Tourism

Day Tour At Villa Escudero

My sister in law and her family came home in the Philippines two weeks ago to attend her co-worker’s wedding in Lipa, Batangas. Although they don’t have plans, she was the the matron of honor and youngest son was the coin bearer. Naturally, they took this opportunity to visit tourist spot in the Philippines they haven’t visited. They went to Cebu and Bohol, I didn’t come with them this time, my kids have to prioritize their school.

Anyway, yesterday was their last weekend and we went to Villa Escudero in San Pablo, Laguna. It was their first time there and I’m glad that they love it there. It was my third time, although it was my kids’ second visit to Villa Escudero they are always excited to visit the place.

My first time in Villa Escudero was in 1988, the entrance fee was something like Php 275 or Php 375 per head. My family and relatives were also there 2 years ago with my balikbayan uncle. The day tour rate now is 1,105 (adult) and 550 (4 ft below children) from Mondays to Thursdays. During Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the rate is 1250 (adult) and 625 (children).

Remember the wedding of the late Rudy Fernandez and long time live in partner Lorna Tolentino? Their wedding was held there. How about the 80′s movie, “Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit” starring Richard Gomez and Dawn Zuleata, the final scene when they were running in the coconut plantation was also shoot there.

Villa Escudero is a working coconut plantation founded in 1872. In 1980 the Escudero family opened the plantation to the general public. Since then Villa Escudero has developed a worldwide reputation as a focal point to experience Philippine culture and history in a beautiful rural setting.

What makes Villa Escudero a perfect weekend getaway?

AERA Museum – The Escudero Familly collection of religious artifacts, silver alters, carrozas, Spanish galleon trade items, ceramics and Philippine dioramas. My 3 visits favorite I don’t fail to see was the the framed image of Jesus Christ, very unique because when you use a magnifying glass, you will see that whole new testament. It was a handwritten gift given to Don Escudero. There are also collection of clothes of former Philippine Presidents including Apolinario Mabini, Diosdado Macapagal, Ferdinand Marcos among other presidents. There are also museum guide available upon request. Take note that children 8 years old and below are not allowed inside the museum. The children could stay in a mini playground outside the museum. Picture taking is also not allowed.

Carabao Cart Ride – After seeing the museum, a cart pulled by a carabao are waiting outside to bring the tourist to Labasin Lake. I admit, I still love the feeling of the amazing ride while are serenading us filipino folk song using their guitar sometimes banduria. My niece, a half Filipina and half Latin American is amazed to what kind of animal is a carabao. I told her that it is the Philippines national animal. At first she was hesitant to ride but you could she in her face how happy she was in that experience.

Lunch at Labasin Falls – The sumptous buffet lunch is located at the Labasin Falls where guests can choose to all filipino dishes placed in a long table… from appetizer to dessert, its impossible to leave the place unhappy with the wide variety of native delicacies. What’s make it special is we opt to sit at tables placed directly in the stream and enjoy the cooling spring water flowing over our bare feet. Some kids played with flowing water from the falls and some guest took souveneir pictures with the falls as their background. My sister in law and her family enjoyed the once in the lifetime lunch. Take note that outside food and drinks are not allowed inside Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort.

Swimming pool – After lunch, guests could go to the swimming pools area, two standard pools and two kiddie pools. Lockers are also available for a minimum fee of PHP100 for your precious belongings. I don’t advise to rent a nipa hut for Php 680 since there are lots of bench situated near the swimming area. They are strict on proper swimming attire. Just in case, you forgot your swimsuit, there are available swimsuits and  trunks for rent or for sale near the area.

Cultural Sow – During Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, there are also cultural show held at Coconut Pavilion at 2pm. I haven’t got the chance to see the show before so I didn’t swim not until after the show. The performers are no other than the Villa Escudero staff, they performed native dance such as singkil, pandanggo sa ilaw and many more, some are even choragraphed by the late Ramon Ubusan. The one hour show was worth it for foreigners and pinoys like me. I didn’t even know that there are some native dance that I don’t know.

Recreation – My eldest son after got tired of swimming prefer to go river rafting with his grandpa, my brother in law and his daughter tried it also. It seems the whole day is not enough to explore the villa. For those who are not the outdoor type, there are also karaoke, mahjong, ping-pong, pool, darts at the recreation hall which I didn’t tried. I guess, overnight guests spend their night in this hall.

How to get there? Its a 2 hour drive from Manila, take SLEX (South Luzon Expressway), exit to Lucena Exit, turn left at Sto. Tomas junction, slow down upon seeing the Quezon Province Boundary Arch. The Villa Escudero entrance is immediately to the left. If you got lost, simply asked the town of San Pablo.

