Travel & Leisure
(by Joey Pavia)
Isla Resort, Angeles City
Nestled in a quiet subdivision here is a newly-opened resort which is ideal for weddings, birthdays and other gatherings. Businessman Jay Del Rosario called it “Isla” – a carefully-designed resort at the heart of Town and Country Subdivision in Barangay Pulung Bulu. He derived it from the name of the village meaning island in the native language.
“It’s no ordinary resort. We have instilled Capampangan culture in it,” said Del Rosario shortly after Isla’s opening on November 12. He disclosed that Isla is inspired by the pre-colonial (Spanish) set-up of Pampanga.
No less than Capampangan culture advocate Mike Pangilinan, visual artist Ronnie Tayag of this city and Shirley Sanders, landscaper of the Ayala projects, helped Del Rosario put up his “dream business” at the old site of his hollow blocks making firm.
“I am a landscaper and I find peace when I do it .I also find peace when I a in a beautiful place such as Isla,” said Del Rosario, who sold his thriving DuraBlocks firm to pursue “a calling.”
“I am will get old fast and be full of stress if I had not sold Durablocks,” added Del Rosario in a jest.
Isla’s main features are a swimming pool, a clubhouse called “Lakandula,” and yes, for lovers, a honeymoon sweet room dubbed “Balebalayan.” The resort sits on a some 2,200 square-meter property. Asked for the price of renting Isla, Del Rosario said “very competitive.”
“Anything is possible at Isla. Only what our clients want will happen,” he added.
Balebalayan Interior
Bale-Balayan Exterior - Isla Resort Angeles City
Lacandula - Isla Resort, Angeles City (Photo by Jojo Due)
Lacandula Entrance
Dining @ Lacandula
Photo by Lenareh
Occidental Mindoro province in the region four with Mamburao as its capital is also known as the home of the indigenous Mangyans and Tamaraws. It is other half of the Oriental Mindoro and is occupying the western part of the Mindoro islands, one of the Philippines’ seventh largest islands.
Today, Occidental Mindoro is a fast developing province with lots of new wonders to offer. Occidental Mindoro gifted with different attractions that are mostly natural. The province is called “Marine Wonderland,” the fantastic land that is given with marine beauty from its virgin forests, beautiful white sand beaches, and islands rich in marine life, coral gardens, secretive caves, and waterfalls.
There are not so many historical sites in the province, but the province offers a lot of tourist natural attractions like the Apo National Reef Park in Sablayan, which is acclaimed to be the best in Asia and best as a diving spot in the Philippines. Cabra Island in Lubang is a favorite spot for fishing.
Occidental Mindoro is a good place to go for summer break and vacation. Dry season in Mindoro starts on November until March the next year. Dry season covers the summer break of most of the people in the country that makes it more appropriate for them to visit because of its good weather during summer.
Occidental Mindoro is a big island but is not as complex as the main lands of the Philippines. Transportation and accommodations are easy and affordable. Tourist spots are mainly natural and are all over the island. The natural mountainous region and also the mysterious caves of Mindoro are preserved and are best for hikers and mountaineers to seek and explore.
Fishing by Pukot
Major attractions to try in the island are Ambulong Island’s underwater cave, cliffs, abundant coral formations, and white beaches; Apo Reef National Park’s prime dive sites and its various marine life; Hulagaan’s series of falls leading to stony beach; Lubang island in the Northern part of Occidental Mindoro with stunning beaches and coves and is famous for its history about Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese strangler of World war II who hid himself in the island for 30 years before he surrendered in 1974; mount Iglit’s Tamaraw sanctuary, an indigenous animal that can be found in Mindoro; Pandan Island’s white beach; White Island’s ideal place for swimming, scuba diving, and fishing; Mount Halcon, the third highest mountain in the Philippines and is famous for hikers and mountaineers; Presing Park (Parola), a historic watch tower used by the early natives to prey Muslim Vintas and in the park, there is a 15th century cannon used to defend the tower against Moro pirates; and the Purnaga Cave with different mysterious compartments with a size of small cargo containers that contains guano deposits and water pools.
Photos by Lenareh
Clear blue crystal waters, breathtaking underwater paradise, coral reefs and colorful sea life! That is Balicasag Island, a 25-hectare marine haven located in Panglao Island in Bohol, Philippines.
Out of the 25 hectares, 1.5 hectares was developed into a resort. This “Special Interest Resort” has been operational since October, 1989. PTA together with the Philippine Navy promotes underwater sports and protects a marine life sanctuary showcasing a model for marine environmental conservation, ecological preservation and tourism.
Hailed as one of the best dive spots in the world, it boasts of native-inspired 10 aircon duplex cottages (with 2 room/cottage, average size of its room is 19.64 sq.m), has a private toilet/bath and individual veranda where guests may enjoy the breathtaking view of sun, sea and surf. (Story by Mini A. / Photos courtesy of PTA)
Balicasag Isaland marine sanctuary
Black Forest
Gorgonian Sea Fan
School of Jacks
Turtle Point
Infinity Pool
To be reunited with the beauty of nature under the water is what's make this travel majestic
Out of the thousands of islands in the Philippines and out of the many places in the whole world, one island from the Philippines had made it in to the world’s list of top ten beaches. Boracay is located in Western Visayas, at the northwestern end of Panay. It is a small island, popular with its white sand and crystal clear water has become the country’s well-known tourist spot and is popular not only in our neighboring countries, but all over the world.
Boracay is visited with thousands of tourists and natives every year, and up until now the number of the tourist visitations are steadily increasing every year. Boracay is famous of its affordable accommodations and refreshing aura that is best for relieving stress from city life like work related stress or school works.
Time flies when you are in Boracay. There are lots to do in Boracay and you only think of the fun under the sun. Numerous resorts and sports center offer various water sports like diving, snorkeling, banana boat ride, and island hopping. There are also other activities to try like shopping in various souvenir shops, dining, and massage parlors.
When you just want to get away, consider going to Boracay.
Boracay has been developed by the local government to make it more attractive to people all over the world. There are lots of sports and exciting new adventures established to make it more memorable and fun for the local and foreign visitors of the island. One of the activities that can be experienced in Boracay is the scuba diving. Boracay beach has been protected and developed by the local government to ensure the beautiful scenery not only in the land but also underwater. What is expected underwater is to be reunited with the beauty of nature under the water with lots of preserved corals and protected little majestic fishes. Though the scuba sport is not as cheap as we think, but the price is still affordable and reasonable. The only thing that is important and we have to consider to try it is the experience that we get from exposing in the underwater environment is priceless and once in a life time experience.
Fun in Boracay doesn’t stop when the sun sets. Fun continues throughout the night and it is even more enjoyable at night time. As the morning activities sets off at night time, different bars, food chains, and shopping spots opens at night time. As you retire for the day, enjoy listening to live bands or watch amusement activities like fire dancing available in every area of the island.
Finally, the best way to finish off the day is to visit a spa for a full body massage. Massage centers are common in Boracay island and it is everywhere with a very low price. It is the best way to relax the body after the exciting adventures done in the morning.
Consider Boracay when planning your honeymoon, your next family vacation, or bonding time with your friends. It is the best island to escape to when you just want to get away.
