Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio
After six years of teaching in Davao City, and another 24 years in the corporate world – including DHL Express, FedEx, U-Freight Philippines, and Lazada – Joel Deligero is now embarking on another venture. As he just turned 50, he tackles another challenging field — that of being the president and chief executive officer of businesses that include a leisure resort.
The 1.3-hectare Haven’s Dew Resort (HDR) is located at the scenic spot of Sitio Balutakay in Barangay Managa, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. Not far from the place is Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak.
In an exclusive interview, the boyish-looking fellow, who has a diploma degree on Supply Chain Management from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, and a masters degree of the same, from the Dela Salle University-Dasmariñas, Cavite campus, talks with passion and dedication when it comes to business. He has several plans brewing, and is determined to be succeed in what he does. Just like in the past. Now, he looks forward to the future, and it seems that success is within his grasp.
“When I bought the land, I was thinking of doing what most people are doing here: farming,” said Deligero.
Farmers in the surrounding areas of Balutakay are planting vegetables like cabbage, carrot, onion, lettuce, and potato.
Deligero purchased the land in 2018. He desired to turn it into a farm, where guests and visitors could harvest vegetables and the harvested vegetables are cooked. That was a good idea, indeed, but his wife asked him, “What happens after all the vegetables have been harvested?”
When he presented his plan to the architect, the latter suggested something different from what others in the area are doing. Planting vegetables and other agricultural crops is common. He observed that some farmers are planting ornamentals.
Petal attraction
That gave him an idea. “Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul,” someone once said. Another one remarked, “Flowers are the music of the ground. From earth’s lips, spoken without sound.”
A lot of tourist destinations with flowers as come-ons is nothing new. In the Netherlands, the Keukenhof Gardens – known as the Garden of Europe and one of the largest flower gardens in the world – immediately pops into mind. In Cebu City, there’s the Sirao Flower Garden located in a mountain barangay just a few minutes from Lahug. In fact, it is dubbed as the “Mini Amsterdam of Cebu.”
While the buildings in Deligero’s property were constructed, the flower garden was simultaneously developed. Most of the ornamentals and flowers were sourced from the area; others were bought from Makilala, North Cotabato and Digos City, Davao del Sur. All in all, more than 30 kinds and different varieties of flowers and ornamentals were planted, including sunflowers, bougainvillea, roses, African daisies, and dahlias. The place became a haven of colors: red, yellow, orange, blue, violet, and white.
Although it occupies only 2,500 square meters, the flowers are the resort’s attraction. “The flowers are dazzling if not incandescent,” says Jeannyline T. Arriaga, who has visited the place. “It is inhabited by flowers, several kinds and different varieties, and they come in various kaleidoscopic colors. So, you can take your souvenir photos here and there.”
Sculpture paradise
To make the garden more unique, Deligero placed some sculptures in various places. “I came across Dubai Miracle Garden, which is known for its flower gardens. I saw how the plants are being planted and the sculptures it has,” he recalled. What got him interested was the peacock sculpture. So, he looked for someone who could execute a replica. When he found someone from Davao City, he asked him if he could do it. The sculptor replied in the affirmative.
“The peacock should be in a pair, a male and female, facing each other,” he told him. “I would like to have a mini waterfall as a background.”
The ideas of other sculptures in the area also came from other countries. There is a sculpture inspired by the Merlion from Singapore, and another inspired by a fountain from Italy. There are also old bikes, and Volkswagens beetle cars scattered all over the flower garden. There are two swans facing each other, forming the shape of a heart. Interspersed around the area where the sculptures abound, are 11,000 LED flowers that illuminate the night. It was inspired by the garden with 10,000 roses in Cordoba, Cebu City.
“But I wanted ours to be unique,” he said. “I don’t want to put the roses with no design. So, we made a design and put different and colorful flowers.”
Glamping and other active adventures
Put “glamorous” and “camping” together, and you have glamping. And yes, HDR has that too. If you are bored staying in hotel-like rooms (which the resort has), then you may try the resort’s dome tent.
If you love adventure, you can try the 150-meter zipline. You can do also try biking above the ground (20 meters) with a distance of 160 meters. Don’t worry, it’s safe to do. Both activities have been designed for two people to do simultaneously.
If you love swimming, then you can try HDR’s pool, with a depth of only five feet. As the pool is surrounded by flowers, the experience feels as if you are swimming on top of various flowers.
Don’t worry about the food, either. HDR has two restaurants, and both offer various dishes that will fill your hungry stomach – take your pick from among chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and vegetable dishes. They also have noodles, pizza and pasta.
If you have religious or dietary to pork, you may try eating at the Koi Restaurant, which is located at the lower portion of the resort. The Pavilion Restaurant is the building you first enter, once you are in HDR.
The resort had its soft launching in 2021, and had its grand opening the following year. Although it has been more than a year since it was opened to the public, it has already received a lot of recognitions and accolades.
Last March 28, HDR received its first national award given by the Philippine Social Media Awards as “The Most Outstanding Innovative Hotel/Resort in Davao del Sur.”
Four days later, the resort was again recognized nationally when the Elite Business Excellence Awards bestowed Haven’s Dew the “Premier Eco-Friendly Recreational Resort and Events Venue” in Davao Region. – ###
