Daily Archives: 23 January, 2025

The Last Regnant Leisure Hub (San Manuel, Isabela)

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The Last Regnant Leisure Hub

After our visit to the Nascent Textile Fiber Innovation Hub, in the municipality of Benito Soliven, we made a long, 1.5-hour (57.2-km.) drive to The Last Regnant Leisure Hub in San Manuel, the biggest resort in Isabela.  Upon arrival, we dined at the Arabic-themed Baba Leo’s whose hearty Middle Eastern menu includes Mixed Grill Biryani, Kabsa Chicken and Makbhoos Chicken.

Check out “Nascent Textile Fiber Innovation Hub”

Baba Leo’s

They also feature a remarkable selection of dishes that showcase traditional Filipino culinary heritage with a twist.  It includes Pancit sa Bilao, Sinigang na Salmon head sa Miso, Bangus Ala Pobre, Arroz Caldo (a soupy rice chicken broth), Calamares (a Mediterranean breaded fried squid dish), Chicken Inasal, crispy Fried Chicken Lumpiang Shanghai (spring rolls) and sizzling hot griddled Pusit. Desserts include coffee jelly, buko pandan and leche flan. Outside food isn’t permitted.

After lunch, we toured this stunning, 4.4-hectare state-of-the-art facility.  Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Juvito and Lucita Sermonia (fondly known as Sir Jun and Madam Luz), it is a slice of paradise that combines the natural beauty of the country with unparalleled comfort via an array of outdoor recreational activities and engaging scenic spots.  Its plethora of activities and attractions includes a zoo, gardens, 3 playgrounds, a dance hall, an outdoor park and refreshing swimming pools.  You can go around the resort via their free shuttle service.

The Tent

Plant enthusiasts will enjoy and be captivated by the greenhouse with beautiful and colorful orchids and vibrant anthuriums (with flamingo flowers in shades of pink, orange, red, green, salmon and yellow). The Bougainvillea Garden Park, at the resort’s upper area, near the zoo, showcases dazzling, evergreen bonsai bougainvillea trees with their colorful bracts and paper-thin petals.

Bougainvilla Garden Park

Affordable and diverse food stalls, serving various cuisines, include the Snack House for savory treats; Drinks House for refreshing smoothies; the BBQ Smoke & Grill for tasty grilled barbecues, and Mama’s Lechon Manok for a local specialty.

Snack Bars

You can also enjoy the highly sought-after, Starbucks-like Ethiopian coffee, renowned for its rich aroma and flavor, paired with delectable cakes and pastries. At the Pasalubong House, you can pick up special local food and items as gifts for loved ones back home.

Swimming Pool with Pool Bar

Wave Pool

The Zoo Park, up a hill, is an animal kingdom that houses various animals like monkeys, rabbits, peacocks, ostriches, Brahma chickens, lions, deer, fancy ducks, parrots, love birds, gold fishes, turtles, alligators, pythons, wild ducks, monitor lizards, and a horse.

Swimming pool with water slides

Jacuzzi

You can dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Water Pool Park which features a magnificent wave pool, infinity pool, pool slides, two jacuzzis, and a pool bar, a place to relax with a drink while enjoying the views.

Children’s Playground

Carousel

The Tent, an organized, high-end events space, is open for all celebratory activities and commemorations. Esplanade, scenic and enchanting boulevard, is a wonderful spot for photographs. For accommodations, you can stay at the A-frame Grand Cabana.

Greenhouse

The Kid’s Place features miniature versions of a Princess’ House, Market, Shipyard, Bread House, Hair Cut Salon, School, Police Station, Kitchen, Fire Station, and more. There’s also a safe and natural Sand Garden Playground and a brightly colored, appealing merry-go-round carousel for both children and adults to enjoy.

Grand Cabanas

The Arcade Zone, a place for amusement and entertainment, offering games such as the Ocean Train Truck, Jewel Carnival, Air Hockey, Cooking Fever, Nintendo, Storm Rider, Speed Drive, Dance Central, Starlet Shooter, Jumping Union, and Pink Date. Winning games earns you tickets which can be exchanged for special items at the counter.

Pasalubong House

Last Regnant Leisure Hub: Purok 4, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, San Manuel, 3317 Isabela. Mobile number: (0999) 225-0960 (Rex delos Reyes).  E-mail: lastregnantleisurehub@gmail.com.  Entrance: Php50.

Rates:

Swimming Pool: Php125 (children), Php150 (adults)

Cottage Rental: PhP250 to 450 per cottage.

How to Get There: A 10-minute drive from the main highway, you can either take the road to Sta. Cruz, bypassing the Mananao road, or choose the main route passing through 7-Eleven enroute to Sta. Cruz.

Nascent Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (Benito Soliven, Isabela)

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Lampshades made with banana paper

On our third day in Isabela, we took a break from the Bamabanti Festival activities, travelling 30.2 kms (a 1-hour drive), to visit the municipality of Benito Soliven, a leader in the use of banana fiber for sustainable textile innovation. Here, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) made waves in sustainable textile innovation with a groundbreaking initiative called FRONTIER or Fostering the Revitalization of Nascent Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (NTFIH).

Benito Soliven Municipal Hall

This General Appropriations Act (GAA)-funded project established, while working with the local government, a Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (NTFIH) in the municipality, with banana fiber at the forefront of its efforts. Around 1,209 hectares in the town are planted with lakatan (Musa acuminata), damilig and saging ng unggoy (saba ti sunggu in Ilocano).

Banana stems being peeled

For the entire Region II, the municipality has been chosen as the pioneer recipient for banana fiber, marking a historic milestone for the local community and the region’s agricultural and textile industries.  The NTFIH aims to utilize the abundant natural resources of the municipality, particularly banana fiber, to drive sustainable economic growth, empower communities, and revolutionize the textile industry.

Banana fiber extraction

The peeled banana stems

Arriving at the municipal hall, we were first served a merienda of kakanin and coffee.  Afterwards, we walked a short distance to NTFIH hub where we were welcomed by Ms. Rodelyn Grace V. Lungan, municipal administrator of the town.  Here, we were shown how banana stalks, which are considered as agricultural waste (after the fruits are harvested), are made into banana paper, twine and yarn.

Banana fibers grounded to look like saw dust

First, the piths of collected banana stems (which contain more than 4% fiber which can be used to manufacture banana paper) are peeled and then fed into a splitting machine and then pressed into fibers. The fibers are then grounded until they appear similar to saw dust.

Banana fibers being dried

Dried banana fibers

Then, the fiber is washed to remove natural resins (which would decrease the strength and durability as well as take away from the integrity of the paper) to create agricultural fiber. The process of pulping produces pulp to be used to create post-consumer fiber (processed fiber) which is then combined with the stronger agricultural fiber.

Banana paper making

 

Lastly, the mixed fibers are molded together by a deckle (a tool used for handmade processes of molding fibers) to make banana paper.

Banana paper

The inner bark of the banana plant can also be used to make rope.  The extracted fibers, whose high tensile strength makes them ideal for heavy-duty tasks, are processed and spun into threads by a rope making machine.

Banana fiber being twined

The center also has a display area for finished products such as lampshades made with twine and banana paper.

Lampshades made with twine

Deer ornament made with banana twine

Municipal Hall: District 2, Benito Soliven, Isabela. Mobile number: (0935) 108-9999.  E-mail: lgubensol@yahoo.com. Website: www.benitosoliven-isabela.gov.ph.