La Villa Francisco Resort: Tacloban’s Sanctuary for Rest and Celebration
Only a short drive from the city, La Villa Francisco Mountain Resort offers visitors a refreshing escape where leisure and nature meet. Spread across 9.5 hectares of developed land within a 25-hectare property, the resort combines sweeping greenery, cool highland air, and modern amenities to create a destination where leisure meets nature.
From Day-Use Retreat to Full-Service Resort
It first opened in 2013 as a day-use resort, offering open cottages and basic recreational amenities. According to Jimmy Gonzales Clemente, the resort quickly gained popularity and performed well in its early years, attracting families and groups seeking an accessible escape from the city. However, it stopped operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August 2023, La Villa Francisco reopened with a renewed vision. Renovations introduced overnight accommodations, transforming it from a day-use retreat into a full-service mountain resort.
Accommodations and Dining
Today, La Villa Francisco features 17 rooms, including options for couples, small groups, and families. Room types range from standard rooms for two to triple and family rooms. For larger groups, Casa Amistad and Casa Bonita can each accommodate up to 10 persons, offered at an overnight rate of P10,000 inclusive of breakfast. These additions position the resort as an ideal venue for barkada getaways and family bonding experiences.
Complementing its accommodations is an on-site restaurant that serves both day visitors and overnight guests. Every weekend, the resort hosts Acoustic Night, where live band performances create a relaxed and social dining atmosphere.
The resort has also strengthened its position as an events destination. Its function hall can accommodate up to 500 guests, making it suitable for weddings, birthdays, and corporate gatherings. This large-capacity venue adds to its appeal as a go-to location for celebrations in the Tacloban area.
Leisure and Recreation
Amenities cater to both children and adults. The Children’s Waterpark features water slides designed for younger guests, while adults can enjoy a swimming pool and a giant pool slide.
Beyond these, guests can commune with nature through the resort’s landscaped garden, complete with walkways that are illuminated at night, offering a serene environment for evening strolls.
Accessibility
Located just a short drive from the city center, La Villa Francisco Mountain Resort is highly accessible for both local residents and out-of-town visitors. Guests looking for a seamless, hassle-free journey can easily book a ride directly to the resort’s gates using online ride-hailing platforms like Grab. For those commuting, standard public transportation options, including local buses are also readily available, making the highland escape completely within reach whether you are driving private or commuting.
Events
The resort has solidified its reputation as a premier destination for large gatherings, kicking off with the highly anticipated 12.0 Freedom Fest: An Independence Day Celebration. Envisioned as Eastern Visayas’ biggest annual mountain rave, the festival transforms the resort into a premier music festival destination.
Designed as a 12-hour immersive music and lifestyle experience, the celebration kicks off early in the afternoon as gates open at 1:00 PM. Guests can immediately enjoy the resort facilities—including the pool, water slides, and expansive grounds—alongside interactive zones like The Glam Hub and a curated Food Village. As the sun sets, the resort transitions into a high-energy nocturnal spectacle, starting with the relaxing sundown and golden hour grooves of local DJs Jong Garcia, NJR, and Nolit. As the night progresses, the energy hits its peak with an explosive, all-female Manila DJ lineup featuring Mia Fernandez, Christine Alcantara, Lovezy, Jennifer Lee, and Dara Carmina. Amplified by the commanding presence of The Hype Syndicate (Aj Laranas, King John, and Ice Rosales) and the visual choreography of the Rebel Force Dancers, 12.0 Freedom Fest highlights La Villa Francisco’s capability to host large-scale, premium audio-visual spectacles.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Clemente family plans to expand the resort’s offerings. Planned developments include additional villas and cottages, as well as new attractions such as a proposed kart zone and horseback-riding facilities. These enhancements aim to broaden the resort’s appeal while supporting the continued growth of tourism in Tacloban.
Photos: La Villa Francisco Mountain Resort / RMA News
