Winter in Bohol

MANILA, Philippines - On the island of Panglao is a beautiful resort called by its name, Bellevue Resort, with a beautiful view. 

I would like to believe that I stayed at the best of the best, Suite 320, facing the deep blue ocean and the infinity pool with an inviting sun deck right below my veranda.

The resort is just a stone’s throw away from snorkeling, dolphin and whale watching. There is also a sandbar at Virgin Island, one of the best diving spots — Balicasag Island, a botanical garden, a bee farm or a romantic dinner on a raft! And what did I choose... two bottles of pure molave honey from the Bohol bee farm.

When I take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, I just want to relax and thaw out in a fine resort or a 5-6 star hotel. I would have wanted to go firefly watching at the Abatan River, but fortunately, more than a decade ago, I was able to chill out with some good friends in the pristine era of Balisin and was surprisingly treated to a night tour of a thousand fireflies by the edge of the forest... thanks to Gigi Montinola and his brother Anton, who was our tour guide at that time.

For the more adventurous, they can try zipline and plunge at the Danao Adventure Park, and of course, many of the hotel guests are inclined to join the tour to the Chocolate Hills and stare at the unique tarsiers. But I have done that and the reason I spent three wonderful nights in Bohol this time was to enjoy the Bellevue Resort. 

For me, one of the most important aspects of a hotel or resort, aside from its splendid ambience and view, is the boudoir. At Bellevue Resort, the bathroom is not only spacious but complete with rain shower, hand shower, handicap rail alongside the bathtub, and the handheld bidet. Plus, of course, a Gideon Bible by your bedside.

Being a highly allergic person, eating in new places is always a challenge. However, Chef Dindo Orque took excellent care of me while I was there all three nights and four days. The dinner band, “Infinity Blues,” was soothing and relaxing, and we were blessed with the additional friendship and care of Bellevue Resort’s rooms manager, Ernesto Costoniano, who was always around to assists us, even if it was just to chat about the nice, cool and windy weather and the large tourist group of nearly 60 that arrived after us from Norway. It was on the night before our departure that we met the resident manager, Rommel Gonzales. Which is what made me realize that Bellevue Bohol is a genuinely Filipino resort, owned and managed by purely local Pinoys. And that’s what makes me proud... the fact that the Filipino can do it, and do it well.

My baby grandson Winter took his first jet plane flight with his Mom Happee, his Dad Vernon and I to Tagbilaran, Bohol in February, and he proved to be a seasoned traveler at three months old! We all enjoyed our weekend at Bellevue Resort in Bohol, including Winter’s yaya.