Island resort is Sarangani landmark

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 8, 2008) – A former private resort here has grown into a world-class resort and a landmark in Sarangani's tourism landscape.

Started as a rest house for businessman Marfenio Tan's family about 10 years ago, Isla Parilla is now an "AA" class resort.

A resort within a man-made island, Isla Parilla has 24-hour room service, profuse amenities, refreshing and solemn ambience, and personalized services.

"Here you can find true solemnity of a wedding vow and other private meetings while enjoying fresh air, unique dishes of fresh seafood, or just go fishing at the lake," manager Wanchin Tan-Delfino said.

"Apparently, these made the resort into a double "A" class resort."

A waiter and bartending seminar was being held here Friday (November 7) for Isla Parilla, Sarangani Highlands and other hotel personnel in General Santos City by the Department of Tourism Region XII and the Sarangani Tourism Industry Association, Incorporated.

"We ready for our guests to come as the MunaTo provincial festival is nearing," Delfino said.

Isla Parilla has 15 floating cottages, a dorm, two open and three closed door function rooms and a swimming pool that can host a thousand guests.

Isla Parilla is two kilometers away from the Provincial Capitol where the November 27-29 MunaTo events will be held.

The 6th MunaTo Festival and 16th Foundation Anniversary celebrates Sarangani's pride in colorful arts and investment potentials with its theme "Ang Galing Mo, Sarangan".

MunaTo is a native term for first people. The festival gives significance to the ancient burial jars found in Maitum town's Ayub Cave, now declared by National Historical Institute as a national historical site.

Despite armed conflicts occurring in Mindanao, artifacts found by archaeologists from the National Museum in Ayub Cave in 1991 and Sagel Cave this year prove settlements of pre-historic civilization in Maitum.

MunaTo would also refer to the early inhabitants of Sarangani – the indigenous people who have given the province its unique and rich cultural identity. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)