The Paradise of Cebu North

CEBU, Philippines – On November 21, the new destination in northern Cebu celebrated its first anniversary. It was such a day of pomp and revelry. I was so lucky to have witnessed the occasion.

Dame Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung had me join her high-profile guests at her Kandaya Resort, in Daanbantayan town.  I was simply dumbfounded by the serene beauty of the place – a real treasure! All the superlative adjectives I had heard about the place proved true.

It was a four-hour drive from the city to the northern tip of the island, where the resort is located. The trip was really worth it – it was like a time travel from hustle-and-bustle of urbanization to the serenity of paradise.

Upon entering the resort’s gate, we were met by courteous security guards, who were quick in giving us a hand salute, like we were some kind of royalty entering the castle. Once within the premises, the beautiful sight of lush greeneries in spacious, well-landscaped grounds at once brought out positive vibes.

According to research by USJR BA Comm student Saison O. Dampios Jr., the resort derives its name from the famous chieftain of the place in the long past – Datu Daya, a great warrior with a great compassion to his people. The chieftain’s warm and intense character is the resort’s inspiration.

The place sprawls “from here to eternity!” The 14-hectare luxury resort (of which seven hectares have been developed so far) presently has 22 deluxe rooms and 18 villas, each with a swimming pool. The architecture is a fusion of native and modern Filipino. And with a beachfront that runs a full kilometer, the view is just incredible!

The resort facilities include a tennis court, a boxing ring, a mix-martial-arts studio, a fitness gym with instructors, a spa, an infinity pool, a spacious space for jogging and horseback riding, water-sports facilities such as kayaking and jetski etc. The resort lobbies are just grand, with equally chic furniture and fixtures.  It has one food outlet for now – the uniquely designed Kusina Restaurant – that serves delectable cuisine, of course.

Kandaya Resort is quite different from the rest hereabouts. For one, the warm hospitality of the owners effectively cascades down the line to the resort’s service staff and crew. Everyone’s attentiveness to the guests’ needs really stands out.

The young president and CEO of MSY Holdings Corporation Martin Salimbangon-Yeung, son of power couple Mariquita and Carlos, was noticeably overjoyed in seeing everyone happy during the resort’s anniversary celebration. Perhaps it was also because he was seeing Kandaya Resort becoming exactly what the family envisioned it to be, although he wouldn’t be rested until everything is properly in place.

The theme of the night event “African Night,” in particular, turned out to be a winner. Everyone dressed up like they were attending an African festival or going on a high-caliber African safari. The guests, all in African costumes, frolicked to the music of Hongkong-based African band, Makumba.

The feast overflowed with food and drinks, as well. And the guests danced until the early hours of the next morning. On departure, they were all murmuring praises for the place, and vowed to return.