No crowds, your own private beach And only the sea to lull you to sleep + Duli Beach Resort, El Nido
Tucked along the serene coast of Sipalay, Negros Occidental, Manami is where barefoot luxury meets soulful living. Thoughtfully designed villas open to panoramic ocean views, blending natural materials with refined, contemporary interiors. Every detail, from personalized service to locally inspired cuisine, reflects Negrense’s hospitality of care and warmth, and quiet sophistication.
Here, days move at the rhythm of the sea: unhurried mornings, lingering meals, and moments of stillness that define the Manami nga Pangabuhi way of life. More than a resort, Manami is an experience of luxury rooted in simplicity, authenticity, and the beauty of being fully present.
Tucked between Sipalay’s hills and sea, Manami Resort offers couples an intimate, nature-framed celebration of love. As the first luxury nature resort in Sipalay, it blends refined design, heartfelt service, and breathtaking coastal views. Guided by the Manami nga Pangabuhi way of life, every wedding is crafted with simplicity, soul, and timeless beauty.
The jetty at Amansinaya is the perfect place to spot schools of fish.
Small and Big Lagoons, El Nido
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief: Giselle Dalton
Art Director: Jocas A. See
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Monica de Leon, Jackson Grove, and Cristian Maban
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
David Dalton, ReyRey Ochavez, Sara Schifferer, and Jasper Iturriaga
COMMERCIAL
Senior Account Manager: Catrina Bayta
BOARD OF ADVISERS
Chairman: Iren Dornier
Publishing: Nikos Gitsis
Editorial: Giselle Dalton
Legal: Atty. Loreto Dapon, Jr.
INQUIRIES
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Duli Beach Resort, El Nido
On the cover
Location: Tambon Island, Culion, Palawan
Photo by David Dalton
Cabugao Gamay, Iloilo
In
6 Take Me To... Cabugazzo Gamay, Iloilo
We might just have found the ultimate selfie central — a “double beach” with blinding white sand in Northern Iloilo
8 Take Me To... Ticao Pass, Bicol Brilliant rescue of a gentle manta ray in the feared Ticao Pass
Take me to... Cabugao Gamay, Iloilo
Two beaches, turquoise waters, and the best views
WITH ITS BLINDING white sand and distinct shape, Cabugao Gamay island is easily one of Northern Iloilo’s most popular tourist attractions. Two kilometers off the coast of Isla de Gigantes Sur in Carles, Iloilo, the island has two beaches, offering excellent swimming and snorkelling. You get to enjoy the sunrise on one side, and sunset on the other. One end of the island is a rock hill covered by vegetation and the other by big boulders. Coconut trees dot the largely uninhabited island. During the day, you get visitors on island hopping tours. The island has recently gained popularity as selfie central, with visitors climbing up the steps to the island’s viewdeck for scenic photos and a 360-degree view of Cabugao and its neighboring islands.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are several airlines flying from Manila to Iloilo (check www.kayak.com.ph). From the airport in Iloilo, it’s a 40-minute taxi ride to Tagbak Terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City, where you’ll find buses bound for Carles, a three to four-hour ride, costing about Php200-300 or US$3.43 per way. From Carles Bus Terminal, take a tricycle to Bangkal Port (from Php50) where private and public boats regularly take tourists to Gigantes Islands, including Cabugao Gamay Island. Travel time is one and a half hours.
For tours, contact Las Islas Travel and Tours on Facebook @LasIslasTravelAndTours or call +63 918 611 8569. Cabugao Gamay is a small island. For overnight stays, check out Maruja Flora’s Island Paradise Resort, tel +63 921 264 2913
PHOTO COURTESY OF EL NIDO RESORTS
Cabugao Gamay’s stunningly beautiful white sand beach
Take me to... Ticao Pass
Jun
V. Lao dives Ticao Pass and snaps his ultimate selfie with a manta ray
PHOTO BY JUN V. LAO ,
www.paparazsea.com
FOR UNDERWATER AND scuba diving instructor
Jun V. Lao and two of his diver friends, it started as just one of those dives in one of the Philippines’ most feared dive sites, Ticao Pass, where currents are known to sometimes hit four knots. It was on their last dive when they finaly spotted three mantas at 20 meters. As Lao recalled, two of the rays did amazing flybys, but they noticed one huge ray — rays are known to measure as wide as 8m — staying put in one spot for quite some time. At closer inspection, they found its right front lobe and fin entangled in a fishing line. Lao said the manta allowed them up close for more than 15 minutes, enough time for one of the diving instructors called Jomer to free the poor creature and for Lao to snap his ultimate selfie. Ticao Pass, a strait between Ticao Island and the Bicol Peninsula has excellent dive sites, including The Manta Bowl, a known feeding station for manta rays. Undersea creatures spotted in the area include whale sharks, thresher sharks, hammerheads and tiger sharks.
For dives in Ticao Pass, visit www.ticao-islandresort.com. The resort has beachfront cabanas from Php1,800 (about US$31) for a fan room, and Php5,000 for an air-conditioned room for up to four people. To get to Ticao Pass, fly to Legazpi Airport in Albay, and take a van to either Donsol or Balan Port, and get on a boat to Ticao Island. Ticao Island Resort arranges transfers and scuba diving tours
Boutique Hospitality
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Perfect for Couples, Families,
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Enjoy a spacious swimming pool, a 24-hour gym, a kids' playroom, a game room, and nearby hiking and mangrove kayaking.
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Prime Location
Conveniently located near Shops@Lio and Kalye Artisano, and just five minutes from Lio Airport, Seda Lio is easily accessible via direct daily flights from Manila, Clark, Coron, Boracay, Bohol, and Cebu with Cebu Pacific.
Stylish, Spacious Stays
Offers 153 well-furnished rooms, ranging from Deluxe to Seda Suites, for a comfortable and elegant stay.
6 Celebrate in Paradise
A perfect tropical destination for weddings, conferences, and social events, with indoor and outdoor venues.
Relax at Seda Spa
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Dining at Misto and Pool Bar
Dine at Misto for a variety of international and local dishes, or unwind in tropical bliss with refreshing drinks at the Pool Bar.
7 9
Palawan
From island-hopping tours to vibrant nightlife, adventure and culture are just minutes away.
Environmentally Sustainable
Stay green with solar power, refillable bottles, and a turtle hatchery that protects local wildlife. Did you know that guests can even experience the moment of releasing the hatchlings?
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Beachfront Getaway
Soak in the views of Cadlao Island and enjoy free activities like kayaking, windsurfing, and more—right at your doorstep.
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Signature Filipino Hospitality
Indulge in heartfelt Filipino hospitality that makes every stay feel personal and warm.
