Power and the paved national highway only got to Hinoba-an in the last decade. There is very little industry except for fishing and agriculture. There was a big lumber concession that basically denuded the mountains where there was also large scale mining which likewise stopped some time ago. Most of the town was made up of large haciendas owned by a few families and these were mostly broken up by land reform programs. My mother-in-law maintains her home there and most of their family retains landholdings which includes most of Happy Valley, the best beach area.

There are a few resorts with modest accommodations. The more popular one is called Happy Valley Resort which is owned by relatives of Miren. Hinoba-an is very popular with the Bacolod crowd but the distance will require at least an overnight stay. Since our last trip there, I heard that more resorts and vacation houses were being built. On one hand, this should be welcomed developments to the town. On another, there goes another paradise.

View south from Sipalay lighthouse

Inaki, Timmy and Nina

Before Hinoba-an is Sipalay. On a hill by the sea there is lighthouse offering a stunning view.

Happy Valley Brick House

Happy Valley Sea Wind Cottage

Happy Valley Wind Blown Cottage

Happy Valley Garden Huts

Happy Valley Resort had about 5 structures with quite a number of airconditioned rooms. There are a number of Dream TV dishes around but I am not sure if all the rooms have televisions. Some of the cottages have cooking facilities and there is a grill that can be used. Meals and refreshments can be arranged with the resort staff but there is no formal restaurant.

Beach view south

Beach view north

The sand in Happy Valley is golden brown. There are no corals fronting the resort and the sea floor slopes down gradually making it ideal for kids.

Neska Bilbao

Chabeli Bilbao

The Bilbao-Carlotta and Alba-Bilbao Cousins

We often vacation with my brother-in-law Jimmy Bilbao, his wife Joana, and their 2 beautiful, charming and very intelligent girls Neska and Chabeli.

Dinner

Roasting Marshmallows

Nina and I are flying to Bacolod for Holy Week to spend the holidays with rest of the family and a trip to Hinoba-an is included. We are staying on after Holy Week for the graduation rites of Timmy.

Miren and I hope to retire here someday.

written by  Joey Carlotta on January 14, 2008 from Hinoba-an, Philippines
from the travel blog: Previous Trips - Visayas
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Mind if I post your link on our Yahoo groups "hinobaan groups"?

I'm your wife's cousin Gabriel Beltran - Don't know if we've ever met.

I'm in Nor Cal SF Bay Area and your pics great. I was re-focusing my efforts on a Group Peter Garcia and I started back in 2003 but never did much with it. Please give my regards.

written by  Gabriel on April 29, 2008

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