At first it was just like entering a typical resort one would find in Antipolo or Los Banos. There's a big swimming pool with eating areas beside it. And then there are clusters of small bamboo huts with a much bigger one (a gazebo) in the middle.
But wait. This was not like your typical Antipolo or Los Banos resort ...because the huts are all built on a fishpond. And the fishpond is vast.
Now that's one of the most welcome sights ever for anyone who calls Malabon his or her hometown!
Just your typical resort entrance.... |
...until you get to the huts built into the fishpond. And then you realize you're in a uniquely Malabon resort! |
Picnic huts where you get to sit and relax and enjoy the breeze. |
VILLA VICENCIO GARDEN RESORT was opened in 1996 by Lucio and Lily Vicencio. It started out with two smaller swimming pools in a garden setting. Five years later, according to their son Jing, they bought the adjoining lot where they built a much bigger pool and added the bamboo huts built into the fishponds at the back. Now, it's the bigger swimming pool that's used the whole year round, and the two smaller pools are used only during summer when there are more guests. Guests bring their own picnic food; snacks and soft drinks are available at the resort only during the summer.
With such surroundings, I could sit in this hut all day... |
o
The netting that serves to compartmentalize the ponds make an interesting accent in the water along with the caretaker's house in the distance. |
!
Another place where it still feels like Malabon -- once you get past the typical resort sights and sounds of laughter and fun in the swimming pool area. |
Thanks to balikbayan couple Mr. and Mrs. Andre Salvador for this wonderful discovery!
Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Andre' Salvador for this wonderful discovery!
VILLA VICENCIO GARDEN RESORT
303 M. Sioson Street
Barangay Dampalit
Malabon City
Tel. No. 351.5197
Open everyday for swimming and picnics. (9:00am - 10:00pm)
To get there from Monumento:
Take Governor Pascual Avenue, turn right to General Luna Street.
Go straight on Gen. Luna, then turn right at Don Basilio Bautista Blvd. in Barangay Hulong Duhat.
Go past Dampalit Bridge. Before you reach the Dampalit Church, turn left at M. Sioson Street.
Go straight on M. Sioson. Villa Vicencio will be on your right.
.