Book your next tropical getaway at Seda Lio. View room packages and book at seda.lio@ayalalandhospitality.com or reservations.lio@ayalalandhospitality.com. You may also contact us at (+63) 917 818 1929 or (02) 7956 8888.
No crowds, your own private beach and only the sea to lull you to sleep
Off-grid Amansinaya Beach House in Tambon, Palawan is for slow summer days and nature on your doorstep
BY
GISELLE DALTON PHOTOS DAVID DALTON
Amansinaya’s jetty is the perfect spot for an early morning coffee, or gazing at the night sky
AONE-HOUR, 20-MINUTE
outrigger boat ride from the port of Coron town took us to Amansinaya Beach House on the tiny island of Tambon in Culion, Palawan, dotted by palm trees and fringed by creamy white sand and clear turquoise waters glistening in the midday sun. Tambon is 21km southwest of Coron town and easily reached by local bangka (outrigger boat).
As we approached the island, I thought it looked exactly like our kind of place — sun drenched, a charming jetty, beach-facing native thatched huts, sun loungers, and not a soul in sight. Holiday has truly started.
“Are there other guests here?” I asked the caretaker Myla who was on the boat with us, as I couldn’t wrap my head round the fact that we, my husband and myself, do actually have the whole place to ourselves. She assured us there was no one else. Amansinaya Beach house has one main beach hut and two smaller huts for guests, its own private stretch of beach, and a speedboat and bangka should you wish to go island hopping.
We spent the next few days just switching off, swimming and snorkelling, and lazing by the shore, enjoying simple Filipino meals, taking naps, and just enjoying the peace.
At night, you hear cicadas and geckos, familiar island sounds. It’s just the waves of Coron Bay lulling us to sleep. In the morning, you hear the Palawan crows, their nasal duck’s quack never failing to amuse us.
WHERE WE STAYED ON THE ISLAND
The main thatched bamboo beach house facing the bay is a simple two-storey bamboo casita. The ground floor has concrete floors and an open living and dining room, toilet and shower. Living quarters stretch out on to the beach with sun loungers and a big sofa. On the first floor is the bedroom with a king size, four-poster bamboo bed and a little sitting area by the floor to ceiling open bamboo window. I was initially concerned that it would
The main guest house has one upstairs bedroom and simple sitting area. It’s basic, but somehow feels lush as you wake up to the most wondrous view
be too hot to sleep without airconditioning, but I was pleasantly surprised that the sea breeze and the floor fan were enough to keep us comfortable. It’s a simple, basic room so don’t have five-star expectations. The luxury is the island itself and nature that surrounds you. If you wake up early enough, you’d catch the pink light gently draping the sea and the mountains, and at night, the jetty is the perfect place for some moon and star gazing. The night sky here is something else, with the moon lighting the water and the stars at its brightest with low light pollution.
There are two other small thatched huts for our use. The place can house a total of nine guests but
bear in mind there is only one toilet and shower in the main house, shared with the two huts. Since we booked only for two this was not a problem. The kitchen is in a small detached hut, and we were free to use it if we wanted to do our own cooking. For this stay we booked to have the caretaker Myla prepare our meals. At the very end of the beach sit a further two huts occupied by the caretaker Myla and her family.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Filipino dishes, mainly seafood, from grilled fish to prawns, mixed vegetables to fruit for dessert. We asked for buko or coconut juice, served fresh
Far left, an early morning stroll to the jetty
in its husk, almost everyday. Before heading to Tambon, we shopped at the local market at West town in Coron to buy some foodstuff — cashew, mangoes, local saba bananas, assorted dried fish, and prawns. Myla was not a trained chef and could cook only simple meals which was fine by us. You’d have to inform the beach house owners ahead of time if you’d like your meals cooked for you for an extra charge.
WHAT’S ON YOUR DOORSTEP
The reef on the left side of the jetty is best for snorkelling. You’d be able to spot some table corals and branch corals, schools of fish, and if you’re lucky, turtles and eagle rays, often seen in the deepest part of the water near the black buoy. There are also many giant clams in front of the jetty. Some starfish near the shore.
About 10 minutes from Tambon is neighbouring Bayaca Island, home to black tip sharks. You need to tell the staff if you’d like to go to Bayaca as prior permission is needed from the island owner.
Other things to do at Tambon are kayaking near the mangroves, fishing or spear fishing, bird watching to try to spot the Palawan Hornbill, or the monkeys, or watch bioluminescent planktons at night from the jetty.
You could also rent Amansinaya Beach House’s boat to go to nearby islands. There are a few to see including Malcapuya, Bulog Dos sandbar, Cheron island, Banana island, and Ditaytayan island to name a few.
GOOD TO KNOW
Amenities include Starlink which allows for high speed internet connection (fast enough to stream Netflix), solar power, backup generator, fans, and supply of filtered water. Water for showering and other needs comes from a deep well.
Find Amansinaya Beach House on Airbnb: www.airbnb.co.uk. A night’s stay is about Php6,294 (US$101.81), excluding meals. Check the latest rate on Airbnb
Jumping off the boat into the warm waters of nearby Twin Lagoon, and far right, early morning at Amansinaya
Private beachfront bungalows and a 2km beach
Duli Beach Resort,
El Nido, Palawan
A private bungalow with a view
BY GISELLE DALTON PHOTOS COURTESY OF DULI BEACH RESORT
GET YOUR BEARINGS. Duli Beach Resort is located in Bucana, El Nido, Palawan, about 25 km north of El Nido town. From Manila, there are regular flights to the small airport of Lio in El Nido, from where you can take a tricycle or van to Duli Beach, about a one and a half hour ride. Tricycles are usually parked right outside the airport, waiting for fares. You can also ask the resort to pick you up in a van, a more convenient and comfortable option.
WHY GO? El Nido is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the country. Duli beach, still largely undeveloped, is one of them, well known for some consistently good surfing from November till March. Its 2km long beach, with creamy white sand gradually sloping into the deep blue is also ideal for swimming and snorkelling, with common sightings of parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, occasional sea turtles, and reef squid.
On top of that, Duli Beach Resort still retains the charm of the old El Nido — still fairly quiet and with there being only six detached beachfront bungalows, it has a decidedly homey feel. Meals here can be served on your private balcony or at the resort’s restaurant.
THE PRIVATE BUNGALOW. The wooden bungalow is a simple affair, with the front designed with a floor-to-ceiling screened door and wall, offering a glorious view of the sea and allowing for good ventilation. Mornings are glorious and the sea is just a few steps away if you’d like to go for a
swim first thing. All bungalows are about 36 sqm big with a wide open private balcony, and ensuite toilet and bathroom. The bungalow’s double roofing ensures the room does not get too hot. The ceiling fan also helps cool the room. As the resort is off grid, the resort relies generally on solar power.
