano dialect pervaded the little room crowded with arriving passengers waiting for their luggages. Being an international airport servicing 18 international flights a week coming from various cities of China and Taiwan, the Laoag International Airport aside from being very small, does not function like one. There is no baggage conveyor or carousel and everything is done mano-mano or by hand.

Waiting for us outside the airport was a coaster of Fort-Ilocandia Resort Casino/Golf and Country Club, our host for the next three days and two nights.

A 10-minutes drive brought us to the Fort Ilocandia, where Arlene de Guzman, the pretty and gracious sales and marketing director of the resort/casino welcomed us at the impressive lobby of the hotel.

The highlight of our evening activities was a dinner at the La España, Fort Ilocandia’s Spanish restaurant. A quartet playing Spanish musical selections serenade us as we ate. We also celebrated during the dinner the birth anniversary of former Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) general manager Nixon Kua, now a columnist and broadcaster, who headed our group.

The next morning, our half-day tour begins after breakfast with visits to Paoay, Batac, San Nicolas and Laoag.

The topography of Ilocos Norte is hilly. Birds still dominated the skies, forest and farms that are planted to rice, corn, onion, sugarcane or cotton. On display or piled up in front of the houses along the highways are products of cottage industries like pottery making, woodcarving and furniture making. Ilocanos are also engaged in cloth weaving and blacksmitting. What impressed me most is the cleanliness and orderly of the surroundings in towns and even in farms. Here you can’t find a single rundown house or squatter shanty.

Our first stop was San Nicolas, a town noted for its thriving earthware and blacksmitting industries and a popular restaurant named Dawang. It offers authentic Ilocano foods like the papaitan, dinuguan, binaligtad and others. It was there we took our hearty breakfast.

Our second stop was Paoay home to Malacañang of the North overlooking Lake Paoay, once President Marcos summer residence. The big house, now being managed by the Department of Tourism (DoT), and frequented by foreign and local tourists, is in state of disrepair.

Then we drove to Paoay home to the Malacanang of the North overlooking Lake Paoay, once President Marcos summer residence. The big house, now being manage by the Department of Tourism (DOT), and frequented by foreign and local tourists, is in state of disrepair.

Then we drove to Paoay Church.With its blend of Spanish and Oriental architecture, Paoay Church is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Construction of the church started in 1704 and completed in 1894. Its three-story tower was used as observation post by Katipuneros and by the guerrillas during the Japanese occupation.

After Paoay we begun our city tour of Laoag. Highlights of the tour was the Sinking Beltower, which has sunk to the ground because of its weight. Its half buried entrance door once allowed a man on a horseback to enter. Beside the Cathedral of St. William is the plaza complex with its historical Abolition of tobacco Monopoly Monument, Ilocos Norte Capitol, and the Ilocandia Museum.

The Tobacco Monopoly Monument was built in 1882 as a gesture of thanksgiving to the Spanish king, Alfonso X11 for ending the tobacco monopoly which from 1872 up to 1881 gave the Ilocanos told misteries as they were obliged to plant no other crops except tobacco.

One thing noticeable in Laog is the presence of so many blanks located almost every corner of the downtown. Ms. De Guzman who was with us, volunteered the information that Central Bank records show that the biggest concentration of saving deposits in the whole country is found in laoag, a proof that Ilocanos know how to save for the rainy days.

Close to noontime, we proceeded to Batac that keeps the airconditioned where the body of President Ferdinand Marcos is displayed.

Inside is dark except for the lighted glass-covered remains of the late President. The continues playing of religious music adds to the somber mood of the place.

A visit6 to the public market of Loag to buy Pasalubong concluded our three day tour. We bought bagnet, duhat wine which is noted for its healing properties basi
longganiza and rice coffee.


Cornelio R. De Guzman, November 8, 2004, Manila Bulletin

SUBIC INTERNATIONAL HOTEL- All things to everybody

Nothing beats a destination like Subic.

I’ve live in Olongapo City every weekend and worked in Manila on weekdays in the last three years, but I can still say there’s nothing like vacation inside “The Base”- that’s what we, residents outside of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, call this favorite hangout of weekend warriors.

