Wow Guimaras! More than just mangoes

By Luci Lizares

Saturday, May 7, 2011

MY CONCEPT of Guimaras was always associated with mangoes, but I never realized the Wealth of Wonders in our neighbor! Despite its proximity to Negros, this was my first trip ever! (FOR SHAME!)

From the Iloilo port, we were transported to the Jordan pier. From the onset, I was already charmed. I loved the wooden carts used by the "porters". It is so local color. Then we had a whole pump boat all to ourselves for just P500, as we ate peanuts still hot from the frying pan and the rest feasting on kamunsil.

Guimaras was less than 30 minutes away and the island with its lush hills beckoned us. As we docked, we were advised to head for the Tourism Center. The ladies on duty were welcoming and asked if a foreigner is among our group of six. I was wondering which foreigner they are talking about and just then, Anna Balcells in her fluent Ilonggo shocked them all by saying that she is a native Talisaynon.

Guimaras is so aware of their tourism potential that they have uniform rates for multicabs and even boat rentals. The drivers and the boat boys served as tour guides as well. KUDOS TO THEM!

The foremost agenda of this trip was for a reflective and spiritual journey at the Trappist Monastery. Having done that and emerging with glowing halos, it was time to explore this new territory.

The private resort home of the Montinola family at Bella Cove in Alubihud was highly recommended and rightfully so. It was a home away from home and we had meals cooked accordingly to our request from binacol to langka turron for dessert.

The Montinola home is a perfect respite. It is private and overlooks a fish pond. To the right of the house are two cabanas that can house a family of four or more each. To the left and proximal to the pond is a gazebo with hammocks where one can spend the day either reading a book or just meditating. A grilling pit huge enough to roast a calf is close by.

Conceptualized and built by the family's patriarch, Eduardo Montinola, the homey complex is complete with a zoo in the back garden that has peacocks and ostriches and eagles and more displaying the adventurous spirit of the gentleman. The main house is a mix of Malay and Balinese influence with a touch of Tudor thrown in. At the heart of the living room is an aviary where birds of myriad colors flew and chirped. After a sumptuous evening meal, enveloped in luxurious yet wildlife ambience, we all retired anticipating a coming full day of island hopping!

Our banca fetched us right in the landing of the fishpond. Thank GOD for the high tide. We were very impressed with our boat boy who belonged to an association and he knew every nook and cranny cove of the many islands. We breezed through many, stopping at some small isolated coves with immaculate white sand for the sun worshippers in the group to take a quick dip or snorkel!

Then we passed through a cave which was a miniature of the Underground Cave of Puerto Princesa but nonetheless sporting stalactites and stalagmites. We saw a very pretty island reminiscent of Mama Mia and our very resourceful boat boy who apparently was a relative of the caretaker allowed us to beach our boat and see the place. We toured the house which had a 360 degree view of the whole island!!!

GEEZ.................we were in love with the island! The owners, a German and a Filipino, died almost simultaneously last year. Oh Dear! The island was bought about 20 years ago for just P20,000.00. We asked boldly if the island was for sale! We all pretended to be Meryl Streep!

After circling through the many islands, it was time for lunch and to Nuvea Valencia we headed with lunch awaiting us at RayMen. The place was literally crawling with people but they accepted advanced order for our meals. So we came in famished and ravished over the best squid paella we have ever tried.

To further enhance our exploring, we passed through the Turtle Sanctuary and for more environmental learning, a stop at the SEAFDEC where giant spawners of lapulapu, sea bass, pompano which were truly were too large to be true. This is a sea ranch and has been operational for many years.

The trip back home to Bella Cove was truly an experience with the tide so very low and it was almost an "amazing race" segment of how we survived the higher than knee deep soft mud that practically sucked us! This added to the adventure as we laughed ourselves hoarse while balancing ourselves.

But nonetheless, the 4 days 3 nights we spent in Guimaras was truly an experience. It had all the ingredients for a happy holiday: a spiritual encounter, an educational learning experience, an environmental session, white sandy beaches, endless munching and devouring of great food, feeling Meryl Streep at that spectacular Mama Mia island and a fabulous home to go home to at the end of the day! BLISS INDEED!!! Thank you LORD!!!

