Boracay West Cove: Come to the Cove!

Since it already feels like summer, I’m bringing one of my Boracay articles back to life. In 2010, we flew to this island paradise for a fashion and beauty shoot. We stayed in Boracay West Cove, which is located in “Station Zero.” The resort is popularly known among locals as “Pacquiao Resort” since it is owned by Cris and Jovy Aquino, a couple close to the boxing champ.

Depending on one’s preference, the location of Boracay West Cove can be both a pro and a con. If you prefer a quiet time away from the maddening crowd of Stations 1, 2 and 3, then you can experience it here. But if you are one who opts for the beachfront and nightlife experience, be warned that the resort is a little far away from the “usual” Boracay. It will take you a “trek” and a tricycle ride to see the more known side of the island if you come from the resort.  

But staying in Boracay West Cove promises a different kind of “Boracay” experience. Check out my article about it (published in 2010 so there have already been a few changes and developments in the resort).

P.S. Yes, it’s the controversial resort you heard about in the news. As someone who has stayed in the resort, I’m glad it’s business as usual for Boracay West Cove.

Welcome to Boracay West Cove.

Come to the Cove!

By now, the picture-perfect island of Boracay is known the world over. Through the years, it has made many a tourist jiggle and jump for joy with its silky white sand stretches and translucent azure waves. If you think you’ve seen it all in this island paradise, then you’re in for a treat because Boracay still holds a lot of pleasant surprises.

Boracay West Cove promises an unforgettable Boracay experience.
Photo courtesy of the resort's Facebook page

A year ago in the seaside mountain terrain of Diniwid on Boracay Island, an exclusive getaway opened its doors to guests who are seeking a unique vacation destination. At Boracay West Cove, your leisurely escape becomes a timeless experience. Its 12 well-appointed villas (writer's note: as of February 2010), which stand out like an architectural wonder atop the age-old rock formation, have been meticulously furnished and customized so you get to greet the morning sun and experience the famous Boracay sunset right from your private lanai.

This is the view from the rooms.
Photo courtesy of the resort's Facebook page

This was the same view that businessman Crisostomo “Cris” Aquino fell in love with when he visited Boracay for the first time a few years ago. “I have been to a lot of places abroad but it was Boracay that really captured my heart,” says Cris, who decided later on that he wanted to own a piece of the island so he could have a place to stay when he retires. “I loved the sea even back then so I would travel to beaches and resorts outside of the Philippines. Then I discovered Boracay and it made me realize that our country has so much to offer to beach lovers like me.”

Off the cliff: One of the many stunning views in the resort.

Ahh, I can stay in this spot for a whole day... 

Investing his hard-earned money, Cris collaborated with an architect friend (who Cris shares is a Malabon boy so “he basically knows how to build something on the water”) to build his own “paradise-cove” in Boracay. They made use of the island’s indigenous resources such as old molave slabs, weavings and mattings to give visitors an insight into the local culture and lifestyle.

Island-style tropical meets contemporary in Boracay West Cove as the villas come equipped with LCD cable TV with DVD surround, coffee-making machine, private kitchen, split-type air-conditioning and Internet access. Relax and unwind with the sound of the sea at the cabanas situated all over the resort, where you can book for a therapeutic massage while enjoying the stunning sea cliff view. Whatever you need, the friendly staff will willingly be at your beck and call.

Witness the sun rise and set from your room.
Photo courtesy of the resort's Facebook page

Deluxe Room.
Photo courtesy of the resort's Facebook page

With this kind of room, you have every reason not to go out.
Photo courtesy of the resort's Facebook page

Sunset as viewed from the balcony of our room.

For the past year alone (writer's note: 2010), Cris proudly shares that the resort’s occupancy rate during the off-peak season went as high as 85 percent, with Taiwanese and Chinese couples as its main visitors. “Our guests love that the resort is the total opposite of the other stations in Bora. They love the peace and quiet that West Cove can offer to them. Most of our guests are returning,” says Cris, who then reveals that his good friend, Pinoy boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, together with his wife Jinkee and their kids, frequent West Cove. (The resort is popularly known as “Pacquiao Resort” among the locals. West Cove owner Cris Aquino is Pacquiao’s flag bearer in his fights.)