SURFING NOTES. The best time to surf in Duli is from November to March. Board rental is Php350 (about US$5.68) per hour and surfing lessons for Php750 for a group and Php1000 for a private lesson. Duli has partnered with Surf El Nido to offer lessons. Visit @surfelnido on Facebook.
WHAT’S ON THE MENU. Due to its remote location, Duli’s menu is dictated by what’s available in the local market. Expect the usual catch of the day, pasta, and rice dishes. The seared tuna with rice is a popular dish. The average cost per plate is Php450. Lots of fresh fruit options from juices, shakes, fruit plates to fruit and nuts with home made yoghurt.
Surfing lessons at Duli and below, a typical turtle hatchling release day. Duli beach is a favourite turtle nesting site and the resort has a hatchery protecting sea turtle eggs
WiFi. Starlink at the resort has been a game changer, enabling stable high speed connection.
TURTLE CONSERVATION. Duli Beach is one of the few places in Palawan where marine turtles come to lay their eggs. The main nesting season runs from November to February, with the peak from December to January. Staff relocate the turtle eggs to Duli’s hatchery, usually within the first few hours after the mother turtle lays them as this has been known to result in the highest survival rate. Eggs hatch in about 60 days and are released as soon as possible, with guests welcome to watch. These releases are not announced in advanced, but you might just get lucky if you book during the nesting season.
Duli Beach Resort, Duli Beach, Barangay Bucana, El Nido. A night’s stay is from Php5,000. Visit www.dulibeach.com
YATAI LUXURY SPA: A One-stop Wellbeing and Lifestyle Destination
Whether you’re after a therapeutic spa massage and beauty treatments, or want to book a KTV party, or stay the night in a private suite, Yatai has your name on it
LOCATION
Plaza 66 building, Pasay City, five minutes from NAIA international Airport’s Terminal 3, eight to 10 minutes to Entertainment City, and near skyways linking you to major cities in Metro Manila
WHY GO?
Yatai Spa offers a perfect blend of spa, leisure, dining, and private club experience, a full wellness getaway with comfort and convenience in one place. It’s the ultimate self-care centre, providing a onestop shop for de-stressing and rejuvenating, offering various spa treatments, hotel accommodation, a cinema, a karaoke room for events and parties, a cinema, billiards hall, resting lounge, and buffet restaurant.
AMENITIES
This spa and leisure is all of 7,000 sqm, occupying three floors housing 57 spa rooms, pools, jacuzzi, and saunas. In addition to its spa treatment rooms, it has a cinema, a billiards hall, resting lounge, buffet restaurant, and a KTV/events room for up to 60 guests.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Book a Chinese massage, a therapeutic massage using acupressure, joint manipulation, deep tissue techniques to relieve tension and restore the flow of energy throughout the body. Also a guest favourite is the Cupping Therapy, an ancient practice using suction cups applied to the skin to increase circulation, relieve muscle stiffness, and detoxify the body.
OTHER SERVICES
Skin & Body Care Treatments including saunas, steam bath for relaxation, improved circulation, and detoxification, hot and cold pool plunge, and body scrubs, deluxe foot massage, and ear cleaning. Mind-body and mental wellbeing services such as aromatherapy and essential-oil treatments and the chance to just relax and enjoy a peaceful environment; and lifestyle perks such as a shared spa experience for couples or groups.
WHAT’S ON THE FOOD AND DRINKS MENU
Recommended dishes are Guillen noodles and Chongqing noodles, the latter a spicy and heartwarming noodle dish. Recommended drinks include the spa’s refreshing mango milkshake and Hokkaido milk tea
Manlunas Street, Barangay 183, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Visit yataispaworld.com, tel +63 936 810 3121. Find them on Facebook @YataiLuxurySpa, Instagram @yatai_spa, and TikTok @yatai.spa
GET YOUR BEARINGS. El Nido in northern Palawan, about 420 kilometers southwest of Manila, is known for its stunning beaches, virgin islands and limestone cliffs. It is the gateway to Bacuit Bay, and all its 45 limestone islands and islets, all remarkable for their unique topography — featuring lagoons, caves, sandy beaches, and thriving reefs. In the distance, the jagged peaks of the islands are beautiful from almost any angle and at any time of day.
El Nido is part of the Coral Triangle, a marine area in the western Pacific Ocean, named for its wealth of corals and marine species. It is home to 16 endemic bird species, Palawan-endemic marine mammals like the endangered sea cow, marine turtles, about 200 fish species and about 50 types of hard corals. Swifts nest in El Nido’s limestone cliffs and caves. El Nido also raises the bar in ecoconsciousness and sustainability, setting it apart from many tourist destinations in the country.
GETTING THERE. Cebu Pacific Airways flies direct from Manila to El Nido’s private Lio Airport. You can also fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, home of 8.2 km long Philippine
Subterranean River, a UNESCO world heritage site, and spend a few days exploring, then from there, take a four-hour van or bus ride to El Nido. Visit www.kayak.com.ph to browse flights. Philippine Airlines, Air Asia, and Cebu Pacific all fly to Puerto Princesa
AIRPORT. Lio Airport has a modern, tropical resort-inspired terminal, and is quite compact, which means you can walk from the tarmac to the front gate in less than five minutes.
GETTING AROUND. The flight from Manila to Lio Airport in El Nido is one and a half hours, departing from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4. Lio Airport is the jump off point to your island adventure in El Nido. It is located in Villa Libertad, approximately four kilometers away from El Nido town proper. From Lio Airport, you can take a 30-minute tricycle ride to town. A tricycle is a three-wheeled motorbike service, with a carriage for passengers.
Tricycles are the main means of transportation. Fares are from Php100 (about US$1.8). Tricycle fare from El Nido town to Lio Tourism Estate, a 5.4km ride, is about Php300.
BEST TIME TO VISIT. The best time to visit is from November to May — the peak season — when the weather is dry and chances of rain rather low. March, April, May tend to be the hottest with temperatures hitting 41°C.
MONEY. There is an automated teller machine (ATM) in El Nido town for your cash needs, but it’s always best to bring some Philippine pesos with you. Lio Tourism Estate and some resorts also have a Euronet ATM. Most established hotels and resorts accept credit cards.
COMMUNICATION. El Nido town and Lio generally have good internet. Starlink is available in some of the resorts, Airbnbs, and cafes, providing high speed and stable connectivity. However, there are still some parts of the island suffering from weak signal, so it’s a good idea to buy a local mobile sim card (Globe or Smart).
