Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa (Formerly Elephant Fantasy Island) Buenavista, Marinduque

Discerning travellers in search of their next unexplored destination need to look no further than the Philippine Islands. With its white Santorini-inspired architecture on rolling terrain contrasted with the azure blue of the sky above and the clear water below, Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa offers a fantastic experience unlike any other place in the Philippines and across South-East Asia.

An integrated resort, spa and lifestyle island destination, Bellarocca opened its doors to the public last February 2009.

ISLAND DESTINATION OVERVIEW - GEOGRAPHY, LOCATION AND ACCESS

Located between the southeastern portion of Luzon and Mindoro islands, Marinduque is flanked from four sides: North, South, Northeast and Southwest by the Tayabas Bay, Sibuyan Sea, Mompoy Bay and Tayabas Strait, respectively.

Bellarocca Island is situated off the south west coast of the Marinduque province. Characterized by seaside cliffs, valleys, hills and sparsely dotted plains across this heart-shaped region, therein lies even more impressively hot springs, waterfalls and underwater flora and fauna. In addition to these, there are caves that await exploration by adventurous travelers. Many are yet to be fully investigated or documented. The most famous of these cave systems is Bathala Caves which hosts a complex network of seven mostly uncharted caves. In the capital Boac, spelunkers can take delight in the limestone Talamban caves situated on a 300-meter hill. 

Because of the location within the Philippine archipelago, Marinduque has been aptly dubbed the heart of the Philippines.  

For those who wish to travel privately, guests can choose to arrive at the island directly via private helicopters, chartered flights or luxury yachts from Manila to Marinduque.  Arrangements are coursed through our Manila Reservation Staff.

Marinduque is a short 30-minute flight south of Manila.  

Land and sea transfers to Bellarocca:  From mainland Marinduque, our guests are met by our guest service staff and picked up by private vans for the land transfer to the town of Lipata, Municipality of Buenavista, where Bellarocca is located.  From there guests are transferred via speed boats and yachts, depending on the expected number of arrivals, for a brief 5 – minute crossing to the island.


CULTURE

For local tourists, Putong, Marinduque’s unique custom of welcoming and honoring guests, should be familiar enough. This tradition starts with a group of men and women singing greetings to the “honoree.” This group called the “mamumutong” sing and dance in front of the honoree, showering him with flowers and coins to wish him long life and as a sign of affection. For those who are otherwise not familiar with this ceremony, this should nonetheless be quite an experience.

Then, seeing as no culture is without its music and arts, the Marinduqueños are very much identified with the Moriones festival. This celebration is held during the Holy Week and involves a re-enactment of Christ’s passion and death. Moriones is derived from the word “Morion,” a type of open helmet used during the 16th and early 17th centuries, a part of the medieval roman armor. Thus, in addition, this festival is characterized by colorful roman costumes, painted masks and helmets and brightly colored tunics.

However, beyond the infamous Putong or the Moriones festival, Marinduque is actually a rich source of information for a point in time that pre-dates our colonial history. Anthropologists and archaeologists alike are bound to be ecstatic over the possibilities of unearthing yet undocumented parts of our nation’s history.

The unexplored caves alone, which attest to the fact that the island was a settlement of the Mangyans and other ethnic groups long before the Spaniards arrived, produced numerous artifacts belonging to these early inhabitants. The unearthed results point to a skilled civilization that thrived and prospered during such a primal age.

Another line of reasoning that places this province as more than just a landmark to be gazed upon lies in the fact that Marinduque Tagalog is the root from which modern Tagalog has sprung. This is the language that made the basis of Filipino our national language.



HOTEL ROOMS, JUNIOR SUITES, SUITES

Our accommodations are arranged to offer elegance and luxurious comfort with a touch of a home-like essence. 

Hardwood floors, a balcony equipped with table and chairs should you wish to enjoy the weather and sights outside, and a spacious bathroom complete with a tub enticing you to take a dip and perhaps never leave.

Lounge on a bed that is more than generously fitted with soft sheets and a down comforter. Or perhaps lay against the couch, access your own entertainment system that icludes a LCD TV with a complete DVD player and stereo system, not to mention satellite cable TV. If music is more like your style, iPod dock and speakers are readily available (kindly check with Front Office).

