Text and photos by Jojie Alcantara

Lanikai Resort sounds new, but it actually has been around for decades as the Tuazon's private resort, inside the Hijo Plantation Resources in Barangay Madaum, Tagum City. Hijo is a vast 760 hectare tropical forest within a city, owned by the Tuasons and bought from the Japanese in the 60s.

Lanikai was culled from a Hawaiian term for
"heavenly waters", which most likely describes what you feel when you're staying there.

Rhonson was doing his photo documentation for Hijo Plantation for several days in Lanikai, accompanied by assistant Rudy and the very accommodating boys from Hijo Plantation: Joki Valencia, Semil Tuason, and John Sison, the resort manager of Lanikai. I followed suit and my stay there can only be described as "heavenly", serene and undisturbed.

First of all, I stayed in a huge room with clean facilities. Its old house, renovated into a guest house with 8 airconditioned rooms and a second floor, has a setting that I can only describe as old worldly and homey in atmosphere. It's like I went home to the house of my grandparents for a vacation.

Secondly, the engaging, friendly staff prepared delicious meals and home cooking from breakfast till dinner in the big kitchen. The fridge is filled with drinks and beer for the boys. Each day I stayed outside the veranda where I can smell the sea breeze while working on my laptop. Yes, it is a wifi hotspot, oh glory! Other times I was at the gazebo where I can watch the fishers at sea passing by.

Lanikai is now being groomed as a private resort open for exclusive stay (P2,600 overnight for two people with breakfast, for a minimum of 3 rooms) and special functions. It is surrounded by giant, old trees in the garden, giving shade and cool breeze to its surroundings. Apart from sports facilities and courtyard for tennis and basketball, a shooting range is available for the armed enthusiasts. Barret Beach is within minutes away if you enjoy a little cozy dip and banca ride for a thrill.

Hijo Plantation is so huge that you can find many adventures within the secluded and protected area. Separate package tours are also being offered: horseback riding, a banana plantation tour, a close encounters with the monkeys and wild pigs, while a night tour is being prepared to witness nocturnal animals (tarsiers) in the lush forest.

We went back to Lanikai again, bringing in tow fellow writers Jinggoy Salvador, Nelson Bagaforo and Marilyn Roque. In the morning, I woke up to a heavenly cool mist at sea, which was so captivating I couldn't stop taking photos. The tranquility and privacy of Lanikai is very precious, something other resorts can't quite copy. A great venue for a garden wedding, too.

For inquiries and reservations, call (084)4003358 or view www.hijoresources.com. Special thanks to Hijo Resources CEO Rosanna Fores, President Ted Asuncion, and Roberto Solitaria, Special Projects Head; and to the Hijo boys Semil, John and Jokie, who cooks an unbelievable delicious barbecue!

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