A bevy of beauties amid nature’s own beauty.

MANILA, Philippines — The breathtaking view at Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center in Barangay Balaoi, Malingay, Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte stretches out forever. And in the case of the 10 Miss Earth 2011 beauties who recently made the place their home for three days, they wanted to stay there forever if it was at all possible.

About 12 hours from Manila by land – and two hours and 15 minutes by air and land – a traveler’s sweeping glance of the white-sand, seven-hectare resort nurtured and protected by nature, easily lifts the spirits.

The natural comforts of the cove, enhanced by the amenities of modern living, pampered the visiting Miss Earth finalists from 10 countries. Whenever they found a break from their hectic daily schedule, they invariably spent it keeping fit at the resort’s fully-equipped gym, swimming or just gamboling in seawater, surf boarding, kayaking, boating (in a banana-shaped boat or speed boat, take your pick), walking the entire length of the curving coastline, or simply soaking in the sun.

Or when the sea tired or burned their skin, Hannah’s Beach Resort didn’t run out of exciting activities for them. They played beach volleyball, rode four-wheel motorbikes, trekked over the mountain trails, or lazed on the viewing deck.

For these beauties who dutifully watch their carb intakes, chow time surprisingly also made up the highlight of their day. Every meal for them was a feast of mostly Ilocano cuisine prepared by Hannah’s four local chefs, although the menu also includes international dishes.

The ladies also trooped to the karaoke bar to sing their hearts out.

It is said that after the coronation night the contestants left the resort with a heavy heart, not a few of them proclaiming to the world that they could stay there forever. In fact, Miss Colombia, Miss Peru and Miss Chinese Taipei were very vocal about having fallen for the place.

The beginning

Years before his retirement from the Philippine Air Force, Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco Jr. fell in love with Pagudpud at first sight. Born, bred and schooled in Manila (he graduated magna cum laude from UST with a BS Med Tech diploma), he obliged an invitation from a then co-Air Force employee to visit her hometown Pagudpud. The visit temporarily took him away from the madding crowd of polluted Manila to the breathtaking splendor of Pagudpud.

“When I retire from the service, I told myself at the time, I would build a house in Pagudpud. The bracing air, the clean drinking water and the town’s natural beauty got to me. I wouldn’t mind spending most of my time there upon retirement,” he said.

Col. Nolasco bought, 10 years ago, three hectares of land on a mountain slope facing China Sea in Barangay Balaoi for only P200,000 where he built his retirement house, a weekend getaway structure-type made of indigenous materials. He acquired more land adjacent to his property until he found himself already owning seven hectares.

He eventually transformed his retirement home into a high-end, environment-friendly beach resort. To date, Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center had already hosted countless events.

Col. Nolasco retired from the Air Force in 1999, richer by about 50 awards garnered in the fields of soldiering, security and logistics management.

His retirement from the service proved to be a gain for Air Materiel Wing Savings & Loan Association, Inc. of which he’s both president and board chairman.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 28, go to Mrs. Edna Azurin of Philippine Red Cross QC Chapter; Ms. Claire dela Fuente, former Rep. Hortencia L. Starke, Marietta Tamondong, Marni Ocampo of Sari-Sari, twins Jo and Reb A. Disini, Cynthia Garcia, Mary Anne Salcedo, Amy Espino, Olga Apostol, Shari Bravo, Christopher Beato, Jocelyn Morales, Carlos B. Cruz, Emgy Gamboa, Jill Yulo, Aaron Junatas, and New York-based Nino M. Sampilo… Happy wedding anniversary to Danny and Rose Clariño, Christopher and Ma. Cindy Louise Jimenez, Rey and Beth Burgos, and Chichos and Nanett Luciano…