This Resort in Quezon Gives A Modern Filipino Take on 30sqm Prefab Homes

Maria Anna hadn’t always been in the resort business, but all that changed when the pandemic hit. 

That’s how their business, Balay Ni Itay, was born. When Maria Anna’s pre-fabrication business was affected by the global health crisis, she thought of applying their products to build houses for a resort.

“Na-build siya dahil sa idea ng tatay ko,” Maria Anna tells the the OG team. “May talent siya sa pagpapagawa ng bahay so nung pandemic.”

“Ang pre-fab house kasi more of like, ang mga frames nito talagang mga metals, e. ‘Yon yung forte namin.”

Balay Ni Itay, located in Padre Burgos, Quezon, has four houses of different sizes on a 2.1-hectare property. Two small houses measure 30 square meters each and two big houses measure 60 square meters each.

A big fan of old Filipino houses, Maria Anna fashioned the Balay Ng Itay houses with local materials. Following the Filipino theme, the resort’s houses are called Balay Likha and Balay Padayon.

The key feature of the houses in Balay Ni Itay is the jacuzzi sitting outside, perfect for de-stressing and relaxation. The small houses—which can accommodate two to four persons—come with a loft bed and a lounge area with a sofa bed.

Similarly, the big houses—Balay Padayon—also have a small jacuzzi outside. Guests can order their cocktail drinks of choice or even play music while taking a dip.

There’s also an entertainment room with a karaoke, the kitchen is equipped with a coffee maker, and wines are available as well for drinking. 

As for keeping the pre-fab houses cool, guests don’t need to worry about breaking a sweat as these are all airconditioned, with individual units for the bedroom and living area.

Another key feature in the big houses are the spacious balconies, which create the perfect setting for lighthearted conversation.

“Lalo na kung gabi, napaganda ng lugar na ito,” Maria Anna shares. Kitang-kita niyo yung mga stars and tanaw na tanaw niyo rin po dito yung kabuuan ng ating lugar.”

Of course, the resort wouldn’t be complete without its pool. And what makes the one at Balay Ni Itay unique is that its waters are warm.

“’Yon yung sinasabi nila na talagang maalat-alat ito kasi natural maintenance ang ino-offer niya. Salt and tawas,” Maria Anna points out.

Apart from these amenities, guests can also experience the river connected to the sea.

“Ang sabi nga ng guests na nakarating dito, kaya na niyang i-offer ang mala-Siargao, Bohol, and Boracay feels,” Maria Anna says. 

Dishes, meanwhile, are fresh seafoods prepared by an international chef.

Interested in staying at Balay Ni Itay? The big houses cost P20,800, which includes full-board meals (served boodle fight style!) and use of the jacuzzi. 

To those planning on building a resort, Maria Anna cautions that you need to have courage, especially given the seasonality of the resort business and its high-maintenance nature. She also advises to get suppliers that care about your business.

“Kailangan kumuha din talaga kayo ng mga tao din na yung negosyo niyo mamahalin. So kung mahal ng tao yung negosyo mo, siyempre, mas mame-maintain nila ‘yon nang mas maayos. Kasi ito, two years na ‘to to three years, makikita mo, as in para pa rin siyang bago.”

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