ORANI, BATAAN — The cool mountain breeze cutting through us as the sun started setting was a clear sign we were well above the surface where us mere mortals usually live. It took a few hours to realize we were in the middle of the mountains, communing with nature, away from the noise of the city but surrounded by vampires and wolves.

Heck with Twilight. Or blame the woodlands for making me feel that way.

Okay, enough with the confusion. By this point, you should have figured out (like we just had) that ‘Taal Vista’ (in Tagaytay) is a different place entirely from ‘Vista Tala.’ Aside from sitting in Central Luzon, Vista Tala is more than just a resort. As the name suggests, ‘Vista Tala Resorts and Recreational Park‘ is a 9-hectare area surrounded by mountains, yet complete with amenities and plenty of activities in store for its visitors, more than enough to lure city people out here.

Well, they lured us. We’re a group from the metro who came here for some rest and recreation — more on the “rest” part, at least for this writer. Thank God for the intermittent internet connection, which kept online access limited.

Having a first Bataan experience this good sets a tough standard — my next visit needs to match it, if not top it, which already makes this one feel historic. Not that Bataan as a province needs the help.

Though Vista Tala offers day tours, we were here for an overnight stay, as an incentive trip organized by the management team at PRU Life UK’s Alexandrite Area. Yes, I work at this London-based financial services giant as a unit manager, and keeping this blog is another passion of mine — but enough about me. I know you’re here for Vista Tala.

Vista Tala is that star atop the mountain, offering every tired visitor a place to stay, comfort, and things to do, without quite managing to eliminate every hurtful feeling, every bad memory, every trace of fatigue — though it comes close. With the lights down below in view, some souls feel relieved, others amazed, and some downright ecstatic.

Maybe poet Emily Dickinson was right when she wrote:

The Mountains—grow unnoticed—
Their Purple figures rise
Without attempt—Exhaustion—
Assistance—or Applause—

In Their Eternal Faces
The Sun—with just delight
Looks long—and last—and golden—
For fellowship—at night—

She may have been right, but today, these mountains’ growth didn’t go unnoticed. Most of us, if not all, appreciated the beauty of these lush green giants, along with the refreshing feeling they stirred in our hearts.

Come nightfall, we made sure to keep them company — not too loud, not too quiet — a beer in one hand and stories to tell, sharing laughs with hope in our hearts to succeed in our chosen field. Those mountains stood witness.

With the same mountains still watching, I made a quick dip in the pool before turning in.

As the sun rose the next morning, we all found ourselves enjoying the infinity pool and touring the grounds for photo ops.

It would have been the best time to catch up on sleep, yet most of our teammates chose to trail the river and make friends with it instead. Others rode the zipline from end to end, taking in the best views of the vast lands. I slept. For hours. It was worth it.

Then came the time with the group — we made the most of every corner of the resort.

Vista Tala is the kind of host that lets you do whatever you want. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, and like the mountains they’re named after, each one is unique. I’ll leave the task of checking prices to you — visit their page here.

Twenty-four hours weren’t enough to soak in nature’s beauty, much less a place with as many amenities as Vista Tala. Still, we left happy and satisfied. In the background, though, the skies cried hard, rolling out the loudest thunder — as if to say that some goodbyes hurt, but are a must.

Most photos used here came from our group. Others came from Vista Tala Facebook page and from Trip Advisor. CTOs.