Location: Barangay Tabao Baybay, San Enrique Township
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Introduction
Once upon a time, San Enrique was a "sleepy" town. The locals live a simple and quiet life away from the hurly burly of city living.
The locals were engaged in farming, and fishing. Others were working in agricultural fields, and some were doing activities that keep the town's economy moving. Small businesses were lining up the national highway from hardware, drug store, the market, bakery, and sari-sari stores among others.
Other economic activities were hidden from the sight of the public because they were in the homes of residents along the coastal communities or in the farms.
Life in San Enrique was placid, free and easy, simple, quiet and peaceful.
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In the late '80s, I frequent the town as a youth development worker of the provincial government and worked hand-in-hand with then SB Member M. Geolingo of this town.
This frequent visit to San Enrique made me realize the hidden potential of the town. When I roamed the beachfront, I saw the possibility of an eco-tourism in the area. I imagined a floating restaurant, and boating activities. I have this eye for tourism because I was a licensed tour guide in the early 70's when the DOT was just created.
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Today I still see the potential of a paddle boarding, beach volleyball, or probably a jet ski activity in the beachfront of Barangay Tabao Baybay.
I recall the days when Jet Skiing was introduced on the coastal area cum boulevard of Valladolid in mid '90s. During those days, I was a travel writer for What's On, a travel and tourism magazine published in Cebu and distributed to hotels, restaurants, and airlines around the Vis-Min areas.
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Most beach resorts in Cancun, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda Islands have facilities for Yoga and Meditation. I can see no reason why beach resorts in Tabao Baybay should not have one.
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Still looking back, I still remember that the youth we were working on or helping with were focused on how to improve their lot. Some of them were beneficiaries of our office's animal dispersal program, Tilapia, and vegetable seeds distribution program, sports equipment and sports development program as well as leadership training in coordination with SB Geolingo.
I remember the young people to be active in helping their parents in farming. Some youths were holding the "guna", a kind of garden tool every time they were ready to work in the farms. Some were holding the "tubo" (a cutting of sugarcane plant) and chew them to extract the sweet juice. They did this after a day's work. "Pang-us tubo" was their snack.
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But now, the world has changed a lot after that. Today, the youth were holding their cell phones instead of the "guna". Well, not only the youth, but everybody also it seems, lol.
Instead of "pang-us" the "tubo", the youth just ride their bike and go to the nearby Batchoyan, Lomihan, Capehan, or beach resort, to eat and bond with friends. The bonding, however, seems endless to the chagrin of their parents who seemed worried about their productive contribution to the family's well-being, and the community as a whole.
Well, that is how life was in this once sleepy town but not anymore today. San Enrique has leveled up. In this regard, I want to focus on the contribution of the tourism industry in San Enrique, specifically, the rising vibrancy of beach resorts and eateries all over the place.
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How relaxing it would be to sit and have a meal in one of these huts.
Photo by Touristang Pobre.
Las Olas Beach & Garden Resort
More than thirty years later, today, I came back to San Enrique after a long year of living in the U.S. Why? Because I learned that many things have happened in the town.
I will focus on the tourism activities on the beachfront area of Tabao Baybay, San Enrique. One of these tourism initiatives of the locals that I visited was Las Olas Beach & Garden Resort in Barangay Tabao Baybay. Its operation was affected too by the Pandemic, but slowly, Las Olas, just like the rest of the beach resorts in the area, has risen to answer the need of the locals, the Negrenses, and the international tourists as well.
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Las Olas Beach & Garden Resort
A few minutes' drive from the national highway is las Olas Beach & Garden Resort. It is a six (6) hectares beachfront property developed into a beach resort and a botanical garden of sort, by its owner, known as Ma'am Giding.
Tambayan Hut in the middle of the Fishpond.
The main pathway leading to the reception and information center.
Photo by Touristang Pobre.
Beach Huts or Shed Houses are strategically located all over the beach property of Las Olas.
There is a wide area for visitors to move around the resort. There is also enough space for parking.
The beachfront offers a good view of Guimaras Strait.
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When I went around the beach area, I remember the days I enjoyed my beach combing adventures in Siquijor, Boracay, Dakak, Sipaway, Nogas Island, Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda, Wildwoods City NJ, Apo Island, Siargao, Cancun, and most of all our local beach in Sandy Hook, New Jersey...ahay...I miss home na, lol.
