Marcela's Resort Hotel, Gamay
From Araw Beach, near the northern end of Gamay, I was en route to Gapo Beach, at next-to-last southern-most barangay of this same town. Before entering the gate to Mika's Gapo Beach Resort though, I saw the inviting gate of Marcela's Resort Hotel.
I told my driver "let's pass there first, to check it out". And so, we entered!
Nicely done, therefore 'enticing entrance' to a hotel/resort in the middle of nowhere. Yet dumb, because not easily readable. I call that material "the damn stainless steel".
There are many of that all over the world. The latest I can recall are Adamson U, UP Tacloban, Brgy Sampaguita Village, Oakridge Business Park, Adoration Convent etc.
Some of those who sought my advice had to paint them over so the letters wouldn't reflect anything! My joke: "di lahat ng mamahalin ay mabuti"! But stainless steel lasts.
Anyway, 'wag na natin pag-deskitahan yan. It's artsy anyway. Let's go in!
From the gate, it's still a longish drive, probably a hudnred meters (or less), but there are structures (at right, behind the gate is a swimming pool) and at left (hotel rooms?).
No guard or staff along the path, no desk or whatever, so we went on, until this:
We could have gone onwards, as my scooter driver and I did not know where to go, but a scooter was parked by that welcome message at left, so we parked there too!
No humans around! I even jokingly asked my driver "abre ba ini"? And we went in. Oy, abre ba ini? in Waray is similar to the Tagalog 'bukas ba ito?' or English 'is this open?'.
Malamang open, nakapasok kami eh, 'no?
But that question actually means "is this open for business"?
We saw this restaurant to our right. After shouting "maupaaaay" 3X, a girl came out!
She asked what room po sir? I said no room, we just arrived now, walk-in, kakain kami.
Without saying a word, she turned back in haste, to where she came from - probably the kitchen. Then an older guy who looked more 'in-charge', came out to attend to us.
Too early for lunch, we settled with a clubhouse sandwich. This place has no Coke!
Correction... not only "no Coke", but "no softdrinks" of any kind.., whatsoever.., ever!
Paktaylo! I immediately connected the dots.., this is a 'healthy something' resort, no softdrinks, therefore malamang, no smoking! Buti nalang pwede sa mga likod-likod!
While the sandwich was being prepared, I took the opportunity to look around.
Food was ready at 4 separate tables. Some were good for 2, others were for 3 or 4.
Hindi amin yan! Walk-in lang kami! Those were free breakfast of checked-in guests.
I asked that waiter manager supervisor whatever, if this was also their front desk.
He told me that it is the cottage near where we parked, outside of that 2nd entrance.
I've noted on arrival, that it looked cute. So I went back there to see the insides!
He told me it is open, but no one is there at the moment, so just push the door to enter.
He said that, since I told him I want to take a pic of their "lobby" and/or "front desk".
So I entered the eerie cuteness of this fantasyland-like dainty little playhouse...
Grabe ba ang descriptions ko? Eh ganun ang feeling while I was inside that colorful little bungalow (feeling ko, abot ko yata ang ceiling)! Ang vivid ng colors, ang happy!
Kaso walang tao.., ang tahimik.., not a thing was moving.., walang gumagalaw... du! Hahaha, para kang nasa loob ng "3D still-life fantasy picture". Ang ganda na... ewan!
Hehehe it was confusing if I should feel like I was in a museum or a mausoleum! Ay, mabuti pa ang mausoleum, me gumagalaw na apoy ng kandila. Ito, fantsy museum!
As I slowly moved around, I was very alert... me lumagatik o kumaluskos lang, atara kay surely madalagan ak tigawas! Okay pa nga kung takbo lang, baka tumili pa ako!
Hehehe, it was fun imagining things in a pretty playhouse-like empty Front Desk! On hindsight, just now as I write this, I should have asked the driver to come and be my photographer, with me posing or lounging around those empty fixtures everywhere!
Anyway, and okay... back outside of that reception bungalow, I took this photo...
I think, since all look new, those are 'additional' rooms (probably of the 'budget' range). Ideal for those who come for the swimming pool and kiddie park just accross them.
Oh, on that picture, left edge but not seen, is the main entrance (along the highway). The big swimming pool is also there, by the gate, left side if you are on the way out.
Right edge of that pic is the 2nd entrance I told you about. Tara let's go back there!
And tsadaaan! I settled for this cucumber thing while my driver had Iced Tea.
Both of us said "ba-a, barato it asucar dinhi"! But we agreed, children and the younger generation would love those drinks! Tastes good, but I diluted mine with more water!
