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・2012 May 15 Update Top page
・2011 Sep 21 Update Guest Comments
・2011 Jul 03 Update Top page
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2009 Edition of Lonely Planet features
Villa Marmarine!!
Our pick
 Villa
Marmarine 480 9167, 0919 465 9370; www.marmarine.jp
P1000-1400, P1400-1700, extra person P200; a new place on
Siquijor’s north coast, has been an instant success through
word of mouth alone. Run by an irrepressibly cheerful Japanese
couple who have poured their personalities into their business,
this is no cookie-cutter package operation, Daman and Marie
Harada have even named three of their cottages after their
children, which is just one of the reasons this resort feels
so homey. But ultimately it’s the clever. Japanese-inspired
design that makes it all hang together so well. Mezzanine
levels, furo baths, wooden ceiling fans and self contained
kitchenettes are so well arranged you’ll feel like reproducing
it at home. The cottages are genuinely excellent value, especially
for those travelling in a group or staying long term. Needless
to say, there’s an on-site dive centre. Other pluses: it’s
accessible to people in wheelchairs, and there’s free wi-fi.
A habal-habal from Siquijor town to here will cost P30 and
take 10minutes |
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The Island of Fire (The Island of Fireflies) - Siquijor
Looking from the neighboring island of Bohol, the Spaniards once called the island of Siquijor "Isla del Fuego" or "The Island of Fire" because of the glow emanated by the swarm of fireflies. In the past, Siquijor was blessed with the forests of trees called "molave" among which fireflies nestled. Molave tree is considered a quality building material and mostly vanished today for the reason. I have looked for the traces of the fireflies from olden times and found several spots that can be viewed from the roadsides 20 minutes away from Villa Marmarine. I named the area "Firefly Road." I have brought many guests since then but always found it difficult to photo, hoping to show the world maximum of 300 to 500 glowing fireflies gathering around one tree like a Christmas tree. Coincidentally, a famous professional insect photographer from Japan, Mr. Kazuo Unno visited us and photographed the attached photo.
What wonders me is that they gather around only this tree among many. The locals also revere this tree, saying a spirit resides it.
Fireflies can be seen all year around here, even in Christmas and New Year, on the contrary to the fact that they are only seen from end May through early June in Japan.
Being able to see hundreds of fireflies is always not the case but our guests are always impressed by even 20 to 30 fireflies flying over a tree. They sometimes come in our cottages and fly over mosquito nets. I hope that "Mystical Island - Siquijor" will also remain as "Isla del Fuego" or "The Island of Fireflies" for the next generations.
(Owner//Dagman Harada) |
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The Japanese Respectfulness and Filipino Hospitality in VILLA MARMARINE
Jay Elequin
Hi Marmarine staff! In behalf of our group who just stayed there, I would like to say thank you for your extreme kindness and hospitality. I have visited a lot of places here in the Philippines but nothing compared to you guys in Marmarine.
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“THE place to be”
Jacques(France)
Villa Marmarine will surely be on my top hostel to stay in Asia, and surely the only one to go in lovely Siquijor.
Splendid view on the perfect clear water, nice tropical environment, lovely desert beach just for you with hammock to relax.....Nice house with bamboo style, very quiet, free laundry, free internet......just the paradise.
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We will come back!
Biggi and Oliver (Austria)
Here at Villa Marmarine we got the most warmest welcome during our 3 weeks stay at the Philippines.
We stayed here for 4 nights and enjoyed the friendly and relaxing atmosphere, we felt like being part of a small family.
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Dankjewel "DAGMAN and MARIE"
Adriaan and Marlon (Netherlands)
Siquijor is known for its mystic healers, but the most impressive
“elementary” healer is probably “DAGMAN” himself.
We were brought to Villa Marmarine by the tricycle and planned
to stay for one night, which ended up to be impossible.
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>>Profile of the owner Mr.Toshito Harada
Mr. Harada was an ex-elementary school teacher in Hiratsuka city, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
He is an active volunteer of the Junior Red Cross for many years.
He carried out a unique education method that he learned in the Junior Red Cross.
Mr. Harada is called "Daman" by many children, and they are so close to him.
He applied to teach a Japanese school abroad to gain better understanding of foreign culture, behavior and characteristic.
He started to work in Beirut Japanese School in Lebanon which that time was under the civil war in 1975.
Because the civil war intensified during that time, he was transferred to Kuwait.
He taught them about the Switzerland camp school to make the children of Kuwait Japanese School to know the green country of Switzerland.
He worked in Kuwait for 2 years and six months, and then he come back to Beirut which was still under the civil war to restart the Beirut Japanese School.
When he arrived in Beirut, Beirut Japanese school was already closed.
He worked in a Japanese school abroad with a purpose which is to reopen Beirut Japanese School.
worked in a Dutch Japanese school.
His goal for Beirut Japanese School was failed. And so, he moved to Holland and
Seven years after his resignation (Dutch Japanese School), he decided to stay and to have a permanent residence in the Philippines.
He has a good relationship with the local residents and finally finds a good place to settle down for good in the Island of Siquijor in the Philippines from 2004 until present.
He has dreams to do great things for the children of the island while doing a beach resort.
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With Japanese TV "Warm World Family"
Mr. and Mrs. Harada, Villa Marmarine owner was introduced. You can see the situation of a program from here. |
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Michael stutz(Volunteer Cook from Swiss)
To the dear guests, Ive been staying in Villa Marmarine for
over six months! And it was so fabulous and quite peaceful
staying here with staffs that treats me as if belongs to a
big family! I stayed here as cook!..and of course
I introduced and cooked them some European delicacies, and
it's my great honor for they like it so much! especially
Dagman and Mamarie. This place is really such wonderful
place to stay and it's suitable to stay along with your
family, and friends in the paradise-like island especially
in Villa Marmarine, so what are you waiting for! Come and
visit the resort and you'll see the difference.
And to Dagman and Mamarie Harada!. Thank you very much!
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