REFMAD Dragon Fruit Plantation and Resort

Perhaps no love could surpass that of a mother for her child. That is how REFMAD Dragon Fruit Plantation and Resort in Burgos, Ilocos Norte started.

REFMAD (which stands for Rare Eagle Forest Marine Agricultural Development) was the brainchild of Nanay Edita Dacuycuy, also known as the dragon fruit lady of the North. She started out with just a small backyard garden of dragon fruit for her daughter Kate who is afflicted with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects physical and brain activities. Some of the indications of the disorder are constipation and problem in bowel movement. The scaly bright pink exotic fruit reminiscent of dragon scales, proved to be good for the digestive problem of her daughter, that she eventually expanded her property to plant more of the vine-like epiphytic cactus. With the help of her late husband and other daughter who studied dragon fruit technology abroad, REFMAD now covers a total area of 30 hectares, and thus became the first dragon fruit plantation resort in the Philippines.

I am glad that my work assignment gave me the privilege of meeting Nanay, who is really down-to-earth and very hands-on in managing the plantation. She is also helping and technically assisting several other dragon fruit growers nationwide. That’s how selfless she is.

The multi-awarded Nanay Edita

The store and showroom of dragon fruit products

Dragon fruit is not only sweet and luscious but also very nutritious. It is rich in fiber and contains high levels of vitamin C, calcium, phosphorous, and antioxidants. In fact Nanay said that the fruit had also helped her in combating breast cancer.

 

Nanay is internationally acknowledged for her innovative work in developing food, health and beauty products from the fruit; my favorite among them is the sweet dragon fruit ice cream.

Dragon fruit ice cream

Dragon fruit wine

Dragon fruit energy tea

REFMAD has cottages for those who would like to stay overnight or longer to witness the midnight blooming of dragon fruit flowers, experience life in a farm or participate during the dragon fruit harvest festival.

Other amenities also include swimming pools and a viewing deck overlooking the whole plantation area, as well as the wind pump that sustains the growth of the fruits even on summer months.

There is also a man-made pond teeming with tilapia.

 

Being near mountain ranges and surrounded by so many plants, guests are rewarded with fresh air and beautiful scenery.

with Nanay Edita

The last time I checked the official tourist map of Ilocos Norte, I was surprised to find that REFMAD is already included on it. Well, Nanay’s hard work and ingenuity eventually paid off. After all, she has made her home province one of the pioneers when it comes to farm tourism.

REFMAD Dragon Fruit Plantation and Resort

Paaya, Burgos, Ilocos Norte

Tel. No.: 0920-2757940

Luneta Hotel

Luneta Hotel proves that the past is not only a good place to visit but may also be a romantic spot for staycation.

The newly restored Luneta Hotel, originally built in 1918 based on the design by Spanish architect-engineer Salvador Farre, has been decreed a national landmark in 2014 by the Philippine National Historical Commission, after six long years of massive repair and renovation.  So it’s a must for every Filipino to take a peek, dine or perhaps stay for a night in this remaining French-renaissance architectural style hotel and experience its grandeur that has once captivated the society’s elite and foreign dignitaries, as well as officers and men of the merchant marine, during the pre and post-war Manila.

The six-story hotel which is painted bright-yellow, with mansard roof, colorful stained-glass windows, Fleur-De-Lis wrought irons, and gargoyle carvings on the stone fixtures, gives Manilenos a taste of Paris right at the heart of Manila.

Step back in time and be wowed by an elegant, opulent lobby adorned with beautiful chandeliers, a golden cocoon chair, gilded furniture and creative artworks. Truly, the Old-World feel envelops the hotel’s atmosphere.

For those seeking gastronomical adventure, there’s Café Yano, an all-day café offering intercontinental cuisine; and Filomena Garden, a rooftop cocktail bar and function area.

Steak and eggs

Broccoli pollo alfredo pasta

Crusted herb salmon in creamy lemon butter sauce

Banana split

The hotel has 27 boutique-style rooms with either queen size or king size beds, and equipped with modern convenience and amenities such as HD flat screen TV, internet, and mini bar. The Executive and Royal suites have gorgeous bath tubs, and mostly have balconies overlooking nearby Luneta Park. 

Unwinding at Luneta Hotel, momentarily shutting the fast and busy world of modern-day Manila, could be nostalgic and historically stimulating.

For its almost hundred years of existence, it is interesting to note that the hotel has survived and finally returned to its old-day glory after enduring World War II, being turned into a brothel for American GIs during the war, and being closed and abandoned to deterioration a year after the EDSA revolution in 1987. And if not for the efforts of the new owner - the Beaumont Holdings, with the assistance from the government, the old-fashioned, genteel lady of Manila might not have been reborn.

Luneta Hotel

#414 TM. Kalaw Ave.

Ermita, Manila

Tel. No.: 875-8921