I devoured one of those 'triangles'! And my driver, who was also busy with his photo and video shots (I think he's a vlogger), despite his protests, had to finish all the rest!
By the way, that's how I love my sandwiches - the bread is toasted.
Beside the restaurant is this simple looking space, but must be expensive.
It's an Orchid Garden, with a number of attractive-looking varieties.
Pinag-tripan! Mag-aral ba mag-kodak-kodak ng mga bulaklak - para ke Maribel!
It's not easy. You can't instruct flowers to "face a little bit to the left"
Most of the time, you have to bend or even crouch and look up. Oh my tuhod!
And I don't know yet how to set a phone camera. Often the texture is off!
And usually too, the actual color is missed. Nakiki-alam si camera. Binabago nya!
And I only remembered now as I write... "for tiny or very close objects: macro setting"!
It was such a fun challenge anyway. Even if didn't get good shots of those 'beauties', they are now in my memory. And who would have known I'll be doing that in Gamay!
At a lovely resort in the middle of nowhere, away from anything and anywhere! Hey I think this must have been a ricefield before. I did not see 'big, naturally-grown trees'.
Anyway, tuloy ang ikotization!
Across the restaurant, there is another bungalow type house - where some 'interior' renovation was happening. Waiter told me, he thinks they're making something new.
A new resort facility, like a bar or cafe or anything like that - but he was not sure! He also said that's where the owners live when they're around. So, di ako lumapit dyan!
Why not? Eh baka me mga mahalagang items dyan, ngan papanhingawaton ako! Na!
But beside it, is my most appreciated part of this entire resort - a hydroponics farm!
It is so vast, I think that is the widest I have ever seen in the entire Eastern Visayas!
Well, it might be a hybrid (not pure hydroponics) since I see little pots and some soil.
Regardless, I'm still truly amazed they have tried modern farming methods. Wow pa rin. Hey, those are mostly lettuce that I saw. Their restaurant's veggie supply? Great!
I'm not knowledgeable about farming or farm things, but from how this place looks, I'm sure they're doing something worthy of emulation. Na sana, gayahin ng marami.
Hmm, for the lowly farmers, that setup may entail some bit of capital expenditure to start. But w/ knowledge support of agriculture authorities the thing could help many.
Still on this left side of the center pathway as I walked, I then saw another big thing.
Of course I went to see it, even passing via the back side. Oh wow, an events venue!
Open sides with stainless steel railings; no posts or pillars in the middle; nice thing!
Probably as big & wide as a usual 'multipurpose center', but definitely not as simple!
Wood (or wood motif) stage backdrop, matched by wooden planter boxes around.
Tiled floor, good for any event, plus a humungous ventilador up at the ceiling. Kulba!
Hahaha, I like that giant fan especially at churches, but truth be told, takot ako dyan! 'Wag nyo na ako debatehin. Basta afraid. Period. Eh kung lumaparag yan? Don't me!
I turned around to see the "backside". Not backstage, 'the other end' of the venue!
I did not check, but surely the toilets would be in there. And good that there's kind of a smaller 'cafe'/'restobar' area up there maybe just fit for smaller gatherings or VIPs.
But I don't know what is that square thing with a ladder at right. Ano yan, pulpito?
Then I reached "almost the other end" of the facility - also a kind of picnic area?
I said almost the other end since it's still a wide garden space up to the property line.
When I looked to my left, there were these...
To my right, there were also these...
Looking at those cottages, you would imagine there is a nearby swimming pool or a beach, right? But there's none! I looked around. Wala! Their swimming pool, is at the other end (by the entrance), probably 200 meters or more from this innermost area.
The beach is far beyond that blue wall (about a kilometer), and in another property.
But da'hell anyway, oks din naman to have a picnic or outdoor party out here, di ba?
Now.., what if... what if lang.., after that pergola, behind that blue wall, eh something new pala is brewing? Di ba? I said that because... 'I think' I saw a new roof out there!
Hmm, if that is the case, then that might be something new to look forward to!
Anyway, while still under that pergola, I turned around to go back to the restaurant.
That building wall at right is the stage area of that event place we discussed earlier. Oo yung multi-purpose building na me dambuhalang giant electric fan sa ceiling nya!
Ayan, dambuhala na giant pa! Hehehe takot talaga ako dyan. I remember at Binondo Church, during a wedding march (abay ako) talagang binilisan ko ang lakad sa ilalim ng 'ceiling fan' na yan. Tawanan mga tao. Pero oks lang, kesa kubabawan ako nyan!
Anyway hehe, left side now, since I'm on my way back, are the pretty cottage rooms.
I did not look at any of them earlier, since I was engrossed with 'things to see' at the other side of the path (hydroponics, event center, etc.). This time, I walked near them.
