GUADALUPE is famous for its mangoes, which makes one think that it’s all there is to the place. Actually, it’s a large barangay and includes Napo and Sapangdaku in its territory, as well as a sitio called Lanipao, the narrow road to which stops at the Lanipao Rainforest Resort.
Owned by Richard and Nelda Cabucos, it is actually a farm where the couple has 250 mango trees, 3,000 coconut trees and 3,000 guyabano trees plus a vegetable plot with malunggay (horseradish), eggplants, gabi (taro) and other plants mostly for in-house consumption.
That the farm is also a resort was not in the original plan of the Cabucos. It happened because Nelda, a retired nurse, was advised by her doctor to swim for her health. So she built a swimming pool. When she went on trips abroad, children in the area would ask the caretaker if they could swim, to which Nelda consented. But when there were so many children who would come, and they asked what they should pay, she asked them to bring a stone as entrance fee. The stones piled up and, using them, she built another pool beside the first and still another one to make a series of three pools. On an upper level, she built a bigger pool with twin slides for added thrill. When more people patronized the place, the couple had picnic huts built, and two cabins (one each for their two children, explained Richard) which can also be rented out for guests who want to stay overnight.
For children, there’s a playground with a trampoline, a slide and go-karts. There’s also a volleyball court and a mini aviary. Also in the resort area is what people say is a “healing stone,” a “live” stone believed to promote healing. Beyond the stone is a spring, the source of water for the swimming pools and for the beautiful “farm house” of the Cabucos, some 60 steps up the pool area.
Richard, who is an engineer and a retired Philippine Airlines employee, is busy with his projects for the resort. Right now, he is building a fishpond for tilapia. He also has 360 steps up the mountain with a spectacular 360-degree view of the city and its environs at the top. This is where he intends to put up a zipline, so the resort may become an adventure park.
Being in the resort means getting away from all the hustle and bustle of downtown Cebu. There’s no signal for cell phones to mar one’s enjoyment of the place, its cool waters, the green of trees all around, the beauty of flowers in the landscape and the occasional bird song. Truly a place for relaxing, for the quiet contemplation of nature and for the enjoyment of cool spring waters, or for bonding with friends and loved ones.