(FROM LEFT): Congressman Doy Leachon,
Dr. Lyne Balita, Gov. Alfonso Umali, Dr. Carl Balita,
entrepreneur Malou Morillo, Congressman Rey Umali, and Lyza BalitaMAHALTA, MAHALTA: Two things came top of mind for movie producer, radio-TV host and review school entrepreneur Dr. Carl Balita when he opened a resort hotel-convention center in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro.
First, he sees the project as his retirement home.
Second, the resort is his way of giving back to his hometown. “I’ve always dreamt of a first-class resort hotel for Calapan, where I was born and raised,” he told us as we toured the 1.5 hectare property in barangay Parang.
Mahalta Resort Hotel, as the place is known, overlooks Calapan Bay on one side while it looks up to a hill, lush and green, on the other. Farther in the horizon, as one gazes the beachfront and beyond, one can almost touch one of the famous Three Islands that ring Calapan town.
This particular island, which is uninhabited, proudly shows off, from a distance, its white beach and evergreen foliage.
The beach, it turns out, isn’t really white. They are scattered with crushed corals and sea shells that form a white, pristine carpet on the sand.
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INTEGRATED RESORT: Mahalta is short for Mangyan, Halcón (the mountain), and Tamaraw, three symbols that define Mindoro life.
The newly opened resort offers daily banca tours to that nearby island. It takes only 10 minutes to negotiate the short distance, costing only 200 pesos per person.
Dr. Carl doesn’t hesitate to sound romantic as he articulates his mission-vision for Mahalta. “I want this paradise to grow as a place where moments and memories become one.”
He describes Mahalta as an integrated resort that blends nature with lifestyle. “It’s purpose – driven, drawn to local color, my humble attempt to establish a first-class facility, from bidet to bed, in this part of Mindoro.”
Mahalta’s opening has opened jobs for local residents and opportunities for local craftsmen and artisans. Even local boatmen are trained to serve as tourist guides, fetching additional income for them.
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MINDORO SYMBOLS: Development of Mahalta comes in three phases. The first phase comprises the hotel, restaurant, and pool.
Fourteen well – appointed rooms spread on two levels are now functional. There are also two social halls open for bookings.
Under construction is a convention center that can accommodate 500 persons. The next phase of Mahalta’s development includes construction of single detached villas in the style of log cabins going up the hill.
Dr. Carl says Mahalta is his tribute to his beloved home province Mindoro. The resort is littered with signs and symbols that characterize the island.
A life-size image of a Tamaraw, rendered in solid, heavy marble, stands guard in the front garden. A marble statue of a Mangyan Prince welcomes guests on their way to the gazebo that serves as function hall.
Nearby is another marble statue, that of miraculous healer, Saint Padre Pio, who, incidentally, isn’t from Mindoro.
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LOCAL COLOR: Dr. Carl believes in using indigenous and other raw materials sourced from the local community. Served fresh are sea foods, meats, and vegetables sourced from the local market or suppliers.
Closer to home is an herbal garden called Lyne’s Farm-acy, named after Balita’s wife Lyne, a medical doctor.
In another part of the yard, covered with what seems like evergreen bermuda grass, is Siony’s Vegetable Garden, named after Balita’s mother.
Dr. Carl hopes that in time, the resort’s kitchen can use locally grown organic crops.
He notes that one of his three chefs, Chris, is foreign-trained, having worked for years at an international cruise liner.
Activities available at Mahalta in the coming days include paddle boarding, kayaking, jetski rides, banana boating. Island-hopping, spanning the aforementioned three islands, is an option.
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DOLPHINS GALORE: During a recent island tour, singer-actor Robert Seña, who visited Mahalta with his wife, Isay Alvarez, was beside himself with glee as he spotted and came up close and personal with a fleet of dolphins.
Robert and Isay entertained guests at Mahalta’s formal opening attended by provincial and municipal officials. They performed Broadway and OPM gems on an elevated stage with the sea and that nearby island as backdrop.