Chot and I at Boracay West Cove in February 2010.

At the time, there were only two floors of rooms and construction of the 3rd and 4th floors was ongoing.

The group having a sumptuous breakfast. 

After a successful year of operation, Cris is taking the West Cove experience to a whole new level. Thirteen rooms are being constructed to accommodate more visitors. Soon, Café Crisostomo and Station Zero (an adept name for the resort’s location, coming before Station 1) will satisfy guests’ gustatory pleasures. Requests for a land shuttle and taxi boat to and from Bora Stations 1, 2 and 3 are also underway. The plan, however, that matters most to Cris is the marine life reserve for coral reef rehabilitation and protection of Boracay’s giant clams. “I’d like our beachfront to have like a water park where guests can snorkel and experience the deep-sea natural wonders of the island. I am proud that we do our part in keeping Boracay an environment-friendly place,” he notes.

Our "sundo" at the Kalibo Airport. He only got "Philippine Star" right. The rest was... :-)

Since we're riding a speedboat to the resort, we weren't brought to the Caticlan jetty port but were dropped in this "other" port instead.

And off we go to Boracay West Cove!

Going to Station 1 from Boracay West Cove? Part 1 is "trekking."

Part 2 is a tricycle ride.

And then this view greets you!

Boracay West Cove in 2010.

(For inquiries, call +63 36 288-4279 or +63922-3231083. You may also log on to www.boracaywestcove.com) Revel on the white sand as far as the eye can see. Awake to the majesty of inviting blue waters. Delight in pastel-colored skies that linger long after the sun has come down. Enjoy spectacular sea cliff view from your own room. These are only few of the many reasons why Boracay is still on top of everybody’s must-visit summer destinations. Cris Aquino concludes, “When you go to Bora, come to the Cove. At Boracay West Cove, you don’t just imagine paradise, you experience it!”

(Published April 22, 2010, The Philippine Star)

Patio Pacific Boracay: Tickled pink in Bora

This article was published on March 20, 2007 in The Philippine Star. Boracay, known the world over as a paradise for beach lovers, left a lasting impression on me after I saw it for the first time in 2007. It never took long for me to understand why travelers from different parts of the globe fly to the Philippines to experience Boracay. Its powdery white sand and aquamarine waters will always, always beckon. Since then, I have been to this island paradise countless times. In fact, I can't wait for March to see this spectacle of an island once again.

Tickled pink in Bora

This is a place where the lush carpet of white sand delights to feel your bare feet and the wind plays with your hair. This is a place where there exists a fun fusion of sun, sea and sand.This is a place called Boracay.

It was an early morning flight to Caticlan on a pleasant Sunday. Just when I'd rather snooze under that cozy comforter, I got up just in time to catch a flight that, for a week already, I had been excitedly anticipating. For the first time, I was off to the country's beach capital.

It took me approximately 35 minutes to reach Aklan (via SeAir) where we were greeted by its people who were quick to withdraw a welcoming smile. Boracay was quiet when we arrived. The "Bora crowd" was nowhere in sight. Not yet. Perhaps they were still preparing for their Holy Week retreat in this island paradise.

Boracay, an island paradise in the Philippines.

We checked in at Patio Pacific Boracay, formerly known as the Pink Patio. Instantly, I felt some connection because I truly like the color pink. No, liking it is actually an understatement. I love it — to the extent that I signed cadets' ticklers in high school with a pink pen and in college, named my yahoo account after the color pink. My friend and travel companion Sam Echavez of People Asia kept on teasing me of my "impossible dream" to own everything pink in this world. And here I was, in a place formerly associated with my fave color.

This was my first trip with my good friend Sam Echavez. We have treasured our sisterhood since then.

The resort, located on Station 1 of the long stretch of the famous white sand, offers excellent accommodation, state-of-the-art facilities and total dining experience. And I had three days to explore it. With a dozen activities to do, it was hard to decide which one to try out first.

My media friends and I were welcomed by the staff of the resort.

Patio Pacific welcomed its first guests in 1990. Then a modest eight-room resort, it has bloomed to a 62-room with a variety of accommodations to choose from. Most ground-floor rooms open up to a pocket garden, to the delight of nature lovers. There are also select rooms that offer high-speed Internet access.

