Serene hideaways are like sedatives to me. Quite a number
of them have helped resuscitate me when I’m at my worst. Something in these
places settles the nerves in the same way that a pill does. Life at the
workplace can be mighty tough for you and me. That’s why we need to lose
ourselves in these sanctuaries once in a while if we want to find balance in
our lives.
If time and circumstance permit me, I head for these
destinations to rejuvenate myself. The nature of my work necessitates that I
engage in occasional breaks or else I’ll run the risk of losing my grip on
things. By finding time to hibernate in havens with serene sceneries, I’ve
noticed that I’ve become more productive, effective and satisfied with what I’m
doing.
 |
| Map of Samal |
Taking time off from work doesn’t necessarily mean going
faraway for a vacay. Doing so can be stressful sometimes. I should know. I’ve
been through the fuss, the fury and the flurry of long-distance travels. Why go
through all that stress? That’s why I’ve been settling for quick fixes in
neighboring destinations offering the same creature comforts like the far-flung
ones.
 |
Jetty at Secdea
|
 |
| A part of Babak |
Good thing, I can always avail of some rest and
recreation in the nearby Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS). What’s in store
for you there? Crystal clear waters. A picturesque panorama of the surrounding
seascape. Succulent seafood and much, much more. And what are some of the stuff
that you can do in the island? Scuba-diving, swimming, trekking, biking,
spelunking and the like.
Whenever I want to unwind, I’d run away to IGACOS to
relax my listless body, refresh my lethargic mind and regain my lost energies.
For some time now, I’ve been wanting to step into another picture-perfect
paradise there. The place? Secdea. Opened to the public last year, it’s one of
the latest additions to the array of world-class resorts in the island whose
scenic charms sedated me.
 |
| Barge bound for Babak in IGACOS |
The idea of exploring Secdea was floated during one of
the meetings I attended for one of the big-ticket projects we’re pursuing.
After several weeks of intense negotiations and mind-boggling discussions, the
project team felt the extreme need for a sweet escape to IGACOS. Everyone also
agreed to hold the next meeting and stay overnight at Secdea.
From Davao City, our group took a ten-minute cruise
aboard a barge bound for Babak, one of the island’s old towns.
Arriving at the port, we proceeded to the resort, passing through a well-paved
road, which I thought lead up to the resort. To my dismay, however, it ended at
the entry point to the village of San Isidro in Babak where the resort is
found.
For the next thirty minutes or so, my car had to
negotiate through a rough dirt road that seemed to stretch infinitely. Good
thing, I was able to maneuver it safely through the tough trail! Minutes later,
we reached the resort. Entering Secdea for the first time, I was thrilled to
explore its sprawling expanse—something like 53 hectares, a big part of which
is still being developed.
After parking our vehicles, we hopped into golf carts
that shuttled us into the resort. I readily felt an ineffable sense of
alleviation after being greeted by the swaying coconut and fruit trees, the
salubrious sea breeze, and the surreal serenity swaddling Secdea. The deafening
silence that surrounded us was only interrupted by the twitter of birds, the
roar of the carts’ engines and our voices.
 |
| Home away from home |
Few places have a calming effect on me. Secdea is one of
them. The resort had me the moment we jumped out of the carts. Entering the
resort’s clubhouse, we were treated to the picture-perfect view of the infinity
pool and its spectacular background—Davao Gulf and the coastal towns of Davao del
Norte and Compostela Valley, including the two Ligid Islands!
 |
| Secdea's seaside cottages |
With its sedate and splendid ambience, the beach resort
is the perfect rendezvous for a great island escapade. It has lovely cottages,
villas and lodges which are well-appointed and tastefully decorated. The rooms
can be Spartan in a rustic way, modern Filipino or Spanish colonial depending
on your choice of accommodations.
