GIANNA'S MOUNTAIN RESORT
Gianna's Mountain Resort
June 23, 2024.
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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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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, for 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. I am talking about Siargao, ang Palawan, among others.
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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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.
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?
You can order food from the restaurant. They have a wide array of food and drinks to choose from. My favorite is Chicken Inasal with rice and Coke. There Batchoy is the best that I have tasted this month. I've been to Molo Market few months ago just to eat Batchoy and Gianna's Batchoy is different. Try nyo.
I tried their Grilled Boneless Bangus. OMG, it was well done and tasted great because it was "hagpuk"...haha...sounds funny but I like grilled bangus this way.
Did you try their Lomi? If you haven't, try mo next time. A bowl of Lomi is good for two. So, a portion for your "Bubu" and a portion for you, o di ba "Bu"? lol.
They have Sinigang Nga Manok, Fish, and Pork. "Kon gusto mo magpa sabaw kay tugnaw kaayo sang tubig sa infinity pool, mag order ka Sinigang of your choice".
I suggest, you order your food in advance and inform the Chef that you want to eat at, say, 12 noon. That way, they prepare your food and reserve a table for you and your guests.
There are Shed Houses for rent. Each shed can accommodate around ten pax and you can grill your fish, pork, or shrimps because each shed has a Grill or "sugbahan". Be sure to bring your own "oleng", o' di ba?
There are certain food and drinks that requires a "corkage" fee. Originally, ang "corkage fee" gina pataw sa naga dala bottles of wine, beer, gin, and others. If you want to be sure, ina bala ang pihu2 gid, you can visit their Facebook Page and send them your message or inquiries. I provided it here.
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.
When you're there at Gianna's you will feel the busyness of the place. "Daw wala untat nga improvement nila sang resort". If you're lucky, you can spot the owner Sir J-R.
Gianna's is always improving or leveling up to meet the needs of visitors and travelers cum tourists.
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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.
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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...haha.
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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.
Reviewed by Touristang Pobre
on
11:32:00 PM
Rating:
Henry L. is the face behind Touristang Pobre. He had been a travel writer for What's On in the Visayas and Mindanao, based in Cebu in the 90's. As a former columnist of the Negros Daily Bulletin, based in his hometown of Bacolod, in the Philippines, he tackled major issues on environment protection and conservation, travel and community development, among others. You can also visit his other sites: http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Touristang-Pinoy and Earthniversity at http://www.earthniversity.com
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