MY FOND MEMORIES OF PAPI MEDIA SUMMIT

The author with

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza

Where to stay in Boracay? May I recommend to you RED COCONUT Beach Hotel at the center of the main white beach shoreline. We were billeted at Red Coconut Beach Hotel Gardenview, which provides a peaceful retreat area after a long day of work during our PAPI MEDIA SUMMIT. The summit with the theme: “The Expanding Frontiers of Media in the Preservation of Culture, the Promotion of Tourism, and the Protection of the Environment” was held last October 29-31, 2008 held at Regency Hotel and Casa Pilar Beach Resort, respectively.

We started to tie loose ends from October 26, 2008 and finally left the island last November 1, 2008. Well, at least for me, I had another two days extension for the reason that, we found Red Coconut an extension of our most awaited vacation because of the generosity of the owner, Mrs. Connie Nadal Helgens. (By the way, in the middle of the interview, we found out that we are relatives - from the family clan of NADAL, isn't it great!)

During our interview with Mrs. Helgens, who is married to Luc Helgens from France, when they got back from Thailand, they found this peace of land in the island that they wanted to be their vacation house. Little did they knew that this little place nestled among beautiful swaying palms and surrounded with luxuriant native foliage became the most sought and wonderful retreat place to stay in Boracay. The simple abode started to be in demand with both local and foreign guests alike and is always occupied, which was then would cost you the room about P15.00 to P20.00 for an overnight stay.

In the interview, Mrs. Helgens reminisced that it was during Martial Law that she became depressed of the situation in the island. The business went down because then late Pres. Marcos tbanned a brochure written by a popular writer who said something not good about the Philippines. One day, she has a very important guest in the resort she found out to be a famous international writer. A German named Jens Peter who wrote a book about the Philippines specifically promoting remote areas in the country. She befriended him, treated him well and served him with his favorite Paella and encouraged him to write about the island. They would seat and work together, collate pictures and stories and published in his book and helped it circulate around Europe. It was then that foreigners started to come again in the island and her business once again begun to perk up. Mrs. Helgens was one of those locals who has her heart in the island settled and wanted to help the people get on their business.

The two bedroom vacation house started to become a resort in 1983 with now18 garden view aircon, deluxe and family rooms equipped with cable TV, mini-bar, telephone, hot and cold shower and a beautiful view of the garden. It was in 1986 when they decided to rent the lot at front view and finally bought the place in 1990 and became the RED COCONUT BEACH HOTEL Front View complete with first class amenities, with superior,executive and suite rooms with a spectacular view of the beach, the sunset, and a refreshing swimming pool, too. The Red Coconut Beach Hotel frontview has 29 rooms, equipped with cable TV, mini-bar, hot & cold shower, and most of the rooms boast a private verandah or balcony.

Red Coconut Beach Hotel offers beach front swimming pool, restaurant, diving center, bar, pick-up/drop off transportation, room and wake up service. Oh! Please, don’t forget to try and savor their Sizzling Hot Plate seafoods delight, too. Their F & B Manager Albert and Residence Manager Mark Schnitzius will be very delighted to serve you with a welcome smile and a gracious unique hospitality to each and every guest.

Mrs. Helgens reiterated that the island is a peaceful place to have your grand vacation and fond memories, too. The locals are warm and friendly. I asked here why she and Mr. Luc Helgens chose Boracay Island as their home. She simply smiled and said, “this is where our hearts is.”

The PAPI Media Summit was an experience. It added more wonderful memories when you come and meet people like the couple Mr.and Mrs. Luc and Connie Helgens. They offered their resort as a home to our Secretariat Committee and together with the collective effort and partnership of the Boracay Foundation, Inc. led by Pres. Loubelle Cann and her able hard working Executive Director, Ms. Virgie Sarabia, the PAPI Media Summit was indeed a success. The summit is also in conduit partner with the Aklan Press Club, Inc. led by Pres. Ambrosio R. Villorente and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCAA).

Note: The full news on PAPI MEDIA SUMMIT on the next news issue of the MP from the Publisher himself. Thank you.