TOURISM INFORMATION. For tourism assistance including local touring advice, the hotel concierge or front desk is a good first stop. For more info, you can also contact El Nido Tourism Office, mobile +63 919 002 1339, NIPAP Bldg., Real St., Buena Suerte, El Nido. Visit @talindak on Facebook.
L NIDO in northern Palawan, about an hour’s flight from Manila, is the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago, home to jagged cathedral-like limestone cliffs, white-sand beaches, lagoons, coves, sandbars, and hundreds of species of fish and corals. Bacuit has crystalline waters and some 45 limestone islands and islets.
ISLAND HOP AROUND BACUIT BAY
EL NIDO is no longer an under-the-radar destination, but it’s still easy enough to find a white-sand beach all to yourself, with close to 50 islands and islets in the region. Tours with a group
cost as little as Php1,200 per person (about $21). Most island hopping tours start at 9AM and take about eight hours, covering some five to eight stops. Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island are two spots you won’t want to miss. They’re spectacular and almost ringed in by towering limestone cliffs. Other stops include the Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commando Beach, Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach, and Hidden Beach, all beach lovers’ paradise.
Matinloc Island, the longest island in El Nido, is where you’ll find Secret Beach, a hidden pocket of white sand beach. Dilumacad Island, also called Helicopter Island because of its shape, is a
Matinloc Island
good spot for snorkelling, with its rich coral garden and marine life. Matinloc Shrine, an abandoned religious shrine, is best for enjoying panoramic views of El Nido’s limestone cliffs and clear waters. For boat tours, contact El Nido Paradise, www.elnidoparadise.com
SEE TURTLE HATCHLINGS MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE SEA
EL NIDO is a haven for sea turtles, with at least three out of five threatened species of turtles in the Philippines known to nest in some of its beaches.
The Ten Knots Group, composed of El Nido Resorts and Lio Tourism Estate, actively protect turtle nests and care for turtle hatchlings. Sea turtles usually appear at Pangulasian Island from December to April and sometimes till May, known jellyfish season, as turtles favor this food source. This is all the more reason to ditch single-use plastics (El Nido has banned them), some ending up in the sea, because turtles eat them thinking they are jellyfish. Some five beaches in El Nido are known turtle nests.
Other resorts in the area such as Duli Beach Resort has the Hawksbill sea turtle and the Green sea turtle nesting on its beaches from November to February. The resort protects the nests from
Above, kayaking at Small Lagoon; left, the Asian Conservation Foundation regularly oversees the release of hundreds of turtle hatchlings
PHOTOS: TURTLE HATCHING BY THE ASIAN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION; SMALL LAGOON BY ADAM NAVARRO
PHOTO BY REYREY OCHAVEZ
poachers and animals until they are ready to head out to sea.
On Dilumacad Island, the Asian Conservation Foundation (ACF) releases hundreds of turtle hatchlings. Since 2016, the island has become a turtle hatchery, a place where the ACF transfers endangered turtles for care and protection. The hatchery is a safe nesting ground for local turtles to lay their eggs. While the beach itself is open to the public, the hatchery is private. Visit www.elnidoresorts.com, www.dulibeach.com, and www.asianconserve.com
LOOK OUT FOR BABY BLACKTIP REEF SHARKS
BABY BLACK TIP REEF SHARKS have been sighted in the waters of El Nido’s Miniloc Island, Hidden Beach, and Apulit Island. These areas serve as nurseries, with sightings often reported from December to February, the plankton season, although there have been sightings outside this period too. At Cauayan Resort in Cauayan Island, El Nido, baby black tips have been spotted in the shallows close to the beachfront villas, hunting for small fish and invertebrates. Dive Sibaltan organises dive tours to Linapacan Archipelago, between El Nido and Coron, where Baby black tips are almost always guaranteed to appear. Dive Sibaltan, www.divesibaltan.com
SAIL AROUND EL NIDO IN STYLE
IF YOU’D LIKE to splash out for a special occasion or simply want a private and bespoke El Nido island hopping tour, away from the crowds, then El Nido Yachting Club is a good place to start. The Club offers private charters and group tours onboard your choice of vessel, a twin-engine speedboat or an impressive 50ft catamaran. Book a seven-hour tour of El Nido’s islands on board the catamaran for Php7,500 per person, or a half-day tour (four hours) at Php3,800 per person.
Catamaran Yacht; and, Cauayan Resort
Private charters cost from Php28,000. You get to skip the usual crowded areas and instead explore hidden, exclusive destinations not covered by most tours.
El Nido Yachting Club, Buena Suerte, El Nido Town (in front of Coastguard Office). Find them on Facebook @elnidoyachtingclub, mobile +63 917 877 7869
From top, El Nido Yachting Club’s Seacret
PHOTO
ENJOY SOME OF THE BEST SCUBA DIVING IN ASIA
EL NIDO is part of the Coral Triangle, a marine area in the western Pacific Ocean named for its wealth of corals and marine species. It’s home to the endangered sea cow, marine turtles, manta rays, sharks, barracudas, and some 200 other fish species and about 50 types of hard corals, making it a paradise for divers of every level, from novice to expert.
Popular dive sites include South Miniloc for its amazing cabbage coral and sightings of stingrays, sea turtles and manta rays; North Rock for its pelagic life; Dilumacad Tunnel, a famous and challenging 40m long horizontal tunnel or cavern, with ceiling holes allowing light to filter in, targeted at advanced divers; and Cave Paglugaban for its rock formations and many swim-throughs. Submariner Diving Center offers fun dives, night dives, open water and PADI specialty courses, as
well as Dive Seafaris that go from El Nido to Coron, Palawan. Visit www.submarinerdiving.com, mobile +63 945 184 9072
KITEBOARD IN TENEGUIBAN OR SIBALTAN
THE BEST TIME to kiteboard in Teneguiban, the village just past Nacpan and Duli, over to the east side of the island, facing Darocotan Bay, is from December to June.
Amihan Kite Windsurf Café offers threeday kiteboard courses and equipment rental, including kayaks.
Kite Club Palawan at Sibaltan also provides kiteboarding lessons, kite safaris, and equipment rentals from kiteboards, kite surfboards to paddle boards. Kite Club has been operating for 15 years and has IKO certified instructors so you’re in safe hands.