Patio Pacific Boracay
Photo courtesy of the resort

Today, 17 years later, Patio Pacific Boracay is now considered to be one of the best in the country, representing quality service, distinct Filipino hospitality and total customer satisfaction. From the superior rooms to its first class amenities, Patio Pacific earned a Triple A accreditation from the Department of Tourism and the respect of its clients as well as the people in the industry. Recently, Patio Pacific was awarded second place out of 33 resorts and establishments in the 2006 Boracay WOW Awards, a search for the most outstanding business establishment with the most effective waste management system.

Wall climbing in Patio Pacific: There's no way but up!

Patio Pacific offers various activities to suit each guest's mood or preference. For the more adventurous, The Wall is the perfect afternoon getaway. Meet up to the challenge of the first ever wall-climbing facility in the island. Located beside it is the Nautica Pool where a jacuzzi and a snack bar are strategically found. Or you can decide to sweat it out in the Alpha Fitness Gym where the instructors are friendly enough to show you around and attend to your every need.

Guest's safety and peace of mind are also on the resort's priority list. Since January this year, Patio Pacific has provided its guests with a free personal accident insurance coverage underwritten by Cocolife. This effort hopes to increase awareness and tourism safety as advocated by Patio Pacific president Charlie Uy, who is also president of the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

With all these, Patio Pacific, however, is more focused in giving its clientele that total wellness treat. In fact, wellness classes such as Tai chi and Reiki (a Japanese healing treatment) are being held to particularly meet this goal.

On the first day when I was in my most excited state to traverse the long stretch of the island's famed fine, white sand, I opted to join the Yoga beginner's class of Ms. Tsu. Even if it meant risking the ink life of my two-hour-old henna tattoo.

When night dropped its cloak, Boracay, contrary to what many told me before, was not at its wildest. Instead, we found ourselves binging on a gastronomic delight with some of Patio Pacific's delectable offerings. My media companions and I feasted on house specialties like spicy chicken salad curry, Patio Pacific chicken with herbs, chili crab and lots of watermelon and mango milkshakes from their famous Vanilla Lounge.

Go for some adventure in the water. Start with a banana boat ride.

The following day, for an hour, I availed of a luxurious shiatsu and Swedish massage. I booked the spa after our tiring island hopping and snorkeling to release all my stress. The curious me paused to take a look at the Alpha capsule — the spa's new addition that incorporates dry heat sauna, aromatherapy, ionized air, massage and soothing music.

In our last few hours on the island, I must say the Tai chi instructor was very convincing in inviting us to attend her Qigong class (Qigong is the mother of Tai chi) even if our feet were very eager to bring us to d'Mall to shop for pasalubong. Well then, wellness activities had taken their place in our three-day itinerary.

Indeed, life's a beach.

This is a place called Boracay — Patio Pacific to be exact. Indeed, life's a beach.

(For inquiries, please call 845-2222 to 27.)

Club Noah Isabelle: A first in the last frontier

This article was published on October 13, 2005. Club Noah Isabelle was my very first travel assignment for The Philippine Star. It is located in Taytay in Palawan, the Philippines' last frontier. It was my first time in Palawan and my first time to board a plane in a very long time. This was a truly memorable trip because I was in total awe of the natural beauty of the resort and its surrounding islands. Talk about paradise.

Update: Club Noah Isabelle is now called El Nido Resort Apulit Island.

A first in the last frontier

Ooops. I'm no Lindsay Lohan who made her confessions on the big screen as the teen drama queen (although I sometimes tend to be). Forgive me for I have sinned (in indulging too much in this leisure). This is my first time in Palawan, the Philippines' "last frontier." My destination: Club Noah Isabelle.

It took us four transfers to get to the island resort — a 90-minute Asian Spirit flight to the Cesar Lim Rodriguez Airport (which is one unique airport where you get a view of the mountains), a short jeepney ride to bring us to the Tamisan River, a jetty ride along the Tamisan River (formerly Rio Verde) and the ferry boat ride (the 45-minute jungle river cruise where we saw virgin mangroves and were amazed with the many islands and pristine beaches along Taytay Bay).

