ORANI, Bataan- Sinagtala, a resort etched at the foot of Mt. Natib along the Bataan National Park in Orani, Bataan, continues to draw visitors from all over Luzon to escape the heat and enjoy experiencing the beauty and wonders of nature.
For Catholics, visiting the resort means not only communing with nature but with the Almighty through a beautiful chapel at the entrance overlooking the mountains. At the Maria Ai Monte chapel is the statue of the Crucified Christ made out of coffee branches, a tourist attraction by itself.
Tala is known for growing coffee and has a climate similar to Tagaytay City.
The 15-minute travel from the Roman Superhighway to barangay Tala is along concreted road. But the 300-meter gravel road to the resort, with plants on the flowering stages lined-up, is maintained as is so as not to lose the rural touch.
“This is our first time here. Very relaxing, tanggal ang stress,” said a member of a family from Quezon City swimming at the pool with the mountains in full view.
Cesar Rimando, 73 and wife were enjoying the view from the garden of one of the houses. With their children, the couple came all the way from San Fernando, La Union. “Maganda, sariwa ang hangin,” the old man said.
Dennis Cuarto, an official of the resort, said aside from the swimming pool and cottage accommodations, they offer outdoor packages like trekking and camping out in the Bataan National Park where visitors can enjoy the wild flora hunt.
Visitors are charged P300 as entrance fee for day tour with free use of the swimming pool. For overnight stay the entrance fee is lowered to P200 per person.
Cuarto said they presently have 30 rooms to accommodate 100 persons. Room rent is between P2,000 to P5,000 depending on the number of occupants with free breakfast.
“Guests are accepted through reservation. Please try our Sinagtala facebook account,” said Cuarto who is an environmentalist and involved in mountain climbing.
