Cove of wonders

FAMILIES with precious little

time to spare need not fly to

Boracay, Cebu, or Subic to

bond and unwind during

weekends.

We recently rediscovered

Island Cove Resort & Leisure

Park, and were pleasantly

surprised at the attractions it offers. Located in Kawit, Cavite,

the 12-ha site is about 45 minutes away from Manila.

The resort, which was known by its old name Covelandia, is

probably familiar to countless families back in the '70s and early

'80s.

It was closed sometime in 1985 to have its existing attractions

upgraded, and to make way for new ones. Island Cove was

finally reopened 12 years later, still under the helm of former

Cavite Gov. Juanito Remulla and his family.

The hanging bridge connecting the island from the rest of

Cavite is an attraction in itself. Festooned with hundreds of

yellow bulbs at night, the structure reminds us of San

Francisco's famed Golden Gate Bridge. A bigger bridge made of

concrete was later built beside it to allow cars to cross.

Common areas

Each guest is charged with a P100-entrance fee which entitles

them access to common areas such as airy walkways, lush

gardens, and a mini zoo complete with an aviary of native and

foreign birds such as pugo, martinez, kulasisi, lories and Indian

ringnecks.

Still, the biggest attractions are three ostriches sourced from the

jungles of Africa. But monkeys, some of which were caught

from what's left of Cavite's jungles, can also put up a good

show.

For an additional P100, each guest can take a refreshing dip at

its swimming pools. Yes, Island Cove has two pools to cater to

both young and old.

The bigger and shallower outer pool with four giant slides is

ideal for frisky kids, while a deeper but smaller center pool

beckons to sun-worshipping adults. The pool is eight feet deep.

In-house guests, of course, enjoy unlimited access to the pools

and gym. The resort offers a choice between hotel rooms with

views or duplex and single cottages.

A typical room costs somewhere between P2,500 to P2,800,

while a cottage can set a family back by P3,500 a night. Each

room or cottage is equipped with the usual amenities found in

some of Metro Manila's leading hotels.

''We offer 72 hotel rooms,'' says banquet sales supervisor Vivien

Lujero. ''We also have several function rooms for parties,

meetings and various corporate events.''

Golf course

If guests still can't get enough of the sun, they can sink a few

holes in the mini golf course, a grassy site that doubles as a

virtual obstacle course of faux Spanish cannons and concrete

embankments.

They can also unwind or start the day running or walking

briskly along a joggers' trail encircling the entire island.

Who says chess is an indoor sport? At Island Cove, a giant

chess board complete with life-size chess pieces that can be

rolled into combat position can provide opponents

much-needed mental and physical exercise.

For the real sweat, er, stuff, however, the resort offers two

tennis courts, several basketball and volleyball courts.

Island Cove has also staged some of the biggest concerts this

side of Cavite--with such names as Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa

Padilla, Eraserheads and Side A. The next attraction at its

so-called concert park is the daring Rosanna Roces on Jan. 29.

We wonder, though, how promoters can rein in Rosanna's wild

and wacky stunts. Let's just hope kids and their parents are

occupied with something else.

''This sprawling vacant lot can also be used for team-building

exercises,'' says Lujero. ''We can help companies set up various

obstacle courses for their employees.''

If they go for indoor sports, then guests can head for the

Sportscove. Aside from eight computerized bowling lanes, the

facility also houses several billiard tables and dartboards.

Guests can also choose from several food and beverage outlets.

Our personal favorite is the Fisherman's Grill, a huge

octagon-shaped restaurant on stilts with seven adjoining huts

that can sit 16 to 20 people.

Families can also rent a huge balsa so they can eat their meals

in the middle of the water. Each boat has a boatman, and can

safely hold 20 to 30 people.

Other choices

The choices don't end there. Diners can either point to or catch

their next meal. Since the shallow cove is said to be teeming with

bangus, lapu-lapu, tilapia, apahap, talakitok, and

occasionally crabs, lunch or dinner is just a fishing-line or a

banca ride away.

''We charge slightly lower if they catch the fish themselves,''

says an employee in Filipino. ''But the fun part there is spending

time with family and friends while fishing.''

Guests who don't want to get their feet wet can go to the hotel's

coffee shop. But the Island Grill, a fine dining restaurant offering

a melange of international cuisines, is a much better alternative.

People can still catch Island Grill's Filipino food festival, which

is now on its last day. The eat-all-you-can buffet can set adults

back by P350, and kids by P250.

Night owls, though, need not despair. Purple Ostrich Café and

Bar is an ideal destination where they can drink, party and listen

to band music until the wee hours. It also doubles as a venue

for lounge acts and private parties.

If they feel like singing in privacy, they can rent one of 32 KTV

rooms at the Island Songs. Many of the rooms can hold five to

10 people, while several big units can comfortably fit up to 30

frustrated crooners.

There, they can sing the night away until the sun rises to herald

another day of fresh water, good food and wholesome fun.