General Santos City, a booming city in the South,
is famous for two things – the yellow fin tuna and of course Manny “Pacman”
Pacquiao. But GenSan isn’t all about just a breeding ground of world-class
fishes and boxers; there’s actually a secret paradise within the city that you
just might fall in love with.
On an impulse, I just booked a ticket for GenSan
for my birthday. The weather in Manila was crazy and gloomy for the past week.
I want some sunshine and it didn’t take me long to choose Sarangani Highlands,
a charming and rustic country bed and breakfast, to spend my special day.
The four-hectare garden resort sitting atop a hill
was developed and opened to public in 2007 by two doctors and longtime friends,
Drs. Anabelle Abella and Tranquilino Ruiz, who have mutual passion for gardening
and landscaping. It is relatively near GenSan International Airport and about 30
minutes away from GenSan city proper via taxi, jeepney or habal-habal. Walk-in
guests are expected to pay an entrance fee of P100, which is consumable.
Once you enter the gate, you know you’ve come home
to paradise.
Hotel lobby
and reception area
What I really love about this place is its
beautifully landscaped and well-manicured garden. The colorful sight of driftwoods,
bougainvillea tree, hibiscus, morning glory, golden trumpet, Christmas palm,
firecracker plant, purple allamanda, cactus, bonsais, and variety of plants and
flowers is such a soothing spectacle that reminds me of several B&Bs in San
Pablo and Tagaytay. There are wooden benches and couple swing in every corner. With
such relaxing and romantic ambience, this place is indeed a perfect hideaway to
surprise loved ones.
The 21-room two-story hotel was opened in 2010 to
allow guests, some honeymooners, for an extended stay to laze around or simply
commune with nature. What I found amazing with the hotel is the room doors –
all hand painted with different kinds of flowers, mostly growing in the resort. Upper floor rooms have veranda that offers
panoramic view of the sea, mountains, and cows grazing in the field. With a
starting rate of P1,800+, inclusive of breakfast good for two, this place is already
a keeper. In fact, several local celebrities including Pacman, enjoyed their
vacation here.
The main
hotel
Deluxe room
Aside from room accommodations, there are function
rooms to cater to private meetings, seminars and conferences, and special events
and occasions, including sunrise wedding. But the major attraction of the
resort is the open-air restaurant, specializing in Filipino and Asian foods
which are really so lami. If you want
to impress your date, nothing beats a romantic dinner in a garden setting.
Dadiangas
Hall
Mango pomelo
shrimp salad
Spicy
seafood
Celebrity
dedication plates wall
Impressive
artwork of Dr. Ruiz
The natural surroundings of the resort are
breathtaking. Everywhere you look, you will be mesmerized with greeneries,
tranquility and such unspoiled beauty.
My life may not be perfect but I am blessed. It
seems that the older I get, the less I care about what people think of me.
Therefore the older I get, the more I appreciate and enjoy life.
Sarangani
Highlands
Purok Wal,
Tambler
General
Santos City
Tel. No.:
(083) 554-3336, 0922-8590043
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