Diving into paradise

The Philippines consists of 7,107 islands. Okay, just about 7,000 when the tide is high. All these islands are wonderful destinations, yet we and the world are familiar with only a few. That is all changing now with the focus shifting to other destinations like the languid and lush island of Panglao in Bohol.

The opening of The Bellevue Resort on this pristine spot in the Visayas is testimony to the place’s attractiveness to visitors and the investors willing to put up facilities to bring in tourism to the area. Johnny Chan, head honcho of the Bellevue chain of hotels, had this strong feeling about the place ever since he set foot on the island’s white beaches.

Panglao had been identified in the ’90s as a potential gateway to Eastern Visayas and was earmarked as such by the Department of Tourism. An international airport had been identified as a key infrastructure back then. Thankfully the project is pushing through, although the present terminal at Tagbilaran City across the strait has recently been improved because of the increased traffic. Panglao is only just over an hour away via Tagbilaran from Manila. The trip is hassle free and The Bellevue Resort is only minutes away to the southwestern side of the resort island.

I must confess that I helped bring Johnny’s vision to reality as its landscape architect. I couldn’t miss out on a chance to work with good friends and great designers architect Bong Recio who designed the architecture. The well-put together interior design is by Randall Lao. Johnny Chan himself and his sons Patrick, Ryan and Dustin, who all cover different aspects of operations, marketing and management, are great clients who know their business and are hands on, without getting in the way of a designer’s creativity.

Morning on a banca gives you this panorama of the Bellevue Resort in Panglao.

One of the perks of helping design resorts is that you get to try them out once they’re open. My recent trip there enabled me to check the total experience of all the designs. I also wanted to get back into the warm waters of Panglao, which offers great snorkelling and diving (famed diving spot, Balicasag island, is nearby and we almost always get to see dolphins on the way there).

I stayed in one of the tastefully appointed (in contemporary Filipino motif) rooms, one of the resort’s 159 rooms and suites, all of which have view of the sea and lush green surroundings. The resort sits practically alone on this side of Panglao yet is only minutes away from several spots to visit landside and seaside. Tagbilaran itself is a short ride away, and if you’re staying a little longer you can even take in the Loboc River cruise, and other fascinating trips featuring the Tarsier, heritage architecture and Bohol’s famous Chocolate Hills.

The food is great, not that I am a foodie. At the Lamian restaurant, chefs Martin and Tony concocted a series of dishes based on coconut and other local delicacies, melding Filipino taste with European flavour. Food, for me, is fuel for getting trough a typical resort day of lounging around the infinity-edge pool (which has a cantilevered viewdeck overlooking the 250-meter stretch of beach), touring the poblacion nearby (with a great old church and bell tower) and boating around the island.

I love resorts because they dote on you, and the Bellevue service is impeccable. The hotel’s general manager Franz Eichenauer makes sure of that. The Bellevue touch is evident upstairs and downstairs. Johnny made sure that Bong designed the place with wide corridors and commodious rooms, each with a balcony for your al fresco enjoyment.

I love the resort’s sunken lounge. It’s very retro-’60s modern but also gives you a clear view of the sea once you enter the hotel through it’s charming entrance pavilion. Koi ponds, and water features abound, keeping with the resort theme that uses the sound and sight of water to link it with the sea and the sand.

I can’t wait to visit again. This time with my family in tow and especially our youngest Chocho, who is my official pool-tester. For this trip I had to get a model to do my traditional jump shot into the water. The fellow was actually a good diver and so I made him do a dozen shots including this fantastic one into the resort’s deep scuba diving training pool.

I hope you all try this resort. Bellevue is really a great brand and its hotels and resorts ensure people come back again and again. The proof can be found in the short hop down to Panglao. Jumping into paradise is really a pleasure with them.

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Feedback is welcome. Please e-mail the writer at paulo.alcazaren@gmail.com. For information on The Bellevue Resort Bohol, visit www.thebellevue.com.