It was almost a four-hour journey getting there. Nevertheless, it was an adventure in itself.

The resort offers many an activity — from snorkeling to diving, from island hopping to cave exploration, from kayaking to pedal boating, from fishing to wind surfing. So, it wouldn't come as a surprise that Club Noah Isabelle has been one of the top picks of couples and families who look for the best place to relax and unwind from stress, get away for a romantic weekend or experience the adventures that they've always dreamed of.

Club Noah Isabelle is a paradise in Palawan.
Photo courtesy of www.skyscrapercity.com

In this paradise, guests get a feel of going back to the essentials, which the fast-paced modern life has left behind — beauty, adventure, sustenance, harmony and romance. Staying at this paradisiacal resort is like enjoying the luxury of leisure while getting close to nature. The resort strictly implements an environment-friendly policy — true to its claim as an eco-tourism spot. The one-mile radius that the resort keeps and safeguards is teeming with dazzling denizens of the deep. We even got to swim with these underwater creatures when we had our water activities.

"We (people) claim we're the smartest, but we don't realize how much we harm nature," said Ito Tuason, the resort's public relations and planning officer.

The accommodation was simply fantabulous. Guests wouldn't miss their homes in the city once they step into one of the 30 cabañas situated over the water and connected to land by a short walkway. The veranda overlooking the Taytay Bay is an additional treat.

Accommodations in Club Noah Isabelle.

Guests who come in large numbers need not worry as family cabañas are also available. These are duplex-style split levels you need for excited children climbing up and down the stairs or for the whole barkada. There is also a stair that leads directly to the sea so you can go snorkeling whenever you feel the desire to.

In Club Noah, you never run out of activities to enjoy and delight yourself with. I tried snorkeling and scuba diving although I must admit I'm not good at these water activities. Still, the 15-ft.-depth thrilled and satisfied a diving neophyte like me. Fishing is also one relaxing activity.

I was also delighted to explore the stories of the caves. Rock formations are everywhere in the St. Joseph's Cave. The best of it is situated in front of the cave — a boulder in the form of a bearded man with a cane, which locals believe as St. Joseph. The Pabellon Cave offers an ice-cold swim in its 20-ft. "indoor pool."

St. Joseph's Cave.

Island hopping is also an option. We visited Isla Blanca (or Isla Walang Tao) and spent the rest of our snorkeling graduation there. The white sand and the clear waters were a picturesque sight to behold.

The fun never stops even when the sun already bids goodbye. To ensure that our stay will be well-remembered, the staff exerted a little more effort to surprise us with candle-lit cocktails at the open-air North Cave. It was truly a romantic experience ("This cave has already witnessed a lot of proposals," said Tuason.) when you look up and see the stars and moon above.

I climbed the 109 steps (or more) to get to the Rock Bar. At the top, you'll get to see the island on a better view and recall constellations as you gaze at the stars.

A delectable feast awaits every guest at the island resort. For shrimp addicts like me, Club Noah Isabelle gave me a delightful treat. I also enjoyed crabs and the appetizing squids. The resort also took advantage of the fresh fruits islands are known for. It took me a trip to Palawan to love the fresh watermelon shake. I must say that sumptuous food were served every meal of the day that I found it hard to decide on which one to try first.

And these food treats can be as exciting as the water activities because they can be served in different spots and many restaurants in the resort — by the beach, at the main dining area or even inside the caves!

It was a unanimous comment from the group that the resort staffers were multi-talented. Their smiles were so welcoming and to some extent contagious. I felt close to the people who were then strangers to me. We were even teary-eyed when they rendered us a song while we boarded the boat which would take us back to the airport.

Guests will surely feel so attached to the warmth and sincerity that is so Palaweño. And one more thing, no tipping policy is implemented at Club Noah Isabelle. Anyway, no need to when you deal with the sincerest people on earth.

I have always been afraid to leave home especially if I am alone. On our way back to the airport, I realized that I actually did not leave home. My stay at Club Noah Isabelle on Apulit Island, Northeastern Palawan was actually like home — the place, the people and the cuisine. Needless to say, I really enjoyed and had so much fun. As the island gradually disappeared from my sight, I felt so thankful to have spent a first in Club Noah Isabelle and hoped to be back there again.