A trip to the North is always a pleasant treat because there are always places to enjoy and discover. The past several years, many towns in Ilocos Norte have become popular. The northermost town of Pagudpud is famous for its fine golden beaches earning for the town the label “Boracay of the North.” The longest in Luzon, the Patapat Bridge which is at the Pagudpud-Claveria boundary is a favorite driving destination as it offers spectacular view of the sea from the slopes of a mountain and just above a coast of the China Sea. Mention the town of Paoay and images of the centuries old Paoay church, Malacanang of the North and the Sand Dunes easily come to mind.

Laoag City is also famous as it is the seat of the provincial government and the center of education and culture in the region. The international airport is also located there. Of course, who would miss the sinking tower of St. Michael church in Bacarra as one exits Laoag. Sarrat and Batac towns are the birthplace and resting place of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, respectively. Burgos has maintained its Spanish-era lighthouse where you can also have a good view of the Wind Farm in Bangui if you climb its tower.

Now comes Currimao. We used only to pass this town from Manila on the way to the places I mentioned above. But a recent trip with Honda Cars Philippines when we test drove the new Honda Jazz gave us an opportunity to get to know the town.

Currimao is located at the soutwestern portion of Ilocos Norte along the vast shoreline of the China Sea. It is 465 kilometers from Manila and 27 kilometers south of Laoag City. By car, it is about 10 hours of easy drive from Manila. We, however, came via a 45-minute plane ride to Laoag and were driven to the next town San Nicolas where Honda Cars Ilocos Norte, the first car dealership in the province, is located.

Currimao’s boundaries are the towns of Paoay on the north, Batac on the east, and Pinili and Badoc on the south. Currimao, according to our guide, gradually became popular when Laoag could no longer accommodate all the tourists from Taiwan, China, Japan and Korea. The small resorts in Currimao thus benefited from the spillover of both foreign and local tourists paving the way for the construction of more tourist facilities.

One of these facilities is the Playa Tropical Resort and Hotel built only last year. Playa served as home to some 50 motoring journalists who participated in the Jazz test drive on different weekends.

We were all surprised to see the Bali-inspired resort when we checked in after a drive to different towns and historical places in Ilocos Norte. It has a large inifinity pool and four villas with its own private family-sized swimming pool. Each villa is good for four to eight persons with a mezzanine serving also as sleeping quarters. When completed, the adjoining hotel will have 40 rooms.

We really stuck to our schedule of arriving in the resort by 5:30 p.m. so we could catch the beautiful sunset from the pool area. We were not disappointed as the sun magnificently settled slowly with the resort’s tall coconut trees stood in the foreground.

Another attraction – and perhaps the main draw in Currimao – is a heritage village called Sitio Remedios in Barangay Victoria which is a good 10-minute walk from Playa resort.

Our Cruising colleagues Pinky Colmenares and Anjo Perez were the first to see the village and urged us not to miss even a short visit before we headed for the next set of drives. Together with Butch Gamboa and Jenny Bleza of Motoring Today and Al Mendoza of Business Mirror, we drove a few minutes to the site and lo and behold, it was like being transferred to another time as the various heritage houses welcomed us.

According to writer Christine Dayrit, Sitio Remedios was named after a remarkable lady whose life and example inspired her children to be exemplary citizens. Among them is her son Dr. Joven R. Cuanang, a top neurologist and medical director of St. Luke’s Medical Center, who is the proprietor and visionary behind the resort.

Dr. Cuanang went to Harvard Medical School in the mid-60s on a China Medical Board Rockefeller Scholarship, then went backpacking across Europe for a year and worked in Davis, California before practicing medicine in the Philippines. He considers education as the best gift from his parents, particularly his mother, who was a schoolteacher.

The idea of building a heritage village was hatched during the birthday of Dr. Cuanang on Dec. 31, 2005. The doctor discussed it with architect Rex Hofilena of Bacolod who made three sketches of the dream destination. The rest as they say is history.

According to Rene Guatlo, trustee of Silangan, which is Dr. Cuanang’s foundation for art, culture, ecology and healing: “Each piece of vintage wood and brick was numbered, meticulously dismantled then reassembled on the new property.”

The villas are named after the towns from which the ancestral homes originated such as Balay Batac. Batac is popularly known for its famous sons Gen. Artemio Ricarte, Bishop Gregorio Aglipay and Ferdinand Marcos.

Balay Dingras is inspired by one of the eastern towns of Ilocos Norte made famous by its roofless church ruins and centuries-old houses. Balay Radrillo is highlighted by red bricks fashioned from Ilocos clay, which adorn the verandah at the house entrance.