Guests staying in our Intimate and Luxurious Hotel Rooms, Junior Suites and Suites experience the following comforts and conveniences:

• Beddings and pillow selections
• Individually-controlled air-conditioning
• Skype – enabled Belkin telephone
• Personal bar and refrigerator
• Coffee and tea service
• Private balcony / verandah with view of the sea and Mount Malindig
• Modern bath and shower facilities including Jacuzzi and/or bath tub
• Complete range of bathroom amenities
• LCD TV with complete DVD Player and home theatre stereo systems, satellite TV, and Hi-Fi compact sound systems
• Private balcony or garden
• Golf cart service
• Complimentary Internet connectivity (cable) in the room and in general public areas (WiFi)
• Electronic safe deposit box

CASAS

It’s akin to being in the suburbs. Set aside the fact that it is situated in the middle of an island that provides you with the peace and quiet one would not easily find in a typical suburb found in cities.

We have 1-. 2- and 3-bedroom Casas (soon to open) that are sure to further enhance your sense of belonging and settling in. The 2- and 3-bedroom Casas can accommodate up to a maximum of 4 and 6 adults, respectively.  Guests staying in our Casas experience the following comforts and conveniences:

• Beddings and pillow selections
• Individually-controlled air-conditioning
• Skype – enabled Belkin telephone
• Personal bar and refrigerator
• Coffee and tea service
• Private balcony with garden views
• Modern bath and shower facilities
• Complete range of bathroom amenities
• LCD TV with complete DVD Player and home theatre stereo systems, satellite TV, Ipod dock and Hi-Fi compact sound systems
• Private balcony / verandah
• Golf cart service
• Complimentary internet connectivity in the room and in general public areas
• Electronic safe deposit box

TERRAZAS

With time on your hands to sit back and enjoy your stay, our Terrazas offer an outstanding view adjoined to your chosen accommodation.  Because of its location along the ridges of the island, the Terrazas and the elevation if provides, offer the best uninterrupted views of Mt Malindig.   

Kick back and relax, take a deep breath and perhaps even gather your family or friends outside as well. Foregoing being cooped up in your room should you wish to skip on the rest of Bellarocca’s other exciting activities and amenities, the outdoors reserved for you and your friends is yours to do as you please. All Terrazas offer 2 bedrooms and the following amenities:

• Beddings and pillow selections
• Individually-controlled air-conditioning
• Skype – enabled Belkin telephone
• Personal bar and refrigerator
• Coffee and tea service
• Private balcony with view of sea and Mt. Malindig
• Modern bath and shower facilities including Jacuzzi and/or bath tub
• Complete range of bathroom amenities
• LCD TV with complete DVD Player and home theatre stereo systems, satellite TV, Ipod dock and Hi-Fi compact sound systems
• Private balcony / verandah
• Golf cart service
• Complimentary internet connectivity in the room and in general public areas
• Electronic safe deposit box

GARDEN AND CLIFF VILLAS 
We guarantee that you will be enticed to stay longer after experiencing all that Bellarocca has to offer. 

If and when you do, we suggest taking up residence in our Garden and Cliff Villas. With 1- and 2-bedroom villas, take your pick from having a view of the nearby mountainside and seemingly endless clear blue skies and emerald waters, or perhaps a sight that overlooks the rest of the Island—as if all that stands between the skies and the wonderful lush greenery below is just you.

With its quaint decor and lovely furnishings, equipped and stocked and made ready for you, our guests staying at the Villas experience the best amongst the accommodations at Bellarocca:

• Infinity pool
• Outdoor Jacuzzi / Whirlpool
• Exterior lounge area / sundeck
• Beddings and pillow selections
• Individually-controlled air-conditioning
• Skype – enabled Belkin telephone
• Personal bar and refrigerator
• Coffee and tea service
• modern bath and shower facilities including Jacuzzi and/or bath tub
• Complete range of bathroom amenities
• LCD TV with complete DVD Player and home theatre stereo systems, satellite TV, Ipod dock and HI-Fi compact sound systems
• Private balcony / verandah
• Golf cart service
• Complimentary internet connectivity in the room and in general public areas
• Electronic safe deposit box

ACTIVITIES / RECREATION AND ATTRACTIONS

No matter the age, whether you come alone or come in droves, Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa is ready and able to guarantee that you make the most out of your stay with us. Come and see what we have planned, tailored specially even for the most laid back individual, to the most active and thrill-seeker of them all.

