Wednesday, July 09, 2008 Little earthly paradise By Arch’t. Karl A.E.F. Cabilao, UAP
TRACING its etymology to Persian roots, the word “paradise” originally meant a “walled garden or a royal hunting ground.”
However, over the years, it has attained more definitions than being exclusively associated to the Garden of Eden or Heaven. it is now frequently used to refer to earthly places that engender a blissful feeling from its visitor. It is as if they have been in the abode of angels.
Tropical islands like Cebu have been adopting a few of these so-called utopias. One of these is Abaca Resort and Restaurant in Mactan.
Tucked peacefully within Punta Engaño, Abaca Resort and Restaurant incarnates what paradise is all about. The small resort supports the “walled garden” connotation. Behind the massive stone walls lining a small road is a forest-like retreat with beach houses and a restaurant humbly taking their shade among the greens. It’s just the perfect hideaway for those seeking to partially detach themselves from the stress and noise of the city.
“We’re a super-private and super-exclusive place. Most of those who come here say they’d feel as if they’re not in Cebu,” discloses one of the owners, Jason Hyatt.
But as one goes through the place, the Cebuano spirit always manifests itself.
The look of its three villas and six suites matched with the locally made furniture are undeniably contemporary Filipino. The restaurant, which opened just two years ago, is naturally refreshing, thanks to the high ceiling and the view of the sea amidst lush vegetation.
And yes, the people behind the resto’s counter and the kitchen are among about 50 resort personnel who mostly come from the immediate vicinity. This gives Hyatt a sense of fulfillment knowing that “money is kept local” with people of the community benefiting from the resort operations. Plus, he’s sure that guests would be afforded genuine Cebuano hospitality through this hardworking lot.
The owner admits that their rates are deemed “quite expensive.” But given the highly exclusive spaces and above par service given to guests, the prices could just be as reasonable. The resort is also exploring on ways to contribute for the environment with their recent addition of a sewerage treatment facility that would recycle waste water and utilization compact-fluorescent lights in their rooms to save up big time on their water and energy consumptions.
So, why Abaca for a resort name? Hyatt says it just came out of the blue and not given deep thought. One of their friends here suggested the name and it was one that struck them the most. Hoping to reinforce on this moniker, they have placed abaca-made furniture in the rooms. And just like the abaca’s flexibility, durability and its exclusivity to this part of the world, the resort reflects these qualities in some ways in their spaces.
In a paradise like the Garden of Eden, the first man and woman strolled among teeming flora. It’s revitalizing to think locals and visitors can do the same in a paradise named after a member of the plant specie which parts are used to create the slickest and most durable furniture (since Cebu is also renowned for its furniture industry). Best of all, its plush address is just within our reach.
