✖✖ MoodStruck ✖✖

Island Rove in Misibis Bay

               Did I just type Misibis Bay? Hell yeah! It’s one of the most extravagant and luxurious hotel and resort in the Philippines and not to mention, it’s also a member of the “Small Luxury Hotels of the world”. And that alone makes it very costly and high- end. Some would even say it’s too way expensive compared to Boracay, and I’m afraid they were right.

                So now let me show you the real beauty of the very intriguing resort. The pictures I posted here were not mine; I just got and saved these from the internet. I was not able to provide my own photos since I didn’t have the chance because I forgot to bring my camera and phones are definitely not allowed while on duty (Sad). Anyway, I just plainly want to impart what I have seen there for everyone else to be enthralled just as I did.

                Let me start with this one. This is the entrance of the resort where guests are welcomed by Ibalong dancers who were in their colorful costumes.

          

          Upon arrival, guests will be led to the Front Office where guests are expected to receive their reservations or bookings. This is alongside the Resident Manager’s office which I happened to visit frequently for Sir IMV’s screening of resumes.

          This one is the Spice Market, where guests can dine into sumptuous dishes and cuisines. It’s a fine restaurant which is also the meeting place of the executives. I’ve been here once, but only to let the head of the F&B Service sign the papers I brought. In short, strictly work purposes only. Sayang!

        Now, let me show you some of the villas there out of 50 or more I guess. I’m not so sure, but as I’ve heard they were planning to build more of it and they already planned to raise a hundred more villas to accommodate more guests especially during peak seasons. They also have a luxury villas found near the shore equipped with a Jacuzzi.

These are their swimming pools, one of the more facilities guests are privileged to use. The first one is the Lagoon Pool, the nearest pool to the villas. And below is the Infinity pool which is actually a nice place to gaze around the bay. It is nearby the resort’s bar and recreations or Sitio, a perfect place to view the serene waters of the bay.

And this one is the Beach front, a good place for a skinny dip and tan lines while you got to enjoy a massage as you sip your cool drinks. Guests could also enjoy windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling and diving or just a plain swim on the bay

Lastly, this is the aerial view of the whole resort. Exquisite, isn’t it?

Those are just some of the resort’s whole amenities and facilities offered. They have a Convention/Function Hall, Casatel, Gazebos, and Outdoor Playground for kids, Clinic and bar. The Recreations Department also offers a lot of activities to entertain guests such as volleyball, table tennis, billiards, dart, hobbie cat, Segway, ATV and Sunset Cruise. The Sitio also has a Gym, Videoke room, library, a business center and an indoor playground for kids. They were also holding a mass every Sundays afternoon (a HR dutyJ).

Misibis Bay also has an Ecopark, where guests can be toured around using a golf cart. There are few residential houses built alongside the road, (and I understand why, because it will cost you millions to have your own) and a Church at the top hill where you can have a panoramic view of the Albay Gulf and Mt. Mayon.  They also offer horseback riding and zip line. And the most majestic part of it is the Amphitheater, where couples could have a romantic dinner with candle lights.

And this is probably the sweetest and most romantic place to ehem… PROPOSE I guess.

So there you go, a quick info and snap view of the most talked about resort in the Bicol Region. If someone’s interested to go and visit the place, here’s a few guide that I can share to all of you. Misibis Bay is situated in the heart of Bicol specifically in Cagraray Island Bacacay Albay. Tourists have to cross the Sula Channel before getting there so there’s a barge available for vehicles and the resort’s fast craft if needed. For reservations and queries, you can actually email them at reservations@misibisbay.com and for those in Manila, they have an office there located at 1202 B. Tektite West Tower Philippine Stock Exchange, Exchange Road Ortigas Pasig City. Or simply visit their website www.misibisbay.com for more complete details.

I hope this blog could add up to one of your itineraries someday because I might as well, would like to visit the place again, sometime soon. And if that happens, I’ll make sure I am getting the best relaxation I could ever have. And this time I’ll post my very own photos and I’ll share it to you guys.