Guimaras is truly a new find! This is a new place in our corner of the Philippines that is welcoming, less maddening than Bora with pristine shores despite the growing number of tourists. Ironic as it may seem, we arrived in Guimaras in time for their Manggahan festival but we never went near the fiesta site.

Guimaras is really more than just mangoes and I believe a second trip is in order to explore more and enjoy more this beautiful island which is our next door neighbor! Indeed: WOW GUIMARAS!!!

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on May 07, 2011.

An address situated between two coves

By MICHAEL APOSTOL

April 13, 2011, 11:14am

La Puerta Al Paraizo is situated between two coves in a secluded section of the town of Nueva Valencia in Guimaras.

GUIMARAS, Philippines -- When Helen Clarke, a Filipina entrepreneur who does business in New Zealand decided to build her own resort in Guimaras, she christened it “La Puerta Al Paraizo.”  In English, the name means “The Gateway to Paradise.” It’s an apt name for a place located in a tranquil setting. Situated along a clean, secluded white beach with crystal clear waters,

Clarke’s place is one of the more prestigious resorts in Nueva Valencia in Guimaras. She admits to never having any background in hotel management but she has always loved creating dwellings that are stylish and relaxing to be in. It was Clarke herself who supervised the construction and landscaping of La Puerta.

“Putting up a resort business here is not easy,” she says. “We did encounter some problems along the way but what kept us going was the enormous potential of the location. And today, it’s the smiles from the satisfied guests that keep us going.”

The guests keep coming in, thanks in part to Clarke’s business partner who makes sure a steady stream of foreign visitors stay at the resort. The place is very inviting. After all, La Puerta is ensconced between two coves, as opposed to the single coves of most other resorts in the country.

Clarke built several cottages within the property. Some of them come with thatched roofs while others have huge, panoramic picture windows that offer an expansive view of Guimaras Sea. The tropical theme is dominant throughout the resort. It also follows the Asian minimalist look though certain accents and touches are unmistakably Filipino.  Both the cottages as well as the main villa could very well be today’s take on the native bahay kubo. Its Filipino heritage is obvious but it comes with that clean and uncluttered look.

The island province of Guimaras is celebrating its mango festival this week. For details, call La Puerta al Paraizo at 0926.4135970  or 0927.5079024. Or email:lapuertaalparaizo@rocketmail.com

An address situated between two coves

By MICHAEL APOSTOL

April 13, 2011, 11:14am

La Puerta Al Paraizo is situated between two coves in a secluded section of the town of Nueva Valencia in Guimaras.

GUIMARAS, Philippines -- When Helen Clarke, a Filipina entrepreneur who does business in New Zealand decided to build her own resort in Guimaras, she christened it “La Puerta Al Paraizo.”  In English, the name means “The Gateway to Paradise.” It’s an apt name for a place located in a tranquil setting. Situated along a clean, secluded white beach with crystal clear waters, Clarke’s place is one of the more prestigious resorts in Nueva Valencia in Guimaras. She admits to never having any background in hotel management but she has always loved creating dwellings that are stylish and relaxing to be in. It was Clarke herself who supervised the construction and landscaping of La Puerta.

“Putting up a resort business here is not easy,” she says. “We did encounter some problems along the way but what kept us going was the enormous potential of the location. And today, it’s the smiles from the satisfied guests that keep us going.”

The guests keep coming in, thanks in part to Clarke’s business partner who makes sure a steady stream of foreign visitors stay at the resort. The place is very inviting. After all, La Puerta is ensconced between two coves, as opposed to the single coves of most other resorts in the country.  