The SBFZ is like one big freewheeling resort where nobody will walk around ranting about not having anything to do. There’s always something for somebody in Subic – that seems to be a certainty among its devoted local tourists.

You can be a sports junkie in the morning, play tennis, badminton, football or Frisbee, run in the oval or get on your bike and hit the bicycle lane. You can be a foodie by lunchtime and pick out a fine place to have a really hearty meal. Then be a beach bum in the afternoon- if not you could go thrill seeking and hike, paraglide, sail, jet ski… the adventure just wont stop.

In the evening, you won’t miss out on a weekend gimik night because the boardwalk is a long stretch of bars, cafes and restaurants.

A lot of the weekend warrior families I’ve met said when in Subic, stay at the SIH. So on my last weekend before the dreaded relocation to Manila, I thought it is never too early to join the droves of Subic devotees so I tagged my small family along. Better be part of the SBFZ majority than just be a writer working on a weekend.

So it turned out to be a welcome surprise that most of the rooms at the Subic International Hotel are designed with the typical family in mind, the parents, a couple of kids and a yaya with all the baggage a typical Filipino family has in tow can all fit in one room with space to spare foe all the fussing about.

There are also the suites with connected rooms – just like home! If that is not enough, there’s always the SIH staff ready to do a quick makeover.

One thing Subic International Hotel general manager Michael Wilson believes in is that a hotel should be all things to everybody. Whoever the guests are, whether they be families, barkadas, businessmen or conventioneers, the aim of Subic International Hotel is to please. “If we can humanly do what you want us to do, we will do it,” he adds.

I, for one, have heard of various request for guests which where heeded by the SIH staff which is a young team composed of friendly and approachable people who are trained to never say no without finding out if yes is really impossible.

Some of these requests from SIH clients have become the inspiration to some SIH tradition and service offerings, like the al fresco simbang gabi fest. After the Mass, tables are set up, cups of salabat are handed out and candies are given to kids while puto bumbong and bibingka are cooking in the hot coals.

Subic International hotel never fails to give the special dimension in hotel service, one that draws people nearer. It gives that familiar atmosphere yet would always have something to offer. Just recently, SIH opened Golden Dragon Restaurant which is practically the best place in subic for authentic Chinese cuisine.

It just proves that still nothing beats Subic. And no other hotel can outdo Subic International Hotel.

Subic International Hotel’s Manila office is at suite 612, Pacific building. , 460 Quintin Paredes St. Binondo, Manila, with tel. Nos. 243-2222 to 33.

Ayvi Nicolas, October 31, 2004,The Philippine Star

The Forest Is My Backyard –MILE HI INN

Exactly a mile above sea level, Mile Hi Inn exudes an unmatched dramatic flair –n cabin windows witnessing the rise and fall of the mountains, the mist caught in between the slender trunks of trees, the sunrise and sunset from angles unheard of. The forest is my backyard – is a claim only Mile Hi and its guests can make, and for that it is worth the hike.

The serene expanse of Camp John Hay in Baguio City is this unique hotel’s fortress, and it blends with the simplicity of the surroundings. Muted, earth tones dominate the interiors of the hotel; the rooms laid out into a functional spread of beds, storage, lighting and sink. Nothing superfluous here, just the essentials of a comfortable stay. After a day in the city, one descends into the Mile Hi entrance almost instantly overcome by a sense of calm.

The hotel opened its doors to the public on February 12 this year, with the simple desire to please its guests with a place to shop, located at the heart of Camp John Hay, conveniently close to the necessities of modern living like shops, restaurants and parks. Mile Hi guests may opt to shop at the Mile Hi Commissary or at the various sports and souvenir shops in the vicinity such as Camp Nike, Adidas and Sportsmart. Or they can dine and unwind at Joe Steakhouse and Dencio’s bar and Grill.

Mile Hi Inn offers eight forest view rooms, four standard rooms and four dorm rooms – all with toilet and bath, hot and cold running water, 24-hour standby power, cable TV and ceiling fans. The rooms faintly smell of pine, like the forest outside, and are neat and comfy. Cushy beds provide a nice refuge after a day of shopping and sightseeing.

