Our Vision

OUR VISION

“Hale Manna” -- pronounced as "ha-leh ma-na", is a unique vacation resort where the principles and best practices of sustainable coastal tourism provide its visitors a unique and memorable experience on how it is to have an environmentally friendly lifestyle in a tropical setting. It is envisioned as a 2- hectare tranquil retreat where the magical effects of fresh air, sea, sun, sand and coastal gardens will serve as a perfect setting to balance one’s mind, body and spirit. It is envisioned to be a gathering place of like-minded individuals, groups and families who wish to connect with one’s inner harmony while being exposed to nature’s gifts from the sea – the vacation pleasures of swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, star gazing, reading, sunbathing, beachcombing or simply just doing nothing.

Sustainable Coastal Living
“Hale Manna” is neither your typical beach resort nor your usual “home away from home”. It will definitely have the comforts of both, but its competitive edge over other resorts or vacation places is its deliberate efforts to provide an experience anchored on environmentally friendly elements and activities. To a large extent, it serves as a gateway to what life would be like in the context of tropical sustainable coastal living.

For example, visitors will have the choice of staying in beach cottages or rooms designed for optimum cross ventilation and sea breezes and doing away with air conditioning. Such rooms/cottages will be sited bearing in mind all-season wind currents. Pragmatic considerations dictate that rooms/cottages with the air-conditioning amenity will also be available for additional costs. Hopefully however, the choice of fresh air and gentle sea breezes will eventually prevail, after guests have experienced such.

The overall ambience of Hale Manna is one of blissful calm amidst an expanse of open sea on the one hand, and the comfort of green grass and the lush setting of a tropical coastal garden oasis on the other. Such ambience will be maintained by ecologically-correct water, solar power, drainage and sanitation systems. The buildings are sited inland, with the beach front part of the property, largely an open space cum park.

The House of Good Energy.

Tropical coastal garden oasis. Photo by Cattski Espina.

"I was amazed at how every detail had been well thought of. From the vast garden's landscape, to the cottage designs, to its interiors... this place will surely warm your heart and soul.

SJC_1971 ON TRIP ADVISOR

"We were impressed by this beautiful, serene and relaxing property. The entire property and very well kept and full of delightful details: flowers, soft night lanterns, little cottages. Rooms were spacious, beautiful and clean."

ICY A ON TRIP ADVISOR

The main house. Photo courtesy of Windon of EatnessFirst.

Healthy breakfast at Hale Manna. Photo courtesy of Mark_Hy33-33-33 on TripAdvisor.

Bonfire by the sea. Photo courtesy of 22 Tango Records

Home Grown
As conceptualized, the resort is not only driven by environmentally sound systems, it will also encourage home grown sources of vegetables and fruits. In addition to sourcing its food supply from the community, it is also desired that the resort will be self-sufficient in organically grown vegetables, fruits and herb gardens. Tropical fruit trees (e.g. papayas, mangoes, guyabano, dalandan, kalamansi, etc.) will be grown alongside ornamentals. These vegetables and herbs will be grown in existing rocks and crevices (which are all over, the coral-based property), so that one need not “move earth” to create such gardens.

Visitors have the choice of both “healthy foods” and the “comfort foods”. Whatever the choice may be, meals at Hale Manna will always be memorable and outstanding.

Uniquely Filipino
Architecturally, Hale Manna is envisioned to illustrate the innovative use of local/indigenous materials alongside modern environmentally friendly construction materials and technology. For example, much will be seen in the use of wood, natural stones as well as recycled materials, etc. into aesthetic compositions whether as organic to the construction or to the exterior and interior décors of the place. To a large extent, the main house/ guest cottages and the corresponding landscaping are showcases in themselves not only as “healthy homes and gardens” but also as Filipino cultural pieces, very much like the “bahay kubo” and “bahay na bato” of Philippine architecture which, come to think of it, consistently took into consideration the tropical setting and environment of the times. This time however, there will be the fusion of modern technology alongside the indigenous /local, with relatively low-cost, environmentally attuned considerations as the common denominator.

Alternative Events
Cultural continuity will be carried through Hale Manna’s cultural and educational events. Though the overall effect is one of tranquility, it will not be boring. Special events will be organized to feature local music concerts, especially ethnic music festivals and reggae highly suitable for beach venues during appropriate times in the summer, full moons, the Sinulog fest of Cebu and during the Christmas/Easter seasons. There will be learning/training courses offered on crafts, personal development or spirituality-based seminars so that Hale Manna over time will have the reputation of offering “vacations that can change one’s life”. In short, visitors looking for noisy discos and bar life will not find it in Hale Manna.

Philippine art will find a home in Hale Manna whose interiors will showcase various visual art forms of Philippine artists. It will also have a library and guests may be treated to occasional poetry reading sessions and local village cultural life.

"You'll never find yourself bored during your stay. The resort has a billiard table, board games, kayaks, and a coral reef and fish sanctuary that is best for diving or snorkeling. The rooms are spacious and clean. Some rooms have their own balconies with lots of furniture. It's very nice to just space out and look at nature around you."

DARTHKULOT ON TRIP ADVISOR

Our cozy living area on the ground floor. Photo courtesy of Ella Melendez.

Get ready for a fun billiards match with your family and friends! Photo courtesy of Ella Melendez.

Living room and library on the second floor of the main house.

Patio dining area. Photo courtesy of DiscoverFun.ph.

COASTAL GARDENS

Beachfront and Garden Space

Our charming seaside garden adds color to the property landscape. The garden is composed of native coastal trees and plants such as aloe vera and bougainvillea.

A very good example of the seasonal nature of the environment is the non-permanency of sand in the Hale Manna beachfront. Sand comes in from July to January and moves from February to June due to the northeast monsoon.

Peace and quiet, open spaces, and fresh air in our pocket gardens. Photos from reeint, metztiza, and yanmark13presores on Instagram.

"There were trees and greens and the natural rustic beauty of the place was accentuated with huts, lounging chairs, hammocks. This is the kind of place we would want to come home to after a tiring week."

KALI4WOMEN ON TRIP ADVISOR

"We loved the beautiful gardens, gorgeous views, fun pool, fantastic staff and delicious food! We met our group of about 30 who came from all over the world, literally! When we showed up in a caravan of vans they greeted us with cool towels, yummy pizza, cool drinks and snacks."

TIFFANY K ON TRIP ADVISOR