MISSING each other’s company, the Women in Travel decided to make up for lost moments of bonding by venturing into a new destination. We were told of this new place The Punong: Gary’s Place in Silay City.
At least 18 members managed to find the place easily. Just go past the Hawaiian Central and when you reach the Pryce Gas compound, a signage says The Punong, so you make a left and go straight up.
We were told that this is not the usual “punong (fishpond)” we normally see and indeed, we were welcomed to a Balinese oasis that was pure delight to all the five senses.
Visually, century-old big trees of narra, mahogany, lonok, rubber, coconut and bamboo allowed soft diffused sunlight to filter and wash the spaces below. Amidst the chaos of foliage and vegetation, a structured exhilarating order exists and immediately you breathe in a sense of retreat, quiet, and tranquillity so intimate with nature, a sanctuary of absolute calm.
The symphony of the rushing waters from the kiddie pool and the lapping pool in resonance with the trees swaying to the rhythm of the cool winds while perched on those cozy “duyans” is pure invitation to a siesta at any time of the day or sets a perfect setting for bonding which the ladies longed for.
The palate was satisfied with a four-course meal prepared by Chef Joey Benin starting with aperitifs, followed by organic salad, squash soup and a main course of either pork, fish or chicken which came with either white or brown rice downed with buko juice and soda if you please.
The Punong serves buffet on Saturdays and on weekdays it is plated for a minimum of 15 persons. Reservations are required for any given day. Bringing of food is frowned at because the proceeds of The Punong go to the Takas Youth Community for their Clean and Green Project.
The project is about converting biodegradable materials into potent fertilizers through vermin-compost. The fertilizers produced go to homegrown farmers who will produce and supply vegetables and other root crops for The Punong Restaurant. How novel and how noble indeed!
Aesthetically pleasurable to the eyes, The Punong was designed by architect/owner Nonoy Ledesma and run by daughter Bing with her husband Chef Joey. Nonoy injected objects of art in every nook and corner which were conversation pieces—a Buddha in yoga position, a small piano which double as a desk, some stone figured beneath rubber trees with roots and branches intertwining-the list goes on.
The place is so photogenic that a shutterbug will be busy getting the best of shots at any given time. While we are not professional photographers, we had a heyday taking photos in between chitchat.
There are rooms tastefully decorated too for overnight stays and price comes with breakfast. If you want to bring your family to somewhere different and yet so close to home, The Punong: Gary’s Place it is!