Is this the Philippines' most fabulous private resort?

The mere mention of the word summer evokes outdoor activities. Either it makes people go out and do some sports activities like basketball or football, or it makes them excited about going to the beach, basking in the sun and enjoying water activities like snorkeling.

What if you can do both in a single, secluded and luxurious destination?

For three days in June, I had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of visiting Balesin Island Club, an exclusive resort in Balesin Island just off Polillo, Quezon Province. The private members-only resort island owned by Alphaland, a real estate company founded by Filipino-Chinese tycoon Roberto Ongpin. With membership fees starting at P3 million per person, it really is a destination only the rich and famous can afford to visit.

Luckily, I was chosen by my former employer to become part of a small group of writers that visited the island to see for ourselves its annual Balesin Island Club Summer Sports Camp from June 3 to 6, 2019.

The Balesin Island Club Summer Sports Camp, which BIC co-presents with food and beverage company San Miguel Corporation, opens the exclusive island resort every summer to prospective non-members who want to experience what Balesin has to offer. For only P160,000 (plus VAT), a family of four can already spend five days and four nights in one of the island's villas and enroll their children in a variety of sports camps.

Who wouldn't miss out on this bargain? Not only will you get to experience BIC for a fraction of the membership fee, you'll get to give your child a chance to learn either basketball, football, tennis or baseball from some of the best coaches in the country.

The luxurious island life 

Balesin Island has its own airstrip and is only accessible via aircraft. Alphaland operates is own private airline to ferry members and visitors to the exclusive island resort. On our first day in the island, we flew in one of Alphaland Aviation's ATR 72-500 planes from its hangar along Andrews Avenue in Pasay City. After a 45-minute cruise above Laguna Lake and northern Quezon, we touched down at E. L. Tordesillas Airport and disembarked at its quaint passenger terminal.

On the plane ride, I had the opportunity to meet PBA legend Vince Hizon, who is the coach for the basketball camp. He is extremely nice and chatty. Imagine having your child coached by a basketball legend for a few days. That's worth every penny you're gonna spend for the camp.

Since we couldn't check into our rooms yet until lunch time, we were given a tour of the island's seven differently themed villas: Balesin (Filipino), Bali (Indonesian), Phuket (Thai), Mykonos (Greek), St. Tropez (French), Costa del Sol (Spanish) and Toscana (Italian). Each villa has its set of guest rooms, restaurants and lounges where guests can relax and enjoy their summer respite.

We stayed in our own villa at Balesin Village for the next three days. Our stay came inclusive of food and so we dined in different villas for lunch and dinner daily. After a day of coverage, we relaxed at Balesin's fine white sand beach, which overlooks the coast of northern Quezon.

On my last day at Balesin Island, I also swam and snorkeled along its beach and immersed myself in one of the clearest waters I've seen.

Watch the entirety of my Balesin Island Club experience in my YouTube vlog below:

I ain't rich to be able to afford a membership at Balesin Island Club, but if I had P160,000, I'd take advantage of the opportunity to visit the island again and explore more of its pristine beaches, intricate villas and calm, relaxing vibe.

See you next time for more #EpicAdventures!