The half of the lot was bought by Father Ambrosio Ponce, SVD on the 1980s. The price then was PhP 70.00 per square meter. This marked the beginning of the establishment. The lot that was bought to where Ponce del Mar Beach Resort will soon rise…
After 10 years, the other half of the lot was bought; unfortunately, the price jumped, from PhP 70 to PhP 700.00 per square meter. The initial plan then was to build some sort of a family rest house, but it was Mr. Antonio L. Ponce who suggested of building a commercial one.
Ponce del Mar has come into the view – Ponce (family name) and del Mar which means of the sea. It was a single proprietorship type of business.
The ground breaking ceremony was held on September 9, 1999. There were more or less 60 construction workers that were hired. More than 5 months passed, the construction was completed on February 20, 2000. The blessing of the establishment was done by Fr. Ponce, SVD the same day.
The whole establishment was comprised of 10 standard rooms, 6 family rooms, and the adjacent front desk and restaurant area.
A week after the blessing, formal operation of the resort has started. The following personnel were initially hired – 2 security guards (day and night), 1 cook, 1 receptionist, 1 bell boy, and 1 helper all around.
The business has ran smoothly. The videoke facility of the resort had been the highlight those days. Ponce del Mar has been the only videoke bar establishment on Cabugao back then.
Another notable facility of the resort was the 13 cubicle-picnic huts which were built along the seashore line. Adding colors to the huts were rows of flagpole holding multi-colored banderitas.
Numerous years have already passed and lot of changes, particularly at the resort’s facility, has taken place. There are now two function halls that were built – one fully air-conditioned with a capacity of 100 persons, and the newly-built St. Francis Hall, an open air function hall which is perfect for outdoor events, especially wedding buffet, and debut dance floor; a renovated bar and restaurant area and a Bamboo house which holds 3 fully air-conditioned bedrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and Private toilet and bathroom, were also some additions.
Today, Ponce del Mar is still humbly located at the heart of Pug-Os, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, still facing the challenges of the changing times…
The Business is currently registered under Business Permit #0257, under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Antonio L. Ponce.
