Perhaps more than 20 years of occasionally gazing at the sky paid off when I finally saw a meteor, falling very slowly from an unknown point until it disappeared among the trees. The observatory of the Seven Suites Hotel Observatory in Antipolo City gave me a perfect view of the heavens as it allowed guests to lie on their backs or sit comfortably on reclined chairs as they experienced the indescribable bliss of simply staring at the star-filled sky. On that night, during the annual Lyrids meteor shower, marveling at the sky was even more exciting than a roller coaster ride.

The wonders of the universe have never failed to amaze people; most cannot deny that at least once, there was an urge to try and find more answers to the mystery of the heavenly bodies. For centuries, constellations and planets have guided men in finding direction, discovering the laws of science, and even in searching for their destiny; until now, its charm has never failed to bring back that familiar childhood excitement.

Capturing the child in me was this experience at Seven Suites, and it was further amplified with bottomless cups of hot chocolate and cookies. The Lyrids meteor shower is one of the major meteor showers, which generally happens from April 16 to 26. On the nights of April 22 and 23, 10-20 falling stars can be seen per hour, as opposed to five shooting stars on an ordinary night. The Lyrids Meteor Shower has been identified for more than 2,600 years, making it the longest recognized meteor shower. Seeing this wonder first-hand on a quiet night will surely take anyone’s worries away.

Seeing the surface of the moon, which has blinding luminosity, can make one’s imagination run and believe in a time when there was still no doubt whether Neil Armstrong had really walked on the moon. Though most have seen pictures of Saturn in science books, seeing it through the high-powered telescope of the hotel’s observatory was another story. Gazing at the planet, light years away from earth, brings a new level of mystery to the universe to an ordinary eye that sees it for the first time. These were accomplished with the hotel’s resident astronomer for 8 years, Ramon Avecena who gladly shared his knowledge about the universe with the guests of Seven Suites.

And his excitement is contagious; Ramon continues to feel the same enthusiasm as the guests do whenever they take a look through the telescope. "It’s usually the (guest’s) reaction. (Whether) a kid or a grownup, when they first look (through) the telescope, they ask questions about the universe. They get excited, (ask) many varied reactions. So that kind of reaction keeps me going and makes me more determined to share my knowledge of astronomy with the general public."

Before dawn, relaxation was readily available to the guests in the clean and cozy rooms of the hotel. An outdoor private patio is a place for those who wish to extend their stargazing, enjoy the breathtaking view of the city lights, or continue conversations over cups of coffee until the daylight starts to cover the earth.

The laid-back feel of the property, its naturally cool climate, and its welcoming staff make it easy to feel at home. Tired souls can enjoy meals in their patio or enjoy a view of the cityscape at the Garden Bistro restaurant. Special occasions can also be celebrated in this hotel on the rolling hills of Antipolo—one can tie the knot under the stars, in its Main Hall with a view of the metropolis or in its garden with a romantic lagoon.

Children are also welcome to develop their knowledge of the universe with the hotel’s Astro Kiddie Club. During the Lyrids meteor shower, these children, 7-13 years old, participated in its annual Astro Camp where they bonded with fellow astronomy enthusiasts and enjoyed a variety of celestial-inspired activities.

Marveling at the star-filled sky, wondering about its mysteries, and simply enjoying the truth of the universe’s magnitude can create an unforgettable celestial encounter. Who knows? Maybe the next falling star that you see can really make your wish come true.

For more information on the Seven Suites Hotel Observatory, log on to http://www.sevensuites.net.