Bon Voyage! 

My Cagraray Island’s Bittersweet Memoirs

   I have seen a lot of wonderful islands on the net, media and social networking sites of random and close friends. I’ve read some blogs stating how exciting and beautiful their experiences were on the islands they had visited. And I haven’t seen one yet. That’s when I started liking the idea of island hopping, to see it for myself.

   Three months ago, my sister and I had a plan in going to Tinaga Island in Calaguas Camarines Norte. She had a commitment back then three days prior our scheme. So she’s already in CamNorte and I would just follow her there. But unfortunately, the most awaited event never occurred. While I was too excited for that day to come, a tropical depression ruined everything. I was really upset, it should’ve been my first stop on my island hopping adventure but it flunked anyway. So I just said to myself, better luck next time.

   On the evening of June fourth, while I was eating in a food chain, I received a text message from the staff of Hotel Venezia informing me of the job interview that day after. So I went with a friend who also had an interview with them and we waited for the manager of the said hotel, only to found out that he’s from the sister’s company of HV- the deluxe resort, Misibis Bay. Then the interview started, and I was the first one to be called and luckily, I was hired immediately. Yes, it was indeed the day of many “firsts” that I never anticipated to happen. First applicant on a first interview to be first hired. Whoa! That was good. Not to mention, it would be my very first island on my list. It was a gratifying experience indeed.

   After a shocking event, I received a call. I was asked to report to work 3 days earlier than we had agreed which is on the 20th. So I packed my things and went to HOtel Venezia at half past eleven, 30 minutes earlier before the staff van arrived to fetch us. It was an hour car drive and 5-10 minute ride on a barge to cross the Sula Channel. In a short while, I already had a glimpse on the gate of the resort. At last, my moment has arrived! I made my first touchdown on an island. I might not have gone to Calaguas, but God has definitely good in surprising me. I never thought of getting into that place nor did I imagine myself staying in that grand resort, but it happened. It was not an intention at all but it took place as if purposefully made to compensate my spoiled plan before. See how God works miraculously? The down side is, I’m not there to enjoy the grandiosity of the place as a guest, but as the resort’s new HR Associate. But the good thing to be grateful of is, I was there and I landed a job, hitting two birds with one stone as it is.

   So there, I met the HR Manager and the two other HR Associates (they’re younger than me), and the other two hundred more staff. Then I got to see and witness the most celebrated elegance and superb landscape as well as the edifice through a pomp tour. And I must say, I was really enticed by how it is well-maintained, besides its breath taking views. Okay! Enough with the amusement, time for the real agenda-work!

   My first day of work was okay. I was familiarized to my duties and responsibilities; and as a start, all I have in hand were heap of resumes from applicants both in Bicol and Manila. I was assigned to handle Recruitment and Training, so that is why. Then the next day came and I started to feel unusual. I was kind of bored, weary and most often bitten by nostalgia. And I guess, it’s everyone else’s dilemma when you are somewhere apart from your family. More than that, it was my first time to be away from them and be left in an island where I have no one but myself and the people I barely know. Honestly, it was like frustrating on my part, because at the end of a tiring day, I couldn’t get to see the smiles of my family, share a laughter with them and above all, I couldn’t even get a good night sleep. The outcome? I broke down. So I texted my department head the next morning and she allowed me to go. I was ready to leave until I received a message from her, the General Manager wanted to talk to me before I leave.

   While waiting for our GM, my co HR Associates Rica and Ace most especially invited me to go to Ecopark to roam me around and amuse me. So she called our driver for the golf cart that we used and started our journey to the top hill. I saw the Amphitheater-the one built like from a Greek Stadium and the church where Model Maggie Wilson tied a knot with her groom, the zip line area, and the Marina where guests could do snorkeling and sunset cruise. Then we went back to the office.