Diving at 40m-long Dilumacad Tunnel
PHOTO COURTESY OF EL NIDO YACHTING CLUB
To get to Teneguiban, take a van that leaves El Nido town (station is near TownSquare) daily at 9am and 12:30pm (fare is Php500 per person, one way). For Sibaltan lessons, visit www. sibaltanelnidokiteboarding.com. To book Amman Kite, call +63 919 996 6978 or visit @AmihanKiteWindsurfCafe on Facebook
SEE MANTA RAYS UP CLOSE
HEAD TO THE QUIET RURAL VILLAGE OF Sibaltan, about an hour’s drive from El Nido main town, for a chance to spot majestic manta rays. Saan Ka (where are you), is a regular dive stop, as it’s a known manta ray cleaning station. Mantas are present year round but sightings are not always guaranteed. The best time for diving on the east coast are from March to October. The Philippines is also home to seven of the world’s nine species of mobula rays.
Dive Sibaltan arranges dives in Sibaltan and is known to champion marine conservation in the area. It has been working with Large Marine Vertebrate Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE) since 2018 to study manta rays and their conservation. Visit www.divesibaltan.com, or direct message @divesibaltan on Instagram
SURF AT DULI BEACH
DULI BEACH IN NORTHERN PALAWAN is El Nido’s prime surf spot, with a two-kilometer stretch of sandy beach offering consistent swells from about November to April. The beach itself is beautiful, backed by a lush forest, and fringed by golden sand.
Duli Beach Resort has spacious bungalows with balconies facing the sea for about Php6,633 a night. Visit www.dulibeach.com or on Facebook @dulibeach for the latest rates and packages
SOAR THROUGH THE AIR and over Bacuit Bay, an exhilirating 750m ride from launch site Maremegmeg Beach across to nearby Depeldet island. It’s a pleasant way to get your line fix, enjoying breathtaking scenery of turquoise waters, neighbouring lush islands, and forests. You can soar through the air head first in the iconic superman position or in a sitting position. Prices start from about Php600.
El Nido Zipline has an outpost right on Maremegmeg Beach. For details, check out Las Cabanas Beach Zipline on TripAdvisor
Maremegmeg Beach at sunset
WALK LIO’S 3.9 KM
LIO ECO-TRAIL
LIO BEACH has a 3.8 kilometer Lio Eco-Trail for those who’d like the chance to encounter native and endemic species like the talusi or Palawan hornbill, white-vented shama, long-tailed macaque, and the Palawan treeshrew. The trail takes about 30-45 minutes to walk and ends at a view deck 82 meters above sea level, offering stunning panoramic views of Bacuit Bay. For inquiries, stop by the Lio Beach Activity Hut located across Jungle Bar in El Nido or message Lio Beach on Facebook @LioElnido
NEXT TIME, TRY
RELAX, RECHARGE WITH YOGA
NAMASTE EL NIDO, located in the Pops District (a five-minute ride from the main town), overlooking Corong-Corong Beach, holds various types of yoga classes. It also offers massage treatments and sells organic cosmetics. Yoga classes start from Php500 per person.
YOGA TAYO holds yoga classes right on Lio Beach and at its studio’s second floor, overlooking the bay. Morning yoga classes are quite popular. Yoga Tayo also has showers and a cafe serving smoothie bowls and all day brunch.
Find @namasteelnido and @yogatayo.elnido on Instagram
ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDS AND A CAVE TREK
DEWIL VALLEY MUSEUM in New Ibajay, about 22km southeast of El Nido town, houses artefacts dating back 16,000 years ago. The Dewil Valley is also home to Ille Cave where the earliest traces of human habitation in El Nido was found. Book a guided, 15-20 minute trek of Ille Cave, showing stone tools, potteries, and human and animal remains from 14,000 years ago to the 19th century.
Find @dewilvalleymuseum on Facebook. Guides are stationed close to the museum and cave, and charge Php350 per person for a tour
Yoga Tayo
PHOTO COURTESY OF YOGA TAYO
PHOTO BY GEIO TISCHLER
breakfast of home-made corned beef, marinated fish, rice, and eggs is also a bestseller. Also on the menu are Greek dishes, American burgers and pancakes. Fresh fruit juices are a favourite. Dishes range in price from Php400 (about US$7) to Php600. Cocktails from Php300.
A Calm Oasis in El Nido
Beautifully designed Moringa Resort has only 19 suites and the largest pool this side of the island
WHY BOOK? Getting back to Moringa Resort after a day of island hopping in Bacuit Bay is a joy. This small luxury hotel in El Nido, a mix of modern and tropical style architecture, is designed around a large 160sqm swimming pool, surrounded by palm trees and tropical plants. It’s your ultimate island stay, and with only 19 suites, what you get is special attention, peace and quiet. The rooms are spacious and feel like small apartments, with king-size beds, modern bathrooms, and many personalized services.
WHAT’S THE DRAW? Moringa has a sunny 160sqm swimming pool, the biggest on the island, perfect for doing your laps or just to take a dip in. It’s sunny for most part of the day and looks across tall palm trees and shady
thatched-roof huts, one a massage hut. Its mediterranean restaurant-bar is close by so you’d never wait for service.
ROOMS. Choose from the balcony rooms, all of 42 square meters with a balcony facing the pool; the 56sqm deluxe patio room with a 17sqm terrace, outdoor daybed, and a bathtub and shower; and a 57sqm deluxe jacuzzi room with an 18sqm balcony, daybed, and a private jacuzzi. Each suite has a king-size bed, a sofa bed, silent airconditioning, ceiling fan, a large TV with international channels, a minibar, safe, and a modern Italian style bathroom.
WHAT NOT TO MISS. The resort’s food gets excellent reviews. Woodfired pizzas, homemade lasagna and osso buco are firm favourites. A Filipino
WHAT’S ON THE DOORSTEP. Corong Corong Beach, where you can enjoy the famous sunset over Bacuit Bay and dine at beachfront restaurants, is just a three-minute walk away. El Nido town is only three minutes away by tricycle. Las Cabañas Beach and Vanilla Beach, also a short tricycle ride away, are great spots for swimming and are home to trendy bars, a zipline, and a sandbar.
Best for Korean fusion cuisine in the heart of El Nido Town
Best for: All things Korean. OPPA Korean Kitchen & Dryft Fish, a Korean-fusion bistro, often packed with locals and tourists, is right on the corner of El Nido’s busy Calle Hama.
Order this: Whether you love your Korean noodles, rice bowl, kimchi, and that moreish sweet and spicy tofu, this is the place for delicious Korean food. Must try dishes include dumplings, OPPA’s kimchi loaded nachos, and the Spam kimchi fried rice, and the bestselling beef bulgogi cheesesteak. For cocktails, try the kimchi bloody Mary. OPPA serves breakfast starting from 8am and try their new breakfast items.
