Where the Heck is Marinduque?: THD Activities and Amenities

Planning to Visit the Philippines Soon?

There are hundreds of tourists attractions in the Philippines. But as a lover of the Island of Marinduque (Home of the Morions and Heart of the Philippines), I am indeed partial to its beauty, charm and its friendly and hospitable residents. Therefore, help me achieve my dream of seeing this island becomes a world tourist destination, by telling all your friends and relatives about this site. Welcome, to you all, new readers and faithful followers of this site! The photo above is Poctoy White Beach in Torrijos, Marinduque with beautiful and majestic Mt Malindig in the background. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringing your copyrights.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

THD Activities and Amenities - Any Suggestions?

This week, I was introduced to two new employees ( Vanessa and Elaine) in our Activities Section here at THD. When I was asked what activities, I can recommend, I suggested more lunch excursions to ethnic restaurants in the Walnut Creek and Surrounding Areas- Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Peruvian, Brazilian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Greek, Nigerian and other ethnic cuisines etc.....

I did asked my Writing Assistant on available data of what activities THD had sponsored since June 1, 2023, my first day here at THD. Here's what I learned.

What The Heritage Downtown provide :💚

From your website and other sources, here are the key activity categories and programs at The Heritage Downtown (THD) in Walnut Creek, CA:

Lectures / Educational Programs
- THD mentions “ lectures on world events, seminars on aging....topics to stimulate the mind.” theheritagedowntown.com+2theheritagedowntown.com+2
- Social clubs and educational classes ( Computers, AI etc..) are part of their activity calendar theheritagedowntown.com
Live Entertainment / Concerts
- On-site concerts and live entertainment are a core part of the social calendar. theheritagedowntown.com
- They also emphasize their partnership with the Lesher Center for the Arts, which is within walking distance. theheritagedowntown.com+2theheritagedowntown.com+2
- According to their “Fall Events” blog, there are organized resident outings to Lesher Center performances (plays, concerts, gallery tours). theheritagedowntown.com
- 3. Physical Fitness & Wellness
- Robust health & wellness program: fitness center, yoga studio, pool, etc. theheritagedowntown.com
- Weekly fitness classes run in partnership with Live 2 B Healthy, including yoga, strength and balance exercises, Tai Chi, chair Volleyball and water aerobics. theheritagedowntown.com
- Guided walks into downtown Walnut Creek (to get coffee, froyo, or just stroll) are explicitly part of the wellness offering. theheritagedowntown.com
Dining
- On-site fine dining via Newton’s Fine Dining, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. The Kitchen has no Fryers, so French Fries have never been served with our hamburgers or cheese burgers. I was told a Fryer has been ordered. theheritagedowntown.com+1
- Emphasis on fresh, organic, and locally sourced ingredients (e.g., from farmers’ markets). theheritagedowntown.com
- Social “lunch walks” to downtown restaurants are part of the activity calendar. theheritagedowntown.com
Social Activities
- Examples mentioned: Thursday Night Cap and Bingo and Friday Afternoons Cocktail Hour theheritagedowntown.com
- Arts & crafts, holiday celebrations, movie nights, and book clubs are implied in their social programming. walnutcreekmagazine.com+1
Off-Site Cultural Excursions
- Organized group trips to downtown Walnut Creek, including to the Lesher Center for the Arts. theheritagedowntown.com+1
- Because of the location, residents are very well positioned to walk to downtown restaurants, the farmers’ market, shops, and cultural venues. theheritagedowntown.com
- The “Fall Events” page explicitly references resident outings, shuttle service, and priority / group ticketing for Lesher Center events. theheritagedowntown.com
  
  7. Wine / Culinary Events
  According to a profile in Walnut Creek Magazine, there are occasional wine tastings and seminars with veteran sommeliers. walnutcreekmagazine.com
- Their “Downtown Why” includes fine dining, and shopping & walking tours as lifestyle pillars. theheritagedowntown.com
Shows / Cinema
- According to Walnut Creek Magazine, there is an onsite cinema in the community for daily screenings (independent films, foreign, musicals, comedies). walnutcreekmagazine.com
Wellness Partnerships
- They partner with Hillendale Home Care, meaning they can bring some health care services into the community. theheritagedowntown.com+1
- Because of this, there’s a strong “aging in place” philosophy. theheritagedowntown.com
Community & Culture
- VIP “downtown relationships” include performing arts, wine, cuisine, and walking tours. theheritagedowntown.com
- They emphasize “Love for Life” categories: arts, fine dining, wine, shopping, walking tours. theheritagedowntown.com
  💚11. In House Activities Led by Residents ( see Photo Above)
  https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/01/ongoing-activities-led-by-residents-and.html

Here are some of the Resident-Led Activities Currently

Mahjong ( American, Hongkong and Philippines variation), Bridge, (Party), Canasta, Mexican Train, Rummycube, Scrabble, Chair volleyball, Corn Hole, Ladder ball, Meditation and Bingo.

