PEARL FARM IN SAMAL DAVAO

Last weekend, we went to one of the finest islands in Davao where a resort sits alluringly atop of it named Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

It was a blissful morning. The July sky was calm and its waters with nary a ripple or wave. The azure sky was back-dropped against the peaceful sea. This is a scene that tourists like us immediately notice while we draw near this enchanting island.

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Before we share with you photos of the actual Pearl Farm resort, allow us to give you a glimpse of Marina port. The jump off point going to Pearl Farm is called the Marina Wharf which is around 15 to 30 minutes away from the airport.


An interesting accordion door made of wood and metal.


This is the Marina Wharf's lobby. The port has wi-fi and staff is very efficient.


Interestingly, the port has a pool which leads us to conclude Marina Wharf also offers overnight accommodation (as pictured below).


On the ground floor of this structure is a cafeteria. You may notice how they surrounded it with greens which props up its yellow edifice.


The lobby makes use of a lot of rattan furniture.


Marina Wharf can be a resort in itself but nothing compares to what awaits you at the Pearl Farm. Boat schedules are as follows: 8:00am, 1:30pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm


The Samal group of Islands consists of nine islands measuring 28,000 hectares. Brimming with marine life, coconut trees, mangroves and exotic animals (while they maintain an aviary), it is a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the metro. Its coastline boasts of pristine sand beaches and blessed with a landscape that of a world-class tourist destination.

Pearl Farm Beach Resort is a approximately 45-minute boat ride from the wharf. Its namesake was derived from its previous function. We have been told that a good number of oysters were cultivated for their pink, white and gold pearls. Today, maintaining its charm, Pearl Farm promises a retreat like no other.


These are the Samal houses where we stayed whose ethnic influences are very evident. Other accommodations include the Hilltop Rooms, Mandaya House and Samal Suites.

Their website reads:

Deluxe Accommodation with 73 guestrooms, suites, cottages on stilts perched above the sea and exclusive villas are designed from Maranao and Samal ethnic influences in both materials and form. Inside, decorative details and multihued patterns reflect the islands vibrant culture as inspired by the region's rich tribal ancestry.

Those, on the other hand, are the Samal Suites. The Samal Suites is right beside Pearl Farm's beachfront.


Here's one of Samal house's interiors. Mine was painted blue and its bed framed by two suspended lamps and paddles.


At the break of dawn, my room opened up to this fantastic view of Malipano Island. It's a secluded island located a few hundred meters off Samal Island where seven (7) exclusive villas of the resort are nestled. It offers three holes of golf and at the west side, the island faces a pristine white sand beach.


This is one section of the Parola Bar where you can have some ice cold beer or cocktail while enjoying the company of loved ones.


Further down are the Mandaya Houses. There are several on-going construction in the area most of which are additional accommodations.


It has its own private pool and beachfront too so you wouldn't have to go to the opposite end of the resort where the Samal suites are.


We don't have a very decent shot of the Maranao Restaurant. The Maranao restaurant serves Filipino and International Cuisine with fresh seafood specialties. Since this is an interior design blog we will leave the food review to Mr. Anton Diaz of OAP if ever he gets to visit the place.

While we didn't really enjoy their food, Pearl Farm Davao is definitely a place we'd like to go back to. Read More...

Real Home Ideas 5: Small Space Solutions Winners

Two copies of Real Home Ideas 5 - Small Space Solutions by Real Living

A little less than a month ago we were ecstatic to have received a copy of Real Home Ideas 5: Small Space Solutions. We poured over days in reading every page and we took note of small space tips and tricks. It felt really engaging to flip through its pages - we were vicariously living in each incredible spaces. In that moment we thought we should share this experience to as many of our readers. So today, we are happy to announce the winners of our Small Space Solutions by Real Living Contest.

Click "Read More" to know if you are one of the two lucky winners!

From @amandafabie - My LP corner. Makes me appreciate things of the past

From @Levy1008 - After a stresssful day at work and doing household chores, our roof deck is the best place to unwind.

