Carla Gem Buyo

Salt, Sea, and Story: Inside Panglao, Bohol’s First Five-Star Island Retreat

Article (news)

<p>They say you always remember your firsts—so what if I told you there’s a new luxury hotel waiting to be discovered in the heart of Panglao, Bohol? A new era of island elegance arrives in the Philippines with the debut of <strong>South Palms Resort &amp; Spa Panglao</strong>, the first five-star luxury resort in Bohol and the first <strong>MGallery Collection </strong>property<strong> </strong>in Visayas.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756628579857IMG_5184.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The magnificent limestone cliffs at South Palms Resort &amp; Spa Panglao | Photo by Carla Buyo" style="width:1000px"/><span class="fr-inner">The magnificent limestone cliffs at South Palms Resort &amp; Spa Panglao | Photo by Carla Buyo</span></span></span><strong>A Warm Welcome</strong></div><p>The space offers a refined, island experience where luxury whispers and nature leads. Thoughtfully integrated into the island’s limestone cliffs and native landscape, this low-impact sanctuary seamlessly blends timeless design with local craftsmanship. Master planners <strong>Chris Singer</strong> and <strong>Prasasti Chenchin </strong>of <strong>SCSY Studio</strong> paid special attention to respecting and working with the land’s natural topography, while also highlighting mature and native plant species in the area. Case in point, the majestic limestone cliffs that cradle the hotel’s main lobby.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757052953060IMG_5409.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"/><span class="fr-inner">Panoramic ocean views from the pool | Photo by Carla Buyo</span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757052598080South Palms Resort &amp; Spa Panglao - MGallery Collection ©Jason Lang (6).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo Courtesy of South Palms Resort &amp; Spa Panglao</span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757052628279South Palms Resort &amp; Spa Panglao - MGallery Collection ©Jason Lang (9).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo Courtesy of South Palms Resort &amp; Spa Panglao<strong></strong></span></span></span></div><p>Inside the rooms, you’ll find handwoven<em> banig </em>headboards, coconut wood furnishings, and artisan-made rugs that feel like home. Interior designer <strong>Patricia Ho Douven</strong> of <strong>White Jacket</strong> envisioned each corner as a tactile story—waiting to be explored by the curious. Wooden pegs on a sculptural accent wall invite guests to reimagine the space: hang a hat, a scarf, or a keepsake; the room evolves as you do.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Taste of Bohol</strong></div><p>At the culinary helm is <strong>Chef Bettina Arguelles</strong>, whose bold yet deeply rooted approach to Filipino cuisine anchors the resort’s gastronomic identity. Her menus are a celebration of Bohol’s rich bounty, elevated with global finesse. A burrata salad—featuring our humble fish—bridges oceans and continents. Kinilaw, fresh and bright, speaks of sea and sunshine. And the comforting inasal-style chicken, paired with fragrant coconut rice and flavorful sides, set the tone for a dining experience that is both familiar and marvelous. Every dish is crafted with a sense of place—and plated with soul.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17566282313582.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Chef Bettina Arguelles&#x27; Uma Kinilaw, Negros Burrata, and Uma Coconut Rice | Photos by Carla Buyo" style="width:1000px"/><span class="fr-inner">Chef Bettina Arguelles&#x27; Uma Kinilaw, Negros Burrata, and Uma Coconut Rice | Photos by Carla Buyo</span></span></span></div><p>Find your groove with South Palms’ different dining and lounge experiences: <strong>Tiya’s House</strong> for Filipino dishes and Southeast Asian twists on classics, <strong>Manja</strong> for Mediterranean flair, <strong>UMA </strong>for seafood, and the <strong>Sirenna Bar</strong> for cocktails by the beach.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756628406057IMG_5008.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Sirenna, a tequila cocktail infused with the bold, smoky essence of Asin Tibuok | Photo by Carla Buyo" style="width:1000px"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">The Sirenna, a tequila cocktail infused with the bold, smoky essence of Asin Tibuok | Photo by Carla Buyo</span></span></span></div><div><strong>More Than What Meets The Eye</strong></div><p>The resort offers a trio of distinctive venues, each one meticulously imagined to host moments both intimate and grand. The <strong>Acqua Pavilion</strong>, a luminous 100-square-metre space, draws inspiration from the fluid geometry of sea creatures—its undulating lines and soft curves echo the rhythm of the ocean just beyond. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757052882361IMG_5479.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Acqua Pavillion at South Palms Resort &amp; Spa Panglao | Photo from Carla Buyo" style="width:1000px"/><span class="fr-inner">The Acqua Pavillion at South Palms Resort &amp; Spa Panglao | Photo from Carla Buyo</span></span></span></div><p>For larger affairs, the <strong>Marcela Ballroom </strong>spans 200 square metres and pays quiet tribute to indigenous Filipino craftsmanship. And for those seeking a celebration under open skies, there is the <strong>beachfront lawn</strong>—a breathtaking 500-square-metre expanse framed by palm trees. A grand staircase links this open-air oasis to an elevated rooftop garden, creating a multi-level stage that feels both cinematic and deeply rooted. It’s a natural amphitheatre where sunsets set the mood and the horizon becomes part of the guest list.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The M Moment</strong></div><p>South Palm’s signature<strong> M Moment </strong>honors <strong>Asin Tibuok</strong>. Far from ordinary, Asin Tibuok is more than a seasoning; it is the embodiment of centuries-old tradition from Pre-Hispanic times, painstakingly created by filtering seawater through coconut husks, then slow-fired in clay pots by hand. Guided by master artisan <strong>Nestor Manongas</strong>—whose knowledge has been passed down through generations—guests witness each step of this intricate process, from gathering the husks to the final shaping of the salt into its signature dome.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17566287516993.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:1000px"/><span class="fr-inner">Stills from the M Moment tour where Asin Tibuok is made. On the far right is Master Artisan Nestor Manongas and his sister Veronica Salupan | Photos by Carla Buyo</span></span></span></div><p>The M Moment is a chance to pause and reflect, to honor the land and its people—not through spectacle, but through story. And long after you leave the island, it’s these quiet, meaningful moments that linger the longest.</p><div><br/></div><p>Be among the first guests to stay at South Palms Resort &amp; Spa Panglao - MGallery Collection. Visit their <a href="https://www.instagram.com/southpalmspanglaomgallery/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website </a>for more details.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNZhUbRz-nE/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A476273.7999999998%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px" spellcheck="false"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

<p>With locally rooted design, soulful cuisine, and immersive cultural experiences, Visayas’ first MGallery hotel offers a stay that feels both grounding and extraordinary.</p>

With locally rooted design, soulful cuisine, and immersive cultural experiences, Visayas’ first MGallery hotel offers a stay that feels both grounding and extraordinary.

Salt, Sea, and Story: Inside Panglao, Bohol’s First Five-Star Island Retreat

People

Fashion

Beauty

Wellness

Travel

Culture

Living

Food

Weddings

Travel

Salt, Sea, and Story: Inside Panglao, Bohol’s First Five-Star Island Retreat

Carla Buyo

Published Sep 15, 2025 02:00 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 15, 2025 02:48 PM PHT

Read More:

South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao MGallery Collection

Accor

panglao bohol

asin tibuok

Nestor Manongas

m moment

chef bettina arguelles

Chris Singer and Prasasti Chenchin

SCSY Studio

Patricia Ho Douven of White Jacket

Metro.Style is your go-to destination for all things chic and stylish—featuring the latest in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, celebrity news, and inspiring stories. It's your curated guide to living your best life.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.