How I discovered my home in Boracay

MANILA, Philippines – Let me tell you my story of how I finally found my dream home. I am a doctor by profession. But then the field of medicine didn’t prescribe for me the kind of work that I really wanted to do. Our technology-driven era offers an endless supply of more. I soon realized that the enslavement brought about by success had stifled my free spirit.

I was drowning in the American dream  and I was in grave need of healing.

My family and I were based in Huntington Beach, California,  and the Philippines always seemed like a second home for us. But Manila was always in my heart and   mind. My state of mind at that time was best summarized with my twist on Henry David Thoreau’s Walden. Truth is, it was a novel I never really could relate to, until I read those words:

“I went home to the [islands] because I wished to live deliberately, to face only the essential facts of nature, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived...”

Finally, my wife and I decided it was time to embrace our real home: the Philippines. Several months after our arrival, our boxes still remain unpacked and settling into new surroundings always seemed an unending task. Being distracted with the move, unfamiliar places, and the stress of making it all work, I began to lose focus. I needed to find myself, learn to appreciate simple pleasures and for the sacrifices my family made, truly reward them with an experience to remember.

I wanted to find the solace of home. It began by spending quality time in Boracay with my family, but was reinforced with the captivating sanctuary so aptly named  Discovery Shores.

Discovery Shores is Boracay’s best attempt to restore the essence of free spirited living.  My first impulse was to kiss the white sands.

As I walked through the resort, I heard the calming effect of trickling water from the waterfall and the canals that line the walkways. Then I saw a wishing stone where a guest can “water paint” wishes. Then and there, something told me that my wishes had come true. 

In this oasis , I found my universe. I love the island’s earth-toned  color scheme that continued well into Discovery Shores’ clean, simple design. I could feel such calming atmosphere transition  from our suite, into the resort and smoothly onto the beach.  That unobtrusive visual flow was easily maintained by architect Willie Coscolluela and designer Budji Layug.

Discovery Shores offered a retreat, so finely appointed that we seldom wanted to leave our suite, let alone venture far away from the resort. With fluffy extra- thick goose down pillows, large king-sized beds so comfy, it was easy to spend the entire vacation catching up on that much-needed sleep. Other necessary comforts were the self-service kitchenettes with mini-bar that provided refreshments, morning coffee, or tea.  Delivered daily to our suite were afternoon treats like suman sa latik on Day 1, suman sa ibos on Day 2 and Guimaras mangoes on Day 3. Kuchinta was a daily treat. For a balikbayan who has had an overdose of burgers,this was heaven.

 The hotel’s Sands Restaurant seduced guests with its breakfast buffet, where the aroma of fresh cappuccino and sinful crepes had our mouth watering before we even took our seat. Of the myriad of choices, a delightful surprise was the sweet and sour fish offered at breakfast.  Hospitality staffer Julius Alegre clued in that my daughter loved fish sticks for lunch and had a special plate made on each visit.

We spent our lunches within our private, poolside mini-cabana, dining on the Asian chicken baguette and Margarita pizza.

Dinner at Indigo meant a showcase of chef David Pardo de Ayala’s culinary artistry. Meals highlighted the island’s richness by utilizing the local bounty fused with imports that complemented the dishes.

For our dinner, we splurged on every course. A creamy bouillabaisse of Mediterranean shellfish and saffron essence primed the palate, merely teasing us for the ambrosial delights to follow.

There was pan-seared barramundi fish fillet that melted in our mouths, accompanied by chorizo-roasted potatoes, pesto Tagaytay bell peppers  and Moroccan Harissa .Chef David’s Solomillo a la Plancha — Spanish style, imported US beef medallions topped my list. The paella risotto complemented the fillet’s flavors to perfection.

For dessert, we died and went to heaven with the classic Marquesa de Chocolate — rich pudding paired with black pepper panna cotta — a gelatinous Italian cream all marinating in an intensely sweet, dark Pedro Ximenez sherry and fresh strawberries.

It’s the kind of place where you let yourself go, find the deepest realms of relaxation and wake up refreshed.The quality of sleep on a poolside chaise was immeasurable, especially knowing that after your slumber, Pandan Water, my personal favorite, would be served.

Throughout the day the playroom was filled with a bounty of toys, DVDs, kids games, and adjacent to the main pool was a wading pool to keep the kids immersed in fun and maintain their parents’ sanity.  At 4 p.m. the playroom offered instructional activities like arts and crafts, and pizza making! The resort’s Mandala Spa offered free kids yoga each morning.

 Then there was the beach, that quality of shoreline that gives Boracay its fame. Watching my daughter’s excitement as she waded in the warm crystal clear waters and marveled over the powder white sand was equally rewarding for us. It was an epiphany to realize that what was most rewarding was the most simple. It became evident, that no matter how seasoned a traveler, this resort offered a discovery at every moment.

Upon retiring back to the room I noticed the thoughtful touches. Poems placed on your comforter and nighttime lullabies to rock the baby to sleep, all scripted on beautiful stationery to prime us for a restful night.

Boracay was a healing experience that told me I was finally home.

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For inquiries and reservations, contact Discovery Shores Boracay Resort and Spa at (632) 719-6692 to 95, or (6336) 288-4500, e-mail dsbrsvn@discovery.com.ph or visit www.discoveryshoresboracay.com.