For couples who wish to make each moment matter, your wish is ours to fulfill. The following activities guarantee a lot of memories to look back on in good time.
•    Private lunches and private dinners
•    Private cocktails
•    Romantic breakfast arrangements (i.e. by the beach or the garden area)
•    Option of taking meals in their accommodation
•    Private cruising/yachting
•    Private movie screenings (in-door/outdoor)
•    Couples’ massages and spa treatments (in spa treatment room for couples)
•    Marine sports/other recreational leisure activities
•    Weddings—renewal of vows, private ceremonies, anniversaries

For families with children ranging from infants/toddlers to teenagers, we offer services ranging from baby-sitting by trained employees, sports/arts and crafts/environmental lessons to special themed dinners, parties/discos as well as excursions or educational tours.

The resort also has a fully equipped gym and fitness center that should satisfy those who crave for a good workout, no matter if it’s a vacation or not. Seeing as it is a known fact that swimming engages good and vital muscle work-out, Bellarocca even offers different pools to choose from.

Still not enough? Engage in the following activities that will surely satiate your quest for thrill and action.
•    Kayaking
•    Jet ski
•    Banana boat
•    Windsurfing
•    Hobie cat sailing
•    Trekking/hiking
•    Fitness Walks/Jogging trails


And for those who lean towards a more holistic work-out we have the solution to that as well. Spend time at our Meditation Sanctuary to re-connect with your inner self or your Higher Being. We also offer healthy and vegetarian meals (let us know of your specific requirements upon booking) as well as lectures on healthy/spa and wellness living (seasonal).

RESORT ACCOMMODATIONS, FACILITIES, 

AMENITIES AND SERVICES

Bellarocca prides itself in its high-quality and standard in amenities and services. From babysitting to IT support, our resort facilities are fully equipped and ready to guarantee a hassle-free stay.

Hotel Lobby ∙ Piano lounge ∙ Cigar Room ∙Food and Beverage Outlets for all-day dining – Hotel Pavilion, Seaside Pavilion, Marina Cafe and Bar ∙ Wi-Fi satellite internet connectivity ∙ Library ∙ Meeting Room (complete business and meeting service available) ∙ Outdoor venues for weddings, banquets and special events ∙ Boutique ∙ Entertainment Room ∙ Fully-equipped Gym and Fitness Center ∙ Bellarocca Spa (opening late 2010) ∙ Meditation Sanctuary ∙Tea House ∙ Medical Clinic (resident doctor on call) ∙Hotel Lap Swimming Pool ∙ Seaside Swimming Pool ∙ Natural Hot Spring Pool ∙ Aqua Sports Center ∙ Picnic Grove ∙ Pristine white sand beachfront ∙ 9-hole Par 36 Golf Course and driving range.

We understand the importance of communication, thus, we ensure Internet connection for all lodgings. To take things a step further, we even guarantee Wi-Fi satellite connection from the Lobby at least just to make sure.

Among various other facilities, we offer a Piano Lounge, for when you want to hear classic to modern pieces through the lilting ivory keys and strokes of a master player. Care to take a shot at playing? By all means, this lounge is for anyone who has always felt the call that this lovely instrument beckons us with whenever we come in contact with it, see it or hear it being played. 

And for ladies and gentlemen alike who have taken the classic and for some, even an enjoyable habit at that of cigar, we have the room just for you. The Cigar Bar, tastefully done and decorated, it’s like being drawn back to the olden days where every room has its purpose and for every purpose there is a room.

Battle of Pulang Lupa 1900 at Torrijos, Marinduque

THE BATTLE OF PULANG LUPA (Torrijos, Marinduque)

The Battle of Pulang Lupa was an engagement fought on September 13, 1900, during the Philippine–American War, between the forces of Colonel Maximo Abad and Devereux Shields, in which Abad's men defeated the American force.