Clarke built several cottages within the property. Some of them come with thatched roofs while others have huge, panoramic picture windows that offer an expansive view of Guimaras Sea. The tropical theme is dominant throughout the resort. It also follows the Asian minimalist look though certain accents and touches are unmistakably Filipino.  Both the cottages as well as the main villa could very well be today’s take on the native bahay kubo. Its Filipino heritage is obvious but it comes with that clean and uncluttered look.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

The island province of Guimaras is celebrating its mango festival this week. For details, call La Puerta al Paraizo at 0926.4135970  or 0927.5079024. Or email:lapuertaalparaizo@rocketmail.com

A paradise in Guimaras

By MICHAEL APOSTOL

April 13, 2011, 11:28am

Garden enthusiast Neptune Pittman with her husband Charles at the front entrance of their Guimaras place called Neptune Pittman's Garden Resort.

GUIMARAS, Philippines -- The small island province of Guimaras is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the  Philippines.  The island’s beautiful beaches, verdant forests, and picturesque landscape are just among the highlights of Guimaras. Also, its friendly people have made tourists want to revisit the place. Among the more prominent residents of the island is Mrs. Neptune Pittman, who lives in a colorful house surrounded by an equally colorful garden. The property, which covers roughly 1.2 hectares  of  land, is home to a fabulous collection of exotic and organic plants.

Neptune Pittman is a retired microbiologist who worked as a medical technologist in Saudi Arabia. In 2003, she and her Australian husband Charles, a retired pilot, decided to turn their home in Buenavista into a garden paradise filled with blooming flowers and willowy trees. In 2006, they became hoteliers when they transformed their home into a botanical garden resort called Neptune Pittman’s Garden Resort. Today, she’s among the island’s biggest champions. She now serves as Chairperson of the Guimaras Tourism Council.

Mrs. Pittman has long been a garden enthusiast, so it was natural for her to have a beautiful garden in the house. “It started as a hobby, I love collecting and taking care of plants. Then people started visiting the place and marveled at my exotic plants. And more and more people wanted to see them so, I thought of turning the place into a garden resort.” she said.

The garden is a repository of many rare plant species. Guests who might have a green thumb are always welcome to have a chat with Mrs. Pittman who loves to share interesting information about the plants. She also gives advice on how to maintain their own gardens.  Among the plants that can be seen in the garden is  the Jadevine. Mrs. Pittman describes the plant as the “Pride of the Philippines.” It’s said to thrive in the deep jungles of Quezon province. Also in the garden is the Zarraca, dubbed as the king of the flowering trees. And there is the Brownia, which Pittman says is the Zarraca’s female counterpart. And believe it or not, Pittman has a Japanese maple and fig tree in her garden! Also, there are several varieties of Gumamelas, and flowering vines and varieties of Macopa trees.

The main house and the guest rooms in the Pittman resort are also sights to behold. The place can accommodate up to 60 guests. It has a conference hall,  a Spa Cottage, and an outdoor tennis court.

There are three guest rooms in the Pittman house, all of which were decorated by Pittman herself.  In designing the interiors, she went for the eclectic by mixing Meditterranean, Indian, Asian, and Australian styles.  The walls and ceilings of the  lobby and lounge areas feature hand-painted flowers that make the indoors feel and look as serene as the outdoors.

Apart from the main house is a wooden guest cottage adorned with ornaments from the various countries the Pittmans have visited. The staircase uses recycled wood and it’s said to have been sourced from a centuries-old sunken Spanish galleon. The cottage can accommodate up to 15 people.

The garden furniture she designed are made of recycled materials. The tables and chairs, for instance, are made of motorcycle tires. The benches are made of cart wheels and tree logs.

Mrs. Pittman has managed to infuse her own charming, generous personality into her own home. Any guest who enjoys the charm of the resort in turn, also gets to learn more about the lady who owns and built it.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

For more information about Neptune Pittman's Garden Resort, call 0916-2352791 or (033) 580-2286. E-mail woodpit@yahoo.com.

Sorsogon, Guimaras, and Davao del Sur support DoT's accreditation scheme

By Jacky Lynne A. Oiga

Going to Mt. Apo (photo by Henrylito Tacio)

 MANILA, Philippines – What do the Butandings in Sorsogon, the fish sanctuaries in Guimaras, and the 800-meter zip line in Davao del Sur have in common? Besides being located in top emerging destinations, these are all tourism enterprises that recently adopted and passed the mandatory accreditations enforced by the Department of Tourism (DoT).

