Olaer Springs Resort rediscovered
Bariles could not even remember the last time he visited Olaer Springs Resort.
Located in a secluded portion of Barangay Apopong‘s steepsided valley formed by the Silway River, and nestled on its right banks, Olaer’s “cold” Springs Resort was the choice weekend destination for most families in General Santos City during the 70s and early 80s.
- “The cold Olaer Springs Resort invites you to jump right in. Photo shot from the back portion of the resort.”
Earlier before the Martial Law era, the citizens of downtown Dadiangas would just simply hie off to the old Lion’s Beach (now the Queen Tuna Park) or the Pearly Shells Beach at Barangay Bula for their weekend picnics. These black-sand beaches were unspoilt and clean then but most of all, they were FREE.
When the public market was transferred there however, after a massive fire razed it to the ground, these beaches along Sarangani Bay started losing their luster. The beaches of Alabel and Barangay Tambler back then were considered too far and the roads were still unpaved.
The only choices left were the cold springs resorts farther inland, and there were quite a few good ones in the city: Mateo Springs (now Meljois), Lumanta Springs (now closed), Dacera Springs (now El Pueblo) and the most popular, Olaer Springs.
- “The shallow pools for kids at Olaer Springs Resort, located farther inside the compound.”
Thus, for most of the Martial Law babies, Olaer Springs was where they experienced their initiation rites for PMT, CAT, WATC, ROTC; their YCAP and YDT tree-planting projects and their Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts campings. And with the generals’ penchant for making any excuse to party, Olaer was where thousands of festive birthday, baptismal, victory and holiday parties were held.
Additionally, for Bariles and his generation, this was also where most of them first learned how to dog paddle, jump head first and eventually swim the free-style, the backstroke and the butterfly. And who could ever forget playing the pool tag games, the “longest time underwater” game, the swimming contest, the underwater obstacle course, the shark game, water polo using plastic beach balls, and so many more.
All these were not lost on Bariles when he was invited by fellow blogger Jinky Olaer-Borela for an early morning swim during the Izra Wal Miraj holiday two weeks back. And yes, he was not disappointed.
As soon as he stepped on Olaer Springs Resort‘s territory for the first time after only God knows how long, all he got was goose pimples with the ensuing flood of memories that followed.
Let these following pictures by Bariles explain what he means….
- “Who could forget The Rock where as kids, climbing on top of it meant jostling with other eager kids wanting to do the same. It was our own version of Mt. Everest!”
- “In the background is Olaer Springs Resort’s THE SOURCE where all its cool water comes from. This was sacred ground for the young kids before. That’s Bariles in the foreground.”
- “The Main Pool and deep portion of the kilometric Olaer Springs Resort. Photo was shot from near the entrance of the resort.”
- “Do you remember THE BRIDGE separating the deep and shallow portions of the Main Pool? Thousands must have waded or swam under THE BRIDGE ala The Bridge of Sighs in Venice.”
- “This used to be our version of THE NIAGARA FALLS as kids, the water massaging our heads, necks and backs. It’s where all the water from Olaer Springs Resort exit.”
- “This was and still is the Olaer Springs Resort way of chilling beer. Things have not really changed since our youth.”
The best time to visit Olaer Springs Resort is from 6am to 10am when the throngs of masses have not yet descended upon its still cold, crystal clear waters. It is also time to savor the relaxing silence because once the competing voices emanating from the karaoke machines scattered all throughout the resort start, then good luck. It’s one big FIESTA at the Olaer Springs Resort once again. Welcome to the biggest weekend party in town!
How about you? What do you remember about Olaer Springs Resort?
Related posts:
- Summer Find #1: Meljois Natural Springs Resort of GenSan
- Cooling it at T’boli Hotel’s Swimming Pool in GenSan City
- My Journey to Balut Island Paradise, Part 3: Sabang Sulfur Hot Springs
- Dolores Farm Resort, Polomolok’s weekend retreat
- GenSan View Resort, a Summer Escape within the city
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Bariles is a Filipino word for “Tuna”, the primary source of income of the people of General Santos City which hosts 6 of the Philippines’ 8 tuna canneries and more than 80% of its tuna processing plants.
Aileen Apolo Says:
Oooohhhh parang ang sarap mag-dive!!!
