by Venerando George Jr. Briones

Created on: August 21, 2009

My Secret Retreat: Valentino Resort and Spa

The ice-blue water of the pool was calling out to me, beckoning me to come forward. Like some ocean siren-song it kept whispering in my ear, mesmerizing me, daring me to plunge into its cold depths. Over by the side there was a droning sound of cascading water; the waterfall was surrounded by rocks that had seemingly come from an ancient volcano. There were four white cabanas strewn in strategic locations around two irregularly shaped pools. The place, however, was completely deserted. All this was enclosed by lush vegetation; bamboo trees jutting up into the sky, their finger-like tips imploring the clouded skies to hold off the impending rain. The palm trees were swaying to their own music, making pirouettes like graceful ballerinas performing for an invisible audience. A solitary bird was calling for a mate, its lonely cry making the place seem more isolated than it really is.

Approximately 85 kilometers south of Manila, Philippines, in the modest, unassuming town of San Jose, Batangas, is a rather remote little oasis, the Valentino Resort and Spa. It is nestled at the foot of Mount Makulot, which translates to "curly hair" in the local dialect, probably because the mountain is covered with a vigorous growth of fruit trees and from a distance looks like a peak covered with rich and curly locks of hair. To get there, one can take the newly-built eight lane highway South Luzon Expressway, then straight on to the Star Tollway, and exit at San Jose town. After that, it's just a matter of following the road signs leading to the resort.

The entrance is unpretentious, rather quaint by comparison with other five star accommodations, but this contributes to its allure...the promise of tranquillity and undisturbed recreation lies within. The staff is efficient and studiously unobtrusive, leaving you to your leisure at most times, but would suddenly reappear when their assistance is required, such as when you unexpectedly feel the need for refreshments or any other thing you may desire. When we arrived, they immediately loaded our baggage onto the golf cart and brought us to the receiving area. After dispensing with necessities at the front desk, they whisked us towards the villas sitting on a hill; from far off, the mountain provided a backdrop to the building's gables, like a colossal pyramid looking down on this diminutive valley. A gentle breeze was blowing, tossing and turning the tops of the trees. When we turned the corner leading to the rear of the villas, it was here that the soft whisper of the waters called out to me. It was hypnotic, and I could do nothing but obey its appeal. When I finally surrendered to its temptation, I felt the crystal water envelope my body with its warmth.

We lingered only an afternoon in this heaven, yet it felt like we had re-energized ourselves sufficiently to sustain us for a lifetime. There is simply nothing more to be desired once you have gone through this experience. My wife is reclined languidly inside the cabana; my daughter is reading her book while munching on a fruit of papaya. In the background Carrie Underwood is singing "Home Sweet Home" from the laptop; well, we certainly felt that was where we were...home.

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