Location: Bgry. Tala, Orani, Bataan, Philippines
I have been in this serene resort of Sinagtala for thrice but each visit has always been memorable. To know the place, let me narrate to you a little of its background which I got from Mrs. Francy Pascual, one of its part-owners. Mrs. Pascual, is the wife of the former GSIS President, Mr.Federico Pascual.
Sinagtala is a 50-hectare farm resort which was originally a coffee plantation. It nestles on the slopes of the scenic Mount Natib, a dormant volcano and caldera complex in the province of Bataan on western Luzon Island of the Philippines. With the Pinatubo eruption and lahar rainfall, the owners lost of a lot of the coffee trees and their livelihood, necessitating the selling of the property. Former congressman and SBMA Chairman, Tong Payumo and partners purchased the land in 2001.
The development of the resort began in 2009 with roadways, waterlines and electricification. Duyan house was the first house to accept overnight guests with only 6 rooms. This was followed by Beacon, Tampay and finally the Tanawin Houses --- all accepting overnight guests.
The following pictures showcase the first pool constructed near the Duyan houses accommodation.
The 150-capacity chapel which was blessed and dedicated to Our Lady Maria Ai Monti ( Our Lady of the Mountains), named after the Church that our late Cardinal Sin was assigned by the Vatican in Rome. What stands out in the chapel is its beautiful crucifix with the Crucified Christ made completely from harvested branches of coffee trees in the property.
The chapel is the first building from the resort's main gate just opposite the Sinagtala Cafe where guests can have their dining and bar experience.
The adventure park is equipped with a hanging bridge, an air cycle (sky bike), giant swing, zipline and 30 mud huts for the camping affictionados and for team building accommodations.
The Sky Bike has an elevation of of 450 meters above sea level and with a length of 129.355 meters overlooking a rich verdant forest for a fee of P200 per head. By the way, this is round trip.
The Sky Bridge is where sky walk is done with an elevation of 450 meters above sea level and with a length of 122.13 meters. It is just juxtapose the Sky Bike. It is safe in here because each person has a harness. It has also a fee of P200 per head.
Since the park is wide and big, moving from one point to another was provided by the management with the electric bike though they are limited in number. This not used of course when the guests decide to have a trek to the forest and the water falls.
The park also offers a nature trek which ends into a river. They require the trekkers for a guide. It was not so far maybe around 20 minutes in a descending trail. The package is P100 per head for a minimum of 5 persons. For less than 5 persons, a P500 trekking page has to be paid. There is also a trek to the water falls but according to the guide it is almost two hours trek and it has a fee of P500 per head and I did not try it.
HOW TO GO THERE
By Public Transport
You have the option to take buses plying the highways from Manila to Bataan. These are Bataan Transit, Saulog Transit, Genesis and Victory Liner.
Genesis has terminals at Pasay (beside the MRT Terminal) and Avenida (at the back of Philippine Rabbit terminal). Bataan Transit in Avenida (beside Genesis) and in Cubao (same terminal as 5 Star buses)
From Cubao ride a bus going to Balanga or Mariveles but tell the conductor to drop you off at the Orani Crossing of Brgy. Tala where the fare will cost you at P177.00 for a one way only. As far as I can remember, this point where you will be dropped off has a gasoline station and several tricycles waiting for passengers can take you to the park at P40 for a group of four persons but when you are alone or less and you want a special trip, then it will cost you P150. Besides, the distance is at 8 kilometers and partly some part of the road are rough. It is advisable to get the number of the tricycle driver so that you can call them whenever you want to be picked up from the park whether in day tour or overnight. But in my second trip going there which I did not have a private car, I just asked the park's guard to text for me a tricycle. The most that you can leave the park is at 6:30 P.M. if it is a day tour.
By Private Vehicle
Take SCTEX then exit at Dinalupihan, turn right going to Balanga and take the road leading Roman Super Highway and just few meters after the Orani Town Proper signage, then follow the sign to Sinagtala Farm Resort (right side of the highway).From Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, (SCTEX), it is accessible from Subic or Clark within 30 minutes.
Expenses if through public transport and overnight:
| SN | Particulars | Amount |
| 1. | Round Trip Airconditioned Bus from Cubao to Sinagtala Crossing and vice versa (One way is P177) | |
| 2. | Round Trip Tricycle fare from Sinagtala Crossing to the Park (P40 one-way) | |
| 3. | Share in the accommodation good for 6 | |
| 4. | Share in food of the group | |
| 5. | Sky Biking (Optional) | |
| 6. | Sky Walk (Optional) | |