   It’s been a long day, then Sir IMV (the GM) called me up and we started talking about my plan of leaving the resort. I thought he was going to scold me or something but it turned out the other way instead. He convinced me to think it over and even encouraged me to continue what I have started. He admired my honesty when I told him the reason beyond my resignation, a simple nostalgia. So he offered me to take a rest instead and wanted me to go back on the fourth of July leaving me with words I was quite intrigued- “Ako’ng bahala sayo”.

   After a week of staying at home, I was recharged but definitely in deep thoughts. I was really confused, because a part of me wanted to continue and yet I was more overwhelmed by resignation. However, I went back at the resort and everyone welcomed me back. Sir IMV dropped by our office and gave me a smile and a high five. Yes, that’s how humble and kind he is. Then before he left, he said that we will talk again but since he had many commitments, we’re not able to converse that’s why I never had the chance to say to him that I had finally decided to leave for good. Even though we’re not able to talk, Mam Janette (HR Manager) was told ahead of my case so she discussed to me what she and Sir IMV had in conversation.

   It was then that I understood what Sir IMV meant by “Ako’ng bahala sayo”. He tried to ask Mam Janette if I could be transferred to Hotel Venezia but since she already had a regular HR assistant there, so it’s no longer possible. The other option I had was a stay out, which I requested. But since I already made up my mind even before I went back there, I eventually vacate the position. The morning after, I gladly left the most noteworthy island resort I’ve ever seen in my own two naked eyes. It was finally time to say goodbye.

   Everyone would probably say, is she crazy? Didn’t she realize what she gave up? Of course, I know what I did and I know what I’ve lost. Misibis Bay is a world class resort, a renowned haven for rich people, millionaires, foreigners, tycoons and even celebrities. It became the wedding venue for Maggie Wilson who had brought a star studded guests, was featured on Sports Unlimited and Penshoppe photo shoot of Solenn Heussaff. The last time I heard Kris Aquino was there when she visited Sen. Chiz Escudero in Sorsogon and the latest, Team Azkals will be there this coming August 15-17. Plus, the staffs have a free access to the facilities and amenities of the resort which is a rare opportunity for staffs compared to other resorts. I may have all of those reasons to stay, but I chose to leave. I’m not after the fame or the prestige, what matters to me most is that I am comfortable and happy.

   I won’t tell any of those reasons why I left, because in a short time I was there, the people I met were all nice to me. The ever considerate General Manager Sir IMV(that’s his initials), the bubbly HR manager Mam Janette, the cool and ever busy HR Assistants Ace and Rica, the strict yet gentle F&B Service head Sir Jeff, the ever smiling face and wise cracker Kitchen head Chef Dan, the jester driver Kuya Bernard and the ever high-spirited Recreations Director/Diver/Windsurfer Sir Arlie who came from the famous resorts’ El Nido and Shangri-La Boracay, Ate Els of the finance department and my roommates as well. They never failed to make me smile and laugh and in each day, I felt I was already given worth and appreciation. Yet, I felt there was something lacking in each day I had there-my family and friends. Well, I guess I don’t have to expound on that, because I think everyone of the same experience I had could attest to that feeling.

   However, I am more than grateful and blessed enough to have such great and historic experience which I know will be forever marked in my heart and be treasured endlessly. For once, I’ve been part of Misibis Bay Resort and am proud to make it known that I’ve come to stay, work, enjoy and meet the executives and the people beyond the royal island resort where not everyone could just actually go and accommodate the place. So all of those sleepless nights, weariness and nostalgia I had there were all paid off.

   My journey might have ended there, but hopefully I could still have the chance to visit them and the resort. So it only means, I have to surely save up a lot of money, a real deal to break to make it not just a wish but a reality. Best of luck to me then!

P.S

   Obviously, this is a very late post. It was supposedly be written last July but I was too idle to do it. Well, it’s better to be late than never. And for the record, this has been my first long blog ever. :)