Balay nga Puraw is inspired by the arrival of the Americans at the turn of the 20th century. Balay Piddig is inspired by the famous Basi Revolt of 1807.

We saw a room called “Kuarto ni Cecille” named In honor of its first occupant, piano virtuoso Cecile Licad. Balay Bacarra, made from wood salvaged from a Bacarra house.

A chapel made of stone and designed as a mini version of the Paoay Church sits almost on the center of the village.

It will be interesting to stay even for one night in the Sitio the next time we visit the north. Sitio Remedios, Playa Tropical, some fine beaches and quiet environment and friendly people are some of the reasons why we think Currimao will be the next star of the North.

(for the column “Ron on the Run”)

Cottages under the trees at Duka Bay Resort. (Photo by Jovel Lorenzo)

Nature is an amenity that guests enjoy in Duka Bay Resort in Medina, Misamis Oriental. Aside from providing first-class resort accommodations to guests, the management and staff of Duka also advocate the preservation of local marine life within their vicinity.

Duka Bay Resort started as a private vacation house of the Pelaez clan of Former Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez. His wife and children planted magtalisay and baok-baok trees, which now provide cool shade to the whole resort.

The area has fine white sand and clear blue waters rich in corals teeming with marine life.

When the children grew up and went to live in different parts of the world, the family vacation spot was left without care, with only a caretaker to guard and keep the property from being trespassed by outsiders.

However, the Pelaez family believed their family resort actually has the potential to become a first-class establishment, with the beautiful beach as its major attraction.

In 1998, Duka Bay Resort opened its doors to the public. During construction, the family made sure that the land’s natural terrain will be maintained, and that the whole construction will go around the magtalisay and baok-baok trees.

The result is a beautifully landscaped resort with charming cottages under tall trees for those on a day trip, and private luxurious villas on a manicured slope surrounded by various pocket gardens.

More than offering prime accommodations however, the management of Duka Bay Beach Resort (particularly from the Pelaez clan) is also known as advocates of the environment.

“We grew up believing that we should take care of our property, and that means taking care of the natural ecosystem that makes up our resort. That’s why we try very hard to maintain the cleanliness of our beach and inform the people on how to preserve our natural domain,” said Bong Pelaez, president of Duka Bay Resort Inc.

The area of the resort, the Gingoog Bay, is a protected area where commercial fishing is not allowed. It is a site famous for snorkeling and scuba diving as there are colorful and vast coral reefs teeming with marine life. The underwater scene also consists of deep diving cliffs made by fresh water spring geysers erupting from the ocean floor. The area holds various schools of small residential and pelagic fishes, which take advantage of the minerals from the fresh water

Duka Bay Resort has three dive spots. First is the Paradise Garden, with a diving depth of 110 ft. Craters of corals with canyons and overhangs create a magical underwater paradise. Then there’s the Aquarium Garden, where rare black corals create an atmosphere as though diving into an unknown abyss. Last is the Japanese Garden where wide corals shaped like bonsai trees make for a fun diving experience.

Aside from protection, part of their environmental campaign is a coral reef restoration project, which won an award from the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce.

Large, snowflake-shaped steel contraptions are used for ‘planting’ new corals in the bay area. Rare corals such as the pink coral can be found in this area of the bay. The corals have become the home for exotic fishes such as scorpion fish, angelfish, lion fish, and jack fish. During summer, lucky guests even get the chance to see migrating pawikans.

The project area is used as ‘classroom’ where the resort divemaster educates army trainees about diving. In return, the
This is also the reason why water sport activities such as jetski, banana boat rides, motorboat rides are discouraged as these could destroy young corals. For those who wish to enjoy diving, a calm ride on a glass-bottom boat is suggested, or guests can simply kayak around the bay area.

Duka has a large, open-air pavilion-restaurant where local fare such as tinowa and kinilaw made from the day’s fresh catch is served. True to the resort owners’ advocacy, ‘in harmony with mature,’ the pavilion was constructed using sustainable materials.

The resort’s water supply also comes from a natural spring, which flows freely to the ocean.

Aside from the Villas, Duka Bay Resort also offers affordable, dorm-type accommodation for big groups. Available function rooms can be used for business seminars and other corporate gatherings.

Inside the resort (Photo by Ali Vicoy)

There are no barriers when it comes to tourism and entertainment – such is the philosophy of Thunderbird Resorts, a Latin-Amerrican chain of leisure hotels that has established its presence in the Philippines as a Mediterranean-themed mountain escape and gaming facility.

