We were in Vigan over the weekend upon the invitation of Beautederm President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan in keeping with her promise last year to give the national entertainment media a tour of Pacita Mansion once it's ready.
The multi-level structure is one of Rhea's many gifts to her mama Pacita. The first and only Spanish-American modern interior home in Ilocos is so luxurious we dare say the best hotels there would shrivel up and die from insecurity standing beside it.
Day 1
The vacation started even before we arrived. En route to the historic city, we made a stop at Beautederm Headquarters in Angeles where we picked up the sumptuous lunch prepared by Beaute Beanery. We ate in the vehicles so we could save on time as it was, after all, nine-hour land travel from Manila.
Miss Rhea, dressed simply but classy as ever, welcomed us at Pacita Mansion, along with her equally beautiful sister Bambie (they call each other "panget," haha, would you believe???) and their ever gracious mama Pacita. Beautederm endorsers DJ JhaiHo and Kakai Bautista flew in because the more the merrier, right, and, well, they've always been treated like family by the well-loved Beautederm owner.
We were ushered inside the mansion for merienda consisting of bolero (a type of bread with glutinous filling), miki noodle soup (lovingly cooked by mama Pacita herself), and black kutsinta with caramel dip. It was the first of soooo many meals in the next three days.:)
After giving us a tour of the mansion that lasted 30 minutes (it's that huge...and swanky!), we were shown to our rooms that, like the rest of the mansion, gave elegant hotel feels. If not for the capiz windows, we might as well be abroad; say, in Los Angeles or Mexico.
Or on the set of some expensive KDrama series. Or the movie in your mind (cue Lea Salonga song here, "Miss Saigon" era).
Rhea often declared, "Walang papayat sa pamilyang 'to!"
But seriously, the thing with our host is that while they could easily afford even the most expensive catering service, they (particularly mama Pacita) made it a point to cook most of the dishes, including to-die-for laing and fried fish Malaga that we initially thought was Tilapia. We stuffed ourselves silly with longgan, bananas and grapes to balance out (haha, we wished!) the lechon we ate.
The personal and homey touch made us feel closer to the family. It's as if they were letting us know that when we're together, there shall be no pretensions, no frills---just love, love, love and a lot of picture taking (and Belle Dolls Stem Cell Juice Drink).
Guess who dropped by that night for some hi-hellos? Why, Mayor Bonito Singson and Mayora Mia Aguila Singson no less. It was refreshing to be in a relaxed environment with such hardworking public servants, instead of interviewing them about official business or governance as we media practitioners usually do.
True enough, while there were strangers who'd walk up to Kakai, Rhea and Jhai Ho to have two-fies, three-fies with them, they did so in respectful, friendly manner. No wonder a lot of the endorsers and celebrity friends of Beautederm love staying at Pacita Mansion and in Vigan where they feel plush and protected.
To end our day, we had dirty ice cream. Yes, the one sold by mamang sorbetero.
Simple pleasures with good friends and family, sharing a laugh or two and feeling good about life. Who could ask for anything more?
Yet we've only just Vigan.
Day 2
We woke up at 5 a.m. to prepare for a side trip with some of our colleagues to Paoay in Ilocos Norte. While it was not originally part of the itinerary, our gracious host just said "Go!" with a smile, and provided everything we needed.
At this point, we'd like to thank the staff and especially mama Pacita who woke up even earlier than us just so everything was ready by the time we went down for breakfast. Agyamanak unay (Ilocano for Thank you so much")!
After visiting the San Agustin Paoay Church and going on an ATV ride at Culili Point Sand Dunes (feeling Mad Max lang, haha), we headed back to Vigan for lunch. Fortunately, the traffic has eased up as the grand parade for the Ilocos Sur Festival was winding down. By the way, Beautederm was among the main sponsors of the festival.
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Arriving at Pinakbet Farm, some of our friends could hardly believe we took to the sand dunes nearing noon time. We looked in the mirror and we too were shocked to see our face hadn't darkened at all. It's the Zero Filter sunscreen, baby!
We ate lunch using our hands. We had edible seaweeds called pokpoklo, inihaw na baboy, pinakbet (served on an open bamboo pole and rattan plates), chicken, etc. washed down with organic lemongrass tea.
Aside from off-the-record chismisan about a variety of topics, mostly showbiz, entertainment was provided by the servers who doubled as singers, dancers and actors.
Our next stop was at a weaving center where they make abel, a textile distinctly Ilocano in origin. Before leaving, we checked out some of the finished products. To our surprise, Ms. Rhea gave us pakimkim so we could buy pasalubong from the hardworking weavers. How much? Secret, haha.:)
The Baluarte Resort and Mini Zoo is one of the top tourist spots in Ilocos Sur, so of course we went. Owned by former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, we saw some of his wild animals (including two tigers) in captivity, and the museum that houses his conquests back in the day.
Remember Mayor Bonito? Well, he invited us to Casa Vicente, his home. We ate meryenda there, namely empanadita and royal bibingka. We took up on his offer to drink red wine as he talked about the house, some of the customs in Ilocos Sur and Vigan longganisa.
That night, we had dinner and partied at BarTech on Calle Crisologo. We were joined by the likes of Ilocos Sur Governor Jerry Singson and Vice Gov. Ryan Luis Singson, both good friends of Rhea.
Entertainment was provided by Kakai who blew us away with her cover of Roselle Nava songs. JhaiHo was in her element, bringing the house down with her wit and one-liner jokes that had people in stitches.
Eventually, some members of media were, shall we say, "persuaded" to sing impromptu in the name of fun and camaraderie. We filmed everything to use as blackmail later, joke, bwahaha!
As if that wasn't enough, we visited the food fair in Vigan where our host bought our pulutan (isaw, barbecue, hotdog and siomai).The way the CEO talked to people, you wouldn't think she has a business empire. She's just so sincere, so approachable, so...authentic.
Bonding time pa-more and walwalan is real at Pacita Mansion at around 10 p.m. The mansion was filled with laughter and good vibes, each of us feeling closer to one another than the day before---
but not as much as tomorrow (to quote a line from that song).
By 1 a.m., most of us were in bed. Despite feeling tired, our hearts were light, our spirits soaring. Rhei's inspiring success story and positive outlook in life have that effect, and just a few minutes with her can make anyone believe dreams can come true for the brave.
And, most importantly, the good.
Day 3
At 11 a.m. we gathered downstairs for our goodbyes. Miss Rhei, mama Pacita, sister Bambie and the rest of the staff and Beautederm "angels" were there to see us off. We kept thanking them for the hospitality they showed us but, "REI"-lly, words just weren't enough.
Rhea and her family gave us so many pasalubong that we had to use another van just to be able to load them all! Bagnet, longganisa and bolero, like, wow! Not to mention more Beautederm products, as if we don't get regular rations from them already throughout the year, through the years.
It was beyond generosity; not mere tokens of friendship or of kind regard.
Rather, it was all about love and family.
We'd look to the northern sky and know there are BEAUTE-ful days too.:)
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