Tin Ginete

I Love BICOL (Part 2): Siama Hotel

(Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.)

My family and I visited the city of Sorsogon due to an urgent matter last June 2, 2015. Having read about Siama Hotel in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, my sister, my Dad and I thought it best if we could drop by the hotel and check it out since we will pass it by going home.

Tin Ginete Siama Hotel

When we’re done, we headed off towards Brgy. Bibincahan which is just a few miles away from the city proper along the diversion road. Thank God for Google maps, we need not ask around for specific directions, and we found ourselves looking at the gates of the Siama Hotel.

Tin Ginete Hotel lobby.
Tin Ginete Long wooden table and chairs.

If you are in need of a breather away from city life and looking into enjoying the bounty that nature has to offer, this might just be the best escape you’ve been needing. The hotel is situated in a secluded estate, which is also being cultivated as a coconut plantation. We already had an idea how the place looks like seeing the pictures in the local newspaper, but as they say, to see is to believe.

Tin Ginete Reception area.

We arrived after lunch time, and my first impression when I saw the minimalist exteriors of the hotel lobby is that they wanted to enhance the interior decorations and furniture which were designed by one of the owners, Mr. Milo Naval, a well-acclaimed interior designer.

Indeed, the interiors of the hotel lobby from the chairs, tables, lamps, to the cabinets are all an exquisite display of creative art and truly a masterpiece. What is interesting about it is that Mr. Naval came up with the idea of using indigenous raw materials, such as rattan, bamboos, native coconut products as well as wood from local trees representing Bicol region’s indigenous products.

Tin Ginete Wicker chairs.

Their very modern pool is the highlight of the hotel. It is a striking fusion of this beautiful modern pool nestled at the center and surrounded by giant ferns and tall coconut trees in contrast to the minimalist, native design of the hotel’s exteriors.

Tin Ginete Siama Hotel’s swimming pool.
Tin Ginete The pool and the hotel rooms in the background.

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They also have a hall for events, which is the perfect venue for wedding receptions, conferences, birthdays, and other special occasions. Once again, the interiors, as well as the exteriors of the hall, did not fall short in evoking that subtle and yet sophisticated style – definitely no grandeur, shining, and shimmering designs everywhere. But if you will ask me about elegance, Siama Hotel nailed it.

17 Event hall exteriors.

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Tin Ginete The event hall.
Tin Ginete Cabinets with antique bric-a-brac.
Tin Ginete More native-inspired chairs.
Tin Ginete Food/bar lounge.
Tin Ginete The event hall.
Tin Ginete Hanging capiz shells as a curtain.
Tin Ginete The function room.

They are currently constructing an outdoor spa which is one of the things I am looking forward to when they are done with it. I must say it is going to be a one-of-a-kind outdoor spa uniquely designed using local materials such as bamboo.

Tin Ginete

The outdoor massage cabanas are the cluster of bamboos behind the coconut trees, and there are 3 of them being constructed as of writing.

This is going to be one of the best and state-of-the-art hotels in Bicol, especially if you are in the city of Sorsogon. Don’t forget to include this in your itinerary if you plan to spend your vacation in the province in class and in style. At Siama Hotel, you can be sure that your vacation not only brings you closer to nature, but even closer to the heart of Sorsoganons. 🙂

If you want to know more about the place, you can check out their website at http://www.siamahotel.com/.

P.S.

Don’t forget to take a photo of this “eco-padyak” where you’ll see ingenuity and creativity combined to create an extraordinary form of art.

Pedi

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“Pag-iingat sa Pangungulila”

Photo credit: scoopboy.com

Photo credit: scoopboy.com

August is National Language Month here in the Philippines or what we commonly call as “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.” In line with the month-long celebration and as an artist and a poet, I have written a poem using our native language which is “Filipino.”

*Still working on the English translation. 🙂

PAG-IINGAT SA PANGUNGULILA

Isang malaking pag-aalinlangan,

Nang ika’y aking masilayan.

Napaisip ngunit nagbunyi,

Dahil ako’y tunay mong napangiti.

 

Ngunit pagkakataon ay dumating,

Na parang bumura sa bawat kong hiling.

Na ikaw ay aking makapiling,

Tila ba’y naging bituing walang ningning.

 

Marahil bugso lang ng damdamin,

Maya’t maya lilipas at mawawala din.

Ngunit ako’y nagkamali,

Nang araw ay lumipas, ako pa di’y nagtitimpi.

 

Ano pa nga ba’t nagkaganito?

Madalas na tanong sa sarili ko.

Naiwan ay alaalang kay tamis,

Ngunit may pait at kirot ding ‘di kanais nais.

 

Ito na ang pagdagsa ng damdamin,

Na pilit sa sarili kong inaamin.

Mawawala at mawawala din,

Hangga’t kayang tiisin.

 

Mabuti nang bumitaw,

Habang may sikat pa ang araw.

Liwanag ng kabataan,

Ikaw at ika’y masusundan.

 

Panibagong hamon, panibagong yugto.

Nasa akin ang damdaming hindi kailanma’y susuko.

Na harapin ang bukas ng may pananampalataya.

Ngingiti at ngingiti din at tuluyang lalaya.