Mostly in the United States, Latin America refers to all of the Americas south of the US, including countries such as Belize, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname. Conversely, it also refers to Brazil and the Commonwealth Caribbean to assign the Spanish-speaking countries within this region, which are often known as Hispanic America.

As such, there is not much difference when it comes to the Philippines and Latin American destinations. Both cultures have a high regard for religion, sports, food, culture, and other aspects of tourism. For one, there is a great wealth of Catholic tradition that pervades around those regions, as seen in the historical churches in Ecuador. Both cultures can also relate to the sun, sand, and seas of the Carribean’s paradise islands and the natural biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. Argentines are meanwhile renowned for being a sports-crazy nation, while three things that are famous in Peru are as well-loved here: the spectacular landscape, the beautiful women, and seafood!

The exotic beauty of the Philippine islands and world-famous hospitality therefore clinched the deal for Thunderbird Resorts to open their own chain of hotel-resorts here. In fact, they already have two – one in Binangonan, Rizal, east of Manila and another in Poro Point in the north. The two resort establishments join dynamic, themed, and integrated resort venues anchored by a total of 24 gaming and casino businesses in four other countries: Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. In fact, the success of their two resorts in the Philippines is opening the door for further expansion in the Southeast Asian market.

Thunderbird Resort-Rizal is a quiet mountain retreat perched 210 feet above sea level on a highland valley south of the Sierra Madre mountain range in the heart of Binangonan, (about 20 kms from Manila). The resort, opened since 2005, houses a 43-room luxury hotel which features themed restaurants, an international casino and access to an 18-hole, all-weather, championship golf course at the adjacent East Ridge Golf Club.

The international hotel standards implemented at all Thunderbird Resorts worldwide is also offered here, featuring top-notch services and amenities for social and corporate functions or even just a dream weekend getaway. The property unveils breathtaking views of the Laguna de Bay during the daytime and the Manila skyline at nighttime.

There are 28 Superior Rooms, 14 Deluxe Rooms, and one Presidential Suite that presents luxurious room furnishings, including a private balcony, minibar, electronic door locks, and glass-encased showers and bathtub.

Around the facility can be enjoyed various recreation and leisure amenities, such as a charming infinity pool and outdoor Jacuzzi that overlooks serene Laguna de Bay and surrounding mountain ranges, meditation nooks, jogging paths, and kiddie playground for the young ones.

For the adult crowd, the resort offers the world-class Fiesta Casino, open for leisure and gaming needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hotel guests can feel right at home in the comfort of the gaming facilities, which are inspired by a fusion of classical Spanish and modern Filipino architecture reminiscent of a remote tropical island paradise.

Live music and entertainment and continental cuisine can also be enjoyed to the hilt at the Vegas Buffet, Cabana Bar, and Rhythm & Grill @ the Pool Bar, with the perfect view of the Manila skyline beckoning from the backdrop.

And after all the playtime, hotel guests can retreat to their inviting rooms and avail of the massage services exclusively developed for Thunderbird Resorts. The signature massage is designed for meticulous guests looking for a novel relaxation experience.

With a company-wide mission to create world-class entertainment and leisure facilities since 1997, Thunderbird Resorts is well on its way of achieving further success in its locations worldwide. As the name implies, this hotel chain is raring to soar high!

CURRIMAO Green Nipa Beach Front

Five hundred kilometers – or about 10 hours on the road, with two meal stops – is a driving exercise that needs a very good destination. Currimao, a small town with a population of 15,000 people (as of 2005 census) – is a good reason to drive that far! For most people who’d rather fly, Currimao is only about 40 minutes leisurely drive from the international airport in Laoag City. It is through that “door” where Currimao is being discovered by thousands of tourists whose number easily tops the local population. One of the resorts, the Currimao Green Nipa Beach Resort, recorded 12,000 guests in 2007. (According to the local tourism office, Nipa Resort had 54,484 arrivals since 2005!)

When we drove into Currimao last month, we were only aware of that municipality in Ilocos Norte as an emerging tourist haven from the town’s webpage. We were impressed about one resort, Sitio Remedios, a slice of an Old World neighborhood put together by a doctor, stories of which we had read in the papers. And we had the name of a new resort – Playa Tropical – as our ‘home’ for the weekend event of Honda Cars Philippines. During the day, we discovered that Currimao had six first-class resorts, most of them so new, the construction workers were still at the site.

Playa Tropical and Pangil Beach Resort opened only early this year. Both already have workers making way for expansion wings. And Sitio Remedios which opened two years ago, is fully booked until December.