"The severity with which the inhabitants have been dealt would not look well if a complete history of it were written out." —Governor-General of the Philippines William Howard Taft, concerning the U.S. Army campaign on the island of Marinduque during the Philippine–American War of 1899-1902

Background

On September 11, Captain Devereux Shields led a detachment of 51 29th U.S. Volunteer Infantrymen into the mountains of Torrijos to combat the elusive Abad and his guerrillas. They experienced little success, except for the dispersing of 20 guerrillas, in which no casualties were inflicted on either side.

Abad had excellent intelligence and was informed of Shields' movements by the local guerrillas ahead of time. In response, he assembled his entire force of 250 regular Filipino soldiers and around 1,000-2,000 bolomen. The regular Philippine soldiers were well organized and reasonably well armed with bolos, pistols, and Spanish Mausers, despite the fact that most were poor shots. The bolomen, armed only with machetes or bolos, served mainly to bolster Abad's forces. Dressed as friendly farmers or civilians in the daytime, they took part in guerrilla activities at night: ambushing small detachments of American soldiers, sabotage, and most importantly, supplying Abad with intelligence on American positions and movements. They had little military value, however, considering they had no firearms.

Battle

On September 13, Abad positioned his men along a steep ridge overlooking the trail which Shields would soon cross. Both Shields and his men had little combat experience and easily fell into the trap. Abad and his 250 soldiers opened fire on the column, which led to a fire-fight that lasted for several hours. Meanwhile, as the Americans and Philippine riflemen exchanged fire, the large force of Filipino bolomen began maneuvering to surround the Americans.

Shields, seeing that he was almost completely surrounded, ordered a withdrawal, which soon turned into a full-blown retreat, as Abad's much larger force poured over the ridge after Shields and his men. The Filipino soldiers harassed Shields for nearly 4 miles (6 km) before cornering them in a small rice field; their escape to Santa Cruz was cut off by the large force of Filipino bolomen. Abad's men again opened fire, forcing the Americans to take cover behind some paddy dikes. Shields, wounded and recognizing the futility of the situation, raised the white flag in order to surrender.


Men of the 29th volunteer infantry wading ashore on Marinduque April 25, 1900
After months of hiding, Abad in only a few hours eliminated nearly one third of the American garrison on Marinduque.

Aftermath

Shields' defeat sent shock waves through the American high command. Aside from being one of the worst defeats suffered by the Americans during the war, it was especially significant given its proximity to the upcoming election between President William McKinley and his anti-imperialist opponent William Jennings Bryan, the outcome of which many believed would determine the ultimate course of the war. Consequently, the defeat triggered a sharp response.

Arthur MacArthur, Jr. sent Brig. Gen. Luther Hare with "orders to treat the entire male population over fifteen as potential enemies and to arrest as many as possible and hold them hostages until Abad surrendered." Hare secured the release of Shields and his men. Maj. Frederick A. Smith continued the policy of destroying food and shelter in the interior of the island, and moving all civilians into the towns. Although Abad and most of his command continued to elude the American military, the civilian population was suffering for it, with many landowners and merchants joining the Federal Party, turning against Abad.

These new tactics led to the surrender of Abad in April 1901.

Luzon Datum of 1911 (Mogpog, Marinduque)

Luzon Datum of 1911 (Mogpog, Marinduque)

The Luzon Datum of 1911 was the base for the first modern survey of the Philippine Islands. The execution of the triangulation of the Philippine Islands extended over almost as long a time as the history of the American occupation in the Philippines. The plan of the government to survey the islands began in March 1900 when a United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (USCGS) officer was sent to Manila with instructions to prepare a report on the existing cartographic conditions in the Philippines and to obtain all information necessary for the execution of geodetic, hydrographic, and topographic surveys in the country.

After the establishment of the sub-office known as the Manila Field Station, which was housed in the old Intendencia Building in the Walled City of Intramuros, the USCGS commenced fieldwork in the Philippine Islands in January 1901. At that time, an insurrection was in progress and the Islands were under military law. The field surveys were conducted under a joint agreement between the USCGS and the Insular Government. From 1901 to 1911, the USCGS established several triangulation networks across the country which had different origins. In 1911, these different networks on different datums and with different origins were consolidated into one nationwide network and the Luzon Datum was established with triangulation station Balanacan as its datum origin. The Luzon Datum became the primary geodetic reference of all surveys in the Philippines.