OPPA Korean Kitchen & Dryft Fish
G. Del Pilar cor. C. Hama Sts., Masagana, El Nido, Palawan 5313, tel +63 950 829 8672
Find them on Facebook and Instagram @oppaelnido
Clockwise from top left: Sweet and spicy squid rice bowl, kimchi cream cheese toast, breakfast sausage sandwich, bulgogi cheesesteak, and tuna steak taco
THE DRAW
With some of the clearest waters and whitest sand in El Nido, you can’t beat Orange Pearl’s location. Its row of simple beach cabanas is just a few steps away from Maremegmeg Beach, facing Bacuit Bay.
Maremegmeg Beach, north of El Nido town, is about a 15-minute tricycle ride away. You get the peace and quiet here, but are still close to the buzz of town with all its shops, trendy bars, and restaurants. Maremegmeg has gained popularity as a quieter patch of sand with some of the best sunset views on the island.
ROOMS
The 33-room Orange Pearl Resort which opened in 2010, offers a luxe location without the price tag. The simple boutique resort has a mix of bungalows or cabanas and standard rooms. Some of the cabanas are designed like thatched huts and others with a more modern feel, from standard rooms to family rooms (about Php1,380 or US$23 a night), all steps away from the beach. Most are ensuite, with the option for you to choose fan or air-conditioned rooms, with a balcony. Wake up to the sound of the waves and sip your early morning coffee right on the beach or your private terrace.
WHAT’S ON YOUR DOORSTEP
Enjoy daily beach walks, with the resort close to various local spots including the Maremegmeg Beach Club. Staff will be happy to arrange daily activities from snorkelling, fishing, hiking to island hopping. Tired from the day’s activities? Ask the 24-hour front desk to book you for a traditional relaxing massage. Room service here is 24 hours. The inhouse restaurant serves both local and international dishes. Popular with guests are the seafood platter, fish kinilaw (Filipino-style ceviche), and pancit El Nido. Also try the popular adobo, a Filipino meat stew in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and pepper. A typical main dish costs about Php480 (about US$8) to about Php550.
ORANGE PEARL BEACH RESORT, Sitio
Maremegmeg, Barangay Corong Corong, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines 5313, tel +63 9947 6285 58, email orangepearlreservation1@gmailcom, www.orangepearlbeachresort.com. Orange Pearl is only a 10 minute’ walk to the main road, 3 km from El Nido Bus Terminal and 7 km from El Nido Airport
Deluxe King Bed Room
Deluxe Double Bed Room
A Front row SeAt to BAcuit BAy
Wake up to the sound of waves and enjoy long, slow sunny beach days
ORA BEACH RESORT EL NIDO
Location. Just off Corong Corong in El Nido, the sprawling 6,200 sqm Ora Beach Resort is situated right on the beach with magnificent views of Bacuit Bay.
What’s the Draw? Nothing but sea, sand and turquoise clear waters. As you approach Ora from the street of Corong Corong in Sitio Lugadia, you’d have no idea that beyond the resort gates, down the pleasant driveway lined on both sides by lush tropical plants, lies wide open green spaces and a stunning white-sand, palm tree-lined beach, Ora’s major lure, making it increasingly popular with families. Meals at the resort’s restaurant are a joy — eat breakfast while taking in views of nearby islands popular with tourist island hopping tours. Spot white-sand fringed Entalula Island from where you sit, drinking your morning coffee, and find every excuse to linger.
Rooms. Having just opened in February 2023, Ora’s 48 beautifully modern rooms, are brand spanking new, ranging in size from the 23 sqm superior room to the 120 sqm meter presidential suite room. The premium deluxe room and premier room boast a patio. All rooms are air-conditioned and include a flatscreen cable TV, mini refrigerator, hot and cold shower, hair dryer and safety deposit box. Ora also has a gym, outdoor swimming pool, kiddie pool, billiards and bar, cabana by the beachfront, function room for meetings and wedding events, beach volleyball court and a wine cellar dome that you can book for romantic dinners.
What’s on the menu. Don’t leave the resort without ordering its pan-seared salmon for dinner or the lechon sisig, grilled minced pork, onions, chicken liver, seasoned with calamansi or local lime, and chili peppers, and best eaten as an accompaniment to ice cold beer.
El Nido town proper. From the resort, it’s a short tricycle ride to town or to Vanilla Beach to enjoy shopping, swimming, ziplining, or to try out the various bars and restaurants. Enjoy the palm tree lined resort beach or walk from the beach to explore the various beach bars facing Bacuit Bay. Corong Corong area where Ora is a good option for people who’d like to enjoy El Nido town, but without its hubbub. It’s popular with both foreigners, mostly Europeans, and locals, particularly during summer months.
Brief background. Ora means “come here” or “welcome” in Korean. In Spanish, it also means “prayer.” Ora Beach Resort was built during the pandemic, founded by Buddy Oh, who first fell in love with El Nido during a fishing trip in the 1990s. His eldest son, Eliezer Oh, has been managing the company since May 2023 and is currently the resort’s managing director.
What’s on the doorstep. Ora Beach Resort is a good 15–20 minute walk from bustling
Ora Beach Resort El Nido, Sitio Lagudia, Corong Corong, El Nido, Palawan 5313 Philippines, www.orabeachresort.com, tel +63 985 497 8029, reservation@ orabeachresort.com
Premier Room
El Nido Boutique Artcafe
Planet-friendly restaurant serving delicious, organic farm to table meals
Location. Prime downtown spot in Sirena Street, El Nido with sea and street views.
The Vibe. Warm, welcoming ambience with homey decor and art on display. Expect seats with a great view of El Nido’s Bacuit Bay, and nights livened up with live music with acoustic sets.
What’s special about the menu?
Dishes all use fresh, organic ingredients from salads to vegetables, herbs, and fruit, straight from its own organic farm.
Must try. Seafood basket, a crispy, golden medley of shrimps, squid, fish, served with house-
made dips and fries; creamy chicken parmigiano; penne pesto with chicken; chicken tikka masala; fish fillet with mango salsa; Artcafe’s handmade pizzas using fresh dough. Price per dish ranges from about Php250 (about US$4.25) to about Php620.
Good to know. ArtCafe uses solar energy for operations,
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Chica Chica El Nido
The one restobar to visit in the heart of El Nido
LOCATION. Two minutes away from the hustle and bustle of El Nido town proper, in the heart of Lugadia, you will find Panorama Villa’s cozy resto-bar, Chica Chica.
WHAT’S THE VIBE. Modern tropical beach garden vibe, airy and welcoming. Think concrete flooring, strip lighting, lots of plants and green leafy vines hanging from the bamboo screen on the ceiling.
WHAT’S ON OFFER. Open from 7am to 10pm, Chica Chica is the place to go for delicious international and local flavours.
