La Vista del Mar

Beach Resort

Malabugas, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental

La Vista Del Mar – First Beach Resort in Bayawan

La Vista del Mar located in Malabugas, Bayawan City was the first beach resort in Bayawan established by Rodolfo Gargantiel the youngest of Porong’s children . An engineer by profession , Rod and his family left Manila and settled in the very place where he was born. Rod saw the need for ice due to the thriving fishing industry in Bayawan that he established the first Ice plant in the town. With various business ventures he become a successful entrepreneur. Ahead of his time, his passion for the sea and diving guided him to the development of La Vista Del Mar beach resort in the early 1970’s. As Vice-President of the Philippine Aquatic Sports and Marine Foundation Rod put Bayawan in the map by sponsoring the 3rd Annual Skin and Scuba Diving tournament in the Philippines held at La Vista del Mar Resort in April 10-11, 1976. It was a spectacular event for a small town where government dignitaries , foreign divers and media attended.

The first beach wedding in Bayawan was held in ‘La Vista” before it was thing in the 1970’s a trend very popular today. Time seemed to have stood still in the resort as you enter the quiet secluded place where it was a gathering place then and now for everyone, to celebrate, relax and unwind. It is still a venue for special events or to sit around and listen to the quiet splashing of the waves by the beach. Such tranquility is magical.

La Vista in the 70's

The completed resort bedrooms.
La Vista in 2020

The place has stood the test of time.
View from the beach - THEN
The tranquility of the place- TODAY

3rd Annual Scuba Diving Tournament

April 10-11, 1976

The competition

Foreign and local scuba divers competed with a host dignitaries and media attending.
Enjoying the water

Even local folks enjoyed the festivities.
The officers

The officers of the Philippine Aquatic Sport and Marine Foundation, Inc. that made the tournament possible.
Ahead of his time

Rod had the foresight to establish the first ice plant in the small town of Bayawan for the growing fishing industry. He saw the potential of the town in the early 60’s and 70’s.
The Partners

Rod married Teresita Arcenas Tirol from a prominent family in Capiz. She was his partner in all his successful enterprises.