MOUNTAIN RESORT: GIANNA'S

 

Gianna's Mountain Resort 

Copyright photos by Henry Libo-on. 

You are not allowed to publish these photos without his approval. 

Thank you.

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Photo below shows the entrance.

This is the Infinity Pool and the view of the lowlands.

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 Gianna's Mountain Resort 

Sitio Abaca, Barangay Mailum, Bago City

CP 0966-455-8436

By  Henry Libo-on

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 Introduction

Nestled on the edge of Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park, Gianna's Mountain Resort is actually located near the Northern Negros Geothermal Plant. Gianna is surrounded by packets of smaller communities within the Sitio Abaca, Barangay Mailum area in Bago City, Philippines. 

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Roaming around the resort, the other day, I discovered that Gianna is located on the higher area of a "mound" on the periphery of Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park. The latter is a protected area and human activity is minimized so that they will not encroach the protected area. 

I understand that before any human activity could commence, a study report or permit should be secured from government authorities so as to ensure that environmental and social impacts of project(s) could be mitigated (to make something, like development, less harmful). Therefore, ensuring a sustainable eco-tourism activity in the area. 

 When all things are properly done .......  Ok na 'yan. 

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So, being surrounded by natural beauty of Mt. Kanla-on, and blessed with cool climate, and now with facilities and amenities of a tourist-class resort, Gianna's Mountain Resort looks perfect, to me, as a place to relax, experience the peace and quiet, and away from the hurly-burly of city life. That's my kind of life. How about you? 

Gianna's Mountain Resort is my newfound eco-tourism spot in this part of Negros Occidental.  

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My comment:

*Tourists, be it local or international, are visiting the tourist spots for relaxation, fun and entertainment be it Indoor or Outdoor activities like sports, hiking, swimming, mountain climbing, yoga and meditation, zip line, horseback riding, camping, fellowship around the bonfire, bird watching, and/or appreciation of biodiversity - flora and fauna, among others.  

*I have been to places where tourists are known to flock or to gather in great numbers in certain tourist spot, and I noticed that they stay, not in the four corners of the hotel room but in a native designed house where the whole sala or living room is their "bedroom". They just place their foam on the floor and sleep there .... with all the other backpackers cum travelers in that same space.

Sometimes, tourists would prefer to sleep in hammocks hanging on the four corners of the hall, kay dili man cuarto, lol, and there is no "aircon" but "airlaps" - kanang "air lapus-lapus" ba, haha. In my observation, this is one of the preferences of backpackers. 

I like that too, but if there is a room, I go for the latter, lol. 

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Hello Readers, do you agree that the increasing number of resorts can create an impact on the economic and social well-being of the residents in the area? 

Do you think that the increase in the number of resorts being developed in the area should be monitored to mitigate their impacts on sustainable eco-tourism? 

Please leave your comment on the sect ion provided hereunder. 

Thanks. 

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Gianna's Mountain Resort

Source: Henry Estado Squad, 

 YouTube Channel

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My backpacking adventures. 

Today is my first backpacking adventure for the month of March. My target is to survey the 15 tourist spots, resorts, cafes, farm, located along the long stretch of the Ma-ao to Mailum road network. I researched that there are around 15 or even more of these resorts and tourist spots in this area from the mountains to the lowland, such as: 

1. Gianna's Mountain Resort 

2. Mailum Falls Ecopark & Mountain Resort 

3. Bala-an Hills

4. Lovilla Campsite

5. AV Mountain Resort

6. Downsview Resort

7. Bungyod Camp & Cafe'

8. Pataan Mountain Resort 

9. Bongbong's Native Cafe'

10. Bangled

11. Fazenda Mailum Grapes Farm 

12. Torresta Infinity Farm 

13. MugKape sa Mailum

14. Kipot Falls

15. Buenos Aires Resort

OK, there might be a few that I have not listed. It is understood that they are not on the long stretch of the road from Ceres Terminal to Barangay Mailum up to Gianna's Mountain Resort. 

Example of this is Guintubdan and other tourist spots on the upper portion of Buenos Aires, not including Rafael Salas Park since it is not a Resort. 

Please write on the comment section if you want to include something on the list, thank you. 

How to get there?

By Private Car

Let's agree that you are in Bacolod City. From Bacolod City, Ma-ao is around 20 minutes if you do the short-cut route along Sum-ag Road to Ma-ao. From Ma-ao to Barangay Mailum is approximately 20 kilometers. By this estimate, it will not take you more than an hour to reach Gianna's Mountain Resort from Bacolod City. 

By Bus

There are two bus companies that service the Bacolod to Ma-ao routes, these are: Roadstar and Ceres Bus Company. Travel time is also approximately an hour because there are "bus stops" in strategic areas of the routes where passengers embark or disembark. 

