cHoKoLoKo world: Lutong Pinoy Resort: A Quick Escape

Place: Lutong Pinoy Resort, Waling Waling Drive, Tugbungan, Zamboanga City
Date: May 11 2012

Lutong Pinoy Resort

It was last April when I started hearing the name of this newly opened resort in Zamboanga. At first, I was in doubt with its name since it does not coincide with its type. I mean a resort with a name related to food? But anyways, let us set that aside and leave it to the owners. There were just few informations of the resort on hand but I got several positive feedbacks. At first, I just knew it by word of mouth of my several co employees who went there and gave me great stories about it. They do also have a facebook page and showcase their resorts and it looked stunning. And lastly, I found Angelique a co-blogger from Zamboanga on her blog talking about the resort. And so this made me so wanting to get to the place.

Just in time for our off schedule, we made arrangements together. Since none of us went to the resort before, we decided to make a call but the phone number they provided on their facebook page was not working. Good thing, they responded by PM and Angelique gave as well some directions. We decided to reach the resort by commute to serve as a guide for fellow middle class readers who wants to visit the place.

Directions:

This is a newly opened resort in Zamboanga. It is located at Waling Waling Street, Tugbungan, Zamboanga City. The resort is just about 10minutes ride from downtown by a private vehicle and is also accessible by a public utility vehicle. The jeep routed to Tugbungan is located at the back entrance of Southway Square just between Caltex Station and Mang Tinapay Bakeshop. The fare is Php 8. Just tell Manong driver to drop you off at the Tugbungan Elementary School and/or Tugbungan Police Station. A huge signboard of the resort along the highway is also a landmark. There are padjak drivers (Fare Php10 per head) aligned along the street which you can transact with to bring you to the entrance of the resort (since the resort is still a few walks away from the highway).

Lutong Pinoy Entrance Fee and Cottage Fee

I have to agree with what Angelique mentioned in her blog. The resort's entrance fee is a bit pricey. They should have lowered its entrance fee than the present resorts in Zamboanga (since they are still starting its operation and since most amenities are non-operational yet at the time of writing). Their cottages were perfectly built on the resort making the two pools as the centerpiece and accessible (if you are going to check the resort on google map, the resort's structure looks very interesting). But then again, like what my friends commented, it is a bit expensive.

Cottage 10

On their pools. Just plain conventional pools like what other resorts have. The main pool near our cottage had four (4) to five (5) meters depth and obviously, it is for adults. I have to comment that their pool handrails were too unstable. I mean, at some point, my friend thought that it might give up and lead to accidents. The kiddie pool is located near the entrance but I have not tried it there since there was a birthday party being held at that part. I also noted several lifeguards on post around the pool which is a plus point for the resort.

They were really strict when it comes to the pool rules and regulations especially on your swimming attire. They do not allow street clothes, only white t shirts and no buttons/zippers. They even have a sale of white t-shirts on their entrance booth (price Php 100). My friend mentioned that it is reasonable for several reasons she explained. So a tip for those who wanted to visit the resort and use their pool, read the above Resort's policies.

Man Made Fish Pond (I believe)

On their Boat Ride. I haven't tried this yet since it was way too dark to do such (we arrived pass 7pm). But the boat ride (priced at Php 100 for one (1) hour) maybe exciting. It is done on their man-made lake (more of like a fish pond) and it is huge, so there are plenty of space to move the boat and enjoy paddling.

On their comfort rooms. Their comfort rooms/dressing rooms were huge. I mean, it can accommodate at most 15-20 persons inside with a separate rooms for the females. It was clean and a commendable good water supply.

But what is best about the resort is their restaurant. I have to mention that their foods are all delicious. And one thing that stands out is their bagong gata. Promise, one must try the said delicacy when in the resort.

What I also love about the resort is the perfect cool breeze and sunset view it offers. The resort is located on the marshland part of the city and it is skillfully converted to a very nice resort.

I heard that in the future, they will be opening a new activity (fishing on their fish pond). That will be great since it will be a lot fun if the fish being serve on your table is what you have just catch on their nearby pond. A few commendable constructions were ongoing near the entrance booth for those who wanted to stay overnight on the resort.

Overall, the resort is an exciting addition to the booming tourism industry of the city, especially if they will open their future plans on fishing. Though there were few hitch-backs I mentioned, but they were all just minors that can easily be remedied. Anyways, the resort opened its doors to the public just earlier this year so we expect a lot of improvements in the coming months. Till we meet again. Lutong Pinoy Resort!!!!

July 8 2012

I had the chance to revisit the resort last July as I was invited by the Youth Christian Fellowship. This time, I had better photos taken at daytime.