Where East meets West
MANILA, Philippines – “It was in February 2008 when The Peacock Garden Resort and Spa first opened its doors to the public. And here we are today”, said Chris Schoof, the son of Hans and Lani Schoof, “celebrating its inaugural” on March 28, 2009. “One year is a milestone -- it’s a look into what can be done, and what more is possible. It’s like that great journey that begins with the proverbial first step. This is the Peacock Garden’s first year, its first steps...Indeed, this is just the beginning...To my mother, my sister Katrina and her fiance Bryant, whose tireless efforts and painstaking attention to detail have been a cornerstone of this establishment, this is your night. To my father -- a visionary from another time. Five years ago, the very ground we stand on was nothing but dirt. Only you saw, Dad, and you’ve made that dream come true. This place is your legacy, and I am proud of you for it. This is your night”. This was the speech delivered by Christian Schoof like a true Atenean.
The Peacock Garden Resort and Spa sits on a hilltop in Laya, Baclayon, a short 15-minute leisurely drive from Tagbilaran, the capital city of Bohol, an island paradise in the southern part of the Philippines. Bohol is about 700 kilometers directly south of Manila and is about 70 kilometers southeast of Mactan Island. Bohol’s historical significance extends way back to the blood compact - Sandugo - between Boholano chieftan Sikatuna and the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, in 1565.
Everyone knows that the “Chocolate Hills”, 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills ( resembling endless rows of chocolate “Kisses”), are undoubtedly the most famous tourist attraction of Bohol. On top of this, Bohol’s pride is one of the rare faunas found in the Philippine archipelago, the “Tarsier” -- the smallest primate in the world. This nocturnal primate ( which, to me, resembles a miniature version of Australia’s famous Koalas), measuring only 4-5 inches, has a tail that is longer than its body, and their extra-long tarsal bones enables them to leap three meters from tree to tree. We braved a strong downpour that last Sunday of March because we had to see these possibly thirty-six million years old endangered species. But it was well worth it!
Instead of the usual beaches and dive sites, Hans Schoof, who idolizes our national hero, Jose Rizal, has chosen to situate his resort and spa atop a mountain near Tagbilaran with a magnificent view of the Bohol sea. The resort, like its owners, Hans and Lani (a Boholana married to a German from Wiesbaden, near Frankfurt), gives one a feeling of being both in Europe and in Asia all at once. The resort is composed of three separate buildings with entrances from behind facing a forest ( which gives one a feeling of being in Baguio), while the private balcony of their old world charm guestrooms faces the deep blue sea; and, with an infinity pool surrounded by a European fashioned garden right beneath the terrace, one could well be in a historic villa with high-ceilings in Europe gazing out at the mediterrenean sea.
Named after the brilliantly colored bird which exemplifies beauty, elegance and wealth, The Peacock Garden offers you dining at the Old Heidelberg, fashioned after 19th Century Germany, where you will find the Schoof family’s personal collections of fencing swords, beer mugs, hats, canes etc. At its entrance, one is greeted by the original sala set where Dr. Jose Rizal sat. The walls are covered with postcards depicting cities that Rizal visited, and there are some antique chairs from castles in Europe.
There were four ribbon-cuttings on March 28th: The Fontana Aurelia Spa, or the golden spa with medieval Roman influence; The Hemingway Cigar Lounge, named after the famous American author, Ernest Hemingway, who is known for his love of cigars; The Bacchus Wine Cellar, named after the god of wine in Greek mythology; and Pim’s Pub, Pim being Hans Schoof’s childhood nickname.
The grand inauguration of these four new amenities was followed by entertainment by the Diwanag Cultural Dancers, our highly-acclaimed Freddie Aguilar, Visaya’s pride Vernie Varga and superb violinist Jay Cuyuca, with Joaquin Valdez as host. The affair culminated with the grandest display of fireworks as, for the first time, both Wow Fireworks and Dragon Fireworks, teamed up to paint every inch of the night sky with awesome colored lights -- the best I’ve seen so far!
