Date of Stay: October 30-November 1, 2016
RATING (Scale of 1 to 10)
Location: ******
Rooms: ****
Condition and Cleanliness: *****
Staff Performance: ********
Room Comfort: *****
Food and Beverage: ******
Other Amenities: ****
Value for Money: *****
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| Basiyaw Resort |
The one storey, no frills, wood, thatch and bamboo Basiyaw Resort, beside Basiao Port, has 4 simple fan-cooled rooms with bath (PhP1,500 per night). The room facing the beach has a balcony with seating area where you can watch the sunset and, come morning, observe fishermen unloading their catch from their boats.
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| Basiao Port |
Located offshore, 500 m. from the clear waters of the gray sand Basiao Beach, are Mag-asawang Bagosina (also called Talabaan Islands), two big boulders, 100 m. from each other, that jut out to the sea and are approachable during low tide. The bigger of the two is Malaking Talabaan (Big Oyster). The smaller island, Maliit na Talabaan (Little Oyster), is a rock formation which juts out to the sea with rocks curiously arranged and piled.
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| Magasawang Bato |
Though the resort has no restaurant, you can buy fish directly from the fishermen and have it cooked, for a small fee, by caretaker Ms. Lezel Pardito-Salut (whose house is just nearby) anyway you want it (fried, grilled, sweet sour, sinigang, etc.). You can also ask Ms. Lezel to prepare other dishes as well.
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| Multi-purpose hall |
Basiyaw Resort also has a multi-purpose hall with shower rooms (male and female) and a kitchen sink and counter (for those those who want to prepare their own food). For nighttime entertainment, you can rent a videoke machine. A sari-sari store, where you can buy provisions, is located nearby. For those bringing cars or vans, a parking lot (PhP100/car/day) is located just across the street from the resort.
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| Balcony |
The resort also offers
daylong island-hopping tours (PhP1,800) to Dampalitan Island, Pagbilao
Grande Island and Borawan Island. Entrance fees (PhP150/pax for Borawan
Island and PhP80/pax or the other two) and overnight fees (PhP220/pax for Borawan
Island, PhP160/pax for Dampalitan Island and PhP190/pax for Pagbilao Grande
Island) are not included. The rocky and
undeveloped Dampalitan Island, a 10-15 minute boat ride, boasts of
mangroves and a long stretch of white sandy shoreline (Dampalitan Beach) lined
with agoho pine trees and palm trees.
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| Dampalitan Island |
Borawan Island is known
for its Boracay-like crystal clear waters, beige sand beach (Borawan Beach) and
its towering, Palawan-like karst formations and limestone cliffs (perfect for
rock climbing, bouldering and rappelling). The island’s name is a portmanteau
(a blend of the world-famous islands of Boracay and Palawan).
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| Borawan Island |
Pagbilao Grande
Island has a 70 m. long and 10 m. wide private white sand beach
(Lukang Beach or Puting Buhangin Beach) at the southwestern part of
the island.
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| Lukang Beach |
The
cove is also known for its beautiful limestone rock formations that form a
small, unique cave right at the edge of the cove famously known as Kwebang
Lampas. This easily explored, tunnel-like cave has openings at
opposite ends. The water at one end of the cave is freezing cold, while water
at the opposite end is warm.
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| Kwebang Lampas |
For
those wanting to camp overnight at these islands, Basiyaw Resort also rents out
tents (PhP300/tent). They can also prepare food and send it over by boat.
In the near future, the resort plans to add 4 airconditioned rooms with bath.
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| L-R: Lezel, Melissa, Almira and Jandy |
Basiyaw Resort: Brgy. Basiao, Padre Burgos, Quezon. Ms. Salut's mobile numbers: (0927) 621-1861 (Globe), (0977) 370-8249 (Globe) and (0907) 214-8455 (Smart).
How to Get There
Distance to Manila: 171 kms.
From Manila, take the South Luzon Expressway. From Lucena City and
Pagbilao, continue along the National Highway until you see the sign “Quezon
National Agricultural School (QNAS)” on your left (this school has been renamed
TESDA). A few feet away, you will see an arch on your right, which says
“Welcome to Bondoc Peninsula.”Take a right, passing through the arch. Continue
for about 15 to 20 minutes along a scenic, winding road, until you see a fork
road. You are now in the Poblacion of Padre Burgos.