Lanikai Resort: Home to Mabuhay Vinyl's Marketing Conference 2010

by Arnold P. Sarmiento

The venue for the 3-day Marketing Conference of Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation this year 2010 is in Davao City. It’s a fine Thursday morning on February 18.  We boarded the plane from Manila and landed in Davao airport in about two hours.  Somehow it just seems easier to travel far from Manila to work and relax but certainly not always relaxing.  There are no clients to meet, delivery schedules were prepared in advance, no traffic to hurdle. Somewhat it feels like I step away from the old world leaving some of the baggage behind, though not all.  There are 17 participants attending the sales conference coming from Manila, Cebu City and Iligan City.

The Davao City Airport

The Manila participants at the Davao City Airport

 

From left Mike, Marix, Robert, Allain and me

About 15 minutes away from the center of Tagum City along the coastline of Barangay Madaum is Lanikai Resort. We passed by Carmen National High School and a nearby resort the Barret Beach Resort.

 

Carmen National High School

We passed by the Barret Beach Resort

Lanikai Resort has mangroves scattered around the area and lush green plants. Lanikai is the Hawaiian term for “heaven by the sea”.

 

LANIKAI: A HAVEN BY THE SEA

LANIKAI: A RESTFUL PLACE WITH THE FRESHEST AIR BREEZE

There are old and giant trees surrounding the garden giving shade and cold breeze.  Lanikai Resort has a very nice view of the open seas, the scenic view of the mountains, the view of the lush green island not so far away, large motorized boats coming in and out of the Hijo port, not to mention the fine sand at your feet.

A VIEW FROM LANIKAI SHORE OF THE HIJO PORT

Lanikai is a private resort inside the Hijo Plantation owned by the Tuazons. It can be rented for exclusive stay so perfect place for seminars, conferences and special functions.  Hijo Plantation is a vast hectare of tropical forest.  This restful and scenic place is a place to get it away from all the hustle and bustle of the big city life.

LANIKAI: HOME TO MABUHAY VINYL CORPORATION MARKETING CONFERENCE

AT THE VERANDA UPON OUR ARRIVAL

Upon arrival, we were served with Lanikai’s signature welcome drink, fresh buko juice from coconuts grown within the Hijo plantation.  After breakfast was the President’s Hour followed by the first of three lectures. At 12:30 noon a delicious lunch buffet was served. 

 THE CONFERENCE AREA

 LUNCH AT DAY 1

THE AFTERNOON LECTURE

Early in the afternoon, another lecture was given.  At about 3:00 o’clock pm we prepared for a guided tour of Hijo’s private forest.  We boarded an open van to tour around and catch a glimpse of the Hijo Plantation. The Hijo plantation is a secluded and protected area.  We saw monkeys, huts along the swamp, the vast banana and coconut  plantation.  Snacks were served after the trip to Hijo plantation.

HUTS ALONG THE RIVER AT THE HIJO PLANTATION

TOUR TO HIJO PLANTATION

Feeling a little weary, I managed to rest outside the veranda and smell the cold sea breeze.  The sunset was so captivating I couldn’t help but take photos of the beautiful sunset.

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SUNSET AT LANIKAI

At around 7:00 o’clock pm, a sumptuous lechon was served for dinner together with other dishes.

The sumptuous lechon for dinner

After dinner we had the final lecture which lasted for about an hour or so.  Before we retreat to our respective rooms, we played chess, and billiards on the veranda while others enjoyed singing in the entertainment room.

Billiard at the veranda

At bedtime, we stayed in the homey atmosphere of the guesthouse in the ground floor. The rest of the group stayed in the second floor. All rooms are air-conditioned with a view of the mountains and the sea.  Our room, with its clean facilities, is so huge enough to share with my other two room mates, Marpe and Sam.  It feels like I went to my ancestral home for a vacation.

THE GUESTHOUSE

I woke up the following morning in the heavenly cool breeze of the sea.  The tranquility of Lanikai Resort is so great. 

AT THE GARDEN PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO KOPIAT ISLAND

On our second day, we had breakfast in the garden. Afterwards, at about 8:00 o’clock am we are ready to depart Lanikai for Copiat Island.

THE BOAT TO KOPIAT

Kopiat Island is also an exclusive resort just like Lanikai Resort. The ride to the Kopiat Island is short and we landed there in no time. The speed boat ride around the mangroves of Kopiat Island is amazing. 

LANDING AT THE COPIAT ISLAND

At Kopiat Island, we held the team building activities and had picnic lunch.

LUNCH ALONG WHITE SAND OF COPIAT ISLAND

We really enjoyed kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, paddle board and boat ride.  Kopiat Island, with its white sand beach, has its amazing coral reefs and the scenic mangrove forest.

We took a different route on our way back to Lanikai. We traveled by land to Compostela Valley and was back in Lanikai Resort at about 4:00 o’clock PM. We spent the late afternoon leisurely endulging in billiard playing, singing, or just whiling around.

Its our third day in Lanikai Resort, we had another breakfast in the garden.  The place, the food, the accommodation is great.  Truly I enjoyed the 3-day stay there. Our hosts were indeed very accommodating with whatever we needed.

BREAKFAST IN THE GARDEN OF LANIKAI RESORT

 OUR HOSTS

 The rest of the morning was spent packing our things. We took our last pictures before leaving Lanikai.

THE VAN THAT TOOK US TO THE AIRPORT

Before finally going to the airport, we passed by some landmarks in Davao City, the Marco Polo, the Ateneo de Davao University. We also stopped by Mabuhay Vinyl Corp. depot in Davao.  And of course we bought some pasalubong for family and friends back home.

DEPOT OF MABUHAY VINYL CORPORATION IN DAVAO

AT THE BACKGROUND: ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

 Once again, the marketing conference equipped us with knowledge to efficiently work towards the achievement of the company goals. It paved the way for us to mingle with other marketing team guys stationed at Cebu and Iligan.  And surely I enjoyed the great places in Davao City we have gone to.  I really enjoyed my stay in Lanikai Resort, the tour to Hijo Plantation, and the cruise to Copiat island and Compostela Valley. My special thanks to our bosses, ELlU, Romy dela Cruz, and to our host, Lito, who made it successful. It somewhat feels difficult to pull myself away, but we had to return to work in Manila and be with the rest of our co-employees and back to home with my family.

Oh one funny thing, we missed our plane to Manila! That gave us some time to rest.  And before the day ends, we were back to our home sweet home.