In the final days of his term, Mayor Al David Uy stood with us beside a shaded column of the Island Garden City of Samal City Hall’s new parking bay, a structure that, under any setting, might appear ordinary. But here, its rooftop holds more than 1,000 solar panels.

The last leg of our post-PHITEX’s Nature and Adventure familiarization trip took us to Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal, where we soaked ourselves in local culture and gastronomic fare and had some much-needed R&R in the great outdoors. 

Getting ready to spot some giant clams

I’ve been fortunate to have stayed in two amazing properties during my previous trips to Samal Island. Chemas by the Sea captivated me nearly 15 years ago with its bungalow accommodations surrounded by a well-kept garden, a tiny pool, and a private beach. Last year, Pearl Farm, one of the island's well-known resorts, satisfied my long-standing desire to experience its brand of hospitality. 

The layout of the resort appears like a Y from the air. You can go around the property on a golf cart.

The earliest I can recall of hearing about Pearl Farm dates back in the 1990s. It was during this time when most Filipinos who can afford to travel often chalks up resorts and hotels as main destinations. Dakak in Dapitan, Punta Baluarte in Batangas, Pearl Farm in Davao, Puerto Azul in Cavite, just to name a few. 

Pearl Farm's Parola Wharf has become its icon through the years