If a sprawling, bucolic landscape is your drawing board, with no less
than internationally acclaimed architect Bobby Miqosa executing the
design, what financially sound and eco-friendly property will you come
up with?

A fully developed beach resort with complete facilities was a very apt choice of
the Panlilio family for tapping their 3,300-hectare lot in Ternate, Cavite.

An oasis of hilly surroundings, lush mangroves and a wide stretch of deep
greenish blue seascape-to-sky backdrop, the place is thus called Puerto Azul.

About a two-hour drive from Manila, Puerto Azul is both a rest and recreation
zone. It has a community resembling the Hilton Head Island in North Carolina.

Condominium-style villas, subdivisions and homes have been put up for the
upper crust called Vista de Loro.

The Edenic habitat soon became second home to nature lovers and weary
citified souls who cherish intimate moments with nature: laze under the sun,
frolic by the beach, engage in various water sport activities, or simply unwind.

Other Puerto Azul assets include the fully harnessed Paniman, Caysubic and
Panicpican beaches and coves.

One of the best ways to explore these coves is by walking the nature trail, raft
sailing in a swamp, deep-sea fishing and kayaking, among others, said

Silverio dela Cruz, the seasoned resident manager of Puerto Azul.

All activities are guided and can be done in an hour or so, as the weather
permits. Raft sailing, for instance, takes one to a winding swamp route with
the age-old trees foliage on both sides as canopy. Sailors will surely find it so
delightful to hear various migrating birds and ducks cooing and warbling.

Liza H. Morales, Puerto Azul s director of sales and marketing, enthused that
the activity can also be a learning experience once they are able to label the
ancient trees along the swamp.

A group of five or six per raft, including the guide, can even have a little picnic
while sailing. Liza s office can have it arranged should guests request that
snacks be served on board.

For those who prefer on-foot adventure to flex their muscles, the hour-long or
more nature trail fits the bill. A winding path that cuts across a heavily wooded
area in a cove is enough to give any trailblazer a natural lift.

Beautiful butterflies and exotic birds, some wild boar and deer can be seen
along the trail. Likewise, one can admire some rare plants or blooms that
abound all over. Just be sure to wear non-slippery sneakers to avoid a bad fall,
otherwise, it s going to be a super-fun experience.

Dela Cruz even noted that nature trailing can be one of the most unforgettable
experiences that parents and siblings can share.

It can be a good time for bonding. You know, spending real quality time with
the kids one weekend. Parents and children or just father-and-son can chat
one-on-one while walking in the woods and enjoying nature, somehow trying to
survive or recalling how to get back to the point where they started. These are
among the most precious moments that even the whole family can take
pleasure from, Dela Cruz said.

Puerto Azul also takes pride in two of its many human assets the amiable
food and beverage director Walter Negelee and seasoned chef Simplicio
Mercado, fondly called Mang Ambo by everybody.

Mang Ambo is the kitchen whiz of the Panlilios for 24 years now and he can
whip up any dish with gusto. His forte, though, is the native cuisine: succulent
lechon kawali (deepfried-pork chunks), rellenong pusit (stuffed cuttlefish),
pinakbet (assorted vegetables cooked in fish sauce), lengua (stewed ox
tongue), to name a few.

A nature reserve that Puerto Azul is, it gets about half of its visitors from
Manila. Around 15 percent are walk-ins and 40-60 percent make up the
corporate accounts, related Amy Pimentel, Puerto Azul country club s
associate director of sales.

They also have long-staying guests that stay for a week up to one month or
more. These are mostly from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)
and other businessmen from various countries.

last update: 04.07.07