Roq’s Place Pagudpud

R.Z. once said “You carry so much love in your heart. Give some. To yourself.”

Self-love is the foundation of all our other loves. I make sure to practice this healthy habit occasionally and in different ways. Going to the beach is one of them.

One of my two favorite beaches in Ilocos Norte is Saud. It is the main reason why Pagudpud is dubbed the “Boracay of the North”, except the latter is not as highly commercialized (although I just hope people stop labelling other beaches as Boracay of the North, South, East or West; every beach is beautiful even without the name of Boracay attached to it).

There is a handful of resorts along the coast of Saud but I chanced upon one; not beachfront but just a stone’s throw away from the crystal-clear, glistening turquoise waters of the beach - the Roq’s Place.

Available in AirBnb listing, Roq’s is a 6-bedroom tropical-modern beach house in a secure and gated compound neatly surrounded by trees. Neil and Sonya, the amiable owners, lovingly named the place after their son Roquito. Whenever the couple is not around, their dependable caretakers welcome and assist the guests.

Saud on a weekend is teeming with beach bums; and it’s quite astonishing that Roq’s, even though very proximate to other beach resorts, is like entirely a world of its own, far from the hustle and bustle of the Pagudpud tourist scene. There were also no other guests checked in for the entire two days that I was there, so peace and tranquillity were palpable making my short vacation more relaxed and enjoyable.

   

The beach house, contemporary in structure, is painted immaculate white with thatched roofing, and could accommodate maximum of 24 guests at one time.

There are only two room types - the standard room which has two comfy queen size beds, and the bigger family room which aside from the queen size beds has additional two single beds in double deck frames. The rooms are clean and spacious, air-conditioned, and equipped with private shower and toilet. I would actually love them even more if they have more curves and indigenous Ilocano design.

There is no TV or wi-fi in the room so guests will be forced to go out and play or relax in the compound’s expansive natural playground with flowering plants and pine trees.

There is a tree house, rattan hammock, and an open nipa cottage, such cozy corners  for lounging or reading good books on self-love and pondering on the following life lessons straight from the heart of the experts: 1. “Your weight does not define your worth.” 2. “When you're different, sometimes you don't see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who doesn't.”  3. “If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” 4. “No one is you and that is your super power.” 5. “If you have the ability to love, love yourself first.”

For the sports enthusiasts, they could play basketball, dart, or ride an ATV and motorcycle (which are available for rent) and visit nearby farms and surroundings.

Or wash away their problems in the exquisite midsize garden pool. Beside the pool is a shower area, as well as comfortable lounge chairs.

  

There is also a communal kitchen, which guests can use for free. I took advantage of it, and cooked my favorite, garlicky Laoag longanisa I got from Pagudpud public market.

 

But of course, the Pagudpud experience wouldn’t be complete without frolicking in the two kilometer-long curving white sand, pristine beach of Saud. The beach is accessible thru the gates of its neighboring beachfront resort Villa Del Mar.

I actually love exploring the beach from end to end. The waters of the West Philippine Sea are a visual treat anytime of the day. The northern part is lined with over hanging coconut palms (which I always desire to climb), almost like a postcard fantasy island recreated from a dream. The shore with the mountains and windmills as a backdrop, is perfect for strolling during early morning or late afternoon.

The southern part, on the other hand, has more picturesque rock formations, shaped and sculpted thru time by waves.

Sundown in Saud is exceptionally magical. When the beautiful sunset and dusk came, I couldn’t help but dance to the humming of the wind and gentle splash of the waves.

Don’t be limited by the fear of what other people think. “Dance like no one is watching”, “Dance like Simon Cowell is watching”, whatever.

From Manila, take Florida bus bound for Pagudpud (bus station in Lacson Ave., Sampaloc). Other alternative is to take a plane bound for Laoag and from Laoag take another bus or van going to Pagudpud. In Pagudpud town proper, take a tricycle to Saud Beach. Roq’s Place is beside Villa Del Mar Ivory Beach Resort.

Roq’s Place

Brgy. Saud, Pagudpud

Ilocos Norte

Tel. No.: 0917-3200930