Birdland Beach Club, Bolinao, Pangasinan – Putting up a dream business has always been difficult to most people. It’s a big challenge and a huge responsibility that once you decided wrongfully could make you go down big. But that is not the case for everyone, there are just some people who becomes very lucky. That when everything is falling in to place, the output could be somehow beyond expectations.
This is how the couple Michael and Joana Ledesma felt as they were brought back to their roots and started to build up the extension of their dreams now called Birdland Beach Club.
The couple who’ve lived most of their lives abroad, decided to stay in the Philippines to bring up their eldest baby (Birdland). As what the couple said, everything in Birdland Beach Club was unplanned, from the rock formation to the papaya trees, to the positioning of the houses even the ownership of the land and opening it to the public. They say everything just fall into place, and they just want to share what they got to everyone.
A Nesting Place at the far North, Birdland Beach Club
Hidden at the far end of Bolinao, above the rock formation that stands across the West Philippine Sea, Birdland Beach Club can be located. I were able to visit the place a few weeks ago with my (crazy) blogger friends, Ruth, Edward, Rod and MJ, and spent an overnight stay at the resort. I had a great time and enjoyed the serenity of the place. But before that, the cruel roadtrip almost got us crazy!
Traveling for almost 7-hours from Manila, with a few moments of getting lost, our expectations from the place we are about to visit are differing. I personally was thinking of a place where I can lie down at the shore while hundreds of birds will be heard chirping overhead. Well a few of it were somehow true.
On our arrival, trees and bushes welcomed us with birdcages hanging and placed into it. The huge boulder of corals, were the resort was situated, were arranged and some parts of it where move to create a path way, Joana says his husband wanted to maintain the original form of it. On our way in, we saw two-storey white buildings that serves as the accommodation for the guest, an overnight stay would cost you Php 5,000 – Php 6,500. Bungalows with hammocks are also scattered in the place, making it a great “tambayan” while waiting having a conversation with friends and waiting for the sun to set.
On the other side, chairs lined up facing a stage where they held the annual West Philippine Sea Jazz and Blues Festival. There are also some chairs scattered in the place making it perfect for couples taking a relaxing break. Birdland Beach Club in Bolinao, Pangasinan is still new and constructions are still on the works when we visited. Soon they are planning to include an infinity pool they plan to build beside the cliff.
Wondering how they manage to put up the name “Birdland”? It was a very long story, as said by Michael, that rooted from a Jazz festival in the US and his story of creating bird’s nest made from his old fence. Currently, Birdland in Bolinao is home for hundreds of birds living inside the hundred bird cages Michael created. I personally love the ones they hang on trees!
As said by Michael, the owner of Birdland Beach Resort, there are around 300-400 hand crafted bird cages he created and spontaneously placed within the property, most of them are hanged on trees. #nognoginbirdland #birdland #bolinao #birdlandbolinao
A photo posted by Rodel Flordeliz (@rodelflordeliz) on
Rooms and Accommodation
Just like what I have said a while ago, accommodation here at Birdland costs around Php 5,000- Php 6,500 overnight. The room was nicely made with a veranda and a clear glass window with a view of the sea. I also love how they designed the headboard of the bed. And because we felt that the room was spacious, we, the five of us, decided to stay in one room. The room also got a big LCD TV, a huge fridge, and lots of drinks inside, they also serve complimentary dried goods Joanna personally made.
Even being a bit far from the market, Food wouldn’t be problem in the resort for you could just inform them of whatever dish you would love to have. Joana personally love to cook and in fact she can do Thai, Filipino and Western dishes. She also got her own garden at the back where she gets her ingredients and spices. She prepared for our dinner and breakfast, check out what we had!
A “Hugot” place as referred by some friends, Birdland Beach Club is definitely a chill place to stay in. With a mix of jazz beats and bird singing at the background, one could just relax and feel the breeze of the air running towards the cliff. The steady waters are so inviting for a snorkelling activity or have a tan at the “balsa” for a more relaxing view in the middle of the sea.
I had a great time visiting Bolinao with my friends and it is really a worthy place to visit. By the way, Did you know that Hundred Islands is just a city before Bolinao?
Thank you Michael & Joanna of Birdland Beach Club, to Fatima for inviting us and to Ed, Mj, Rod & Ruth for the amazing collaborative photos! For more information check out Birdland Beach Club on Facebook.
How to go to Birdland Beach Club, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Via Bus - From Manila, take a bus bound to Bolinao, Pangasinan, There are several bus liners bound to Bolinao (especially in Cubao terminal), but I would recommend for you to ride Victory Liner or Five Star Busses for their terminals are a trike away from Birdland. From the terminal station in Bolinao, just look for a tricycle, and tell them you're heading to Birdland. Easy Peasy!
