Resorts as tourist attraction

WHAT do Haven's Peak, Lanikai, Punta Isla, and Sarangani Highlands have one thing in common?

These are resorts in Mindanao where you go to eat, relax and sleep. But they can also serve as tourist attractions in areas where they are located.

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Take the case of Haven's Peak Highland Resort in Maragusan, Compostela Valley. Nestled on Tarago Hills facing the town, it has 208 beautifully landscaped steps leading to its tidy but beautiful lobby.

Once you get to the top, you have the pleasure of seeing the whole town. You can even catch a glimpse of people walking and vehicles going to and fro. In the early morning, it provides sight of the picture-perfect and picturesque view of green foggy mountains appearing like a painting. Or "like backdrop of a stage," to quote the words of Jose Rey Subaldo (JR for short), who accompanied me during my recent visit to the place.

"Although we opened this resort only in 2005," June Louie Ibañez (he wants to be called PJ) told us in an interview, "we have succeeded in making the mountain resort as one of the town's tourist destination."

In fact, it has been featured already in the bestselling The Lonely Planet. "We really didn't know how we landed in its pages," PJ said. "It was not until one Australian guy called me and asked me how to get here."

PJ, who is the resident manager of the resort, gave him directions. Curious, he asked how the guy got his phone number. "From The Lonely Planet," the Aussie replied.

Foreigners are not the only ones who appreciate the beauty of resort. Its tribal huts and two-storey dormitories are just perfect place to stay. Both the Lantaw Barbeque and Seafood Grill House, and Terraza Adela Bar and Coffee Shop offer a great place to dine and unwind while viewing the whole town. The ambience is just superb during the day; at night, it is even spectacular.

If you happen to go to Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, stay at the Punta Isla Resort. That was where former president Fidel V. Ramos, Asia's songstress Pilita Corales, Miss Universe Margie Moran, film actor Carlo Maceda, television host Edu Manzano, and senator Manny Villar stayed when they visited the town.

During our recent visit, the place was teeming with visitors, walk-in guests, foreigners and locals. Most of them are captivated not only by the charm and beauty of the resort but by the staff who are courteous, smiling, and ready to help those who come along their way.

At first, the place was just a vacation house for the owners. Later on, they decided to make it a resort since she saw the potential of visitors coming in and out of the municipality. In 1999, it was launched into a resort. Today, it is Lake Sebu's top resort, which hosts about 2,000 visitors monthly, including those who attend trainings and conferences.

There are three conference halls, which can accommodate from 100 to 500 people. There are several types of accommodations ranging from first class to dormitory types. You can also stay in a typical T'boli house which can accommodate about 12 people.

One good thing about Punta Isla is you can have fine dining at their floating restaurant, just a few meters away from the resort. Imagine the cool weather, the breathtaking views, and the freshly grilled tilapia. Other tilapia delicacies they served include chicharon tilapia, tilapia foyong, tilapia rebusado, tilapora, kinilaw na tilapia, nilasing na tilapia, pinaputok na tilapia, and daing na tilapia.

It is one thing seeing Lake Sebu (the lake not the town) from afar, but it?s another thing exploring the actual lake itself. At Punta Isla, you could hire a motor boat good for 8-10 persons in addition to your personal tour guide and boat man. Their tour guides are native T'bolis and are accredited by the Department of Tourism, so you get loads of information as well as stunning views of the lake during the boat ride.

Meanwhile, you don?t have to fly to Hawaii to have fun at the Lanikai Beach. All you have to do is go to Tagum and from the heart of the city drive towards Madaum for about 15 minutes. Nestled along the coastline of the barangay is the Lanikai itself, a revivification of the Garden of Eden, the biblical home of Adam and Eve.

Lanikai takes its name from the Hawaiian word, which means "heaven by the sea." An apt description for a place that is serene, rustic, mesmerizing, and enthralling. One writer describes it as a resort "that boasts of a pristine forest, blue waters, rich animal wildlife, a gateway for a river cruise, and a window of the banana industry."

Once you enter the resort, the first thing that attracts your attention is the two-storey old house with plantation-style elegance. It has been renovated into a guest house with eight air-conditioned rooms. Jojie Alcantara, Sun Star Davao columnist who has visited the place several times, rhapsodized: "(It) has a setting that I can only describe as old worldly and homey in atmosphere. It's like I went home to the house of my grandparents for a vacation."

What's so special about Lanikai anyway? Nothing, except it means fine sand at your feet, view of open seas, and breathing fresh air. The place is so quiet that you can only hear the breeze and the sound of the waves. If you want to have communion with nature, then this is the place to be.

"At Lanikai, our visitors can enjoy a private beach away from the prying eyes of the public," says Lawrence T. Co, who happens to be the leisure representative of the Hijo Resources Corporation, owner of place where Lanikai is located. "A speedboat is at their disposal to whisk them away for a day's picnic at any of the neighboring islands."

For sports aficionados, Lanikai is an ultimate private playground. "It is a lovely place, where you can do a lot of activities," says television host Marc Nelson, who recently some segments for Sports Unlimited.

In Star Papers: A Discourse of Flowers, Henry Ward Beecher wrote: "Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock."

Beecher's statement came to our mind when we visited the spellbinding Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant at purok Wal in barangay Tambler, General Santos City recently. The place has an awesome view of Sarangani Bay and downtown Gensan (as locals call their city). On a clear day, you can see the majestic Mt. Parker and Mt. Matutum.

As you enter the gate, you will feel as if you are transported to a site somewhere in Mexico. And that?s only for a starter. Inside, you will see well-manicured gardens full of lush ornamentals and colorful flowers: bougainvillea, gumamela, San Francisco, even cactus. All these you can see in the four-hectare paradise.

"As you walk around the place and breathe the fresh air coming from the bay, you seem to forget all your troubles away," JR comments. He adds that it reminds him of Tagaytay "but much better and enthralling."

There's an interesting story on how Sarangani Highlands came to be. Dr. Ana Belle L. Abella loves collecting ornamental plants, particularly the flowering species. It so happened that her business partner, Dr. Tranquilino Ruiz, has a passion for landscaping. So, the two of them bought a land, which they developed into a beautiful garden. Due to the fantastic view, a lot of people encouraged them to put up a restaurant.

The tandem did. Since its opening in July 2007, Sarangani Highlands has served as "the destination" to bring special guests, celebrate special occasions, and to show off to tourists who come to Gensan. Aside from the regular dining service, Sarangani Highlands also has function areas (both air-conditioned and al-fresco) that can accommodate guests for private parties, weddings, and meetings.

At Sarangani Higlands, you can enjoy a wide array of Filipino and seafood-based dishes amidst an incredible garden setting.

Dr. Abella said that when Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Felix Mari Hotckiss Durano came to the place for breakfast he wanted to stay a little longer. "This is really a beautiful place," the government official from Cebu was quoted to have said.

Already picturesquely beautiful during daytime, Sarangani Highlands transforms into a nighttime paradise perfect for romantic dinners and family get-togethers.