Finally, A Suggestion from Many of My Fellow Residents:

At present THD has an in-house hair saloon, by appointment. The Beautician/Barber is only available 2-3 days per week. I relayed to THD management the suggestion from numerous residents, that an in-house (also by appointment) for Manicure/Pedicure Services be provided. This will indeed improve/enhance our quality of life here at THD.

Finally, My Food For Thought For Today:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/694216813273868

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: David, I endorse your suggestion of lunch excursions to different ethnic restaurants in Walnut Creek and the surrounding area! John Larimore; November 20, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Jane W. said...: THD ‘promo’ has mentioned Executive Chef. Wrong! (Maybe recent promo has scrubbed that). There is no ‘open airing discussion’ group. There is no book club. The acoustics in the cinema are so poor that even those who have no hearing issues struggle. I sense that is the reason movies, etc. are not as well attended as they might be. Too bad, as it has the potential to be an inviting space. Just to mention a few ‘discrepancies’ that potential residents should know up front!; November 20, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Russian poker, chess, board games, excursions to the zoo, parks, museums and shows.; November 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM

ABOUT ME

I am a retired (Chemistry Team Leader from USFDA) Filipino-American who loves writing, gardening and photography. My wife (of 58 years) and I enjoy the snowbird lifestyle between the US and the Philippines. We have a small but very private beach resort( see above video) in the beautiful island of Marinduque, Philippines. I have several blog sites(ten), a personal blog, blogs about retiring in Marinduque and our beach resort and conference center-CHATEAU DU MER. I also write for www.squidoo.com now owned by HubPages.com

Marinduque: A Photogenic Province and Tourists Destination

Marinduque is a photoblogger dream. The province is endowed with unspoiled white sand beaches, pristine blue waters, fringing reefs, virgin coral reefs, coves, limestone caves, meandering rivers, mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls and streams, fabled sulfur and hot mineral springs,old churches and of course beautiful sunsets. The Internet is filled with photographs of the scenic beauty of this island not only from the local professional photographers but also from amateur photographers all over the world. The province has more than six big islands popular to beach lovers, scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts. It has Mt Malindig known to mountain climbers and hikers. It has Bathala and Tarug Caves popular to spelunkers and just curious seekers. In one of the eight caves of Bathala, there is a resident python, believed to be enchanted. If he shows himself when you visit the caves, it is suppose to bring you good luck.

Sunset over Tres Reyes Islands- Photo from panoramnio.com The nearest and most accessible islands from the capital town of Boac are the Tres Reyes Islands ( Islands of the Three Kings), Gaspar, Melchor and Baltazar in the town of Gasan. The local names are Laki, Pangkog and Man-nga ( see map above). These islands are located southwest of the mainland. The other three group of islands bigger in area and more populated are Polo, Maniwaya and Mongpong Islands. These are located in the Northeast part of the mainland in the town of Santa Cruz. Maniwaya's Polo Maria White Beach is being develop as an alternative to Boracay. There is a bigger island, Salamongue Island which is not as well known to the tourists and residents.. I really do not know the reason, but I believe it is not as accessible from the mainland . Moreover, it is not as developed( no electricity or running water) compared to the other islands.

One of the most popular white beach located in the mainland in the town of Torrijos is Poctoy White Beach. It is about a 70 minutes drive from downtown Boac. Poctoy White beach with Mt, Malindig as the background is the most photogenic and the most photographed scenery in the island.

Just late last year, the former Elephant Island in Lipata, Buenavista, owned privately, was renamed Bellarocca Resort Island and Spa. It has been converted to look like Santorini Island, Greece with buildings all painted in white sticking in the cliffs. From what I heard, this resort is one of the most expensive and luxurious resort in Southeast Asia. The cheapest room charges $300 per night excluding meals and other amenities. When I was in Marinduque last year, I met a few rich and famous Filipinos( businessmen, actors and actresses, TV personalities)) from Manila as well as Korean and Japanese tourists at Masiga Airport in Gasan on their way to the resort. From the resort advertisement, I know that the most expensive accommodation is a 3-bedroom villa with its own pool and jacussi charging about $ 800 per night without meals. Dong Ho, Oggie Ramos, Ferdz Decena, Allan Barredo, Sydney Snoeck and Dennis Villegas are some of the photographers that I know who have photo blogs about Marinduque. Their pictures are beautiful, unique and mesmerizing. It is worth your time to visit their photo blogs sites. Looking at their photographs of Marinduque, its Tradition and Culture will surely make you proud of the beauty of our island paradise.