Aside from offering the usual comforts provided by hotels, Mile Hi exudes security, perhaps because of its secluded and guarded environment, as well as a retreat-perfect ambiance, arousing in one the desire to explore – the garden of pines in particular, with its uncrossable hanging bridge, steep slopes and the flowing stream.

I personally felt an air of mystery, the kind perfect for retreats, field trips and vacations with friends. Ideal for groups for its spacious rooms and inexpensive packages, Mile Hi is a place that is much like home – clean, comfy and cozy, just like what the hotel’s brochure says.

One of its many charms is the “outdoor” sink, that is, a sink and mirror installed outside the bathroom. The concept, taken from a hotel in Pakistan, was adopted for its practicality. It allows other people to use the sink even when someone is inside the comport room. This odd yet charming characteristic is a favorite of many guests.

Mile Hi also showcases on its walls a parade of framed, genuinely old photographs of Hay. It is the only facility inside the Camp to have such interesting pieces, primarily because of its historical past. “Mile Hi Inn,” the name, referred to an old recreation center at Camp John hay, while Mile Hi Inn, the place, had been a storage room of the Americans until the early 90’s. The area surrounding the present hotel used to be the “elbow center” of the security police.

Given such quaint surroundings, rich history and unparalleled natural environment, Mile Hi Inn is truly a standout among other hotels in Baguio City. After all, only here can one wake up to the scent of real pine seeping through a dewy window pane, and what better way to enjoy the City of Pines than having the forest as your very own backyard.
For inquiries, call Mile hi Inn at 074-4466141..

Chonx Tibajia, November 7, 2004,The Philippine Star

Baguio Country Club- Experiencing a century of opulence

Rich tradition, good food, chilly climate, and vibrant people – these are virtues the City of Pines offers as the country’s summer capital.

But its merits do not end here. Reverberating the eons of time into a miniature of everlasting passion for the good life, the tiny city that sits on top of a mountain exudes a youthful fervor for life. To people who live and dream of living here they call their spot Baguio City.

Baguio City is the country ‘summer capital as throngs of heat-escaping tourists and visitors from across the archipelago flock the rugged terrain of this Northern capital during hotter months. But to some travelers, the city of pines with its rustic landscape amalgamated with modern amenities actually has more to offer than a chilly climate all year round.

Baguio, indeed, is about experiences worth treasuring is the one available only at the vaunted doors of the Baguio Country Club (BCC). The experience at the Baguio Country Club – arguably, the country’s most coveted club membership – encapsulates the rich traditions and opulence of the city when it was founded just at the turn of the 20th century.

Built with concrete and boasts of state of the art amenities, its foundations are not its architecture but the very reason why the club came into being: hospitality, friendship, and great experience.

A Humble Beginning
The success and aesthetic majesty of the BCC rested on the solid grounds of genuine friendship among its progenitors. No wonder, it has survived the ravages of time for nearly a hundred years, for what tempest is strong enough to break a virtue founded on camaraderie and alliance?

The history of the Baguio Country Club can be traced back when Cordillera’s and their American friends came up with the bright idea of building a clubhouse where its members can meet for fellowship and celebrate the natural beauty of the city.

Erected for the sole purpose of strengthening their alliance, the BCC flourished and evolved to become one of the country’s most sought-after vacation spots.

Over the years, this century old edifice has stood the challenges of nature and has transformed itself into a place where its patrons get a royalty treatment, literally!

On top of this scenic masterpiece is an 18-hole carpet of green sprinkled daily without remiss by the generous Baguio dew. This goes on without mentioning rows and rows of natural pine trees that line each of its stations. Indeed, its golf course mimics a paradise not only for golfers, but also for trekkers and adventurers, both seasoned and amateur.

Moreover, for those who love beating Baguio’s subzero waters, it has a world-class heated pool ready to serve each one’s swimming appetite, making the BCC a real haven even to the most discriminating taste of beach lovers.

And while most Baguio people find it hard to sweat, not with its favorable climate, BCC has a covered tennis and badminton courts to address this need.