But I found peace and relaxation at Las Olas Beach & Garden Resort here in Barangay Tabao Baybay, San Enrique. Every beach in the world offers a different kind of experience to the traveler. I had this experience in Las Olas, an experience of peace and relaxation.
The owner, Ma'am Giding is a gorgeous host with a beautiful heart. Kamo nga naga basa sining Blog ko, pack your backpacks, fill your Cooler with food and go na, to Las Olas...and experience the vibe.
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Who goes to Las Olas?
Moving around the beachfront I saw families bonding over food and drinks. Another group looked like they're "Kabarkads", friends who spend time together here in Las Olas. There's a group of students and teachers. I even spotted a group of engineers and electricians from NOCECO, San Enrique, who were waiting for their lunch after a busy work in the "lines", so to speak. I cannot recall if there was a beach hut with Karaoke.
Kudos to our dedicated engineers and linemen from NOCECO, San Enrique, headed by Sir Larry Lumauag. Sorry guys, kadulom sang picture. Nalipat ko mag gamit flash.
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How to make reservations?
Las Olas has a Facebook page - Las Olas Beach and Garden Resort. You can message them and make your reservation as well as inform them of what you need for your specific event. Is it Wedding, Birthday, Anniversary, Acquaintance Party, Meeting, Seminar, Workshop, Team Building, or what have you.
You can also visit them at their location in Barangay Tabao Baybay.
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As of this writing, Ma'am Giding told me that one of the biggest groups that is scheduled to have their activity on the resort is the forthcoming Acquaintance Party of the College of Engineering of UNO-R or University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos. (Hello guys, may you have a successful acquaintance party College of Engineering. I was a past president of the Blue and Gold Alumni Association of ONI, UNO and UNO-R, many moons ago, lol. Have a great day at Las Olas.)
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Events area and other facilities of the resort.
I will just enumerate them so that it will be easy for you to see. These events area and facilities are:
Tatami Bedrooms - the building is located facing the fishpond. Its veranda offers a view of the "Punong" as well as a good spot for an afternoon drink and a coffee while watching the sunrise.
Native designed Huts lining up the beachfront.
Cottages and Tatami Bedrooms for overnight stay.
Viewing area that will also serve as lunch area located in the middle of the fishpond and connected by a bamboo/wooden bridge.
Several halls and events area good for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, seminars and group meetings.
A parking area.
Picnic area.
An area for camping and pitching up a Tent.
The beachfront can be used for beach Volleyball. I just added it here because I think this is possible but I'm not sure if the management will facilitate this for their visitors. They might. Why not coconut, lol.
Gardens with ornamental and decorative plants can be found everywhere. The landscaping was personally done by Ms. Fely Lazaro Harkness.
The Resort also accepts orders for food. You can make your request in the Reception Office. Here is the example of their Menu.
Reception Desk
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Pictorials
The following photos were captured by Touristang Pobre from the different areas of the resort.
A nice spot to relax and have a conversation with friends while drinking coffee or juice.
This alley decorated with plants on both sides will lead you to the Tatami bedrooms.
Let's go up the Tatami bedrooms that overlooks the fishpond.
Here it is.
This is the L & S Hall. It is ideal for small group meeting, seminar or training.
Both letters stand for Ma'am Giding's children. Was it Lorraine and Scott?
Nalipat naman si Tiyoy?
Photo below shows the bridge that leads to a hut that overlooks the fishpond.
"Ma change sila beddings sang Tatami bedrooms"
This is where we had lunch.
That Hut is our Tambayan for the rest of the lunchtime.
Our lunch consisted of Fish (Inid) Sinigang, Grilled Bangus, Rice, and Fresh Buko or Coconut, a good treat for someone who needs coco juice too.
Touristang Pobre was really hungry that he forgot to take pictures before eating, haha.
With me are the resort staff and Robert my Pilot for the day.
Girls, say "hi" to my Blog....haha....
Ay abaw, wala gid kalooy...haha...
This is the reception desk cum office of Las Olas.
Picture below shows Ma'am Giding with Touristang Pobre.
Ma'am Giding finished HRM in 1976 and worked at 5-star hotels in Metro Manila.
She was married to a British national, but her husband chose San Enrique as his permanent home.