.-= Aileen Apolo´s last blog ..How Lola Techie Uses Google =-.
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 5:44 PM
bariles Says:
@Aileen, this was where Ms. Janette Toral performed her first WATER JUMP. Check out her Facebook Account. Will love to take you here once you are back. Thanks for dropping by.
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 5:50 PM
bernie allen Says:
Hi Bariles,
This place looks great. it has improved a lot and the good thing is the water is still perfectly clear.
just like before.
How do I remember this resort?… hmnnn, ahhhh ohhhhhh, let’s keep it that way. I love this place.
very much!!!
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 5:51 PM
gensanite Says:
nice… i saw some photos where they have “unfamiliar” structures… malamang, may developments nga nahitabo… haven’t been in this place for almost 5 years, if my count is correct… hehehe…
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 6:03 PM
jinky Says:
wala akong masabi but WOW! Thank you, Bariles!
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 6:43 PM
fahdingding Says:
Wow…Ganda ng pagkakuha mo kuya AVEL… maganda na talaga olaer ngaun pero may mas maigaganda pa to if idevelop talaga… as in! sarap tuloy maligo!
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 7:44 PM
purple24 Says:
my family used to have picnic all the time at Olaer in the late 80s..i missed all those fun that we had there and what i remember most is that i almost drowned there and it was where my uncle was teaching me my basic swimming lessons. lamig2 ng tubig..kaka-miss maligo dun!
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Rica Serenio Says:
My God, it’s almost 10 years now and I haven’t been home since…I just miss that place soooo much. I remember me and my schoolmates in gradeschool skipped our afternoon classes just to enjoy the water and was swimming in our school uniforms. So many good memories and yeah…it’s where I definitely learned how to swim.
Thanks for the pictures….
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 9:36 PM
lito Says:
very nice post!i have many memories of olaer resort.in the 80s,we used to go there every weekend.
di ko malimutan… one saint john’s day in 1987,punong puno ang oaler we had to picnic on the grass…we met many friends and gabi na kami umuwi…
.-= lito´s last blog ..miss gay 4 sis resto bar =-.
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 9:53 PM
kulot Says:
sad to say wala ata akong matandaan about olaer hehehe already a decade n un eh! pero maganda pala dun ano…ang sarap-sarap maglublob lalo na sa panahon ngaun sobrang init dito sa kung san ako!
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Dr. Marlon Lajo Says:
I missed Olaer pool. It was used to be our regular venue of our batch get-together.
Water was really cold and clean.
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 10:30 PM
rrrrr Says:
yeah,na rember ko parin ang resort na ito,nung 2005 ang huling bisita namin. may pagbabago ba sa resort?
Posted on July 31st, 2009 at 11:20 PM
BrAvO SiX Says:
i really love this place….
it’s been so long since the last time i visited Olaer, 1992 pa! whew..!
things have changed in the resort physically but the way of cooling bottled drinks is still the same…Olaer’s tradition!
thanks sir avel for that rediscovery..
Posted on August 1st, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Chris Dearne Says:
Greetings,
My first ever visit to General Santos was in 1982 and one of the high points of that trip was a visit to Olaer Air Springs! I remember soaking the beer in the waters to cool down and at the end of the day my wife Ellie and our group of relations were all on or around the rock shampooing their hair and preparing to leave!
This is a very good memory for me!
Chris Dearne.
Posted on August 1st, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Mindanao Bob Says:
Even though I lived in GenSan for 2 years, I never visited Olaer Spring Resort. I heard of the place, but have never been there. The pictures sure look inviting, though. I might have to make a visit one of these days.
.-= Mindanao Bob´s last blog ..My Equipment =-.
Posted on August 1st, 2009 at 1:32 PM
ache Says:
It has always been a family affair for us at Olaer, many many fond memories as a child
we also brought a lot of friends and relatives there who are not from gensan and they loved the place too…
Posted on August 1st, 2009 at 1:44 PM
naxxe Says:
ganun pa rin…pang masa pa rin sya…may free hilaw na magga pa ba??
Posted on August 1st, 2009 at 3:22 PM
rosilie Says:
I quite remember the happy times my family and friends had in this place. Last time we were there was more than 5 years ago. There could indeed be new stuffs there and really looking forward going there again!!!