I liked this small one (I think good for 1 or 2) probably ideal for just me, myself and I!
I wanted to have a peep at the insides, but other than the carpenters and gardeners, I couldn't see any housekeeping staff around. Yet I was fine with the external views!
I'm sure marami naman nyan sa fb page nila :)
Look, I checked-out one side of the cute room. Oh wow, it's actually a 'duplex'!
Yep, 'duplex' sya, not 'side-by-side' but 'back-to-back'! That part at the back (after the planter box) is another (similar) room, but facing it's own pathway at the other side.
Ayos yan construction-wise di ba? But for the big rooms, they're all separate (yata).
I like the idea of this resort using woven bamboo on the walls - for that native touch.
I know the structures are whole concrete blocks. They just patched it externally with the bamboo mats and varnished them for that nifty down-to-earth look. Cute. I luv'it!
And when viewed as an entire row of bungalows, instagrammable - sa labas pa lang!
That local heritage touch, I think, is the clencher. It looks lovely. That's the "amakan" in Tacloban (there were lots of that during Yolanda recovery). In Tagalog, "sawali" yan.
Oist, physically structurally materially speaking (yes me ganun), this would be one of the best on Samar Island. Yes, madaming itataob na resort ito - if I start comparing.
The only downside for me is: kulang na lang ng beach, because I'm a son of a beach!
But for family outings (kids love swimming pools), milestone events, sosyalin parties, live-in seminars, livelihood workshops, team buildings, etc., this is one grand resort!
That, I did not even know about.
I just saw its gate on my way to Palapag. I promised my self I'll come back to see it.
So ayan na nga, binalikan. And I'm happy I did!
Let's go to another resort, somewhere on the beach, at the back of Marcela's!
I told my driver "let's pass there first, to check it out". And so, we entered!
There are many of that all over the world. The latest I can recall are Adamson U, UP Tacloban, Brgy Sampaguita Village, Oakridge Business Park, Adoration Convent etc.
Some of those who sought my advice had to paint them over so the letters wouldn't reflect anything! My joke: "di lahat ng mamahalin ay mabuti"! But stainless steel lasts.
Anyway, 'wag na natin pag-deskitahan yan. It's artsy anyway. Let's go in!
From the gate, it's still a longish drive, probably a hudnred meters (or less), but there are structures (at right, behind the gate is a swimming pool) and at left (hotel rooms?).
No guard or staff along the path, no desk or whatever, so we went on, until this:
No humans around! I even jokingly asked my driver "abre ba ini"? And we went in. Oy, abre ba ini? in Waray is similar to the Tagalog 'bukas ba ito?' or English 'is this open?'.
Malamang open, nakapasok kami eh, 'no?
But that question actually means "is this open for business"?
We saw this restaurant to our right. After shouting "maupaaaay" 3X, a girl came out!
Without saying a word, she turned back in haste, to where she came from - probably the kitchen. Then an older guy who looked more 'in-charge', came out to attend to us.
Too early for lunch, we settled with a clubhouse sandwich. This place has no Coke!
Paktaylo! I immediately connected the dots.., this is a 'healthy something' resort, no softdrinks, therefore malamang, no smoking! Buti nalang pwede sa mga likod-likod!
While the sandwich was being prepared, I took the opportunity to look around.
I asked that waiter manager supervisor whatever, if this was also their front desk.
I've noted on arrival, that it looked cute. So I went back there to see the insides!
So I entered the eerie cuteness of this fantasyland-like dainty little playhouse...
Kaso walang tao.., ang tahimik.., not a thing was moving.., walang gumagalaw... du! Hahaha, para kang nasa loob ng "3D still-life fantasy picture". Ang ganda na... ewan!
Hehehe it was confusing if I should feel like I was in a museum or a mausoleum! Ay, mabuti pa ang mausoleum, me gumagalaw na apoy ng kandila. Ito, fantsy museum!
As I slowly moved around, I was very alert... me lumagatik o kumaluskos lang, atara kay surely madalagan ak tigawas! Okay pa nga kung takbo lang, baka tumili pa ako!
Hehehe, it was fun imagining things in a pretty playhouse-like empty Front Desk! On hindsight, just now as I write this, I should have asked the driver to come and be my photographer, with me posing or lounging around those empty fixtures everywhere!
Anyway, and okay... back outside of that reception bungalow, I took this photo...
Oh, on that picture, left edge but not seen, is the main entrance (along the highway). The big swimming pool is also there, by the gate, left side if you are on the way out.
Right edge of that pic is the 2nd entrance I told you about. Tara let's go back there!
And tsadaaan! I settled for this cucumber thing while my driver had Iced Tea.