Playa Tropical is a Balinese-inspired resort sprawling on a wide beachfront. Its unique accommodations are the fully-airconditioned casas which can house a family at the mezzanine floor and a room on the ground floor adjacent to the living area. What makes this place truly luxurious is a private pool at the back of the cabana! Room rates are from P2,000 to P5,500 for hotel rooms, and from P6,000 to P8,500 for the casa.

Familiar resort rooms are also available at the main building which replicates the old Spanish structures in that part of the north. A major attraction that unfolds every afternoon on a clear day is a magnificent sunset over the resort’s infinity pool. Pool attendants are so small-town hospitable that they even serve you food and drinks while you are in the water – how can anyone not enjoy the view?

Along the same beach front is the Old World charm exuded by Sitio Remedios. When you watch the sunset from there, an extra-strength nostalgia envelops you when the old structures turn yellow to golden to amber. If you had spent many days in your grandmother’s house, you will remember the warm feelings that come with the end of the day, when play ends and family time begins.

The charm of this old neighborhood starts when you enter the large wooden gate and walk through the garden alley leading to the town center. A theme-park-sized Spanish church is at your right, a fountain in the middle of a plaza is in front of you, and a row of old Spanish houses are lined further ahead. But I shall not attempt to bring the mood of that sitio into this story. Ethel Soliven Timbol has allowed us to reprint her article on that beautiful place that lives in many memories. That is the same article that captured my curiosity to visit this place. (Read: A Heritage Village by the sea)

Signs

The largest, and most popular resort in that town is the Currimao Green Nipa Beach Resort, owned and managed by Taiwanese investors. Valen Ranale, the assistant manager, said the resort welcomes groups of 100 to 150 tourists from Taiwan twice a week. Only 10 percent of their guests are locals coming from Manila and Laoag City. Aside from the strong Taiwanese market, Green Nipa Beach Resort is also visited by owners on a time-sharing package, who are residents of Canada and the U.S.

The resort, which opened in 1999, has a hundred rooms with the usual resort amenities – large swimming pool under palm trees and overlooking the beach; beach huts; outdoor sports gear (jet skis, bancas), restaurant, videoke bar, disco place, billiards hall, and spa. Entering the gates of the resort brings you to the familiar world-class busy resort which you must have experienced in one of the resorts in Cavite, Batangas or Cebu.

Pangil Beach Resort

Pangil Beach Resort is located a few kilometers from the town center and cluster of resorts. Its concrete structure faces the South China Sea, a vantage point that was used in designing the main hall which has a wide door opening to the vast blue horizon. Opened in April 23, many workers are still doing construction work around the grounds. But the main building is fully completed, and a huge function room tells us that Currimao can expect a celebration from its visitors.

Its 28 rooms open to a view of the sea, with high-tech gadgets for in-room entertainment, like 32-inch LCD tv sets, and hot and cold water in the bath. An infinity pool and kiddie pool are in the garden, which when we visited, was being landscaped by local gardeners. Room rates start at P3,500 a day.

The other resorts in Currimao are:

Go Lucky Hotel & Restaurant is located in Barangay Gaang, and has 20 air-conditioned rooms. It has facilities to entertain the guests who want to explore the beach and the sea, game rooms for billiard and videoke, and picnic sheds. Room rates are from P1,000 to P2,500.

Kadilian Beach Resort has four air-conditioned rooms with rates starting at P2,500. Its facilities are a swimming pool, conference hall, beach huts, picnic sheds. Its regular guests are locals and balikbayans.

Subli-Subli Beach Resort is located in Barangay Salugan. It has ordinary and air-conditioned rooms, with facilities for locals out on a day-trip. These are picnic sheds, beach huts, billiard hall and function hall.

Go’s Beach Resort is a private place which can be used by special permission for free. It has four air-conditioned rooms and several picnic sheds.

Currimao is a good place to stay when you are touring Ilocos Norte. There are many historical sites located in neighboring towns and the well-paved road system makes traveling comfortable. Ask for assistance to get a tour guide from your hotel. Among the historical and man-made sites you should visit are the Marcos Museum in Batac, the Cape Bojeador lighthouse in Burgos, the giant windmills in Bangui, the Patapat Bridge and the famous white sand beaches in Pagudpud, the Paoay Church, a World Heritage Site, and the famous lake, in Paoay town. Tourists set a day for exploring Laoag City, the capital of Ilocos Norte, starting with the Museo Ilocos Norte, the Sinking Bell Tower, St. William’s Cathedral, Sta. Monica Church, and the Tobacco Monopoly Monument.