Science tells us that it is the Earth’s atmosphere that makes a sunset so special: like a prism, the planet’s envelope of gases bends the different colors and wavelengths of light as the sun dips toward the horizon. Each sunset is unique and a result of ever-changing atmospheric conditions.

Yes, the physics of a sunset can get highly scientific, and while these nuggets of geeky wisdom are good to know, nothing beats the firsthand experience of beholding the flaming star’s setting beauty. And this firsthand sublime, sensory encounter with Mother Nature is truly spectacular from Sunset at Aninuan’s sparkling, sandy shores.

SUNSET SENSEI
Perhaps no one is more acquainted with the spectacular sunsets at the resort than its owner, Lexy Niederer. This dynamic woman has spent nearly every day – over the last 10 years since she singlehandedly developed and opened Sunset at Aninuan – gazing upon nature’s intoxicating splendor.
“No two sunsets here are the same, I tell you,” she schooled us upon our arrival, over a hearty and delicious lunch of Filipino-style fried chicken, and a tangy tamarind-based soup of freshly caught talakitok (trevally) fish and veggies. “Sometimes, the sunset is super dramatic. Other times, it is more mellow.”

True to Lexy’s firmly-held observation, sunset proved a different treat on each of the two nights we spent at the island getaway: day one saw a pastel-hued palette, French-Impressionist in inspiration; day two, a vibrant display of reds and oranges, as though from Picasso’s Rose Period.

SUN-DRENCHED, SEASIDE SANCTUARY
Aside from its legendary sunsets, the resort also boasts an unbeatable location.

The parcel of land on Aninuan Beach, in Barangay Aninuan, Puerto Galera, in the southern Philippine province of Mindoro Oriental, first caught Lexy’s eye in 2006. She knew that it would be the perfect place to build her seaside sanctuary: Aninuan Beach is far away enough from Mindoro’s famed party place, White Beach, yet also close enough to the latter for visitors to get a dose of the storied “forever Spring Break” vibe, while indulging in the former’s sun-drenched serenity.

An avid scuba diver with a vivacious personality, Lexy likewise longed to fulfill her passion for diving and her penchant for people. “I love diving, and I love to meet all sorts of people. Having this resort helps me do both. Also, I wanted to have a place that would be like my baby, because I knew back then that my boys would eventually leave home,” she said, in reference to her two half-Swiss, young adult sons who now reside overseas.

She decided to initially lease 500 square meters of the land on which Sunset at Aninuan now sits, and soon after constructed three simple thatched cottages. To date, the resort – now fully owned by Lexy, and operated with the help of her Australian life partner, Mark Hughes – has 45 well-appointed rooms and suites, and five luxurious villas, spread out over 6,000 square meters of prime beach property. Recently, the establishment was bestowed the Golden Globe Annual Awards for Business Excellence, as the Best Premiere Resort, Mindoro Awards. No small feat for this awe-inspiring Filipina, originally from a rural town in San Pablo, Laguna.

“The beach and water are so clean. It is almost like a private beach. It’s so quite here, so serene,” Lexy mused, in passing.