Travel & Tourism
Posted on 05:45 PM, June 04, 2015
By Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman
Eskaya escape
When considering one last summer hurrah -- or perhaps a hasty June wedding -- keep Bohol in mind. There is an awful lot to do in the province, which is rich in both history and natural beauty.
Tourism in the province has slowed since the 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the province in 2013 and severely damaged many of its tourist attractions. But things are looking up with a new international airport set to be finished in 2017. And Bohol -- and nearby Panglao Island -- are ready to welcome the influx of tourists who will pass through its doors.
The scars of the earthquake which shook so many of the province’s famed churches into rubble are still there. But while the centuries-old churches await restoration under expert hands, the ruins have themselves become tourist attractions.
While shaken, nature is still there to be visited. The Chocolate Hills stand in all their brown glory, the forest is still home to the intriguing tarsiers, and the earthquake did nothing to the area’s many underwater treasures.
Water lovers can opt to go on island hopping in Panglao. The islands around Panglao are close to each other and a three-hour trip is enough to cover everything before the sun peaks at noon. Hotels can arrange an itinerary for travelers.
Wake up before the sun rises and sail across the Bohol Sea to see the dolphins. Snorkel in the Balicasag Island’s clear waters for a peek at the colorful underwater world. A makeshift eatery on the island sells bread to feed the fish which swarm around one’s legs. For photo shoots, take a 30-minute ride from Balicasag to the Virgin Island -- a pristine islet and powdery sand bar surrounded by clear, cerulean waters.
When weary from all their adventures, visitors will find that Panglao is also home to some of the best resorts one can hope for.
IF IT IS QUIET TIME one craves -- alone or with a lover -- Bohol has Eskaya resort.
A beautiful beach and resort spa nestled in Panglao Island, Eskaya was named after Bohol’s cultural minority, a hidden gem that guests keep coming back to.
Eskaya managing director (and son of the owner) Richard Lim, Jr. said that Europeans, East Asians -- especially Koreans and Japanese -- and Filipinos love visiting and revisiting the resort. Some have even expressed the desire to own a villa, saying that they love this piece of heaven on earth.
Eskaya is known for its luxury, exclusivity, and seclusion. It made the 2015 Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club yearbook which compiles the best and the most exclusive places in the world coveted by the upper crust. It is a favorite getaway of the rich and famous -- including business executives, and showbiz personalities like Liz Uy, Kris Aquino, Iza Calzado -- and is especially popular with newlyweds and lovers.
“We are an eco-friendly resort known for its luxurious service. This is what we want to [project] as a brand. With this, we hope we are helping Bohol and Philippine tourism,” said Mr. Lim. “When people think of Eskaya, we want them to associate it with authentic Filipino hospitality. We want to showcase what Filipinos are about,” he said, noting that the staff are Boholanos.
Designed by renowned Filipino architect Francisco Mañosa, Eskaya showcases Filipino aesthetics and takes inspiration from the traditional nipa hut and its high ceilings. The resort currently has 15 balais (villas), and is adding nine more villas which will be ready by the end of the year. The villas feature furniture and ornaments made from indigenous materials like bamboo, cogon, and rattan. Each villa has its own private pool, outdoor shower, whirlpool tub, Wi-Fi connection, and TV set. While completely private, do not be surprised by casual “visitors” thanks to the villa’s open configuration. The management warns the guests about one visitor in particular with a note on the table saying, “You might see Tokay Gecko (tuko) in your room but infrequently. We ask you not to panic. Please simply ignore it and it will go away.”
The 16-hectare resort has a mini library, an infinity pool, a swim-up bar, and facilities for water sports, scuba diving, volleyball, and badminton. For a total rest and relaxation, the Handuraw Spa offers traditional Filipino treatments. Eskaya is currently building a yoga room and gym which should open before the year ends.
After the earthquake struck in 2013, the resort faced its lowest occupancy rate since it opened in 2009, said Mr. Lim. But things are going back to normal.
