These days, it is a name chanted like a prayer. Davao: the seat of power, the city of plenty, the exemplar of discipline. But what we mustn’t forget to talk about is Davao: land of eternal summer, named by the lumad after the element of fire.

Philippine Tatler Traveller made the trip from Manila to Davao for this issue’s cover shoot. It takes less than two hours to journey by plane to the city—lively as any modern metropolis and named one of the world’s safest. From there, it’s a quick speedboat ride to the islands of Samal and Malipano, which host a jewel in the south, the famed Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

The artist and owner, Maricris Floirendo Brias, still remembers the Pearl Farm of her childhood as the purveyor of thousands of pink, whit e, and gold pearls, and later on as a resort of two houses. “We used to visit this place as chil dren,” she recalls. “We made a lot of memories here, at a time when nobody would have ever thought of building a resort in the area because of the insurgencies.” When the Floirendo family acquired the property from the original owners 25 years later, they made sure to preserve as much of the original structures as possible.”

The Pearl Farm today exists in a more peaceful context, welcoming locals and tourists alike to the true wonders of Davao, and of its motherland, Mindanao. We barely scratch the surface citing the land’s natural features: sparkling blue waters, white sand beaches, distinctive rock formations, pensive sunsets, and stunning views of the provincial gulf. There, too, is Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak.

From the start we worked with [the architect] Bobby Mañosa to create a place where people could feel like they were in Mindanao and not anywhere else,” says Maricris. Mañosa’s legacy of tropical, all-natural design is very much a part of the experience, and is continued for the resort today by his youngest son, the architect Angelo Mañosa.

When guests arrive at Pearl Farm, they are welcomed at the iconic parola, once a lookout post for sea vessels and now the resort’s receiving area. From there, they are brought to luxurious lodgings and shown the infi nity pool, which overlooks the Davao Gulf.

To experience Mindanao is to run your hands through its culture, captured perfectly through the legendary weaving customs of its tribes. Their artistry is showcased everywhere in the resort, from handcrafted wall panels to pillow covers. “I started working with the T’bolis of Lake Sebu and the Mandayas of the Davao del Norte highlands because they were the only ones who had continued practicing traditional weaving,” relates Maricris. “Mandaya weaving features humans and the heavens and makes use of a material called dagmay,” she explains. “But the T’bolis weave their dreams into t’nalak.” Maricris considers T’boli weaving to be the best and fi nest in the country, and more likely to evolve through the years. “I fi nd the T’bolis to be more innovative,” she adds. “They play with colour and create natural dyes from black berries, atsuete (annatto), and luyang dilaw (turmeric).”

The resort’s architecture is a tribute to tribal living. The houses on stilts are called “Samal Houses” after the sea tribe, while those on land are called “Mandaya Houses” after the inland tribe.

Details such as these are what make Pearl Farm exceptional—a sanctuary that preserves not only the environment, but also an ancient culture that might have otherwise been forgotten. “Buying from the tribes encourages them to keep weaving,” says Maricris. “They are proud of their culture, and we are proud of them because they are our culture.” It is in deference to this heritage that Pearl Farm makes it a point to hire from the local community and support local industries. In its recent renovation, which included collaborations with Angelo Mañosa and Movement 8’s Tes Pasola, Maricris insisted on using all-natural and native materials, sourcing baskets and upholstery materials from the tribes. Even the restaurant makes use of local produce.

Our cover girls, Katrina Tantoco-Lobregat and Bea Tantoco-Reyes, took notice of all these. “Upon arriving, we were greeted by a t’nalak weaver,” Katrina recalls. “Going through the resort, it became evident that materials unique to the land were used wherever possible or relevant.” She cites the unique pattern of bamboo on the roofs of the houses, the regional take on the bahay kubo, and the various textiles and fabrics being moulded into the interiors. “More than anything,” she shares, “I appreciated it as a place where the natural world was respected and honoured.”

Her younger sister Bea recounts driving into the cove by speedboat and gushing over the beautiful native designs of the Samal Houses. “When my sister and I walked into our villa, we were blown away by the panoramic view from the lanai, which became the place where we bonded and meditated.” Both sisters have not roomed together for over 10 years. “We are sun, sea, and sand lovers, which made Pearl Farm the perfect setting for us to do a mini getaway,” adds Katrina.

“There were so many places to lounge in and be comfortable,” Bea avers. “The earth tones of the resort also complemented our bohemian, sometimes nomadic, style of dressing.”

Of course, wearing comfortable clothes also meant being able to partake freely of the resort’s culinary delights. “The food is another thing that stayed true to the culture,” raves Katrina, still savouring the wonderful native flavours of dayap and banana. “The bread was baked on the island, and the jams were made in the kitchen. I think I had a pitcher a day of the fresh pomelo shake, and could not help myself from snacking on the bagnet (pork belly) crisps like they were popcorn.” Best of all, she praises, each dish was made fresh and carefully thought through.

Though it was not their first visit to the province or to Pearl Farm, the trip was also an opportunity for the Tantoco sisters to observe the spirit of local living. “Davao can rightfully claim to be a place of beautiful people who are open-minded and proud of their culture,” says Katrina. “This is a piece of advice I’m giving myself, too. Sometimes it’s good to step out of our pre-judgments and approach experiences with a sense of wonder.”

For Bea, what was most impressive was the effort to preserve the region’s diverse culture. “Davao’s people commit themselves fully and wholeheartedly… whether to family, business, or an art form such as weaving,” she remarks, “but there is also a sense of humility that makes them so reassuring to be around.”

These are lessons the Tantocos have taken home to their life and work in Manila. Both have resolved to be more present, to spend time with each other, and give importance to seeking balance in their lifestyle. Bea, an expectant mother of fi ve months as of this writing, declares she will try to use more local and natural products in her daily life. “We were treated like family by everyone we met,” she remembers. “I can honestly say that we formed very special bonds and made wonderful new friends, who we now love like family, too.”

Such compliments gladden Maricris and everybody who has helped build Pearl Farm. “When my father built this, he promised the people in the neighbouring barangay that he would take care of the area,” she relates wistfully. “They were afraid that they would lose their livelihood, but today their families still work with us in the plantation and in the resort. We have also kept our promise to take care of the sanctuary, so there is more fish for them than ever.”

But the ultimate endorsement can perhaps be summed up in one of her chance encounters with a guest at the resort. “I remember looking down from my balcony and seeing a man in the water who was looking up at the clouds and singing an aria,” Maricris says. “And then he saw me and said to me, this place is so close to nature, it’s like being in heaven.”

Photography by Pia Puno | Hair and Makeup by Red Sarmiento | Styling by Mia Borromeo