Breathaking view in Amorita resorts in Alona, Panglao Bohol. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
PANGLAO , BOHOL – Barely one year after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit Bohol province, a luxury boutique resort in Panglao Island is fully booked, mostly with European guests enjoying their summer break.
A light rain that fell since 3 p.m. yesterday and a windy day were signs of the monsoon or habagat but the weather hasn’t dampened interest in Bohol, which celebrates its annual Sandugo Festival with street dancing on Sunday.
Amorita Resort chief executive officer Nikki Cauton III said that Bohol has recovered quickly.
“Even last December, people were already traveling to Bohol. That’s better than what everybody expected,” he said.
The resort has 91 luxury suites, 14 villas, an outdoor infinity pool and an in-house diving center.
Its second phase of expansion, which began three years ago, is set to be completed this September with 61 new suites, a restaurant and a wine bar, a second outdoor infinity pool and soon-to-open gym and spa facilities.
Cauton said that Europeans are the resort’s biggest market but Asians are quickly catching up.
Located atop a limestone cliff on the southern edge of the well-known Alona beach, Amorita provides a good view of the Bohol Sea. Its architectural design integrates key aspects of the island’s green surroundings.
The seven-year-old resort, provides personalized service to their guests with hand-written notes and home-baked cookies.
Last October, some guests were outside when the ground under their feet started shaking.
“It was a challenge but the guests were very helpful,” he said.”They followed instructions and our staff responded to their needs immediately.
Panglao Island, where Bohol’s resorts are concentrated, was largely spared damage from the strong temblor, but several towns of Bohol suffered severe damage, losing over a dozen heritage stone churches.
Cauton said he thought of how the resort would lose guests after the earthquake, but this was overcome by concern for the affected communities.
He said resort staff who come from affected towns were the ones most eager to help their fellow Boholanos.
“The support system among the people here was very good. They were resilient,” he said.
The staff held relief operations in towns of Maribojoc and Sagbayan where they distributed goods.
Janice Pindang, 25, the breadwinner of her family, said power and water was cut off in her hometown of Dauis for two weeks.
Still, she did not hesitate to help other survivors.
“I’m glad I was able to help. Even if we were in a difficult position, I know there were others who were more in need,” she told Cebu Daily News.
Amorita, which means “little love,” has been recognized by websites Agoda and TripAdvisor for its consistent offering of “world-class service and Filipino hospitality.”
Cauto attributes the recognition to years of hard work.
“We’re very happy about it but there’s still so much to do,” he said.