I devoured one of those 'triangles'! And my driver, who was also busy with his photo and video shots (I think he's a vlogger), despite his protests, had to finish all the rest!
By the way, that's how I love my sandwiches - the bread is toasted.
Beside the restaurant is this simple looking space, but must be expensive.
It's an Orchid Garden, with a number of attractive-looking varieties.
Pinag-tripan! Mag-aral ba mag-kodak-kodak ng mga bulaklak - para ke Maribel!
It's not easy. You can't instruct flowers to "face a little bit to the left"
Most of the time, you have to bend or even crouch and look up. Oh my tuhod!
And I don't know yet how to set a phone camera. Often the texture is off!
And usually too, the actual color is missed. Nakiki-alam si camera. Binabago nya!
And I only remembered now as I write... "for tiny or very close objects: macro setting"!
It was such a fun challenge anyway. Even if didn't get good shots of those 'beauties', they are now in my memory. And who would have known I'll be doing that in Gamay!
At a lovely resort in the middle of nowhere, away from anything and anywhere! Hey I think this must have been a ricefield before. I did not see 'big, naturally-grown trees'.
Anyway, tuloy ang ikotization!
Across the restaurant, there is another bungalow type house - where some 'interior' renovation was happening. Waiter told me, he thinks they're making something new.
Why not? Eh baka me mga mahalagang items dyan, ngan papanhingawaton ako! Na!
But beside it, is my most appreciated part of this entire resort - a hydroponics farm!
Well, it might be a hybrid (not pure hydroponics) since I see little pots and some soil.
I'm not knowledgeable about farming or farm things, but from how this place looks, I'm sure they're doing something worthy of emulation. Na sana, gayahin ng marami.
Still on this left side of the center pathway as I walked, I then saw another big thing.
Open sides with stainless steel railings; no posts or pillars in the middle; nice thing!
Wood (or wood motif) stage backdrop, matched by wooden planter boxes around.
Hahaha, I like that giant fan especially at churches, but truth be told, takot ako dyan! 'Wag nyo na ako debatehin. Basta afraid. Period. Eh kung lumaparag yan? Don't me!
I turned around to see the "backside". Not backstage, 'the other end' of the venue!
But I don't know what is that square thing with a ladder at right. Ano yan, pulpito?
Then I reached "almost the other end" of the facility - also a kind of picnic area?
When I looked to my left, there were these...
To my right, there were also these...
Looking at those cottages, you would imagine there is a nearby swimming pool or a beach, right? But there's none! I looked around. Wala! Their swimming pool, is at the other end (by the entrance), probably 200 meters or more from this innermost area.
The beach is far beyond that blue wall (about a kilometer), and in another property.
Now.., what if... what if lang.., after that pergola, behind that blue wall, eh something new pala is brewing? Di ba? I said that because... 'I think' I saw a new roof out there!
Hmm, if that is the case, then that might be something new to look forward to!
Anyway, while still under that pergola, I turned around to go back to the restaurant.
Ayan, dambuhala na giant pa! Hehehe takot talaga ako dyan. I remember at Binondo Church, during a wedding march (abay ako) talagang binilisan ko ang lakad sa ilalim ng 'ceiling fan' na yan. Tawanan mga tao. Pero oks lang, kesa kubabawan ako nyan!
Anyway hehe, left side now, since I'm on my way back, are the pretty cottage rooms.
I liked this small one (I think good for 1 or 2) probably ideal for just me, myself and I!
I'm sure marami naman nyan sa fb page nila :)
Look, I checked-out one side of the cute room. Oh wow, it's actually a 'duplex'!
Ayos yan construction-wise di ba? But for the big rooms, they're all separate (yata).
I know the structures are whole concrete blocks. They just patched it externally with the bamboo mats and varnished them for that nifty down-to-earth look. Cute. I luv'it!
That local heritage touch, I think, is the clencher. It looks lovely. That's the "amakan" in Tacloban (there were lots of that during Yolanda recovery). In Tagalog, "sawali" yan.
Oist, physically structurally materially speaking (yes me ganun), this would be one of the best on Samar Island. Yes, madaming itataob na resort ito - if I start comparing.
The only downside for me is: kulang na lang ng beach, because I'm a son of a beach!
But for family outings (kids love swimming pools), milestone events, sosyalin parties, live-in seminars, livelihood workshops, team buildings, etc., this is one grand resort!
That, I did not even know about.
I just saw its gate on my way to Palapag. I promised my self I'll come back to see it.
So ayan na nga, binalikan. And I'm happy I did!
Let's go to another resort, somewhere on the beach, at the back of Marcela's!
Comments
Post a Comment