NOT TO MISS, THE BESTSELLERS. Papaya and banana smoothie bowl with peanut butter, oatmeal and chia seeds. US beef tenderloin Salpicao, a Filipino-Spanish inspired dish loaded with garlicky and umami flavours, the beef so tender it melts in
ditches use of plastic straws and bottles, and composts its biodegradable waste, turning these into fertilizer for its farm.
EL NIDO BOUTIQUE ARTCAFE, Sirena Street, Buena Suerte, El Nido, Palawan 5313. Tel. +63 917 560 4020, www.elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com
your mouth. Korean crispy tuna taco with avocado or mango. Supreme burger with beef tenderloin patty, brie cheese, caramelized onion, bacon, cheddar cheese and barbecue sauce. Dinner for two, without drinks, will cost an average of Php 2,500.00. There’s free WiFi, and a big screen to watch major sport events.
CHICA CHICA, El Nido National Highway, Lot No. 7, Sitio Lugadia, Barangay Corong, El Nido, Palawan 5313. Happy Hour is from 4pm to 6pm. Call (Whatsapp) +63 969 302 4532, find them on Instagram @chicachica.elnido
IN MABINI, BATANGAS, about 2.5 hours’ drive from Manila, lies Tatsulok Cabins, which features houses on top of a hill, offering majestic views of Balayan Bay.The A-frame houses are designed in modern Filipino architecture, and they are gorgeous.
There are two houses, and each one is beautiful in its own right. They’re bright and airy inside, fully equipped so you can do things like cook meals for your intimate group. The Family Cabin has two bedrooms and a loft that can house up to eight guests, while the Loft Villa is a one-bedroom loft for smaller groups of up to four guests. Each one has a Bali plunge pool and comfy bedrooms. Aside from the scenic views, natural light pouring in is another pleasant experience you get in your stay. Aside from whiling away, the home rental also serves as a good basecamp for exploring Mabini’s array of attractions—island hopping (of Sombrero and Tingloy Islands), scuba and free diving of Isla
LUN aRES C aFé
The best Italian coffee and pastries in all of Siargao
SETTING. Located along Tourism Road, the center of nightlifeon the island with its restaurants, bars, and shops, is Lunares Café, a modern, open-space café that serves great coffee and delicious pastries.
Food a N d d ri N k. Stop by for the best flat white, espresso, macchiato or cappuccino, and delicious, freshly baked croissant, served plain, with jam or Nutella, or ham and cheese. For lunch or a snack, order a focaccia with toppings of pesto e Gamberetti with shrimps, tomatoes and mayo or try it with parma ham, mozzarella, tomatoes and lettuce. Cakes and fresh juices are also on the menu. Prices range from Php100 (US$1.75) to Php500.
SERVICE. Warm, friendly, island-style.
VER d ICT. Fantastic location, delicious food and coffee, and an awesome vibe. Plus, it’s just a two-minute walk from the beach.
the perfect blend of luxury and nature
Verde, and mountain trekking of Mt. Gulugod Baboy.
Rates are Php8,000 (about US$140) for the Loft Villa, and Php12,000 for the Family Cabin.
Tatsulok Cabins Family Cabin: www. airbnb.com/h/ tatsulokfamilycabin; Loft Villa (search: Tatsulok Loft Villa w/ Pool); Whole Property (search: Tatsulok Cabins w/Pool nr Anilao). Visit @tatsulokcabins on Facebook and on Instagram
from top:
al fresco dining area, and croissant with jam
email cafelunares@gmail.com, message them on Facebook: Lunares Café Siargao and Instagram
Clockwise
Lunares Café owners Gabriele Di Luna and Sheila Mae Tabares, Italian coffee,
Lunares Café's comfy coffee nook
your ultimate island spa oasis Danaru Spa Boracay
THE SPA. Step into Danaru Spa Boracay and you can be assured of a complete tropical island spa experience. A holistic spa all focused on total relaxation is Danaru Spa’s pride, after all. The spa is sprawling at 3,000sqm, set in a zen garden with a lagoon. Expect to be welcomed at the newly renovated lobby, and as you walk the spa grounds, a sense of tranquility will immediately envelop you. A visit to Boracay is not complete without spending some time in the island’s relaxation haven.
While the hidden oasis is nestled in the quieter part of Boracay in Bolabog Beach, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Bali or Japan as soon as you enter any of its 13 thatched cottages. Each one has a private shower, immaculate bed wrapped in ultra comfortable bedlinen, and a wide range of essential oils to choose from.
THE MENU. You can go for a 60-minute or a 90-minute massage, or go all out on your spa holiday at two hours. On the menu is Tighaw, a full body aromatherapy massage that uses virgin coconut oil and a combination of lavender, sweet orange, peppermint and lemon grass essential oils. The treatment is an instant ticket to massage heaven. The Kalinga Hot Stone Massage relieves strained muscles and soft tissues, a balm if you’re all sore and tired. For this treatment only jojoba oil, which helps moisturize and soften the skin, is used.
Danaru Spa is all about quality and uses only premium jojoba oil in its massages Jojoba is
considered the best in the range of massage oils because of its organic qualities tha leave the skin refreshed, replenished and conditioned sans the oily feeling.
THE SERVICE. Exceptional, hands down. Danarus’ therapists are experienced, well-trained, and have that Filipino flair when it comes to making you feel at ease. If you are no spa newbie, you can tell that each therapist is good at what she does and will be immensely pleased all throughout your spa break.
Above, entrance to the spa. Clockwise from top left, the spa’s lobby, lagoon, signature honey kalamansi juice for guests, and its beautiful zen garden
Danaru Spa Boracay is located at Danaru B/D., Zone 5. Bolabog,
#KEEPSPREADING
Traveling feeds the soul and we quickly learned that life shared with more like-minded individuals from all over the world — makes everything so much better. We first came to life through our food in 2015. What started as a passion project amongst childhood friends has quickly bloomed today into multiple concepts in three major tourist destinations in the Philippines — El Nido, Palawan, Siargao Island, and Boracay Island. From boutique hostels, boutique resorts and villas, curated tours and travel agency, events, parties, shops, restaurant, bars, surf retreats and 360 wellness spaces from yoga to ice bath facilities — all with the aim to redefine hospitality for a community of mindful and modern day traveler by providing high quality accommodation for every budget, creating meaningful connections, cultural immersion and unforgettable experiences to last a lifetime.
EL NIDO, PALAWAN • SIARGAO ISLAND • BORACAY
Biryani Kitchen
Best for authentic, homestyle Indian cuisine on the island
Run by its Mumbai-born chef/owner Vaibhav Deshpande, Biryani Kitchen serves only authentic homestyle Indian cuisine. This open-space restaurant has a casual and relaxed ambiance that gives you an island vibe. It is located at the heart of El Nido town proper.