Ate Jinky, adtu mi dira sa inyuha!!!!!
Pwede ba mag blogger meeting sa olaer.hahahahahha!
TC! we miss you alot!
Greetings from me and my other blogs.
http://www.rosilie.blogspot.com
http://www.limitlessadventure.com
http://www.teeachertechiesays.com
Posted on August 1st, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Renato B. zubieta Says:
When I saw the pictures i went back to the years when olaer was our second home. We use to go there on week ends with our group the “muskratz” of notre dame. Bong josep, bobby montilla and her sister use to be there to help their grandma.
We have lot of mermories to share. I remember we stay overnight at totoy guinto’s farm house and kill some native chicken for dinner and of course tanduay then in the morning cross the river towards olaer or pass by tatang sias bonifacio’s farm and pick up more chicken then carding decenorio is the egg killer the old man complains lossing eggs.
To mention our group, bong menor, rene zubieta,carding decenorio,willy tupas, boy quizon, denden reblando, bong josep grandson of the olaer’s,edna chua now Kho, abet cruz, onio faunie,fred and art sendico,willy ,pinoy cortes, renato sosobrado, Father sergio arenga, carlos del rosario, marcy arenas, boy osuna. It was after graduation from high school 1968 when I remember the last time have been in olaer.
Posted on August 1st, 2009 at 7:38 PM
donna Says:
it’s bee such a LONG time. I miss OLAER!!! I’m so excited to go back there. I have a lot of GOOD old memories of that place!!! i just can’t help but smile.
.-= donna´s last blog ..Make-up Artist (my budding career) =-.
Posted on August 1st, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Joannapaula Says:
@ marlene: korek.. di ka nga talaga general kapag di kpa nakakapunta dito…weee! naligo kami dun sa ligo na olaer banda. yung may mini water falls. weee. ang sarap. den may lumitaw bigla. (poop! it became pupu crunch.!) hehe. biglang disperse ang drama. wahahah
Posted on August 2nd, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Ayel Says:
Oh. The last time I went there was when I was still in kindergarten. How long ago was that? 17 years ago?
Hmm… nice post sir Avel.
.-= Ayel´s last blog ..Ladol Again =-.
Posted on August 2nd, 2009 at 4:25 PM
elmerceq Says:
How do I remember the “everlasting” Olaer! back in the 70′s, we used to drop by the place along with my brothers, and they had that drinking spree and the acoustic guitars whining – ala muziklaban at its acoustic vibe. I was 8 years old then. In high school, Notre Dameans always trooped the place. Siyempre girian with the other high school dudes from other schools. Thanked God, I wasn’t involved in any melee and scuffle, jejeje. In college, I was baptized then as a Betan at the upperend of the resort. That was the first time that I ever shouted “I love Beta Phi Omega!” That was then… my heydays! Was it worh remembering? Absolutely!
.-= elmerceq´s last blog ..Tuna Pop Songwriting Competition =-.
Posted on August 3rd, 2009 at 2:25 PM
fahdingding Says:
SARAP! kagagaling lang namin ng OLAER Kahapon! LAMIG ng TUBIG!
Posted on August 4th, 2009 at 7:43 AM
hecky Says:
ang sarap lumakbay sa nakaraan habang nagtatampisaw
gunita ang mga bakas ng kahapon sa Olaer Spring Resort
lamig ng tubig ang gumising sa aking mahabang paghimbing
tara na mga kapatid,
huwag maglasing, masaya, malamig,
muling magtampisaw sa tubig
hay… mis ko na ang Olaer Spring
ang mga masasayang kahapon
Posted on August 4th, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Rea Says:
ahahaha. i miss this place. sobrang lapit lang sa bahay namin so after class nung grade school, we always go there to swim! wuhooo.
and i was even amazed before kasi may nakita akong postcard ng Olaer na binebenta sa bookshop. oha, world-class. weee!
.-= Rea´s last blog ..Yellow Day =-.
Posted on August 5th, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Mikko Says:
Waaaw, elementary pa ata ako last nakapunta dito. More than 6 years ago. Waaaa.