Hereunder is the Google Map indicating the location of Gianna's Mountain Resort.

Google Maps

My comment:

Since I was on an adventure (lol), I took a Ceres Bus from "tubang" Tay Tung High School. Ceres bus leaves every ten minutes for Ma-ao, Bago City. Transportation costs P50.00 per person.

When the bus arrived at Ma-ao Ceres Bus Terminal which is near the Public Market, I hired a Tricycle. It is a motorcycle with a side car. Not all Tricycle can go to Gianna's. If it is not in their (Tricycle) routes, they cannot "climb" to Gianna's Mountain Resort. My Trike is licensed, and the unit is new. My pilot was Bongbong. I share his CP number later. 

What to do?

As of this writing, I listed a few activities that you can do, such as:

1. Just chill and enjoy the fresh air and the peaceful atmosphere. 

2. Go swimming in the infinity pool.

3. Walking around the resort and other areas where tourists are allowed to go.

4. Family bonding.

5. Photography, Videography, Selfie. There are Instagram spots that you can get a Selfie for your FB or IG accounts. 

6. Go Blogging and Vlogging. The place is an ideal setting for your FB Reels.

7. Seminar, Workshop or Team Building Exercises.

8. Food trip, they have restaurant. 

9. and many others that can make you happy.

My comment:

I have not seen or heard anybody doing the "Karaoke". So, if you intend to do it, please inform Nica, or anybody from the reception desk regarding your preferred activity. Hmmm, "tong 8s" or "Madz"...hmmmm.... joke lang. 

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Where to eat? 

First of all, bring your own "Baon", lol. That's perfect. I did but I was not allowed to eat that in the Resto, so I ordered super Batchoy. 

Secondly, their restaurant menu carries a list that you can choose from. 

You can eat your "Baon" in your rented cottage or shed house. If you want "sugba" they have grill and grill area. 

Where to stay?

There are hotel rooms, cottages, as well as campground. Just make arrangement with the reception or visit their Facebook Page for proper coordination. 

Facebook: Gianna's Mountain Resort

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Photo Gallery

Gianna's Mountain Resort

By: Henry Libo-on

Request: Please do not "harvest" the Blogger's collection of photos of Gianna's M.R.  Just share the blog to your friends. Gracias.

Another icon in Gianna's M.R. is the Christ the Redeemer statue. 

This is the most popular or iconic photo of Gianna's.  

I was ready to have a 5-minuite dip for the experience but there was a Pocahontas frolicking in the water. So, next time na lang, lol.

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Google Maps

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Lastly, if you find this feature article cum Blog about Gianna's Mountain Resort as informative and entertaining, please don't hesitate to LIKE our Facebook Page, and SHARE this Blog with your friends. Thank you. Ciao. 

By the way, I am not paid to write a feature article about Gianna's Mountain Resort. 

As a travel writer, I am used to writing feature articles about the beautiful spots in our region and other places from all over. This is my contribution to Tourism Promotion of Bago City and our beloved province of Negros Occidental, charr. 

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March 12, 2024, Philippines by Henry Libo-on

*He was a licensed tour guide with the newly created Department of Tourism in the early '70s. DOT was formerly the BTTI or Bureau of Tourist & Travel Industry. 

*He was a columnist/travel writer with What's On (in the Visayas & Mindanao), a travel and tourism magazine based in Cebu City, mid '90s.

*He was columnist with the Negros Daily Bulletin, Bacolod City in the '90s.

*Retired, OIC, City Planning & Development Officer, CPDO, Bacolod City Government, 2004.

*Executive Assistant to Governor Alfredo Montelibano, Jr of the Province of Negros Occidental and later on Mayor Montelibano, Jr. of Bacolod City.

*Former college instructor and professor, BSN, MN. 

*Past President, Blue & Gold Alumni Association of ONI, UNO, and UNO-R, mid '90s.

*Completed a short course on Designing Sustainable Development under the Masters in Urban Management, University of Canberra, Australia. 

*Travel Writer/Blogger. 

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Ciao, Spasiba, Xie Xie, Arigato, Grazie, Shukran, Salamat, Muchas Gracias, Merci', Danke, Shukriya, Hafa Adai. 

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Wait, if you still have the time, you can read the following Blogs hereunder. 

1. ANG TINAGO SANG SAN ENRIQUE - Touristang Pobre

2. RESORT: LA BLANCA AT MASULOG LA CASTELLANA - Touristang Pobre

3. KIKULAS CAFE: A COFFE SHOP ON THE HILL - Touristang Pobre 

4.  SALVADOR BENEDICTO: PANGAPE SA HIGAD DALAN - Touristang Pobre

 5. THE GOVERNOR AND I - Touristang Pobre 

6.  ISLANDS & BEACHES - Touristang Pobre

****Have a great day Abyan, Friend.