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Sorsogon, Sangguniang Panlungsod of Digos in Davao del Sur and Sangguniang Bayan of Nueva Valencia in Guimaras are local government units (LGUs) that passed their resolutions late last year in accordance with prescribed guidelines and standards of the DoT. This comprehensive system of accreditation will help upgrade tourism products and services as well as guarantee the best vacations for local and foreign tourists.

Davao del Sur boasts of the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo, the endemic orchid species like the Vanda Sanderiana and the endangered Philippine Eagle. Donsol’s butanding-watching experience is relatively new but the local tourism office has also added firefly watching in its list of interesting activities. The unspoiled beaches of Guimaras, on the other hand, continue to lure foreign tourists.

Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim explained that the DoT needs to share responsibilities with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and LGUs in the accreditation enforcement in every tourist destination, “The continuing support of the DILG and the LGUs is one way of developing tourism in a responsible, ethical, and sustainable way.”

Atty. Maria Victoria Jasmin, Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation added that the locals of these communities will also benefit economically, culturally, socially and environmentally from the multiplier effect of a strong and vibrant travel and tourism industry in their areas. Jasmin encouraged their support noting that cooperation from the LGUs is crucial.

The DoT regularly conducts training and continuing education to enhance the LGUs’ capability, particularly for its tourism officers, in partnership with the travel trade to properly implement the regulatory provisions.

In line with this, the DoT is requesting LGUs to require all establishments that may be classified as primary tourism enterprises with the presentation of its accreditation certificate upon submission of its application for renewal of its license or permit to operate.  For those applying for new or original license, an endorsement from the DoT is required with the application. 

Source: Manila Bulletin
 

Traveling A-Z: Guimaras

By VINCE G. LOPEZ

July 31, 2010, 9:27am

The island province of Guimaras is a destination filled with natural wonders. Located in the Western Visayas Region between the islands of Panay and Negros, the province boasts of magnificent beaches, inspiring waterfalls and idyllic islets, and of course, its world-famous sweet mangoes.

Known as “Mango Country” to tourists who have been to the province, Guimaras is one sweet destination filled with interesting sites and scenic spots. Tourists will be pleased with the number of islands and bays in the province waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. With its rugged terrain and natural wonders, the province is also ideal for the adventure-seeking tourists as Guimaras offers numerous exciting activities such as mountain climbing, rappelling, and free diving.

Aside from the number of adventures and scenic beaches, the province is also home to dozens of religious and cultural sites. The number of interesting sites is also easily accessible with all the number of tourist outposts located in Jordan which is the province’s capital. Getting lost will not be a problem as locals are always ready to help and answer queries.

Local Dialect: Hiligaynon and Kiniray-a

Festival: Manggahan sa Guimaras Festival – Celebrated every 22nd of May depicting the cultural heritage of the province. The celebration is also a means to promote the province’s diverse mango products and its identity as a “Mango Country”.

Must See:

Guisi Lighthouse (Dolores) – Built in 1894 by the Spanish Government to guide maritime vessels to the ports of Manila, Iloilo and Cebu. Though no longer operational, the lighthouse continues to serve as a landmark of the province of Guimaras.

McArthur’s Wharf – Originally built in 1903 and known as the “Buenavista Park,” the site is historic since it saw the transformation and modernization of the province.

Roca Encantada - Declared as a historical house by The National Historical Institute, the summer house was built in 1910. This tourist spot overlooks the legendary islets called Siete Pecados.

Oro Verde Mango Plantation (Pina) - Declared by the Department of Tourism as one of three pilot agri-tourism destinations in the country, the agricultural destination is one of the largest mango plantations in the province.

Higante Cave – The cave got its name from a legend that told the story of a giant who supposedly built the place. The cave is located on top of a hill and is usually visited by locals and tourists as a spot for recreation and discovery.

Our Lady of the Philippines –Trappist Monastery - Established in 1972, the monastery is the only men’s monastery in the Philippines. The place is ran by the Cisreran order of Strict Observance and continues to serve as a place for those who wish to seek solace and self-examination through meditation and retreat.