“We have to take care of the service, that’s the best, universal selling point,” said General Manager Ruben Alcoriza. Besides the resort’s expansion plans, the management is looking toward extending the brand in other tourist spots, especially targeting Tagaytay and Palawan, while still maintaining its brand as an eco-friendly resort.
The scars of the earthquake which shook so many of the province’s famed churches into rubble are still there. But while the centuries-old churches await restoration under expert hands, the ruins have themselves become tourist attractions.
While shaken, nature is still there to be visited. The Chocolate Hills stand in all their brown glory, the forest is still home to the intriguing tarsiers, and the earthquake did nothing to the area’s many underwater treasures.
Water lovers can opt to go on island hopping in Panglao. The islands around Panglao are close to each other and a three-hour trip is enough to cover everything before the sun peaks at noon. Hotels can arrange an itinerary for travelers.
Wake up before the sun rises and sail across the Bohol Sea to see the dolphins. Snorkel in the Balicasag Island’s clear waters for a peek at the colorful underwater world. A makeshift eatery on the island sells bread to feed the fish which swarm around one’s legs. For photo shoots, take a 30-minute ride from Balicasag to the Virgin Island -- a pristine islet and powdery sand bar surrounded by clear, cerulean waters.
When weary from all their adventures, visitors will find that Panglao is also home to some of the best resorts one can hope for.
IF IT IS QUIET TIME one craves -- alone or with a lover -- Bohol has Eskaya resort.
A beautiful beach and resort spa nestled in Panglao Island, Eskaya was named after Bohol’s cultural minority, a hidden gem that guests keep coming back to.
Eskaya managing director (and son of the owner) Richard Lim, Jr. said that Europeans, East Asians -- especially Koreans and Japanese -- and Filipinos love visiting and revisiting the resort. Some have even expressed the desire to own a villa, saying that they love this piece of heaven on earth.
Eskaya is known for its luxury, exclusivity, and seclusion. It made the 2015 Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club yearbook which compiles the best and the most exclusive places in the world coveted by the upper crust. It is a favorite getaway of the rich and famous -- including business executives, and showbiz personalities like Liz Uy, Kris Aquino, Iza Calzado -- and is especially popular with newlyweds and lovers.
“We are an eco-friendly resort known for its luxurious service. This is what we want to [project] as a brand. With this, we hope we are helping Bohol and Philippine tourism,” said Mr. Lim. “When people think of Eskaya, we want them to associate it with authentic Filipino hospitality. We want to showcase what Filipinos are about,” he said, noting that the staff are Boholanos.
Designed by renowned Filipino architect Francisco Mañosa, Eskaya showcases Filipino aesthetics and takes inspiration from the traditional nipa hut and its high ceilings. The resort currently has 15 balais (villas), and is adding nine more villas which will be ready by the end of the year. The villas feature furniture and ornaments made from indigenous materials like bamboo, cogon, and rattan. Each villa has its own private pool, outdoor shower, whirlpool tub, Wi-Fi connection, and TV set. While completely private, do not be surprised by casual “visitors” thanks to the villa’s open configuration. The management warns the guests about one visitor in particular with a note on the table saying, “You might see Tokay Gecko (tuko) in your room but infrequently. We ask you not to panic. Please simply ignore it and it will go away.”
The 16-hectare resort has a mini library, an infinity pool, a swim-up bar, and facilities for water sports, scuba diving, volleyball, and badminton. For a total rest and relaxation, the Handuraw Spa offers traditional Filipino treatments. Eskaya is currently building a yoga room and gym which should open before the year ends.
After the earthquake struck in 2013, the resort faced its lowest occupancy rate since it opened in 2009, said Mr. Lim. But things are going back to normal.
“We have to take care of the service, that’s the best, universal selling point,” said General Manager Ruben Alcoriza. Besides the resort’s expansion plans, the management is looking toward extending the brand in other tourist spots, especially targeting Tagaytay and Palawan, while still maintaining its brand as an eco-friendly resort.
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