PANSUKIAN RESORT
Siargao Island, Surigao
June, 2006

Gentle waves softly lap at the shoreline as your feet slowly sink into the powder white sand. The sky is a sea of turquoise stretching into the horizon. A light breeze tingles your skin as you gaze into the distance where, crossing the distant sandbar, a lone outrigger chugs steadily. You wiggle your toes feeling the fine sand get between them like a natural exfoliant.

Marivic, the friendly waitress, brings you a cool glass of freshly squeezed mango juice as you recline into one of several daybeds spaced throughout the beach. Taking a sip, you sense a presence near you. It is Napo, the resident Great Dane, who sits and keeps you company.

There is a hint of a wag in his tail as he eyes you eyeing him. Your thoughts wander to those wonder years of 12 or 13 when your best friend was Sheba, a German Shepherd with a hilarious habit of dunking his head in his water-bowl. Those were good days.

The massage you had earlier in the lanai of your cottage has done wonders in de-stressing you. The knots are gone. You feel alive. Another sip of that refreshing drink and you resume reading the book you never seemed to have time to read. Far from the office, the traffic snarls, and cable television, you take a moment to enjoy the quiet. This is a good day too. My momma told me there’d be days like this.


The Quest

The year 1989 found a 27 years young Nicolas Rambeau, a lawyer with a flourishing practice in Paris, traveling across continents into Asia searching for his place in the sun. The stressful lifestyle associated with cosmopolitan cities can get to be too much. He needed change. Asked why he chose the Philippines, ‘to get as far away from France,’ is the quick reply. Knowing nothing about the country, he found it the perfect place to start the quest for his paradise. Hopping from one province to another, through Cebu and into Palawan, it was in Siargao Island that he found what he sought.

Siargao is an island off Surigao in the eastern coast of the Philippines. Facing the Pacific Ocean, the island is home to the best of what nature has to offer– white sand beaches, amazing coral reefs, emerald lagoons, lush mangroves, towering cliffs and subterranean caves.

Nicolas immediately fell in love with the island. He was captivated by the friendly people, the hospitality, ‘and everyone is always smiling,’ he grins. After some inquiries with the locals, he found a coconut plantation in barangay Gen. Luna that was for sale. In 1994, he entrusted the thriving law practice to his associate, packed his bags, made his home in Siargao and the rest is, well, now the haven that is Pansukian Resort.

A hop, skip and a jump

Getting to Pansukian is easy. Just hop on a flight to Surigao, skip to the pier and jump into a fastcraft that will take you to Siargao Island. Prior arrangements can be made with the Pansukian staff or Nicolas himself. Visit their website at www.pansukian.com .

* watch out for the feature on Pansukian Resort and Siargao Island in the inflight magazine of Asian Spirit and Lifestyle Asia.
* photo above shows Nicolas with his Great Dane, Napo in front of the main house.



The Balinese and Thai inspired motif blends in harmony with nature.


Napo, the resident Great Dane, enjoys a speedboat ride around Siargao.


The generous use of space and tasteful luxury ensures a relaxing and romantic vacation at Pansukian Resort.


Siargao, famous worldwide for its surfing, is also home to coves, cliffs and kayaking.

ECORESCUE
APO REEF, Mindoro
December, 2005

ECORESCUE (ER) is a Philippine-based non-profit, non-governmental, volunteer organization composed of groups of environmentalists borne out of several years of implementing progressive conservation and environmental programs.

The VISION of ER is a self-managed and sustainable environmental society that becomes a significant contributor to the overall planetary balance.

The MISSION of ER is to revolutionize and synergize frontline marine environmental and conservation programs to become a dynamic, popular, and applied lifestyle for generations to come.

When I got the call from ER co-founder Boy Siojo asking if I was interested in volunteering for the first of a series of live-aboards that they were organizing, i did not hesitate. The event would take us diving at Apo Reef and Puerto Galera in Mindoro on board the M/Y Tristar.

The aim of the live-aboard series was to convert recreational divers into environmental divers. Marine biologists from ReefCheck Philippines were onboard to give lectures on how to conduct a reef check and the data collected would make up the report that would be forwarded to ReefCheck International.

We were happy to find that the marine life in Apo Reef is excellent. Although evidence of previous dynamite fishing is apparent, the reef is teeming with diverse species of aquatic life and corals are flourishing. Declared a sanctuary in 1996, the reef is frequently visited by sharks, turtles and mantas. Diving the walls of the atoll, one looks out into the deep blue in hopes of catching sight of pelagics. Not to be discounted, the residents on the wall itself are a wonder. Various corals and reef fish such as anemone fish, puffer fish and fusillers reside within the nooks and crannys.

With the newfound knowledge we gained from the lectures, we came ashore with a new sense of purpose. If we are to continue enjoying the beauty of our reefs, we must have a sense of collective ownership and ensure that these ecosystems survive for future generations.

To volunteer, log on to: www.ecorescue.org



ECORESCUE founder Boy Siojo and his co-founders on deck. The M/Y Tristar volunteered its services to the endeavor.


View of the MY/Tristar from the top of the lighthouse on Ranger Island.


Lesley Aquino of EcoRescue monitors marine life in Apo Reef.






Using transect lines, fish identification slates, and an indicator checklist, divers conduct a reef check off Apo Reef.





Residents of Apo Reef.