I’m a bit sentimental about R&R Resort in Pansol, Laguna because it’s the resort where I first learned how to really swim — that’s over 10 years ago. I was still single then and I stayed in the resort’s cabaňa for a week together with my family.

This is why, several ocular visits around Laguna later, I didn’t think twice about checking-in once again for a weekend. This time, with my husband and son.

True to its name, this is the resort for people who take Rest and Recreation seriously — for people like me who want to toss aside their watches and laptops (since there’s no wi-fi access yet), stay away from the kitchen (you order food from its restaurant and cooking is not allowed) and television (TV is only seen at the poolside and none in the rooms). Plus the pools containing hot spring water are highly therapeutic too — perfect for tired bodies.

My cousin posted some pictures to her Friendster account where it was taken in Gawahon Falls in Victorias City, Negros Occcidental. This is the Seven Natural Falls of Gawahon, located at Barangay XI. It’s been three years that I never been home in Negros Occidental. During my last visit there, this was still under develop. But now you will already see the beauty of the falls from those pictures taken and from those stories they told me. Gawahon falls must really be a nice place to see.

With this tourism development in Victorias, the city has a great potential as a major tourist attractions of Negros Occidental, too. Beautiful man-made rice terraces may also be seen aside from those beautiful pools the city has developed.

According to them, the only problem this time is the not so fully developed road but the works are on-going now. SUV vehicles are needed since it is located in the mountains of Victorias.

I can’t really wait to see the crystal clear falls and the beauty of the nature surrounding the falls. This is one place to visit in Negros Occidental aside from new beautiful resort that is already existing in my beloved province.

My family counts ourselves happy that the place we stay is quite near B Mansion, an affordable yet comfortable Hotel and Resort in Makati.

Whenever we have relatives from abroad who would visit, we almost always refer them to B Mansion. From its brochure, I also noted that OFWs are its primary target market. That is why the place is usually available on pre-reservation basis rather than walk ins. When my sister and her family had a renovation done to their place, we also had them stay temporarily at the B Mansion. We’re such a familiar face especially because we let our son  swim there about twice a week this summer.

The nice thing about B Mansion is that it maintains a homey atmosphere in terms of how they treat you from the time you check in, the way they serve your breakfast till your check out. This is something you don’t easily get from other similar hotels and resorts nearby. The staff is friendly and they make you feel a VIP whenever you’re there, just as our experience has always been with Ms. Beth de Leon and Mr. Boy Ibaňez among others.

B stands for “Baluyot,” a family who is famous for their political, business and medical affiliations in Makati City.

Very nice experience. On our way back home, we’re all one in wishing we can go back to 8 Waves again.