No one could have guessed that the placid expanse of seaside grassland in rustic Barrio Uacon of Candelaria would someday turn out to be the pride of Zambaleños.

Dawal Beach Resort and Restaurant was initially conceived as a private summer retreat for the family. Guests, however, simply could not help but notice the potential of the place as a tourist destination -- several beach huts and a few rooms were constructed upon suggestions.

The beach resort promptly gained the continued patronage of pleased clients. Yielding to the rapid rise in demand and popularity, the resort expanded its amenities to cater to a now larger and more discriminating clientele.

The typical rooms-for-rent were soon replaced with deluxe units. The resort hotel presently boasts of function rooms, dormitories and a penthouse. Apart from sports and recreational facilities, a pavilion bar and restaurant and an adjacent outdoor music lounge complete the lot. A large swimming pool with water slides and a kiddie pool recently added another feather to the cap of Dawal Beach Resort. And where the modest beach huts used to stand, regal gazebos now mark the place where Dawal continues to awe its visitors from all over the world.