A Moroccan holiday in Subic
May 12, 2002 | 12:00am
The magnificent Sun City resort complex in South Africa came to mind during my recent visit to Subic’s newest dream resort facility. Just like South African entrepreneur Sol Kerzner who saw the possibilities of a sprawling resort in the rocky wilds of the Pilanesberg mountains, Sta. Lucia Realty’s Exequiel Robles envisioned a tropical resort haven –and this was realized when he created the fabulous Club Morocco Beach and Residential Estates in Cabitaugan, Subic Zambales.
But this is Club Morocco, and is themed appropriately. The ceiling of its country club is painted blue and bears astrological characters. Such is the design of Club Morocco because Moroccans, just like us Pinoys, are known for their love of astrology. This fascination with astrology can also be gleaned in a mural of the three-story high-domed ceiling in the lobby. The porticos, wide terraces, colored cathedral glass panels and windows, geometric spheres, balusters and arch columns all the more reminded me of The Palace Hotel which is also the favorite resort destination of pop icon Michael Jackson who comes to Sun City thrice a year.
I fell in love with the place at its recent inauguration. I was graciously invited by Dr. Tony Cruz, business development executive for Sta. Lucia Realty and Development Inc. (SLRDI). A whole day of fun in the sun and sports activities were prepared for Club Morocco’s exclusive members and guests. Kids and adults alike tried their hand at kayaking, mountain climbing, beach volleyball and jetskiing.
Mayor Khong Guan of Subic town cut the ribbon to open of the property. Welcoming us to the launch were Exequiel Robles, CEO and president of SLRDI, and his lovely wife Matilde and children Michael, Jayson, Michelle, Marlon and Joanna as well as Sta. Lucia stockholder Resty Santos and gorgeous wife – actress Lani Lobangco. Special guests included the Baltaos headed by Gino, Gary and Genevieve of Guaranteed Homes, Inc., Sta. Lucia Realtors assistant coach Alfrancis Chua and basketball stars Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino.
Veering away from the usual Californian-Spanish architecture, the clubhouse remains everything Mediterranean and perfectly complements the estate and villas in the sprawling property. The 240-hectare Moorish-themed beach club has 20 standard rooms, three VIP rooms and five duplex family villas. The VIP rooms and villas have their own kitchen, bedrooms and living rooms. The standard rooms are more spacious than regular hotel rooms. The residential complex has three villages: Villa Monaco, Villa Ibiza and Villa Venezia. If you’re staying at the villa, the glass doors give you a view of the beach. You can just walk over to the pool for a dip or have a nice brunch under the umbrella huts or at the gazebo.
The fusion of Arabic and Spanish architecture brings lightness and comfort to the airy surroundings. The geometric latticework provides an attractive panel to the balconies that shield the occupant from the sun.
Said Tony Cruz, "What sets this beach club apart is that members can build their own houses at the residential villages overlooking the beach club. A helipad, docking facility for boats and yachts and a park for campers and RV trailers as well as watersports facilities increases the investment scale for owners. There’s also bowling, billiards and even a KTV room for those inclined. Right beside the hotel is a basketball and a tennis court as well. The payoff is that you end up with homes that endure beautifully, co-exists agreeably with nature but aren’t short on the luxurious comforts and pluses that tells you’ve finally arrived!"
We ate a hearty lunch at the club’s fine dining restaurant where adobong pusit and the pinakbet are sure winners.
It was a real treat to just lie down on the lounging chairs by the pool and look up at the starlit sky and the tall coconut trees towering above. The sound of the water lapping the shore and the caress of the cool breeze can easily put you to sleep. The heated water of the pool was also very inviting with its deep-blue tiles – giving it the look of a lake rather than just a regular pool.
A special feature of the club is its pursuit of being an environmentally sound facility. According to winsome Noah Manarang, consultant for environmental management, Club Morocco is implementing several programs to ensure that it complements, not damages, nature. A comprehensive erosion control program using the so-called "Vetiver Grass Technology" has been put in place at the upland slopes of the villages above the club. The Vetiver grass with its three-meters roots will hold the soil in place while land development is undertaken. This will prevent unnecessary erosion and subsequent siltation to the beach below. It will also revegetate and green the bare slopes above. The Vetiver grass with its aromatic roots and termicidal properties will also naturally prevent termite colonies from developing.
On the beach front, another exciting development is taking shape. Mangrove planting will be done on both ends of the 320-meter beach front to encourage the growth of other sea vegetation that will attract fish and other marine life so members can snorkel near the shore. Together with this is a comprehensive waste management plan where liquid and solid waste will be segregated and disposed off properly keeping Morocco beach water pollution-free.
Architect Jun Lim points out, "We want to make the place comforting and relaxing and very service-oriented. We also want a natural look and we have worked to preserve the natural landscape of the trees that have long existed in the place. We kept the existing trees along the pool. We will also use a lot of terra cotta planter boxes for other plants and trees. For the balconies, precast railing and balustrades were used to give the Moroccan look of a village. Terra cotta is used for duplex villas and its similar shade of brownish-red is also used to match the spheres and the landscape."
Indeed, one can commune with nature at Club Morocco. On your way home, you will get a feeling that something inside you has been enriched by your stay in this splendid tropical haven.
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