Got this from Good News Pilipinas! and would just like to mirror it here. The new relaxing resort of Mount Sea. Enjoy!
By Christine S. Dayrit
Fiesta Resort, Cavite
Spend all week talking about your weekend.
At the recently concluded “Singles Getaway” event organized by Victory
Christian Fellowship, I realized that a weekend of games, fun,
camaraderie and fellowship in an exquisite resort just outside the city
can be a life-enriching experience.
Driving through the streets of Kawit and Binakayan
in Cavite and passing by the ancestral home of Emilio Aguinaldo, many
thoughts came to mind. This province embodies a revolutionary past and
teems with natural attractions, from spectacular waterfalls to glorious
beaches. However, Bacoor and Tanza seem to be extensions of
cosmopolitan Manila, peppered with several factories, the PEZA zone,
refineries and neon lights. Further south, beach resorts in what were
once shipbuilding towns — Noveleta, Rosario and Tanza — cater to city
slickers.
Who would ever think that in the middle of this
somewhat urban jungle of Barrio Capipisa, Tanza, there would be a
refreshing oasis, a sanctuary called Mount Sea Grand Resort?
As I entered the lobby, I felt transported to an
exhilarating world of luxury. I thought I was daydreaming as I explored
the resort wedged between the mountains and the sea. Feeling like Mona
Lisa, I embarked on an ocular inspection of the fabulous haven. My eyes
gazed upon the safari-themed pool area, which included well-landscaped
pools, challenging water slides and various life-sized animal carvings
like crocodiles, gorillas and other reptiles. It has tortoise-shaped
inflatable trapeze beds, a hut in the middle of the pool, cascading
waterfalls plus exquisite caves in a hidden lagoon that resemble the
lodgings of Banak and Dyangga in the Dyesebel movies of my childhood.
It all seemed so surreal like being in an African safari where images
of the Big Five of the African bush and thatched rondavels bear a
tribal heart-thumping beat.
No wonder, international star Jang Dong-Gun, the
star of the Koreanovela series All About Eve, enjoyed staying in this
new hotel resort. Honestly, I never expected Mount Sea Grand Resort to
be so beautiful. It is a hidden paradise in the middle of rustic
Cavite. Replete with its verdant landscape, the resort has panoramic
views of the sea, sunrise and sunset.
The main building itself is a monumental work of
art, conceived with a world-class hotel in mind. The hotel has 124
guest rooms, with all the deluxe facilities including white linens and
soft duvet. My roommate Nikki Joy Real and I were awed by the sheer
comfort of our room that had a view overlooking the sea.
According to resort PR manager JR Mercado, Mount
Sea Grand takes pride in being the only resort in the Southern Tagalog
region that has a duvet in each guest room. This comforter-cum-blanket
provides supreme relaxation during the guest's stay.
Grand Resort, Tanza, Cavite
We had a hearty Filipino breakfast at the superbly appointed Yang-tze
restaurant, which serves what's perhaps the best Asian fusion cuisine
this side of town. The fine-dining setting, painted in exotic green and
adorned by bakawan branches, radiates a cozy relaxed ambience and
represents a return to nature.
Dishes from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and
other parts of Asia are prepared by the resort's master chef. JR
excitedly shared that Korean celebrity Jang immensely enjoyed a variety
of dishes, most especially the sizzling seafood. Some of the house
specialties are Hunan-style beef, golden mushroom soup with crabmeat,
fried spareribs in spiced salt, Mount Sea shrimp ball, and fish fillet
with toasted garlic. One of the most notable and in-demand dishes at
Yang-tze is the uniquely tasty stuffed broccoli (broccoli flower
stuffed with mashed shrimp and back fat), served with a special wine
sauce.
The hotel staff beamed with warm Caviteno
hospitality as they assisted the delegates at the Amazing Race obstacle
games to foster camaraderie, sportsmanship and teambuilding. Other
facilities of the resort include aqua sports, kayaking, water
trampoline, speedboat, and jet skiing. They also have an Internet room,
karaoke, darts, billiards, beach volleyball and more.
It was definitely a treat to have our singles
getaway weekend in a lovely paradise. In the well-appointed function
room of the posh resort, we listened to dynamic VCF pastors and learned
that the three most important relationships are with our families who
give us unconditional love, and real friends who are like highways that
guide us where we desire to go and above all, an intimate connection
with God as we surrender our dreams to Him.
Hollywood Night reigned supreme as the participants
donned their choice outfits to resemble their favorite Hollywood star.
Vibrant and talented delegates shined as they performed music numbers
spoofing Jessica Rabbit, Reese Witherspoon, Snow White and more. What
brought the house down was the karaoke singing contest wherein your
“triumph” would be measured by the loudness of your voice. Never mind
if you couldn't carry a tune. It was simply hilarious. Delectable
chocolates were generously given out as prizes to everyone.
Mount Sea Grand Resort is truly a perfect sanctuary
not only for fellowship groups but also for corporate affairs,
conferences, family outings, romantic honeymoons and weekend getaways
like what I joined.
It was an invitation to celebrate life and our
uniqueness. To have surroundings that match your imagination, to be
ushered into spacious rooms with the scent of lavender and eucalyptus,
to experience a private sunrise waiting patiently outside your scenic
window, to welcome the day enveloped in unquestioning joy and
contentment.
I am so glad I accepted it.
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