"Guys, indi na lang ninyo pag sapaka ang tyan, haha...kanamit bi sang fresh seafood sa Las Olas!" (nangita pa rason, lol)
L & S Hall was named after the owner's two children, Lorraine & Scott.
I took this photo from the Hut with a good view of the fishpond.
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Other beach resorts located on the beachfront of Barangay Tabao Baybay and elsewhere, within the boundaries of Tabao Baybay, San Enrique and Miranda, Pontevedra.
Eleven Cafe and Beach Resort
Royal Villa
Blue Ulave
Beanes Beach Resort
JFJ Beach Resort
Edith Beach Resort
Geolingo Beach Resort
MC Beach Resort
Garina Beach Resort
417 Beach Resort
and many others.
Cafe, Restaurants, and Snack Bars
Klint Claire Lomi & Batchoy House
Tibsoc Batchoy Lomi House
Kaloy's Buko Pie
Ade's Buko Pie
Eleven Cafe'
and Others.
Conclusion
The growth of the tourism industry in any place such as San Enrique depends largely on the entrepreneurial spirit of the local residents, specifically those who have the real estate property along the coastal areas of the town.
Las Olas Beach and Garden Resort is one of those economic activities that progressed through the years that it is in the business. Although the Pandemic has downed the spirit of these tourism enterprises around the globe, the locals such as Las Olas and its prime mover, Ms. Harkness, never lost hope and instead hanged on until the pandemic slowly dissipates. Such entrepreneurial spirit is common among business owners who showed flexibility, and innovativeness, among others.
Through my conversation with Ma'am Giding, I noticed that she is concerned about providing livelihood opportunities to her Kabarangay specifically the Fisherfolks. She buys the day's catch of the fishermen thus ensuring them with daily income.
Through her leadership, Las Olas Beach and Garden Resort as well as the other resort owners on the coastal area of the town have helped increase the town's revenue, and therefore creates ripples effect that adds vitality, color, and excitement to this once sleepy town called San Enrique.
Kudos to Las Olas Beach and Garden Resort. May you continue to serve the local and international tourists who frequent your place.
Mabuhay! * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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More pictures of beach resorts near Las Olas
on both San Enrique and Pontevedra Coastal areas.
Photos by Touristang Pobre.
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My Comments:
1. I have seen the other beach resorts along the beachfront of Barangay Tabao Baybay and part of Barangay Miranda, Pontevedra and my perception is that they are thriving, the business is thriving.
2. In San Enrique, I had a snack at Tibsoc Batchoy and Lomi House. It was a huge place and there were customers in the main dining area as well as on the other side of the restaurant specifically on the garden area.
3. I passed by the Klint and Claire Lomi & Batchoy House. It seems to me that the locals love Batchoy and Lomi.
4. On the side of the road going to Royal Villa, I saw a shack where the Nanay was cooking Linaga or Cansi whatever. It was past one in the afternoon, so probably that Linaga (Lauya for some folks) maybe available by three in the afternoon.
5. I went farther to the poblacion to buy some Pasalubong. So, I passed by Kaloy's Buko Pie, then went to Ade's Buko Pie. I bought one plate, Baye-Baye, Bichocoy, Hopia, and had a refreshment in their store.
6. I also visited the town of Pontevedra to see the new development in the town. Well, their municipal building is new. Earlier in this trip, I visited some beach resorts belonging to the territory of Pontevedra specifically those located in the boundary between Barangay Tabao Baybay and Barangay Miranda.
7. Finally, I have seen what I came for. The vibrant coastal tourism in San Enrique which I believe needs more promotion and the planning of programs and activities that could level up its existing perks that catches the tourists' interest to visit the places.
8. Perhaps a Festival in the coastal area of San Enrique during the Summer, Coastal Tourism Month, holding of a Youth Environment Summit to be held in the coastal area of the town, Senior Citizens' Day Program, Mother's Day Special, Father's Day Special, Earth Day Celebration, Environment Summit, Zumba Competition with Sponsors from other business owners, a search for Miss Coastal Tourism of San Enrique, and many more activities that will keep the coastal tourism alive and thrive.
9. Hosting of a Garden Club events and Fishermen's Week event, and
10. Maybe, hosting a Bloggers and Vloggers Day with sponsorship from other companies and businesses.
11. Other activities or programs and projects that you may decide to hold in the coastal areas.
Have a nice day everyone.
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Reviewed by Touristang Pobre
on
9:46:00 PM
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