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Indulging in a lazy afternoon at Pueblo Por La Playa
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Lucci C. Coral
Date: 2009-01-01
 
No one can deny the pleasure of lazing around in a quiet tropical destination.

On that Monday midday, I searched for the perfect spot in the exclusive resort to chill for the whole afternoon. The scorching sun did not hurt my skin and the crisp breeze from the sea added bliss to my already delightful time. It was a weekday on a lean month and somehow, I had the whole resort to myself, my thoughts, and my siesta.

Time seem to stand still at Puerto por la Playa in the quaint town of Pagbilao, Quezon. Literally translated as "port on the beach," this Mexican-themed resort allowed me to indulge in a lazy afternoon. The beach was almost empty; no one rushed around in bikinis and board shorts, and the tranquility of the place seemed to whisper a lullaby. Truly, exclusivity has its perks.

According to its CEO, Irvin Alcala, son of the owner Congressman Procy Alcala, Puerto por la Playa’s beach was once an abandoned area in ruins. When his father saw the potential of the place, they joined their talents in design and construction to create a colorful resort with a unique Mexican concept to provide high-end facilities and services to its members—whether they be locals or guests of the province.

The Private Beach

A beach will always have the tropical charm which gives you the assurance that you are in a land far from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. However, Puerto por la Playa gives the impression that you own the beach, and that no one will disturb your privacy.

Its long white sand beach needed truckloads of sand from nearby islands, which were spread through the whole 800 meters to produce consistency in color and texture. Many weddings and blissful occasions were celebrated on that beach—private parties which most couples wish for.

Those on a weekend escapade can also hop into a boat for kayaking or island hopping, or speed on its waters with a jet ski, but for my lazy afternoon, I opted to sit in one of its huts by the beach and allowed my thoughts to wander for a few minutes before heading out to explore more of the resort.

A variety of colorful details

The colors of Pueblo por la Playa intrigue its visitors. All of its furniture and decorations were fabricated and custom-made to make it exceptional. Each seat in its coffee shop was of a different design and its tables feature a mosaic of different colored tiles to provide a vibrant ambiance to its diners.

And who could miss its humongous swimming pools? The Olympic-sized pool of navy blue tiles was an inviting sight for adults, and who knows how many children can fit into its vast kiddie pool. One of my regrets for that trip was that I was not able to plunge into those pools—I was too lazy that time, perhaps.

So I proceeded to explore Pueblo’s restrooms where doors were marked "Senoras" and "Senores" with wooden masks, inspired by the ancient civilization of Chichen Itza in Mexico. But the real surprise was beyond its doors. Daylight plays a big role in illuminating its restrooms as rain vines droop from its ceilings, and real trees and ornamental plants naturally decorate the area.

Also, the senores’ restroom provided a unique take on urinating—the rectangular window positioned above the urinals provides a view of the beach and of the resort, while in the other restroom, urinals were installed on the trunks of trees.

Organic treats

After breathing fresh air from the sea, indulging in a completely organic meal makes the experience even more healthy and natural. Organic fruits and vegetables are harvested from the resort’s green houses and gardens, which were later served fresh on plates glasses.

During the tour in Pueblo’s garden, I got to munch on some leaves from the plants that it grew (some of which were not even expected to grow in such a hot climate.) The secret perhaps was the variety of their organic fertilizers including a sack of worms’ dung. Munching on the sweet leaves was like eating a juicy fruit, while chewing on java mint was like eating thin and crunchy bubble gum.

Also, across Pueblo por la Playa was Maharlika island where they maintain fish ponds of bangus, tilapia, lapu-lapu, and other seafood. With this bountiful resource of seafood, guests are ensured that what they eat are fresh catch.

Finding a Sanctuary

All of Pueblo’s six villas with duplex units are decorated differently, but each sports a colorful design—I found my sanctuary in the purple one. The big floor area of the villas is enough for you to host a small party. Stiffness and formality are removed into each room with roughly finished concrete walls and colorful paintings.

During the day, natural daylight streams through holes in the ceiling, including that which is directly above the bathtub. Sunlight also assists in the maintenance of real ornamental plants which adorn the rooms.

For that lazy afternoon, I was not in the mood for the wooded rocking chair and the bed seemed too usual. So I went out to the viewing deck of our room, lay down on the hammock, and dazed away to a siesta indulgence.
 

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