Ahead of the pack
Aside from the usual attractions that define a rich experience at the country club, it also has recreation facilities, which is ergonomically located in one complex. It include automated bowling lanes, table tennis courts, darts and billiards, and for kids, the playstation row. For the more somber, there is the reading book that also functions as a library.

Moreover, there is also a souvenir shop, beauty salons, clinic, and a business center so that mobile professionals can still connect to their offices via DSL Internet connection. The club also has one vacation essential installed: the automated teller machine or ATM, making it really tourist friendly.

Also the express Department is one notable innovation that is primarily tasked to handle prompt action on the needs of its members and guests. All these facilities are designed to make the life at the country club, easier and safer. With these innovations, the country club has transformed itself into a real family-oriented vacation spot, making it truly ahead of the pack.

Making History
Another great reason to visit Baguio Country Club is its food, with its renowned raisin bread taking a much-deserved center stage. Just lately, this delicious and mouth-watering bread took another milestone by becoming, albeit unofficially, the world’s longest raisin bread. All it needs to land in the book of records is recognition from the people of Guinness, which is expected very soon.

There are countless good reasons to stay at the Baguio Country Club, but for people who just want to have leisurely experience with their families and associates, the BCC is one escape really worth treasuring. The friendship and royal treatment one gets here is, undeniably, one that is truest to its promise. It gives new meaning and substance to the aphorism that the opulence of experience, indeed, has no currency.

Jude C. Galford III, October 23, 2004, Manila Bulletin

Montemar Beach Trip and Historic Bataan

Beach buffs regulars to the twenty-five-years-old Montemar beach Club in southwestern part of Central Luzon will surely welcome the property’s recently stepped-up facilities to keep up with its growing trade and leisure markets.

Its no longer just the sun and the impeccable seashore that await everyone but a whole lot of perks to make weekend or weekday vacation therapeutic yet fun filled. There’s always something exciting that corporate groups, families or couples may engage in after a cool, invigorating day at the beach.

A mere three hours drive from Manila, Montemar Beach Club in Barrio Pasinay, Bagac, Bataan is also negotiable via an hour air-conditioned ferry ride from the port within the CCP complex. Chartered flights take about half an hour from Manila.

Bagac is about 151 kilometers from Manila and 27.82 kilometers from Balanga, the provincial capital. Ferryboats from Manila and other points end up at the port of Orion from where a shuttle service of the resort can pick up guests. Prior arrangements can be made to facilitate land transfer from the port to the resort.

Montemar was dubbed as such for its magnificent sky-meets-the-sea vista. Slicing through the hills of historic Bagac and the jade green waters of the South China Sea, the resort used to be exclusive for members when it started operations in 1979. seventeen years ago, it opened its doors to welcome non-members. Since then, the resort has gone through several facelifts to keep it on tip-top shape.

The triple “A” resort’s 12-hectares cove takes pride in its 87 Mediterranean style rooms made up of four premiere suites, two bedroom executive suites, 18 gallery rooms, 59 deluxe rooms and four garden rooms.

A vibrant tropical furnishing theme against the pastel interiors of some rooms provides a cozy cocoon within the resort. Some of the newly furnished rooms, on the other hand, subtly interplays the sleep-inducing beach design with soft hues for a more Zen-like appeal.

The indoor is not the only moo0d-booster thing within the resort. A plus factor for an over-all rejuvenating beach trip is the food. The resort has a main restaurant serving continental, native and other specialties as well as a bar for unwinding with a few spirited cocktails and hors d’oeuvre after sunset. Nibblers or hearty-eaters will not be disappointed with the resort’s extensive menu whether it’s a main meal or something in-between.

A beach holiday does not really mean an absolutely do-nothing-else but sleep, eat and swim or just laze around the beach. Here, one can’t simply miss the chance to rev up and play a favorite game or sport as everything is just within reach.

Hyperactive ones can switch from swimming and tanning to playing a whole gamut of water sports, while others may opt for lawn tennis, basketball, badminton and golf at the resort’s nine-hole executive course.

While billiard, darts and table tennis are better indoor alternatives, couch potatoes after soaking it up in the sun by the beach and all, may find scrabble, word factory and mahjong brain lifting.

