WHITE SAND SOUTH OF MANILA

Taramindu in Laiya has a lot of pleasures to offer, whether it's on the beach or under the tamarind trees
By Aubrey Glaiza S. Sangalang
Published in TOTAL WOMAN MAGAZINE
Taramindu Beach Garden Inn is a resort on the white sand beaches of Laiya, San Juan, Batangas, a three-hour drive from Manila. The beach, the ecology, the crystal clear water, the mouth-watering foods, the ethnic designs, the landscaped garden, the lights at night, the sound of the waterfalls and the tamarind trees—all are worth the travel. For me, they really were.
The sea is so inviting, you'll forget the three-kilometer rough road you have to go through to get there. From the moment you get to the resort and set foot on the beach, you can't help but become excited to swim and feel the white sand. Owned by Dr. Ronnie and Dr. Mita Yutangco, Taramindu was named after a 75-year-old tamarind tree found in the area. Taramindu is also a delicacy in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija, where it is known as minatamis na sampaloc.
When the couple met in Laiya way back in 1984, there were no good roads, no electricity and very few amenities there. But as they raised their family, they were blessed to have a small piece of land which they turned into a place where people like them can unwind and relax.
The challenge for the couple was to create something big out of the small lot they had. They had to construct a high-rise building among the existing trees, which put the resort's third floor under the canopy of two tamarind trees. The design needed to be sturdy enough to withstand exposure to the salty water while retaining an Oriental style, so they made use of indigenous materials like bamboo. The rooms are native-inspired and rustic; the beds and small wall lamps in each room are partly made of woven mats made from tikug from Leyte. And outside, the visitor can find peace in the tropical-inspired garden that adds beauty to the place.
Taramindu has been in business for a year now. It offers nine standard rooms and one suite, all fully air-conditioned and equipped with bathrooms and entertainment sets. However, the suite has a balcony overlooking the sea and some more special amenities inside. Standard rooms can accommodate four to six people while the suite can fit in a maximum of seven guests. "The small area of the place makes our guests experience the feeling of privacy and exclusivity of the resort and that makes us unique from the rest," says Mita. Guests can also bask on the roof deck during the daytime and enjoy the minibar at night.
Featured attractions
They can also rent kayaks and snorkels when they want to hit the beach or visit Laiya's famous attraction, a submarine garden with living corals not far from shore. Families can also trek to Mt. Daguldol and see the lake on the mountaintop, or go along the river where turtles, eagles and other wild animals can be found.
As a guest at Taramindu, you can enjoy beach volleyball, badminton and board games for recreation and sing karaoke with your loved ones until 10 PM. Massage sessions are also available upon request. The Yutangcos are also planning to build a kiddie pool for younger guests and a roof deck gazebo for company team-building exercises. "We make sure that there is always something new in Taramindu every time guests would come for another visit," says Mita.
I liked the meal they prepared for us; Taramindu has a really good chef who can cook almost anything, even dishes which are not on the menu. The food is cooked in native ways, and Taramindu has its own "beach food" version of adobo, sinigang sa sampalok, inihaw, and other vegetable and seafood dishes. If you want less traditional fare, you can also order sashimi, pasta dishes and homemade pizza. However, Taramindu's bestseller is the stuffed squid with sukang paombong, which is Ronnie's personal recipe.
Ronnie and Mita are both medical professionals (Ronnie is an ophthalmologist and Mita is a dentist), and there is one more doctor on the premises: Mita's father, who is retired but who helps manage the resort. Somehow, his personal touch (as well as the concerted efforts of barangay officials and the other resort owners to protect the environment of Laiya) makes Taramindu a great place to visit.
For more information, visit www.taramindubeachgardeninn.com. For reservations, call 448-5611 or 0917-8240024.