From Joanne - From this small space comes big and delicious dishes made by my Mama.

From @jameelamalicdem My favorite space at my Auntie's house: very cozy & homey.Under d stairs is a wide wood sofabed.

From @cablay28 - The Photo was taken on Casa San Pablo I love this space because of the ambiance and serenity.

First, we would like to thank Ms. AA Abjelina of Summit Publishing and Real Living for making this contest possible. Thank you for sharing with us the joy of "living the big dream in a space-challenged home."

Saying Real Home Ideas 5: Small Space Solutions is a great interior design guide is an understatement. Proof of which is one of our dear friends purchased his own copy after reading our entry and loved it. And that we're giving more than two copies. We are giving away 5 which means each contestant will get a copy!

To @amandafabie, @Levy1008, @cablay, Joanne and @jameelamalicdem, please expect an email from us on how to claim your copy of Real Home Ideas 5: Small Space Solutions.

Congratulations! Until the next contest!

P.S. We'd also like to thank the following bloggers who took time to blog about our contest particularly; topazhorizon, manila-life, noguarantee, laptop-in-a-prada, crushwiththeeyeliner, and bluearden. Read More...

Siren (Wang-Wang) Free Philippines

Unlike the last presidential candidate who built an overlapping highway to favor his real estate development projects (and fortunately lost), architect Jaime Lerner conceived and implemented an innovative and cost-effective master plan to alleviate Curitiba's automobile traffic; and fortunately served three terms as a mayor of Curitiba in Brazil and two terms as governor of the state of Parana, Brazil. Since he took office in 1971, Curitiba has seen a development that favored both its people and the environment.

Click "Read More" to know how Lerner's urban planning transformed Curitiba.

With a population of 2.2 million, 75% of Curitibanos use, perhaps one of the best transit systems known to man, the Bus Rapid Transit or the "Speedybus." It was developed after Lerner discovered that a bus system costs a fraction against subways and light railway systems. Ratio of cost per kilometer was estimated to be $100M: $20M: $2M for subway or metro, light railway and bus respectively.

How It Works
This is not your run of the mill, road-raged driven buses you see in Metro Manila. In fact, it almost looks like a train and travels just as fast with designated platforms. Its clear-tube platforms allows for pre-boarding payment which makes stops no longer than 20 seconds. It is also equipped with very wide doors, wheelchair lifts and ramps that extend well enough to shelter passengers as they step into the platforms. Not too far from these platforms or terminals are convenience stores and post offices.



The Speedybus will take an exclusive x-shaped route primarily to serve two corridors from north to south and east to west. These linear boulevards which the BRT traverses is zoned for taller buildings to ensure a short walking distance to and from their offices or homes and the BRT.

Sustainability
The increasing price of oil has nudged a number of people to use the BRT and some of them attest to having had spent a tenth of what they used to spend on gas and traveling time cut to more than half.

10 private bus companies are commissioned to run the BRT and are paid by the distance traveled to reduce bottlenecks. After a decade, the city will use these buses to more viable ventures like mobile schools.

With a deployment of 1,100 buses per day, the BRT serves 1,300,000 passengers a day or approximately 36,000 passengers per hour. A single fare costs $40 cents.

The city of Sao Paolo has tried to implement a BRT three times but failed because in coming up with this idea, three main factors were considered essential - land zoning, roads systems, and mass transportation.

Consistency
In one of Jaime Lerner's interview published online, he says:

Many times I was asked, "What is a process of changing?" After those 32 years, I can say to make change, a real change, in a city -- or in a state, or anywhere -- you have to have political will, solidaristic view and an equation of co-responsibility. And when you have an equation of co-responsibility, when people understand the ideas, everyone, they know how to share it.

He also shares on CNN that "Every city can improve its quality of life in less than three years. No matter the scale of the city, no matter the financial conditions."

And that is, fellow countrymen, the long term solution to a siren (wang-wang) free streets in the Philippines. Read More...