Sinagtala - The Birth of A Shining Star
For the coffee planting Batangueṅos from Mataas na Kahoy in Lipa, Batangas, it made sense to migrate to Tala after the Second World War to plant Robusta coffee on the slopes of Mount Natib.
At that time Mount Natib was denuded, devoid of timber felled by kaingeros to feed the lumber yards of Bataan which was supporting the rehabilitation of Manila from the ravages of war. It was unfortunate that the nearest source of lumber for Manila was Bataan and Zambales across Manila Bay.
The fast disappearance of forest cover was attributed to carabao logging as carabaos could penetrate deep in the forest vis-à-vis heavy logging trucks which could not. As a historical note, carabao logging where carabaos (instead of 6x6 trucks) pulled illegally cut timber from the mountain forest was first practiced in Bataan.
From the Ashes…
The Mount Pinatubo eruption of 1991 was an economic disaster for two families in Tala, Orani, Bataan who each owned a homestead of 24 hectares of coffee plantation.
On one hand there was the devastation to crops and livelihoods, but on the other, it was a blessing for the entire Barangay of Tala. Let me tell you why….
When Pinatubo erupted, its toxic ash travelled far and wide reaching Barangay Tala, only a short bird’s flight away. The coffee trees of the two related families, one headed by Kapitan Lando Benamir and the other by his cousin Dolet Magpantay, were extensively damaged by the ash fall from the volcano.
Damage to the coffee trees were so severe that the two families were forced to sell their coffee plantation. As their homestead claims were already more than fifty (50) years old, the homestead titles graduated to a Transfer Certificate Title which then could already be sold.
In 1996, Tala was a sleepy town, without adequate water system and hardly any electricity. It is 7 kilometers from Roman Highway with roads so muddy during the rainy season, dusty during the dry season, with gaping road ruts so big they could swallow a bantam car.
It would take an SUV up to 45 minutes to cover that short distance. It took a lot of political pressure for the two families to persuade then Congressman Felicito Payumo and friends to buy the two former homesteads of 48 hectares. As city folk unfamiliar with farming and coffee production, the 48-hectare farm was already unproductive and abandoned when offered to Congressman Payumo’s group. It became totally orphaned for almost two decades.
The Seeds of An Idea are Planted…
Eighteen years quickly passed and Barangay Tala together with 48 hectares of land, remained dormant as if time stood still. It was not until Mr. Payumo retired from politics and government service, Mr. Pascual retired from the banking industry, and Architect David, a renowned environmental architect and planner, retired from practice that the seed of an idea was planted.
Having more time to spend, the trio again gave the 48 hectares a second look, which was then just a forest of weeds and cogon.
As if guided by divine hands, the trio were directed towards the end of the property where, lo and behold, they were confronted with magnificent and breathtaking views of Manila Bay, the towns of Hermosa and Dinalupihan, Mount Arayat, Mount Natib, Mount Pinatubo, and Mount Malasimbo.
In that instant, the three gentlemen agreed to develop the 48 hectares into a retreat destination catering to the growing religious movement looking for a quaint and quiet place. Thus, the first order of business was to give the place the name “Sinagtala” and to build a chapel and events hall. Instead of building dormitories, it was decided that the owners of Sinagatala, in building their retirement house, should also open their houses to the public as a bed and breakfast facility to cater not only to retreatants but to other visitors as well.
…and Nurtured to Fruition.
Over time, the retreatants were replaced by visitors who came for what Sinagtala has to offer like its beauty, tranquility and the healthy environment. A small pool with a modest clubhouse followed. Soon the first bed and breakfast, now called “The Duyan House”, came into being.
Since the start of its modest development 12 years ago, construction has never stopped in Sinagtala. The transformation of Tala in the past 10 years from a sleeping agricultural barangay to the center of tourism in the Province of Bataan was phenomenal.
The growth of the economy in Tala was beyond expectations. The dirt road, which for years was pockmarked and rotted, little by little, became passable in 2013 through the assistance of Mr. Bong Pineda.
The town of Orani, riding on the tourist arrival in Sinagtala, became the model for tourism development among the LGUs in Bataan. Last year, Orani town in Bataan was accorded the title of # 1 tourism town in the Province of Bataan.
As it stands today, Sinagtala caters to the young and old with its 52 hectares of mountain land, its 3 swimming pools, an adventure park, a team building park and a campsite with exciting and affordable rides. Sinagtala and its five Bed and Breakfast operators have employees from each household in Barangay Tala.Truly, Sinagtala is the reason why the Barangay is now economically vibrant and Orani town is famous for its tourism industry.
Federico C. Pascual June 2018
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