FOOD. Must-try dishes include their signature biryanis, a classic dish of aromatic Basmati rice with slow-cooked meat or vegetable, gravy, and spices. They have four flavors to choose from: mutton, shrimp, chicken, and vegetables. You may also try their special thali — a traditional and complete meal that includes a variety of dishes served on a single platter.
Other crowd-favorites are the flavorful chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, chicken korma, mutton masala, prawns curry, and for
From top left, thali or meal platter and chicken biryani
vegetarian and healthy eaters, there are palak paneer, paneer tikka masala, mixed vegetable masala, and cashew curry.
To finish your meal, make sure to order the hot chai masala, a creamy black tea that is a delicious balance of spicy and sweet, or lassi, a traditional yogurt-based beverage drink. A dish here costs from Php400 to Php600.
SERVICE. Efficient, with good old island-style hospitality.
Bottom, from left: chicken tikka masala, mixed vegetables masala, butter chicken, chana masala, dal fry, and lassi
VERDICT. Biryani Kitchen offers a unique taste to your island experience. Next time you're in El Nido, make sure to go off the beaten path (beachfront that is) and explore the gem of a restaurant. Delicious, authentic food paired with good service all the way, you'll surely want to come back for more.
Caption...
Eliscimoditi
How Skalp is blazing a trail in the growing scalp wellness industry
Wellness has evolved as a hugely important industry, with new treatments and innovations being constantly introduced, from lymphatic drainage massage, 24-carat gold facials, Japanese healing facials, biohacking techniques to holistic therapies. In the midst of all these, enter the head spas, now slowly emerging as a special wellness category. We’re not talking about the head massage you get in a beauty salon as part of your hair cut and colour. At Skalp head spa, specialised and traditional Japanese techniques are combined with modern
technology to give you the ultimate in head and scalp care in the most luxurious of surroundings. You lie in an ergonomic backwash chair allowing you to stretch your whole body, while your head is comfortably resting on a cushioned support over the generous shampoo bowl.
“At Skalp, we wanted to create a serene and luxurious space where you can relax in private, away from the energetic buzz and chatter in a hair salon,” said xxxxx <insert name and title. i.e general manager Tina Decena>
WHAT’S COOL TO TRY?
For first timer guests, the Ultimate Skalp Experience is recommended for a full journey to scalp health. Your Skalp consultant will recommend the best hair and scalp treatment after assessing your condition and needs. The Ultimate Skalp Experience is a 20step journey that combines Skalp Relaxation and Skalp Renewal treatments. Your head undergoes deep cleansing, hydrating, and rebalancing to promote scalp health, stimulate hair growth, leading to stronger, shinier hair. A healthy scalp is a foundation for healthy hair. This treatment helps address dandruff, damaged hair, and in some instances thinning hair and hair loss.
Skalp renewal treatment consists of thorough scrubbing, scalp steaming, and a nourishing scalp mask. This helps detoxify your scalp, address clogged hair follicles from all that product buildup and excess oil. Skalp relaxation consists of a soothing Skalp massage using Skalp’s specially crafted candle oil infused with coconut and rosemary. Let your stresses melt away as you enjoy waterfall therapy, along with a rejuvenating neck and shoulder massage.
Top your head spa treatment with a luxurious Vichy shower combined with Korean cloth exfoliation, body polish, revitalizing body mask, and nourishing body butter. This soothing treatment leaves your skin soft, silky, and glowing and smelling divine.
Find SKALP at 195 2F Wilson Park Square Wilson St., San Juan City (scalp and hair only); Admiral Hotel in Malate, Manila; and on the 5th floor, Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Call +63 916 697 9664 for bookings. Find them on Instagram and TikTok, @skalp.official
core mo te quis am con ernatur alit eat.
From Indonesia to Philippines:
Cutt & Grill Manila Brings Wood-Fired Steakhouse Experience to Manila with Opening at Parqal Mall, Parañaque
Manila, Philippines — Zirconia Group proudly announces the arrival of its celebrated premium steakhouse, Cutt & Grill, as it opens its first location in Manila at Parqal, Parañaque. Known across Indonesia for its mastery of wood-fire grilling and bold comfort dining, Cutt & Grill introduces a refined yet family-friendly dining destination for Manila’s growing community of discerning diners and lifestyle enthusiasts.
Cutt & Grill is part of the same hospitality group behind Dylan Patisserie, a brand that has quickly grown into a beloved name in Manila’s dessert and café scene. With locations in Makati, Quezon City, and Parqal, Dylan Patisserie is known for its premium cakes, European-inspired pastries, and customized celebration offerings, built on a philosophy of quality, craftsmanship, and creating moments worth celebrating.
With the launch of Cutt & Grill, Zirconia Group enters its next chapter by introducing a concept centered on fire, flavor, and togetherness. The restaurant features a live wood-fire grill that brings deep character and authentic char to every dish. Signature highlights include slow-roasted bone marrow, handcrafted pastas finished tableside on cheese wheels, oversized tomahawk steaks, and a curated program of dry-aged meats for guests seeking layered, bold flavors.
Founded by Indonesian entrepreneur and award-winning pastry chef Lal De Silva, Zirconia Group is built on a foundation of creativity, discipline, and hospitality excellence. After building and scaling a pastry business to more than 60 locations in Indonesia before successfully exiting the brand, Lal De Silva expanded into a portfolio of restaurant, lifestyle, and wellness concepts across Southeast Asia. Dylan Patisserie was named after his son, Dylan, who now represents the next generation of the family’s leadership and vision.
Cutt & Grill has established itself as a trusted steakhouse name across Indonesia, with multiple locations including Bali, and now brings that experience and standard of quality to Manila.
“We’ve always dreamed of growing beyond our home market and expanding internationally, and opening in the Philippines feels incredibly special to us,” said Dylan De Silva, representative of Zirconia Group. “Filipino culture feels very close to home. From shared family values to the importance of celebration and gift-giving, this was exactly why we chose Manila as the next chapter for Dylan Patisserie, and now for Cutt & Grill. We’re excited to deepen our presence in this dynamic market, grow alongside the community, and continue bringing experiences that people can truly connect with. We have big aspirations for the Philippines, and we’d love to contribute meaningfully to the lifestyle and dining scene here in the years ahead.”
Cutt & Grill at Parqal marks Zirconia Group’s continued investment in the Philippines and its long-term commitment to building brands that go beyond food, delivering destinations rooted in experience, design, and culture.
Guests can expect Cutt & Grill to open its doors soon at Parqal, Parañaque, offering Manila diners a new place to gather, celebrate, and savour expertly grilled meats in a vibrant new lifestyle space.
