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With its close proximity to Manila, our travel-time from the latter to the town of San Juan Batangas’s southeaster tip is fairly negligible, though the scenic countryside is not one to be missed, particularly within La Luz Beach Resort’s vicinity. Its secluded coves, dense forests, and many more natural wonders – Naambon Falls is just a little less than two kilometers away – render it the perfect place to go both hiking and biking. When we first met resort proprietor/manager Rommel Marasigan, he was predictably clad in a biking gear, his mountain bike tagging along.

One of thirteen siblings, Rommel laughingly looks back when he wa once the “sole welcoming committee, “bellboy”, even the washroom cleaner! (A skill acquired while leaving abroad in the U.S.) Yet he still remains to be very hands-on despite the tenfold increase in staffing. The thirty-year old family hideaway opened its doors to the public six years ago. “The resort is named La Luz after my mother whose first name is La,” reasons Rommel, “and also because we had old plans of building a light house on the property.”

Our family impression of La Luz very laidback, the beach waters alluring, and the resort camouflages seamlessly with its natural surroundings. “I tried to create a resort that would blend in with the rocks, trees and mountain that were originally in the property,” continues Rommel, “we have tried not to cut any of the trees in the construction of our buildings. The layout of the buildings also follows the curves of the mountain behind the rooms.”

Bordering the far right end of the resort is a massive rock formation which some have referred to as “Marasigan Rock” it has been the sight of location shoots for many magazines, television shows, commercials (including network giant ABS-CBN’s station ID commercial where actor Piolo Pascual is seen singing the Philippine National Anthem) – even from competing products. Standing on top of this rock formation gives a panoramic view of the beach stretch.

The reef is part of a marine sanctuary, cordoned off from approaching vessels that may damage the corals. “It has only been a year since it has been formally designated a marine sanctuary by the municipal government of San Juan. “Rommel guarantees the underwater activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving will be richly rewarding. “You will see very diverse families of fish such as parrot fish, map puffer fish, sea horses, eels and sweet lips. There are also four resident turtles.

Safety ranks high on La Luz’s list of priorities. “La Luz started an aggressive safety program wherein sixty percent of all resort staff will be Red Cross certified for CPR and basic life support,” declares Rommel. “Every year, the Red Cross is invited to train staff and also some local fisher folks, who are sponsored by the resort. The whole program is ongoing and the target completion date would be by the end of 2007.

Even the accommodations are as visually stimulating as La Luz’s natural attractions. We were thrilled as we first stepped into our Premier Suite: it is a natively furnished, simple but yet cozy interior bedewed with a fresh scent. Conveniently located midway between the lodging area and the waters is a queue of open air Cabanas: La Luz’s selling point. For the people oriented types, the Cabanas are constructed close to ach other for interaction between friendly neighbors. You can opt for privacy by closing your curtains, or have a soothing massage by trained masseurs.

Privacy is taken to a higher level, literally, at the VIP suite. This two-floor structure, still under construction at the time of the PILMAP shoot, is perched at bird’s eye-level, giving the best view in all of La Luz. Its layout has been uniquely reverse: guests doze off on the first floor which will eventually have glass walls built on three sides, while the entertainment area will be breezy on the open-air second floor. When guests arrive at the resort, they are given their own parking space just outside the suite; throughout their stay they may have their meals delivered into their quarters.

The rest of the diners gather at the Pavilion for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner buffets. On special occasions, the dinner buffet is moved to the beach area: definitely something to look forward to. Rating high in both quantity (the staff ensures that the food never runs out) and quality: the cream of asparagus soup, penne noodles with tomato and pesto sauce, grilled pork ribs, buttered chicken with rosemary, apple and cucumber salad, and ‘broken glass’ gelatin dessert made for a memorable first dinner. Also the torch-lit settings of iconic tables topped with candy-colored lamps add to the craving.

What served as the key inspiration for La Luz Beach Resort concept? “The movie ‘The Beach’,” reveals Rommel. “In fact the main quotation is on the first page our website (www.laluzresort.com):”

"I still believe in paradise, but now atleast I know it is not some place that you can look for because it is not where you go... Its how you feel for a moment in your life when you are a part of something. And if you find that moment, it lasts forever." - The Beach