Sonya’s Garden by the Sea
Sonya Garcia might as well be a modern Midas. Anything she touches turns into gold. Her newest “baby” called Sonya’s Garden by the Sea is a shining glory that overlooks Mount Pico de Loro in barangay Papaya in Nasugbu, Batangas. Since it opened last month, with FB posts and word-of-mouth advertisement, the 1,020-sq.-m. haven by Papaya Cove has always been full. And the reservation list is long.
Unlike the selfish King Midas, however, Sonya, the country’s “queen of bed and breakfast,” because she pioneered and popularized the art and aesthetics of small lodging establishments, has a selfless heart. And it is from her beautiful heart that her genius emanates.
From the mountains of Alfonso, Cavite where her Sonya’s Bed and Breakfast is located, Sonya brought her staff one day to the beach in Nasugbu.
“We’d been ‘locked up’ in Alfonso for quite a while and I thought my staff and I deserved some ‘Vitamin Sea.’ So we planned a beach outing and the closest was Nasugbu, which was only 40 minutes away from Sonya’s Garden,” Sonya said.
“‘Vitamin Sea’ is important because it lessens the stress; it’s good for mental health. The sea is also good for skin exfoliation and saltwater helps people with skin problems,” she added.
It was summertime last year when they trooped to the beach and the well-paved Magallanes road of Cavite that connects to Nasugbu in Batangas was a scenic drive. Bougainvilleas were in profuse bloom — red, lavender, white, fuchsia, baby pink, orange, red-orange, lilac, deep purple. There were also Palawan cherry blossoms on either side of the road. Even dainty kakawate blooms. The sight of flowers calmed Sonya. From this calm was an imminent surrender to the sea.
The outing went fine. After soaking up the sea, Sonya roamed around barangay Papaya, interviewed fishermen, even the housewives. On their way back to Alfonso, her creative brain spun and it resulted in her finding a place where Sonya’s by the Sea could be born.
“The first time I was in Papaya, it was clearly evident that the community was alive. Its residents were peaceful people who happily survived with their fresh catch from the sea. It was a quiet fisherman’s village and what a beautiful sight it was that people were all smiles after a day’s toil in the sea,” Sonya said, adding that the freshness of the daily haul — lapu-lapu, tanigue, talakitok, matang-baka, maya-maya, blue marlin, tulingan and bangus-dagat — was an irresistible sight.
And then she dreamed of having a new bed and breakfast in Papaya — in the middle of a fishing community. The dream now provides dreamlike vacation for those who’ve been accustomed to the gentle, pampering hospitality of Sonya’s Garden.
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Sonya’s Garden by the Sea has two cottages, both with two floors — Papaya 1 (145 square meters, good for six people) and Papaya 2 (500 square meters, good for 10 people). A parking area of 375 square meters is available for staying guests or day trippers who are billeted at Sonya’s Bed and Breakfast in Alfonso.
Sonya herself designed the new property with wood from recycled railroad tracks and Bacolod bricks from sugar furnaces that were torn.
A day-tour package begins with an 8:30 a.m. departure from the property in Alfonso. Upon arrival at Sonya’s by the Sea, welcome drinks await — and the signature cold rose towelette so fragrant it gives the feeling that one is in a rose garden. Snacks are served — open-faced sandwich with edible flowers and fresh dalandan juice.
Whether you’re coming as part of a family or a honeymooner or a beau ready to propose to the love of your life, relaxation is spelled the moment you settle in the soft bed with billowy curtains. (The bay window beds, too, are divine!)
The breeze from the sea invites for a morning siesta. Indulgence is heightened the minute you discover the massage bed. Sonya, because she wants to give livelihood to some homemakers in the area, sent some women for training to be masseuses. (She employs social fencing at Sonya’s by the Sea, the same employment style she has in Alfonso where most of the staff are from the community to help them have a job.)
Seafood lunch awaits. Aside from grilled fish and squid, the sumptuous lunch includes inihaw na liempo, crispy chicken skin, pakbet, halabos na hipon with finely shredded ensaladang manga, green mango with bagoong, steamed rice, salted egg and tomatoes, watermelon, caramelized sweet potato, fresh juice and fresh tarragon tea.
The fresh catch from the sea is bought from the neighborhood. Whatever the price tag is, Sonya just buys it. She does not believe in tawad (haggling). She’s just happy to help the fishermen.
In fact, Sonya’s by the Sea does not own its own boat to be used for island-hopping tours of guests. Sonya likes it that she hires outriggers from the fishermen themselves “for their extra income.”
Don’t be surprised if a staff member at the resort is also a boatman. Sonya has trained some to be waiters and she has trained them well.
The new Sonya’s Garden property, Sonya said, is for the people of Papaya. “It’s for the community. Before I leave this world, I want to make a contribution to this community. And for the guests to enjoy the hospitality of the people,” she said adding the ROI “may be achieved long after I am gone.”
A guided island adventure means snacking on freshly baked chocolate cookies, nachos with dips, chips, and bottled fresh juices in the banca. The tour guide is a trained photographer, too. It helps to know that the guide is also a trained rescue swimmer and first-aid provider.
In the middle of the sea, guests can feed the fish or snorkel in San Telmo Cove. Or swim in Kayraang Cove. (The daredevil in me opted for cliff diving in Taytayin Cove — but not without a life vest. After three jumps from the cliff to the silent waters, my adrenaline was still unstoppable. Cliff diving has its own high. I will do it again.)
Back to the cottage, toiletries, towels and robes are provided for an enjoyable shower with the shadow of Pico de Loro emblazoned on the waters during sunset.
Delicious and soupy balut, turon, fresh juice, coffee or tea are served before you leave the paradise by the sea.
You bid Sonya’s Garden by the Sea goodbye with the promise of another visit. And it is now.
(For more information, call 0917-5335140 or 0917-7142666.)
(For your new beginnings, e-mail me at [email protected]. I’m also on Twitter @bum_tenorio and Instagram @bumtenorio. Have a blessed weekend.)
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