Tags: Hotels and Resorts
By KC Santos
CARAMOAN, CAMARINES SUR – West Peninsula Villas owes much of its success to the reality TV show “Survivor”.
Owned by Caramoan native Jeffrey Sancho, it has thrived since the French edition of Survivor was shot in this remote Bicol town in 2008.
West Peninsula (or West Pen) has grown since, providing lodging for the foreign and local film crew and production staff every time there’s a Survivor shoot in Caramoan.
From just one cabana, it currently has 16 cabanas. Often, these provide shelter as “reward” for Survivor contestants, often complimented with a hearty meal and a massage.
Gina Alcantara, who’s been working for West Pen since it opened, said Survivor has contributed to the lives of the locals residing near the villa. (Survivor Denmark, Norway and Sweden are currently filming in Caramoan, handled by a single production outfit.)
The show’s production hires local craftsmen and some of the props used in previous shoots are on display at West Pen. Gina herself says she gets acquainted with the European crew members and learns a lot about their culture.
West Pen accepts tourists as long as there are vacancies. At P1,200 to P1,500 per night, it is a far better rate considering the cabanas can rival beach resorts in Palawan or Boracay Island.
After entering a wooden gate, I was surprised to see a sprawling set of cabanas with a dining area in the center. There is a small pool table for recreation and a bar.
Crabs and prawns are abundant in Caramoan and West Pen’s restaurant let us sample their seafood specialties. The huge prawns, in particular, are to die for, sauteed in garlic and lemon butter sauce.
West Pen definitely stands out from among several resorts in Caramoan, thanks in part to its affinity with Survivor. If you stay there, don’t be surprised to find yourself sharing a table with anyone from the show’s film crew.
Get more information about West Peninsula Villas
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