The Henry Dumaguete

 A foodie's hideaway

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The Henry Dumaguete, the flagship property of The Henry Group, formally opened its newly refurbished resort on the week of Dumaguete City's charter anniversary and the Sandurot Festival. The city's oft-winning entry to the annual Buglasan showdown was deftly performed by the Kabilin Dance Company during the late afternoon program.

Formerly known as South Sea Resort for four decades, the popular hangout for locals and foreign visitors has not been dimmed by the passage of time nor by the change in its ownership. 

"This is a momentous occasion to reopen this landmark. It is like the passing of the torch; an infusion of new blood to the necessities of the new generation. This has always been the place to be by the sea. The nostalgia surrounding its history made me decide to acquire it. The renovations were interrupted by the pandemic but we persisted," intimated resort owner Jaime Ponce de Leon, who also runs the Leon Gallery - a repository of local heritage artworks.

Dumagueteños are known for their gastronomic proclivities so it was not surprising that most of the epicurean foodstops were inside the sprawling property. Thus, after the launching ceremonies, guests trooped to the Amorsolo Conservatory, an open air banquet hall, where all the food store concessionaires showcased their extensive menus for guests to partake in.

For gourmets and lovers of fine dining, there's the two-storey Dining Room and its bevy of offerings. For starters, there's the Mt. Talinis Salad, so named after the province's dormant volcano, and laden with just the right amount of toppings on freshly-tossed greens. For pasta, try their Palabok Negra, with fettucine drenched in squid ink and seafood on the side. You may want to try their Chili con Carne soup prior to having your entrees. For game lovers, sample their version of Chicken Inasal with Biryani rice. And for those who like fish, relish on their Fish Puttanesca, a dish of fresh catch with tomato sauce, white wine clams, olives, capers, and extra virgin olive oil. And for happy endings, there's the Budino, an Italian chocolate mousse that's sweetened just right. 

Breakfast time are meals to look forward to with savory sets from either Noelle's Brunch Bar or Sans Rival. The Negrense Craft Beer will quench all your beer cravings, while Coffee Collective will give your desired caffeine fix. This third wave coffee joint is a must-visit for their artisanal concoctions. And rounding up the gustatory experience is Red Kitchen, a delicatessen where you can procure tasty treats to take home.

"Elevating Filipino hospitality is a daunting task, Fortunately, we have a great team with Alan Tan doing our entire landscape with Eric Paras. We would like to let other people know that there is a property awaiting them," enthused property innkeeper Hanky Lee, who formerly run the Yellow Cab chain.

Hispanic heritage is strong in the entire Negros Island so Spanish cuisine is delectably showcased in Si, Señor, a casual dining foodstop with a lot to offer. Must tries in this homey restaurant include their version of the Madrileñan stew, Callos. And with Dumaguete a coastal city, crustaceans and fresh catch are available all year round. Savor their Crab Meat with Aligue, an unexpected melding for a unique pasta dish. And never leave the resort without sampling their version of Paella Negra from Spain's Valencia region which is coated with squid ink and served with aioli sauce. Their piece-de-resistance, however, is the Baked Salmon, that's cooked til tender to flaky perfection and then served with lemon butter. And to punctuate your meal, go for their tropical version of the popular Italian dessert Panna Cotta that's topped with diced ripe mangoes.

For sightseeing, guests can take a side trip to the enchanting island of Siquiijor or swim with the butandings (whale sharks) of Oslob. The front office will gladly book them with their tour partner, Orient Wind. Dumaguete has also rekindled its nightlife with a smattering of watering holes around the city, including interesting street food fare from hawker stalls and roadside peddlers.

The Henry prides itself as a gracious host - one with a Western mind, a Latin heart with a passionate approach to life, coupled with an Asian heart for hospitality. Summer months and the weekends are the resort's peak occupancy, with most of the locals wanting to try the resort's amenities.

"We are different from our other properties as they are not resort types like us. Also the history of this place sets it apart. We have retained much of the vegetation, especially the endemic species. The Henry Dumaguete has a total of 32 premier and villa suites, scattered in eight villas with four rooms each - two in the lower floor and two on the upper floor. The red door by the courtyard is a portal to the guestrooms so only they could enter with their room keys. Part of our amenities is a four-foot kiddie pool and a dive pool. The Henry is a homegrown Filipino label of boutique hotels," informed property development officer Engr. Paolo Sunga.

Aside from Dumaguete, the other The Henry properties are located in Bacolod City (Negros Occidental), Laiya (Batangas), Manila, Quezon City and soon in Boracay.