ISLA VERDE Of pirates and tourists

Verde Island, about 1,625 hectares in size, is probably the most popular tourist destination in the province of Batangas today.

Even Batangas Gov. Armando Sanchez who visited the place recently with his doctor-wife and their four young kids called it "the most beautiful resort" in his province.

Indeed, the Resort is sheer paradise located on a natural site, unspoiled and serene. It is ideal if you are looking for privacy, for romance and family bonding.

Peaceful is another word that describes the resort best, as it is located at the edge of a beach at the foot of jungle-covered mountain.

About an hour banca-ride from the Batangas City mainland, this tropical island south of Batangas used to be the resting place of pirates during the Spanish times. Oral history has it that pirates stayed first on the island for a few days to a week before creating havoc at the coastal communities of Batangas where Batangas City today is located.

The island is inhabited by 8,000 people who are mostly engaged in fishing and farming. Since buri palm trees grow wild on the island, the natives use these trees for shelter, food and livelihood. They make variety of drinks like tuba and delicacies such as pakaskas, from its saps and mats from its dried leaves.

Now that the pirates had long been gone, the island has continued to lure not only tourists but also investors like a group behind the establishment of the Verde Island Business & Leisure Estate, Inc. that developed the Verde Island Resort in Isla Verde.

Recently, the company in partnership with a group of Japanese investors has signed an agreement for the construction of a world-class condominium hotel (condotel) as one of the facilities of the island resort.

Jose Maria Pastor, president of Verde Island Resort and Verde Island Villas, who own the resort with his close relatives,said, "The development of the condotel in the island resort is designed to fuel the demand among investors who want to experience the good life of Mother Nature at its best."

He said the target market for the upcoming structure are Japanese, Filipinos and other Asian market like Koreans and Taiwanese.

The island was discovered in 1570 by a Spanish-Filipino group led by Captain Juan Verde who during their brief stay in the island Christianized the natives. But before pulling out of the place due to lack of foods and other supplies, the group erected a huge landmark atop the mountain with La Isla Verde written in bold letters in memory of its discoverer.

Verde Island Resort offers a variety of choices or activities for its guests like diving, aqua sports, pony ride, camping and other land-based activities.

The resorts’ many Gazebos and Cabanas provide comfort and shade to the guests who can enjoy a cool drink served at the Buen Vida bar. Native lounge chairs and hammocks assure a good rest while being cooled by the fresh sea breeze sweeping the entire area.

There are two viewing decks.

The grand view deck named, "Vista del Cana," means view of the bamboos. It reaches 60M/200ft above the sea level with 210 steps lead up to this beautiful deck shaded by trees where there is a stunning view fo Verde Island coastline and Mindoro’s Puerto Galera especially during the sunset. From there a trail crossing the resort’s 50 hectare bamboo plantation leads to discoveries of secluded areas.

Surrounded by trees, the small view deck called "lovers deck" overlooks the swimming pool and has been set-up in a romantic mood to soothe the minds and bodies.

The guest rooms of the resort has three types:

Casa Aplaya cottages are located on an elevated landscape along the coastline and protected from the waves by a lower sea wall which does not obstruct the beautiful view of the ocean and the coast of Mindoro.

Casa Aplaya has two-room setups identified as cottage A and B. There are three cottage A units and six cottage B units for a total of nine Casa Aplaya.

All Casa Aplaya cottages are fully air-conditioned, equipped with a hot shower, satellite TV and in-house telephone system.

Cottage A. This beautiful native cottage has a matrimonial room setup with a facade window opening to a veranda fronting the sea.

Cottage B. This beautiful native cottage has a two single bed setup with a facade window opening to a veranda fronting the sea. To further extend the guest’s comfort, cottage B has a semi outdoor living area locally known as "Silong." It is intended for those lazy afternoons when you are lying down on a long chair cooled down by wafts of sea breeze and fresh mountain air.

Casa Dahilig These cottages located at the foot of the bamboo hill plantation are constructed as double units. Each of these units is spacious suite room with two twin sharing beds and are extending to a foyer veranda and a dining pocket shared by both rooms. The extensive comfort of Dahilig rooms include a bathtub with a view of a tropical pocket garden.

Each unit is fully air-conditioned, equipped with a hot shower, satellite TV and in-house telephone system.

There are three Casa Dahilig cottages for a total of six Dahilig guest rooms.

Villa Camaro. Fronting the Spanish theme park and plaza, Villa Camaro, located at the foot of the bamboo hill plantation, is an apartment-type building consisting of three floors and four rooms at each level.

Contemporary and Spanish touches characterize these Mediterranean styled units. Villa Camaro has a veranda overlooking the sea and the coast of Mindoro.

Each unit is fully air-conditioned, equipped with a satellite TV and in-house telephone system.

The resort has an 80 M/260ft long and 3.5M/12ft wide jetty which at the far end has a depth of approximately 9M/30ft during the high tide and 7M/23ft during the low tide. It has been designed to allow seawater and sand to flow through channel sections to maintain its pristine water and contributes in a gradual build-up of sand creating an artificial beach cove at the front of the resort.

The concept has been thoroughly designed by an Oceanographer Consultant, Mr. Steve Koch of ORCA (Oceanography Research Conservation and Analysis Inc.).

The elevated pool area has two fresh water pools, "adult and kiddy pool" surrounded by the wilderness and the magnificent bamboo plantation.

The adult pool, "shaped like a cloverleaf," has an infinity view creating the illusion that the water overflows into the sea. Other features include a hydro-massage section facing the majestic mountains of Mindoro and a spectacular sunset on summertime.

At a higher elevation, the kiddy pool is meant for the kids or even the adults for fun with its numerous bubbles and water jets.

The diving center. Scuba World Inc. has a concession at the resort. Since its creation in 1988, it has grown internationally and has become the biggest diving company in the Philippines, it provides first-class services and amenities.

An experienced international diving instructor manages the operation independently of the resort.

The services available include:

- diving instruction

- fun diving

- aquasports (pedal boats, banana boat, kayaks, hobie cat, snorkeling)

- diving equipment rental and retailing

The resort offers an array of activities such as boat rental, sunset cruise, island hopping, hiking trails, pony ride, mountain biking, glass bottom boat, fishing, camping, volleyball and badminton.