Originally posted on July 13, 2012
Ayaw maniwala ni D at P na hindi ako nakainom pagnagsusulat dito. So ayan… gusto nyo ng Assumptionista??!? I shall tag-lish then. (I mean no disrespect to all the Old Girls who might happen to read this. It is all in the spirit of fun.. St Marie-Eugenie, pray for us…)
So I want to talk about clubs. And I don’t mean the bars and the dancing clubs, I mean actual clubs where you have to get a membership and pay dues and do club prepared activities. In Makati there are several well known and institutionalized clubs that you all probably have heard of: There’s the Polo Club (for the equestrian in you…), Manila Golf (guess what you should like doing), and Makati Sports (I really think they need an overhaul). Yes, I’ve been a guest of a member a few times in these seemingly exclusive clubs. No, I don’t ride horses, except yun sa Baguio siguro, No, I don’t play golf, coz I really don’t see the point of hurriedly walking around under the blaring sun going after a tiny ball so you could hit it around with a stick. And no, I don’t have any desire to hang around in Makati Sports with all its leaky ceilings and smelly carpets.
Does one need to be in a club? The answer is a simple resounding NO. Do I WANT to be in a club? Hell YEAH! So I got myself (with the help of my super generous boyfriend who agreed to put the club share under my name) a membership at one of the most talked about clubs in the country today — the Balesin Island Club in Quezon Province. Kebs kung OA, and I shall explain why.
Next thing you have to consider is the regular club activities that you can do and appreciate. Whether you’re sporty, laid back, or a foody, or you just like throwing parties or something, then you have to think about whether the club is the one for your lifestyle.
Lastly, you should consider the cost. If you can afford it and it won’t mean having to starve yourself for the next few years, then why not go for it dude? Wag naman magpumilit lang para masabi na may club ka. Hindi mo rin maeenjoy yun membership mo kung ang iniisip mo every month is how you can possibly pay the monthly dues.
These are the things that I thought about before I batted my lashes at the boyfriend to ask him to let me get a Balesin club share. We aren’t really saving up for anything big anyway, and all the other adult stuff are on the way na, like our own place, and insurance for the parentals, and some such stuff. So I figured, it may not be a necessity, but doggonit, I (fine, We) deserve it!!!
(View from the Clubhouse deck… yep, that’s the Pacific)
(Early morning… The site of the yet-to-be-developed Phuket Village on Balesin Island. Phuket should be fully operational by October 2012)
One of the big pluses of course is the fact that a lot of my favorite people are already members. My Makati girls, whom I just adore, all have a stake at the island club. And these are my party peeps, ang mga kasama ko halos araw araw going around Makati and finding new places to get in trouble in. The people I love to chill with and talk with and has made life living alone waaaaayyy more enjoyable than I anticipated. Can you think of anything better than laying on the beach with your fave people, just looking at the Pacific and talking about any old thing with a drink in hand? Wala pare… I’m telling you, wala.
There are lots more to do in Balesin Island than just lounge around of course. You can race around in golf carts (no petrol powered vehicles are allowed in the island), ACTUALLY go swimming in the ocean, try out any of the 6 themed gourmet restaurants for some gastronomic adventures, or maybe go surfing or sailing or snorkeling or diving or any other water sport you can possibly think of. They also have horse stables, kung sakali lang naman na you have a kabayo that you would like to keep there para kung gusto mong mag riding by the beach (Think White Castle commercial…) I think I heard them talking about putting up one of those inflatable playground things that they’ll leave floating around by the beach – now THAT I’m looking forward to.
(Having lunch at the Clubhouse)
Balesin has 6 themed villages to choose from when you stay there. There’s Balesin Village which is the Filipino themed one; Bali, Phuket, Costa Smeralda, Mykonos, and St. Tropez. So, you can also just stay in your room or your chosen village and appreciate the landscapes and architecture.
(Dinner table set-up in front of the Clubhouse)
As for the price… well, it’s definitely not as pricey as getting a membership in one of the “traditional” Makati Clubs. The share price has been on a fast and steady rise since its initial offering started at P1M per share some time in 2011. And Alphaland Balesin offers a payment scheme… the terms are reasonable and I would say even friendly.
It takes 25 minutes via private CESNA from the Alphaland Hangar along Tramo to get to Balesin. The Hangar itself is impressive, and aimed at letting guests know that Balesin aims to please. If you prefer doing a road trip, or just afraid to take a 9-seater plane heading to anywhere, there’s the 3-hour drive to Real, Quezon, and the Alpha One speedboat can bring you from the port to Balesin in around an hour.
The Pacific, white sand, pampering, delicious food, good company, nature, and fun… this is really how island living in the Philippines ought to be lived.
Balesin! Soshalan na nga ito.
Hey Baby A!!! I’ll talk to Mommy D and Ninang P and we’ll plan it!
So, when are you going to bring us to Balesin, Ninang S?
Tita S, can I come along pra mameet ko na din si Baby A? -akira
Hello Akira! Let’s plan it and you can ride on horsies or ride around on sailboats with Addie!
Tita S, Akira and Baby A — can me and my Mom join as well? Looking forward to it (ang Nanay ko). Hahah 🙂
Tita S, Akira, Lia, and Baby A can Cyler join too? And his mommy Sha too? Hihihi