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ZAMBALES
may not be a popular destination for aficionados of
white-sand beaches like those strips found in the South;
still, over the years, it has created a following for
its unique attractions. Consider these: skim-board
surfing against a golden sunset, an all-terrain-vehicle
(ATV) ride on long shorelines, the Dinamulag sweet mango
festival celebration every April, running crablets on
the sand, and relaxing nipa (palm leaves) cottages
facing the deep blue sea. Nestled in Central Luzon,
Zambales has more to offer to local and foreign
tourists. Going deeper into it, we found Bakasyunan sa
Baybay Dagat, a resort located in the province’s capital
Iba. (In Pilipino, iba coincidentally means
delightfully different or unique.)
Only a
four-hour trip from Manila by land, the place is ideal
for special occasions, seminars, workshops and
team-building activities. It has a function hall that
can house 300 people. There are prebuilt obstacle
courses nearby.
“Bakasyunan initially started as a private resort in
1997 and was opened to the public in 1999,” said Ligaya
Lacsamana, president of Bakasyunan.
It
offers more than the usual cottages and kayaking
facilities. There is a treehouse built on the strong
branches of a talisay (tropical almond) tree, nipa huts
near the shore, “fusion” nipa and concrete beachfront
rooms, dormitories that can accommodate up to 30 people,
native townhouses and VIP rooms. During day tours, the
resort can host a total of 2,000 people.
“Initially, we committed to the historic Filipino
infrastructure by using all nipa. But through the years
of having different clients, we realized they have
different needs and so we built the concrete dormitories
and deluxe rooms,” Lacsamana said.
The
four-wheeled ATVs are the most queued activity in the
resort, followed by jet ski, aqua cycle, and sports
activities that include basketball, volleyball,
billiards, table tennis and dart games.
Pools
for adults and children are located near the resort’s
entrance, surrounded by shrubs of exquisite yellow bell
flowers. Near the 24-hour restaurant, there’s a giant
trampoline for thrill-seekers. The man-made grotto of
Mother Mary, with soothing flowing waters which was
built under the shade of coconut trees, invites the
religious and sinners as well to at least say a prayer
or two before plunging into the water.
Nature
is at its best in the 3-hectare resort. Stroll and feast
your eyes on fruit-bearing trees like duhat (black
plum), jackfruit, mango and cashew in midday breeze. Be
prepared to encounter wonderful fowls quacking their way
to where there’s food, while chirping native maya birds
greet guests, especially in the early mornings.
The
resort has a mini golf course and a fishing lagoon where
visitors can catch live tilapia and cook it themselves
for free, or have the catch prepared by the in-house
chef for a minimal fee. They also have the option to go
for a late lunch of squid adobo and fresh
hot-off-the-grill yellowfin tunas—these from the regular
catch of fishermen. Residents encourage newcomers to
taste papakol, a black hard-scaled fish that has
a tasty white meat.
Iba was
recently awarded as the cleanest resort in Zambales,
providing yet another incentive for the Zambales Resort
Owners Association, where Bakasyunan is a member, to
maintain this quality for the continuing enjoyment of
guests.
“In a
week, the resort averages 600 visitors, a combination of
locals, foreigners and even OFWs [overseas Filipino
workers],” beamed Franklin Macalino, the marketing head
of Bakasyunan.
The
resort was chosen for San Miguel Babad, the brewery’s
summer activity in March, and the Bikini Open 2007.
Bakasyunan’s expansion plans include an Ecumenical
church within the resort, so couples may invite their
priests and pastors here for a garden wedding instead of
going to church,” Lacsamana said. Macalino added that a
kiddie playground with seesaws, slides, swings and more
will be among the features guests can also look forward
to. The single treehouse will have two more ‘siblings’
following persistent request from frequent guests. Soon,
deluxe and VIP rooms in the future will be Wi-Fi-enabled
for fast and unrestricted Internet. Moreover, for the
health-conscious vacationers, Bakasyunan is
conceptualizing a space for yoga plus a spa with
complete services.
This
year Bakasyunan has begun to give back to the community
by giving young Aetas and poor children school supplies.
“We have long planned for this project, which officially
started this year after recipient locations were
successfully identified,” said Lacsamana.
Macalino
added, “Actually, our sense of corporate social
responsibility started even before the project was
launched, as we gave priority to hiring local residents
for the resort’s additional construction needs,
especially fishermen during their off-season.” |
