December at Club Balai Isabel is always special, but 2025 felt different. It wasn't just about the guests; it was about the whole of Talisay coming together. From the glowing lights on the boardwalk, Talisay trees to the local makers at our lakeshore market, the resort felt like a true balai for everyone.
Celebrating Craft: The Parol Making Contests
In December 2025, the search for the best Christmas lantern was a major highlight, organized by Gawa Gawa sa Lawa and sponsored by Nelson Terrible and the CBI group.
This contest saw representatives from every barangay in Talisay showcase their creativity and pride. The finished parol were mounted on the walls outside Club Balai Isabel starting on the second weekend of December, attracting both locals and tourists to the colorful display.
Ms. Len Barba, a representative of Talisay tourism, arranged three expert judges from the Batangas culture and tourism sectors to ensure a professional and fair selection: Angelo Perez, the Program and Socials Coordinator of the Community Affairs Office, Batangas Artist Rogger Basco from Lipa City, and Aylene Acorda, the Tourism Officer of Lipa City.
Together, the three judges spent an afternoon listening to the presentations of all the participants, taking the time to carefully inspect each one for durability, craftsmanship, its adherence to the theme, and understanding the concepts behind the designs.
They deliberated for hours about the merits of each parol, and the merits of balancing beauty and durability, and the ideas behind the designs. In the end, the scores were tallied and Barangay Aya was named the winner of this contest, earning Php 25,000 in cash.
- 1st Runner-Up: Barangay Pob.8
- 2nd Runner-Up: Barangay Quiling
- 3rd Runner-Up: Barangay Caloocan
- 4th Runner-Up: Barangay Pob.6
At the same time, Club Balai Isabel’s own team got in on the spirit, proving that the talent within the CBI family runs deep. To keep judging fair, we handed our survey forms to our guests, and the Sales & Reservations Department came away with the win with their clean and colorful display.
- 1st Runner-Up: Terraza
- 2nd Runner-Up: Housekeeping
Lighting the Way: Simbang Gabi and the Lakeshore Market
Every year, we have the anticipated Simbang Gabi at the Spousal of Mary and Joseph. The atmosphere was made even more festive by the Christmas lights wrapped around the trees along the boardwalk, creating a beautiful, warm glow for those evening walks.
On the second weekend of December (Dec 13–14), we hosted the Lakeshore Market which was the perfect venue for the awarding ceremony of the SaTaLa Parol Contest. It featured 19 vendors, all members of Sagip Taal Lake, giving these entrepreneurs a chance to showcase their products and services to guests and fellow Talisenyos.
Christmas Eve at Terraza
On December 24, we gathered at Terraza Cafe and Restaurant. It was a night of great food, family games, and laughs. We set up a photobooth so families could capture the moment before heading off to enjoy the rest of the holiday.
The Grand Finale: A Night Under the Stars at the Aplaya Helipad
For the first time ever, we were blessed with perfect weather that allowed us to hold our New Year’s Eve celebration fully outdoors. The venue was the Aplaya helipad, right by the water, offering an unobstructed view of the sky.
It was a night filled with local talent and energy:
- The Music: Local band Ritmika kept the crowd moving with live sets.
- The Host: Our very own Jed Cabela, a Talisay local, kept the program lively and engaging.
- The Prizes: We gave away a variety of prizes from our own brands—Kumintang Republik, Terraza Cafe, Red Egg Deli, and Club Balai Isabel—as well as custom bead accessories from Kutkot Pulseras.
It was the perfect way to ring in 2026—no pretense, just presence, surrounded by the people and the town we love.