Amanpulo, a luxury beach resort on Pamalican Island in Palawan, Philippines, is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
And it’s easy to get to from Perth.
Since March 27, 2023, Philippine Airlines has been flying direct between Perth and Manila — the first ever nonstop connection between WA and the Philippines. And that has opened up a destination that will be new to a lot of West Australians.
From Manila, it’s just an hour’s flight south-west to Pamilican Island, on which we find Amanpulo, a private sanctuary with white sand beaches and fringing reef.
Quite simply, it bills itself as a tropical paradise. But the resort team also prides itself on introducing visitors to the hospitable Filipino culture.
A spokesperson says: “To mark its 30th anniversary, the resort is hosting a series of inspiring experiences celebrating Filipino art and cuisine, honouring the wonders of Pamalican Island, and giving back to the community.” For it will donate a portion of proceeds of each booking to the Andres Soriano Foundation, which provides infrastructure to local communities.
Culinary Experiences
+ Organic Garden, Spice Table
The spokesperson explains: “The newest addition to Amanpulo’s organic farm is the Spice Table — an outdoor private dining experience in the heart of the resort’s kitchen garden.” It is available for lunch or dinner, for up to eight people. And guests will be sitting on chairs at tables made from fallen timber from around the island, made by the resort’s resident craftspeople. Every dish on the menu uses chillis, herbs and spices grown on the farm and locally.
+ Clubhouse, Philippine Culinary Road Map
The convivial Clubhouse lies at the heart of the island and, from May until December, will have a monthly seven-course tasting menu with dishes from different provinces and regions. Pampanga will feature in June, the Mountain Province in July, Bicol in August, Bacolod in September, Cebu in October, Zamboanga in November, and the waters of Palawan in December.
+ Lagoon Club, Omakase
The Lagoon Club is on the eastern shore, and will offer omakase dining, paying homage to Japan’s culinary traditions and Aman’s three hotels in the region. But the lunch and dinner menu will still have a Filipino twist, with local ingredients and fish including sea robin and jack fish.
Art & Cultural Experiences
+ Amanpulo X Pinto Art Museum
The art museum has partnered to present Amanpulo — an exhibition of the works by young Filipino artists Gerardo Jimenez, Erwin Leano, Jim Orencio and Kenver Resuello. It is from December 16 to 27, 2023.
+ Amanpulo Pearl Journey
As 30th anniversaries are traditionally marked by gifts of a pearl, Amanpulo has included The Golden South Sea Pearl Journey in its celebration. This is a 45-minute chartered helicopter ride across the archipelago to Taytay to a pearl farm which uses gold-lipped oysters to produce golden pearls.
The Community
Money from some of the anniversary experiences will be contributed to families on neighbouring Manamoc Island, through the Andres Soriano Foundation. A spokesperson for Amanpulo says ASF “provides the foundation and infrastructure to help local communities develop sustainably”.
“The foundation is working closely with Manamoc Island to improve the quality of life for the community, delivering health and education services, while also managing the islands’ natural environmental integrity.”
WYNTK
what you need to know
+ Philippine Airlines’ PR224 flies from Perth to Manila every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, leaving at 8.30am and arriving at 3.50pm — a seven-hour, 20-minute flight, with no time difference. PR223 returns on the same days, leaving at 12.05am and arriving in Perth at 7.15am. An Airbus A321neo long-range aircraft is being used. philippineairlines.com
+ Amanpulo is part of the Aman group, which was founded in 1988, aiming to create and run intimate retreats. The first, Amanpuri (which means “place of peace” in local language) was in Phuket, Thailand, but now there are 34 hotels and resorts in the Aman group.