In decades past, Sipalay was the summer playground of the sugar barons of Negros Occidental. Today, it remains a haven of sandy beaches and crystalline waters. Tucked away in one of its coves is Manami Resort, a gem of a hideaway with a secluded beachfront and an underwater garden with lush green seagrass, giant clams, and other aquatic flora and fauna tended by a resident marine biologist. After a day of diving out in the sea, checking out historical wrecks, or spelunking among the stalactites and stalagmites in what they call the bat cave, it’s time for a frosty glass of sugarcane juice, as you prepare to wind down at Manami’s Linong Spa. Linong is the Hiligaynon word for serene, and the spa is a sanctuary of calm. Designed by Cristina Corro, one of the resort owners, in collaboration with Negrense architect Antonio Legaspi, the main structure is a giant..