If you wish to stay at Secdea, these are the types of
accommodations that you can avail of: seaside cottages ideal for couples, lodges
for a family of four and villas for large groups and families, which can house
a dozen people. All the resort’s rooms have aircons, queen-sized beds,
refrigerators, cable television, hot and cold showers, the works.
 |
| Secdea's infinity pool |
Other amenities include an infinity pool where guests can
swim from sunup to sundown, a bar where they can sip their favorite drinks,
basketball and tennis courts where they can sweat it out, a jetty with a view
deck where they can gaze at the stunning seascape and private function rooms
where they can hold corporate meetings, weddings, parties and other social
events, among others.
 |
| The resort's resto at the clubhouse |
The food at Secdea is fine to say the least, judging from
what we ate at the resto. On weekends, buffet meals are served but
you can order a la carte if you like something. Here’s a caveat: Order at least
an hour earlier since it takes a long time for them to serve even the
simplest meals! I guess this is one aspect of Secdea's customer service that needs to be
leveled up.
When day unfolds, you can go swimming at the infinity
pool or in the inviting waters of the gulf. Scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking,
jet ski-ing, fishing, boating, wall climbing and rappelling are some of the
stuff you can do there. Or you can just go strolling in the garden or along the
beach. The ethereal sceneries will surely make you feel light as if a heavy
burden were taken off your shoulders.
When night creeps in, you can read a bestseller in the
comfort of your own lanai, watch your favorite shows on cable TV in the privacy
of your room, play chess, cards, or scrabble at the veranda, or have a chat
with someone at the clubhouse. If you’re a night owl, cap your evenings at the
bar by the beach or at the jetty, sipping your favorite drink while listening
to the soothing sounds of the ocean.
Serenity reigns supreme at Secdea—morning, afternoon and
evening. And this is one of the resort’s irresistible attractions. How long
will it stay that way? Perhaps until the time when throngs of tourists discover
it and invade the place. Before that happens, take a peek now and soak up all
the sun, the sea and the sand and, most of all, the serenity that this new
hideaway in IGACOS offers. :D
If time and circumstance permit me, I head for these
destinations to rejuvenate myself. The nature of my work necessitates that I
engage in occasional breaks or else I’ll run the risk of losing my grip on
things. By finding time to hibernate in havens with serene sceneries, I’ve
noticed that I’ve become more productive, effective and satisfied with what I’m
doing.
Taking time off from work doesn’t necessarily mean going
faraway for a vacay. Doing so can be stressful sometimes. I should know. I’ve
been through the fuss, the fury and the flurry of long-distance travels. Why go
through all that stress? That’s why I’ve been settling for quick fixes in
neighboring destinations offering the same creature comforts like the far-flung
ones. 
From Davao City, our group took a ten-minute cruise
aboard a barge bound for Babak, one of the island’s old towns.
Arriving at the port, we proceeded to the resort, passing through a well-paved
road, which I thought lead up to the resort. To my dismay, however, it ended at
the entry point to the village of San Isidro in Babak where the resort is
found. 
After parking our vehicles, we hopped into golf carts
that shuttled us into the resort. I readily felt an ineffable sense of
alleviation after being greeted by the swaying coconut and fruit trees, the
salubrious sea breeze, and the surreal serenity swaddling Secdea. The deafening
silence that surrounded us was only interrupted by the twitter of birds, the
roar of the carts’ engines and our voices.
Few places have a calming effect on me. Secdea is one of
them. The resort had me the moment we jumped out of the carts. Entering the
resort’s clubhouse, we were treated to the picture-perfect view of the infinity
pool and its spectacular background—Davao Gulf and the coastal towns of Davao del
Norte and Compostela Valley, including the two Ligid Islands! 
If you wish to stay at Secdea, these are the types of
accommodations that you can avail of: seaside cottages ideal for couples, lodges
for a family of four and villas for large groups and families, which can house
a dozen people. All the resort’s rooms have aircons, queen-sized beds,
refrigerators, cable television, hot and cold showers, the works. 
Other amenities include an infinity pool where guests can
swim from sunup to sundown, a bar where they can sip their favorite drinks,
basketball and tennis courts where they can sweat it out, a jetty with a view
deck where they can gaze at the stunning seascape and private function rooms
where they can hold corporate meetings, weddings, parties and other social
events, among others.
When night creeps in, you can read a bestseller in the
comfort of your own lanai, watch your favorite shows on cable TV in the privacy
of your room, play chess, cards, or scrabble at the veranda, or have a chat
with someone at the clubhouse. If you’re a night owl, cap your evenings at the
bar by the beach or at the jetty, sipping your favorite drink while listening
to the soothing sounds of the ocean. 
