Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Philippines

Mabuhay (Translation: Hello or Welcome), once again, from the Philippines!

As time passes by, the more I am convinced that the Philippine Islands are truly the next big thing in exotic holidaymaking. I’ve just concluded a series of feature stories for the awe-inspiring Two Seasons Island Resort & Spa in breathtaking Coron, Palawan and it motivated me to share with you another famed beach resort off the Garden City of Samal. Located in fascinating Davao City in Southern Philippines, called Pearl Farm. I grew up in Manila, and as a child, I heard of wonderful stories about this well-known island from my parents. You can imagine my enthusiasm as I finally saw it for the first time. Exquisite, manicured lawns greeted me alongside pristine, white sand. The most serene of infinity pools, and a few authentic Filipino bungalow huts designed succeeding the elevated houses of seafaring Samal tribes of the Sulu isles now sat in prestige off its shores.

Style Details
Dress | ZARA
Pearls | Thanks to MAMA CYNTHIA
Sandals | TORY BURCH
Sunglasses | CÉLINE

I came on a day trip on the sunniest of days and though I had, what I would call, a Philippine paradise moment, I felt that for a 5-star resort, the amenities and most especially the service was certainly deficient. The resort staff greeted everyone in the friendliest of ways. However, I found them somewhat inexperienced and passive. It was actually quite awkward when I wanted to take a photo of myself with Pearl Farm as my background while the resort staff nearest me was doing a group selfie. I waited, until they were done, which of them would finally approach me to see if there was anything I needed. Finally, a snapshot was taken.

Though there was a promise of “mouth-watering seafood delights” from the Maranao Pavilion coming out of the resort’s ads, there was certainly none of that waiting for us. What it was though was a simple, buffet-style dining option featuring a limited variety of warmish international and Filipino cuisines. Still and all, what was really unsettling for me was seeing a village of water shantytown situated right beside the resort that can fully be viewed approaching the resort’s smaller private island housing the resort’s posh villas. I suppose that shanties juxtaposed with exclusive resorts are to a certain extent normal in developing countries. However, I find it a little disturbing that, potentially, random waste is unintentionally carried unto the beach waters of Pearl Farm. One of the things that I found unique about Pearl Farm is that it has a giant clam sanctuary just off the beachfront of their property. Endangered as they are, I hope they are protected from unnecessary refuse.

These concerns aside, I found Pearl Farm personally endearing and most certainly picturesque. True to its name, the resort used to be a pearl farm, where a millennium of white-lipped oysters, conveyed from the Sulu Sea, were cultured for their pink, white and gold pearls.

While it is no longer the secluded and Secret Island that my parents have once told me about, I still do think that an afternoon spent here, fresh fruit shake on hand, is a guaranteed good time. I especially loved snorkeling above the giant clams. Like I said, the Philippine Islands are at the top of the trend in exotic jet setting.