For more information, group reservation and inquiries, please contact their Manila office at 521-0830/ 523-0392/ 523-2944

NAIA Terminal 3 Finally Opens

Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA Terminal 3 finally opened its door for commercial flights this morning. The lucky Cebu Pacific flight bound for Caticlan is the first flight to use the controversial NAIA 3 at 5:10 am this morning.

Why controversial? The third terminal of the airport, the larger Terminal 3, is the newest terminal in the NAIA complex. Constructed starting 1997, the terminal is 98% complete as of 2006. It is one of the most controversial projects the Philippine government has gotten involved in, and in some cases is likened to a white elephant. Legal battles and red tape, especially international arbitration cases in both the United States and Singapore as a result of mismanagement of the project by the Estrada government, as well as technical and safety concerns, have delayed the opening several times. It is slated to officially open on June 30, 2008. – taken from wikipedia

The journey to the new airport will take 30 minutes per passenger to reach boarding area. There are guides to avoid passengers to get lost. I heard, a couple won a round trip ticket to Caticlan on NAIA 3 first operating day. Wow! They experienced first the NAIA 3 and they won round trip tickets to Caticlan. They are lucky indeed on their Boracay vacation.

Looking forward to see and experience NAIA Terminal 3 soon.

Day At Trinoma

There were many times that I’ve read in forums good things about Trinoma. At first, I’m eager to see the place. It just so happened that my mom asked me for a favor to meet someone there in her behalf. Trinoma is in Quezon City, near SM North Edsa. From my place, I took a jeepney ride to MRT. Then took a ride to MRT, from Taft station to North station. The jeepney and MRT ride is estimated to be 30 minutes. I won’t dare to ride a bus or bring a car, a 1 1/2 to 2 hours traffic would surely irritate me. Besides, MRT is the most convenient way to be there even if the long line to buy MRT ticket is such a hassle. It took me 10 minutes to buy ticket. Whew!

Anyway, Trinoma at first glance it made me feel that I’m in Glorietta, Makati and some part of Trinoma reminds me of Alabang Town Center. Please correct me if I’m wrong, here are the pictures.

Trinoma

Puerto Princesa Subterranean Underground River

Have you watched PBB Teen Plus journey to the underground river, the famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River? I’ve just posted two days ago an update article of the Seven New Wonders of Nature, I’m glad the local government of Palawan is promoting the underground river. Imagine, as I’ve wrote my first article regarding Tubbataha Reef, the Subterranean River was listed in 200th+ place, the underground river is now in top 77 (10th place) in 1 1/2 month of promotion of Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

He invited Pinoy Big Brother staff for them to see the beauty of 8.2km river under a mountain and the second longest in the world and drains into the South China Sea. The Subterranean River National Park is a protected national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site just like . PBB flashed the website for televiewers to vote. Click here to vote, don’t forget to confirm your email.

See for yourself a video from youtube.

Upon watching the island adventure and underground river boat ride of PBB, I remembered the time when we went in Huyup-Huyupan Cave in Bicol, there were lots of bats and stalagmites too. If the underground river has Holy Family, Huyup-Huyupan has Mama Mary and infant Jesus.

Tubbataha Reef On 7th Place

My sister brought home a newspaper from the market, its not a popular newspaper but an article caught my attention. I was looking for the newspaper now but it was accidentanly thrown away by my niece. Anyway, the article states as far as I remember, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is urging Filipinos to vote for Mayon Volcano of Bicol as one of the “Seven New Wonders Of Nature”.

I don’t know if GMA is aware that Philippines have other entries for Seven New Wonders Of Nature other than Mayon Volcano such as Tubbataha Reef in Palawan, Chocolate Hills of Bohol and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan. I don’t have anything against GMA’s intention of having Mayon Volcano to be included to Seven New Wonders of Nature but it would be better if she promote all four entries.

As of this writing, Tubbataha Reef is on 7th place (29th place last 3/10/08), Chocolate Hills on the 9th (42nd place last 3/10/08), Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park on the 10th place and Mayon Volcano on the 31th place(not listed on top 77 last 3/10/08). Wow! Pinoy bloggers really did their assignments on promoting our entries. This article is a friendly reminder, I hope you could make a follow up article on Tubbataha Reef and other entries. December 31, 2008 (closing of votes) is seven months from now, I don’t think we should stop but encourage more votes from Filipinos around the world. If you haven’t vote yet, please vote now, don’t forget to confirm your email otherwise your vote will not be counted. You could view the live ranking here.

Go, Pinoy!