Posted on August 9th, 2009 at 7:44 AM
Raymund Says:
ang sarap naman…naiinggit ako..ang init pa naman ngayong linggo na to
Posted on August 9th, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Dexter Says:
Wow! just saw the pix of olaer.. hehehe… galing naman ng photographer… kakamiss magtampisaw jan ah… kaso may nakita me na dugong??? hehehe joke lang kuya avel… peace… just missed gensan… praying to visit there by september…
Posted on August 9th, 2009 at 9:34 PM
lyn2 Says:
wow!!!grabe na jud ang improvements!!!grabeee mingaw na au mi ligo dha!!!!dri sa manila wala jud ana kanindot nga spring!!!!!WHEW!init au dri lami na au maghumol sa OLAER!!!
Posted on August 11th, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Edyn Says:
hmm..Olaer ba may-ari ng resort?as in olaer family name?
Posted on August 19th, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Naomi Olaer Hoover Says:
i heard this Olaer resort but i havent been there…but im planning to see your place in the future…How are u related to Anselmo Roxas Olaer ? he is my father……
pls send me some response regarding this matter….nolaer@gmail.com thanks!
Posted on October 21st, 2009 at 3:22 PM
jR_olaer Says:
me and my cousins used to sneak out just to go swimming in this beautiful resort. our compound is just few blocks away from the resort. although were free of charge, my grandpa won’t allow ‘coz were all kids and nobody will look after us. we were about 6 – 10 years old then and the eldest of us, jonathan, was our team leader. it was very memorable. how i wish our family can celebrate a grand reunion at this resort this christmas break. ive been far from my home since 1997.
Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 2:40 PM
2009-The Year that was for GenSan News Online Mag | GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] Rediscovering Olaer Springs Resort [...]
Posted on January 6th, 2010 at 11:32 PM
rolando olaer Says:
maganda pala mag swimming dyan sa resort mo.. wala pako maka anha pero base sa aho nakita makaingon ko nga nindot jud..This is rolando olaer taga guindulman, bohol ug nagplano me nga muanha diha s inyo resort this week.. hope nga magkailhanay ta.. kasi parihas tayo ng apelyido.. you can email me.at…… saj_19ph@yahoo.com
Posted on January 23rd, 2010 at 3:05 PM
SleeplessInKL Says:
Ahh Olaer!
I remember all those bottles of Coke that we soaked in the water for chilling back in those days when Coke was still sold in bottles instead of cans.
Posted on January 27th, 2010 at 9:21 PM
kahrl Says:
OMG, cant wait to go to Olaer with my high school friends, we really had so much fun and memories, tinuod jud ng imohang mga comments, I miss the place and my friends, last time maybe I was in Olaer was 1997….
Posted on June 26th, 2010 at 11:57 PM
JOEL T. Says:
OMG, the rock in the middle of the pool is still there, I am 28 now, but back to the old days, we’re always hanging out with my relatives and friends when I was young at 5 (1986-1992), since our house was just a kilometer across Silway river and take note we’re just crossing it to reach Olaer spring. Such a reminiscing pics. Thanks. And the old bridge.is still alive,wow!
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 6:27 PM
bariles Says:
@Joel T, you’re welcome. Hope you can come home soon.
Posted on July 1st, 2010 at 9:30 PM
Mackay Says:
It’s so heart warming reading all these comments. You have rekindled great memories with your post Tito Avel. Awesome.
I too have great memories there. From Sunday swimming traditions to HS and college antics. I love that place.
Because of your post and fondness of Olaer, I have suggested that for our 10 year reunion of Irineo Santiago Elementary School batch, we celebrate it there. Nature and familiarity will make it perfect for a fun reunion don’t you think? Affordable pa for everyone!
Posted on July 14th, 2010 at 9:11 PM
bariles Says:
@Mackay, thanks for your kind words. Olaer has been a part of every general’s life and hopefully, for the rest of the young and future generations to come. We just have to let them know that it still exists. As for your reunion, make sure you do it early in the morning or if not, do it on weekdays so as to have the resort all by yourselves!
Thanks for writing again!
Posted on July 14th, 2010 at 10:49 PM
Toinks Says:
I love this place. I’ve had fun and good memories here. ^-^
Posted on July 15th, 2010 at 9:08 AM