Total wellness resort to open in Kinatarcan

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu will have another tourism champion next month as a total wellness resort will be opened in Kinatarcan Island in the northern tip of Cebu.

Initially developed by social organization Southern Partners and Fair Trade Center (SPFTC), the resort will provide total wellness and tranquility to tourists. In addition to white beach and emerald green waters, the resort boasts of a healing garden and other wellness offerings.

Kinatarcan is one of the three barangays of Guintacan Island located within the municipality of Sante Fe, Bantayan. The other two barangays are Hagdan and Langub. It is an hour away from Sta. Fe by pump boat.

"There’s so much progress in Kinatarcan now, from environment conservation, ensuring food security, training of the people, sustainable livelihood to eco-tourism development,” noted Geraldine Labradores SPFTC managing director.

One of the islands that was badly hit by typhoon Yolanda in 2013, the resort aims not only to rebuild the islanders' livelihood, but also to provide them with decent jobs.

"Kinatarcan is a beautiful island, yet the people are poor,” said Labradores.

SPFTC's venture gained support from social activist and philantropist Gina Lopez, who personally claimed the island as one of her most favorite places in the Philippines.

Through Lopez's non-profit organization, iLove (investments in Loving Organizations for Village Economies economies), the project's completion was accelerated.

With the support of Lopez and her organization, earth domes made of soil and are typhoon resistant were built in Kinatarcan. Lopez said it is cool and calming, no sharp corners and are ideal for meditation retreat.

The island initially has two earth domes, with the second still under construction.

"Our goal is to achieve a green economy for Kinatarcan and uplift the living conditions of the community there and also raise their income from P2,000 to P9,000. It’s a high target but it can be done through sustained efforts,” said Labradores.

Kinatarcan Wellness Resort is a 3,000 square meter eco-tourism facility.

Aside  from  Lopez's

iLove Foundation, SPTFC is also joined by other advocates like Hotels, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, United Architects of the Philippines-Metro Cebu Chapter, and a Cebu-based landscape artist.

Together, they hope to develop Kinatarcan Island as an eco-tourism star destination in Cebu.