Postcard perfect, an iconic figure of southern tourism—the Parola. Once you see the image, the mental compass points to one particular spot, one of the most popular in the region, if not the country, on the island along the Davao Gulf: Pearl Farm Beach Resort. The famed three-story bamboo structure has become synonymous with the luxury destination.
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| The Parola at Pearl Farm Beach Resort & Isla Malipano across |
Visionary entrepreneur Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr., was the founder of ANFLOCOR Group of Companies, covering agriculture, real estate, logistics, retail, and tourism, among many others. “My father was a simple and practical man. He was street smart, resourceful, and possessed a great deal of common sense. He was an engineer, but he was willing to explore, take risks, and venture into something new,” shared the third of six Floirendo siblings, Maria Cristina “Maricris” Floirendo-Brias, President for Hospitality and CSR Operations Director of ANFLO Group of Companies, and Creative Director of TADECO Home.
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| A young Maricris Floirendo-Brias with her father Don Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr. |
In the 1980s, the patriarch acquired a South Sea pearl culturing estate-turned-private getaway in Samal Island from a friend, ecologist Daniel Aguinaldo. It was a diamond in the rough. Rather than see the land idle, the businessman developed the property into a soon-to-be world-class destination.
Architect Francisco Mañosa, later declared a National Artist, was commissioned to create a master plan for a luxury beach resort. With this intention, the project took shape along the natural terrain of the island with a design inspiration that highlights traditional Filipino culture and champions the indigenous communities of Mindanao.
“The aim was to immerse guests in the local culture by highlighting the diverse tribes of Mindanao, like the Bagobos, T’bolis, Mandayas, and Maranaos, and naming the rooms and building after these ethnic groups,” said Maricris Floriendo-Brias about the resort’s design inspiration.
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| Pearl Farm Beach Resort highlights the diverse tribes of Mindanao |
In December 1992, the first guests alighted on the dock of Pearl Farm Beach Resort, a showcase of regional heritage and the first luxury seaside resort in Davao and Mindanao, welcomed by a stately parola.
Maricris practiced what his father preached. Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr. made sure none of the children were idle and understood the value of work, not by being told about it, but by experiencing it firsthand. Her growing up years included stints at the company's banana plantation and at Pearl Farm Beach Resort, where her presence has always been felt and seen from conception to present.
“Working alongside Mañosa opened my eyes to the world of indigenous craftsmanship. I took an active role in sourcing local materials for the resort’s interiors, which deepened my appreciation for the artistry and distinct skill of Davao's ethnic group. Our commitment to using handmade products created with traditional techniques showcased a high level of artistry,” she said, adding, “My close collaboration with ethnic groups, particularly the T’bolis and Mandaya, inspired me to design home accessories using their weaves and traditional patterns.”
The relationship led to an advocacy that created TADECO Home, a brand under the TADECO Livelihood and Training Center, a community development program established by his father which provides livelihoods for the wives and dependents of plantation workers and local communities. And just like the famed beach resort, the products of TADECO Home received national and international recognition.
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| Maricirs Floirendo-Brias overseeing production at the TADECO Livelihood & Training Center |
“As the resort expanded to include the Mandaya Houses and the luxurious villas on an islet across the resort, the Isla Malipano, we have integrated these home accessories, all crafted locally by artisans. This celebrates and preserves the local arts and crafts, which are vital to the lives of indigenous communities, connecting them to their ancestors and the traditional stories that shape their culture. Crafting each item strengthens community bonds, facilitating collaboration and the sharing of knowledge among family and community members. The skills required to produce these crafts are integral to each community’s cultural heritage.”
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| The villas at Isla Malipano |
If there is one thing that remained deeply engrained in Maricris’ mind throughout her life, it’s these words by her father, “Take care of MY people.” These words truly define the kind of man he was. It reflected his sense of responsibility, loyalty, and belief that those who worked with him deserved to be cared for and respected. This is one of the most important lessons my father left his children: to go beyond just building a successful enterprise but to build one while valuing the people who also made it possible. She paid heed to this advice and mindfully exercises it each day.
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| "Take care of MY people." The father's words that remain to be one of the core missions of the company |
Reminiscing, Maricris said, “Looking back, I realize that my father taught us far more than how to work a plantation or build a successful business. He taught us through his actions to be practical, to be willing to explore new horizons, to work hard, and never to forget the people who we meet along the way. He always reminded us that "life is like a Ferris wheel; one day you’re up and the next day you’re down.”
In 2016, Maricris Floirendo-Brias added another feather on her cap and officially took over the helm of Pearl Farm Beach Resort. The recent developments at this Davao and Mindanao destination promise each visitor a more luxurious and memorable experience.
Ikegai. Every day Maricris Floirendo-Brias wakes up with a purpose. Her ongoing collaboration with ethnic groups and the many individuals in her community program continue to inspire her. Perhaps what Maricris desires is for the world to see beyond the Parola as an icon and the Pearl Farm Beach Resort as a luxury destination, but for the seaside haunt to be a showcase for incredible arts and crafts fabricated by the skillful hands of the people from the various local communities as well.
Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr., couldn’t be more proud watching her daughter from above.
(Photos provided by Maria Cristina Floirendo-Brias & Perl Farm Beach Resort)