Guimaras Adventure Park – An adventure filled destination where guests can play paintball, rappel and go horseback riding.

Scenic Beaches:

Ave Maria Islet - White sand beach islet located in front of Sitio Lusay where the Marine Reserve Area of Jordan is located.

Tiniguiban Islet - A 1,544-square meter islet where rare red shrimps make their appearance inside the pool during high tide.

Tatlong Pulo Beach - An islet of Guimaras with lush greeneries, white sand beaches, private coves, and rich and colorful marine life and unique inland terrain.

Guimaras tourist arrivals in ’09 up 34%

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ILOILO CITY, Philippines - Guimaras Island ravage by a massive oil spill four years ago, has bounced back.

Tourist arrivals in Guimaras in 2009 was up by 34 percent or by more than 50,000 compared to 2008, according to data from the provincial tourism office.

Tourist arrivals last year leaped to 212,938 compared to 158,441 in 2008. This included 7,370 foreign tourists and 205,568 local guests.

The island's tourist arrivals reached only 156,423 in 2007 and 156,423 in 2006 after the oil spill struck. The number of tourists in 2009 was also higher than the pre-oil spill data of 204,312,500 arrivals recorded in 2005.
"We have mostly recovered and the big leap in tourist arrivals is very encouraging and welcome," Guimaras Gov. Felipe Nava told the Inquirer in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

The oil spill on August 11, 2006 was considered the country's worst marine disaster and was triggered after the MT Solar 1, chartered by Petron Corp., sank in stormy seas southeast of Guimaras and spilled more than 2.1 million liters of bunker fuel oil, which it was transporting from Bataan to Zamboanga.

Nava said the island's economy has returned almost to normal with affected fishermen going back to fishing.
The oil spill had contaminated at least 27 villages in the towns of Nueva Valencia, Sibunag, San Lorenzo, Jordan and Buenavista in Guimaras and in the towns of Sara, Concepcion and Oton in Iloilo. It also reached the coastal villages of Iloilo City.

At least 6,156 families or 30,531 persons, mostly fishermen, lost their livelihood.
The oil spill also devastated the island's rich marine resources affecting 239 kilometers of coastline, 15.8 square kilometers of coral reefs, 105 hectares of mangroves and 42 hectares of seaweeds damaged or destroyed.

Scientists have earlier warned that the environmental impact of the oil spill would linger longer than the economic impact.

Various results of scientific studies and researches released last year showed that the island's coastal environment has not completely recovered with marine plants and animals showing abnormalities that are mainly attributed to the contamination of the oil spill.

Nava said continued researches and studies were necessary to determine the extent and duration of the environmental impacts of the oil spill.

But a militant nationwide federation of fisherfolk organizations on Tuesday called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to compel oil firm Petron Corp. to pay P20 billion for victims of the oil spill.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged Environment Secretary Ramon Paje to ensure that the oil firm would compensate the 133,000 victims for the damage caused by the environmental disaster.

Aside from the P 20-billion economic compensation package, the group is also urging the DENR to compel Petron to set aside another P 20-billion for the rehabilitation of Guimaras for ten years spread or P2 billion per year.
Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap claimed that owners of the giant oil company have yet to fulfill their promise to fund the rehabilitation of the marine environment and the livelihood of over 100,000 people in Guimaras, Iloilo and neighboring areas.

"Until now, there is no justice to the victims of the Guimaras oil spill tragedy. The DENR has adopted a forgive and forget attitude with Petron at the expense of the environment and the coastal people of Guimaras and Panay islands. This is horrible," Hicap said in a statement.

The London-based International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF), an intergovernmental agency that indemnifies losses resulting from oil spills, had paid a total of P908,120,203 to 22,437 claimants as compensation for economic losses and refund for expenses in the clean-up and preventive measures in relation to the oil spill. But the IOPCF had rejected around 133,000 other claims after it questioned the validity of the claims.

Philippine coastal marine habitats at risk: A case study of Guimaras Island