The lovers’ honeymoon suite whose design is inspired by pre-colonial set-up.
The Lakandula clubhouse of Isla resort in Angeles City. Photos by Ric Gonzales
ANGELES CITY – Nestled in a quiet subdivision here is a newly-opened resort ideal for weddings, birthdays and other gatherings.
Businessman Jay Del Rosario called it “Isla” – a carefully-designed resort at the heart of Town and Country Subdivision in Barangay Pulung Bulu. He derived it from the name of the village meaning island in the native dialect.
“It’s no ordinary resort. We have instilled Capampangan culture in it,” said Del Rosario shortly after Isla’s opening on November 12.
He disclosed that Isla is inspired by the pre-colonial (Spanish) set-up of Pampanga.
No less than Capampangan culture advocate Mike Pangilinan, painter Ronnie Tayag of this city and Shirley Sanders, landscaper of the Ayala projects, helped Del Rosario put up his “dream business” at the old site of his hollow blocks making firm.
“I am a landscaper and I find peace when I do it. I also find peace when I’m in a beautiful place like Isla,” said Del Rosario, who sold his thriving DuraBlocks firm to pursue “a calling.”
“I will get old fast and be full of stress if I had not sold Durablocks,” added Del Rosario in a jest.
Isla’s main features include a swimming pool, a clubhouse called “Lakandula,” and yes, for lovers, a honeymoon sweet room dubbed “Balebalayan.” The resort sits on a 2,200 square-meter property.
Asked for the price of renting Isla, Del Rosario said “it’s very competitive.”
“Anything is possible at Isla. Only what our clients want will happen,” he added.
