THE STORY OF THE NEW CLUB SERENA RESORT

In the heart of Moalboal, Cebu, lies a hidden gem that embodies the perfect combination of rustic Filipino charm and modern luxury. Club Serena Resort, owned by Aragma Leisure Resorts, a subsidiary of Apple One Properties, is a testament to the power of love and hard work. It is a story of how a vision can be brought to life through the efforts of a dynamic husband and wife tandem, Ray and Venus Manigsaca.

by MINERVA BC NEWMAN

photography PABLO S. QUIZA

THE JOURNEY TO CLUB Serena Resort’s recreation began in 2019, at the height of the pandemic. Ray Go Manigsaca, president and CEO of Apple One Properties, saw the potential in the closed resort that was up for sale. Before that, it was an established resort, with a loyal following among divers and weekend visitors. Ray brought his wife, Venus, to check the property and get a second opinion. As soon as she stepped inside the wooden gates, she knew this was the place. “Venus just fell in love with the place,” Ray recalled. “She loves everything about it, more so when she swept her eyes at the expanse of the ocean and the white sandy beach a few walks away from the property. Stress-free with all the elements of good nature—the wind, sun, sea, trees, and serenity.”

The negotiation to acquire the property started before the pandemic, and the deal was finalized with the previous owner in December 2019. Before they knew it, they were there in the second quarter of 2020, and the dream of Club Serena Resort was on its way to becoming a reality. The dynamics of the husband and wife tandem in acquiring and developing properties in Cebu is equally a story of love, respect, and trusting the process. “They always work in tandem,” Angela Emphasis, the company’s Sales and Marketing Director, added.

Ray is more of a visionary. He can always spot the business potential of a property when it doesn’t seem like it to everyone else; while Venus comes in to put the magical spell on the property, Angela describes the couple’s working ethics. 

Club Serena Resort is now owned by Aragma Leisure Resorts, Inc. and is being managed by the next Manigsaca generation, children Patrick and Samantha Manigsaca. The family is taking the legacy forward, building on the foundation that Ray and Venus have laid down. The resort’s transformation began in October 2020, when the owners gathered a team of architects, designers, and a hotel consultant to help them carve the specifics and the business philosophy of the resort.

Venus wanted to retain the name Club Serena, which means Serenity. She also wanted a place with a luxurious and relaxing ambiance in a rustic setting. The team began to brainstorm and work on the owners’ intended philosophy. “We relied heavily on the lead architect, James Jao, on how to achieve that ‘relaxed luxury’ ambiance in a rustic setting,” Angela adds. Despite the numerous challenges the resort has faced, it has maintained its charm while management continues improving its amenities and services. The resort’s modern Filipino vernacular design, as interpreted by architect James Jao, adds a unique touch to its facilities, with various traditional elements incorporated into the architecture and décor. The resort has 17 luxurious villas and suites with a beach or garden view, two swimming pools, all-day dining at Mira restaurant, beachfront event spaces, and private parking. Each villa and suite is designed to offer comfort and luxury to guests, with various options for group or solo stays. The most expensive accommodation is the Club Serena Ocean Suite, which costs P22,000 per day and provides an 80 sqm area with a king bed, a balcony, and a view of Tanon Strait. The resort’s location is ideal for nature lovers, with its proximity to Moalboal’s popular dive sites, Pescador Island and Kipot Ng Tañon. While the pandemic and typhoon Odette have presented challenges for Club Serena, the resort remains resilient and determined to provide its guests with a memorable stay.

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CLUB SERENA’S SUITES & VILLAS

The CASITA (57 sqm) is a single detached Villa with luxury and utmost privacy that features a living room on the first floor, reminiscent of the traditional Filipino house. It has with one king-size bed or two twin beds for two adults + two children. Rate: P14,000/day. The GARDEN VILLA (40 sqm) is a Club Serena classic. It has an ante-room with expansive vistas of the resort. Its intimate vibe and four-poster bed make it popular as the honeymoon room. It can accommodate two adults + two children with a king-size bed and two twin beds. Rate: P12,000/day 

The PREMIUM DE LUXE POOL VIEW (113.50 sqm) has one king-size bed and suitable for two adults + two children. This room has an outdoor bath and direct access to the swimming pool. Rate: P12,000/day

The PREMIUM DE LUXE SUITE (113.50 sqm) features a balcony that gives an elevated view of the garden, an outdoor bath and secluded location for greater privacy. This rooms has two double beds that can accommodate two adults + two children. Rate: P11,000/day Club Serena’s expansive ground is set on a lush 1.3 hectares overlooking the ocean. A stay at any of the suites and villas are the perfect get-away.

The luxurious Club Serena OCEAN SUITE (80 sqm) has a king-size bed good for two adults + 2 children or three adults. It has open wide sliding doors to reveal a spacious balcony with a view of the Tanon Strait, and this beachside suite captures the sunset ocean view. Rate: P22,000/day

The TREEHOUSE VILLA (94 sqm) space with one king-size bed + two single beds that accommodate four adults. It has a freestanding bathtub and a garden view through frosted awning windows. Rate: P21,000/day.

The OCEAN FAMILY SUITE (80 sqm) space with one king-size bed + two single beds that accommodate four adults. This is a delightful living space for groups of four with its dining and living area and a sunset ocean view. Rate: P20,000/day. 

The CASITA (57 sqm) is a single detached Villa with luxury and utmost privacy that features a living room on the first floor, reminiscent of the traditional Filipino house. It has with one king-size bed or two twin beds for two adults + two children. Rate: P14,000/day.

The GARDEN VILLA (40 sqm) is a Club Serena classic. It has an ante-room with expansive vistas of the resort. Its intimate vibe and four-poster bed make it popular as the honeymoon room. It can accommodate two adults + two children with a king-size bed and two twin beds. Rate: P12,000/day

The PREMIUM DE LUXE POOL VIEW (113.50 sqm) has one king-size bed and suitable for two adults + two children. This room has an outdoor bath and direct access to the swimming pool. Rate: P12,000/day

The PREMIUM DE LUXE SUITE (113.50 sqm) features a balcony that gives an elevated view of the garden, an outdoor bath and secluded location for greater privacy. This rooms has two double beds that can accommodate two adults + two children. Rate: P11,000/day