Fifiville’s center piece is a pool which contains fresh water sourced from a cold spring a few meters away from the valley. (Photo by Dr. Francis Xavier Solis)
There is something rejuvenating about a mountain experience. Perhaps it’s the altitude that makes it an awesome encounter with the divine; probably it’s the cool mountain breeze that calms the senses; or maybe it’s the communion with the flora and fauna that makes it spiritual. One thing is for sure: When you stay overnight at Fifiville Orchard and Mountain Resort in Gaas, Balamban town, you’d know the change of scenery is doing wonders.
The bahay kubo cottage with its all-lamakan interiors that doesn’t need air conditioning at all. (Photo by Dr. Francis Xavier Solis)
Located just after reaching the sign that says “Welcome to Balamban,” Fifiville is a testament of one woman’s journey to healing. Nanette Cortes-Bowler, hospital heiress and proprietress of this resort, was going through turbulent times when she made that bold decision to conquer it: she acquired this property to make it like a refuge of the tired and weary. True enough, the place has become a sanctuary for the soul.
The nursery before trekking down provides the feeling that something organic is growing and about to happen. (Photo by Dr. Francis Xavier Solis)
Tears are forbidden here, she’d tell guests, like giving an orientation of sorts. More than three hectares of land that crisscross the boundaries of Cebu, Balamban and Asturias, this paradise is a sloping affair where you descend upon a private pool, its waters sourced from a cold spring cascading from the valley. Once you manage to trek down the 120 flight of stairs, your heart is already pumped out, but you don’t
betray a sweat—it’s so cold!
Right smack in the middle of a farm of roses and other rare plants normally not grown in the Philippines, you find a humble nipa hut as your sleeping quarters. You can shout at the top of your lungs but predictably there is no echo coming back: instead, you hear yourself very well. There is magic in this benediction of your presence amongst God’s creation.
You can either choose to go pick a rose from the garden that reminds you of the rice terraces, or you can munch on mulberries at will—no serpent is there to castigate such folly.
The secret garden which has all kinds of unique plants not endemic in the Philippines but are grown successfully up in the mountains. (Photo by Dr. Francis Xavier Solis)
But the best pleasure is taking a plunge onto the pool, conquering the cold water that, paradoxically, rekindles the fire in you: it makes you feel more alive than ever. It’s like you are left with no choice but to give in to this silent bliss sans the guilt.
On a rainy day, you’d see very thick fog enveloping the place, making it almost impossible to see the beauty of the mountain resort, but at the same time, it’s like going inside the clouds itself. But the best part is when the fog is gone, you’d see a double rainbow making an apparition on cue.
With just a sheer P200 per head for day-use (you may wish to bring in food), this mountain resort is for your taking, a much needed retreat to make you hear the music of nobody else’s but your very own.