Boats and kayaks and aqua-cycles are also available for rental and pony rides maybe set at the front desk if preferred. Fishing and island hopping are also worth trying if guests are not that adventurous for snorkeling, diving or jet skiing.

The resort has a hip blue-tiled pool and an equally stress-free tropical garden pool just in case guests would rather have a dunk in smaller baths. A souvenir shop sells shirts, beach wears with mostly aqua themed prints and designs among other novelty items and beach gizmos.

Perfect for out-of-town teambuilding and seminars, the resort has a relatively new conference building with excellent audio-visual equipment for small and big meetings. A business center can provide for all the secretarial services that businessmen-guests may require.

The new conference building is an ideal venue for seminars, business meetings and other banquet necessities for a group of ten to 100 persons. Function rooms can be laid out in theater, classroom, cocktails and formal sit-down meal styles to accommodate 150-300 persons per event.

Upon request, guests can opt for ballroom dancing, beach bonfire or other themed activities to make an event more exciting. There’s also a set up for bingo, folk singer and karaoke/ videoke anytime.

Going around Bataan is an exhilarating experience. Though famous for the Zero Kilometer Death March and Shrine of Valor located on the Mt. Samat, the province offers a scenic long-drive trip. From Manila to Bagac guests will be acquainted with some of the well-known places in the history-laden province. A boundary between Pampanga and Bataan, Dinalupihan is basically a rice and fish farming area buoyed with pastoral charm.

The next town Hermosa, popular for sweet, juicy mangoes, is less than an hour’s drive from Subic and about half an hour from Clarkfield. Orani, Samal and Abucay also teem with natural wonders such as springs and waterfalls. Morong, a part of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has more than 9,000 hectares of watershed primary growth forest area.

The provincial capital of Balanga yields most of the livelihood produce like sugarcane, corn coconut, fruits, vegetables, as well as fresh seafood like prawns, crabs, oysters, shrimps, tilapia, milkfish and other shelled seafood. Pilar, Orion and Limay are also agri-producers, while Mariveles is known for round scad, grouper, mussel and abalone. It also has rich mineral deposits of granite, basalt and forest products like bamboo and vines.

Arlene Dabu-Foz, October 30, 2004, Manila Bulletin

Exploring Coron Island

The Philippine archipelago is one favorite destination and hideway of Filipinos, and tourists around the world. With its ever-smiling citizens, and delectable food delicacies, the country also boasts of crystal-clear beaches considered as best in the world.

With over 7000 islands the country has, it has earned the preputation as a haven for anyone who enjoys the sun the sand and the water and even beneath. Tales and photos of different marine life and deep chambers accompany anyone who gets to experience depths of varying ranges. And when one wants to visit great dive sites coupled with pristine beaches, Coron Island in Palawan province is easily mentioned.

Coron Island, the second largest in the Calamian group (Busuanga being the largest) is just one of the 39 islands and islets, located just at the tip of the Palawan group of islands. Reachable by sea or by air, it is the sanctuary of famous fauna and flora. The island has a rough mountain and hilly terrain, bounded on the north by Busuanga Island, on the west by South China Sea and Culio island, east by the Mindoro strait and the south by Sulu Sea. The town of Coron is a small andquiet trading village complete with seaport and airstrip and its is well-blessed with a wide range of dive sites.

Most of its neighboring islets have silica, which explains its white beaches extending to limestone topology, which rise from the waters and valley floors to vertical heights. The islands are mainly characterized by fissures, caves, and underground channels formed million of years ago as coral reefs.

Because of the diasthropic activities and movements, this unique land formation. It offers some of the most spectacular sceneries, ranging from cliffs, underwater and land caves, thermal and placid lakes, hot springs, jungles, rivers, and mangrove swamps. Exploring the islands is made accessible and easy with motorized boats, which provide perfect prospective.

The Manikit hot springs, located 5 kilometers from the Coron town and pier is a salt water spring and bubbling from the mountainside, despite being very near the sea. The thermal pool is an ideal site for hot soaks and baths with brackish water boiling to 35 degrees Celsius.

Aching muscles and other physical ailments are perked by the soothing feel of the springs.

Arnold O. Aldaba, September 12,2004,Philippine Panorama Manila Bulletin

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