When Eric Paras first laid eyes on the project that was going to be The Henry Dumaguete, he knew there was a bit of editing to do. “The place was a jungle of big trees and overgrown shrubs,” says the designer. “The way the structures were built was a maze of different building design typologies, from Asian modern reminiscent of Amandari style, Filipino Bahay Kubo, Spanish Mediterranean, Tropical Brutalist, 90’s modern and a 60s style brick ranch house.”
The property, which overlooks the Southern Tañon seascape, is located near the airport and within an old residential district. Previously the South Sea Resort, it was a popular destination for an impressive 40 years, the site of many landmark occasions—from debutante balls to wedding receptions and graduation parties. When the family of Jaime Ponce de Leon took over in 2016, the Dumaguete native and Leon Gallery auction house proprietor wanted to transform the retreat for a new generation. But he also wanted to honor the memories he and his fellow Dumagueteños have of the place.
De Leon tapped Paras to spearhead the overhaul, but with a directive to preserve all existing structures and trees. “We enhanced the old character and just did a refresh,” offers Paras, as if he just brushed off some speck of dust on his shoulder and voila!—a completely new hideaway! Whatever mixed bag of architectural stylings there was before has been eclipsed by this chic and modern, yet warm and welcoming oasis, very much anchored in the locale’s lush tropical backdrop. The designer was even able to drop hints of Spanish touches here and there—thanks to De Leon’s trove of antiques—effectively linking this new and modern sanctuary to Dumaguete’s rich Spanish heritage.
Surrounding the streamlined facade of the villas, as well as the resort’s pool and modern-rustic pool house, is the inspired work of landscape artist Alan Tan who De Leon likes to call “Manila’s best kept secret,” having done the gardens for some of the metro’s VIPs. Tan’s exuberant gardens for The Henry is one reason guests think twice about stepping out of the resort despite the island’s famous attractions like Apo Island, the Silliman campus, and Dumaguete’s iconic Rizal Boulevard.
Tan echoes Paras’ description of the property’s state of affairs when he first laid eyes on it. “It was like a jungle out of Angkor Wat,” he says, although aware he might be a tad exaggerating. Tan’s main objective was to remove all unwanted growth and keep the huge Botong and Talisay trees, some of which are already in their 70s. As soon as the trees have been “meticulously pruned,” they served as focal points for the landscape artist, dictating what plants he would make space for.
“The vision that came next was to create a tropical garden because of the existing shade that were given by the trees,” says the landscape artist. “We decided to plant a lot of low light-requiring plants. That time the ‘plantito’ craze was at its peak so I wanted it to become a garden with philodendrons and alocasias and ferns, which are also the mainstays in tropical jungles. The highlights are the giant green crinum lilies and staghorn ferns in the driveway, and for the other areas, the mix of textures and shades of green.”
Since opening in 2021, The Henry Dumaguete has steadily built a following in laidback Negros Oriental, and not only for its accommodations but the select restaurants found in the compound. There’s Cafe Sansrival, maker of the city’s famous dessert pasalubong (Silvanas) and popular for its breakfast fare; there’s Noelle’s Brunch Bar which serves everything from Eggs Benedict to Kimchi Spam Fried Rice all day; the Coffee Collective where the coffee is as much a treat as looking at the collection of vintage wooden Art Deco chairs; there’s Red Kitchen deli and the Negrense Microbrewery; and then there’s the Spanish restaurant Si Señor and The Dining Room which serves a variety of Asian flavors.
Si Señor has become the go-to for locals when they’re entertaining important guests, thanks to its richly flavored dishes—from the chistorra and the paella negra to the bacalao and callos—that could easily give their counterparts in Manila a run for their money (don’t forget to start your meal with the Negros Burrata Salad). From the same owners come the elegant The Dining Room whose physical appeal comes from the merging of a Brutalist aesthetic with Filipino design details. Their menu offers various Asian flavors: they have a delicious Palabok Negra and Tom Yum Goong, and they also serve a Bihod Gambas Capellini, Chicken Pyanggang, Rogan Josh, and a house-made Piña Colada ice cream served on a half coconut shell.
While it’s not easy to pull one’s self away from the resort’s private area, the Fabian Dela Rosa Lawn will always be a favorite spot. Here, guests can sit for hours on the cushioned metal chairs shaded from the sun by the Talisay and Kalachuchi trees. Being here, more importantly, anchors the visitor to the locale as one enjoys the breeze from the South Tañon seascape, or gets a view of the ocean across the street just by standing on one of the lower branches of a Kalachuchi tree (which you’ll see a lot of in the island).
And that is precisely one of this particular Henry hotel’s charms: you’ll know exactly where you are—in sunny, happy Dumaguete —and realize you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. One can only hope owner De Leon makes good on his opening night promise: “To strive and continue to make this beautiful place by the sea as beguiling and as splendid as it can be.”