|
Casa San Pablo is a good take-off point for what is getting to
be San Pablo’s popular art and culture tour—or
more collectively known as Viajes del Sol—which is a
brainchild of designer Patis Tesoro and includes 16 establishments
in Laguna and Quezon. Among Viaje Del Sol’s members
include Patis Tesoro’s Cusina Salud, Pillar’s
Plants and Novelties, brass sculptor Carlitos Ortega’s
workshop, Collette’s bakeshop, Patio Verde, Soriano
Fiber, Villa Escudero, and pottery artist Ugu Bigyan’s
cafe and studio, and Kinabuhayan Café to name a few.
Viaje del Sol is an itinerary suggestion for those who would
like to explore our area. It is not a packaged tour. At Casa
San Pablo, we can assist you in scheduling your trip to the
different destinations, however, we do not provide transportation
nor tour guides. Please note that the rates quoted below are
subject to change without prior notice.
|
CASA SAN
PABLO
San Pablo City
Casa San Pablo is
a country inn surrounded by Baguio-like pine trees and
sprawling lawns. Avid art collector and hobby enthusiast
Boots Alcantara and his wife An Mercado-Alcantara, writer
and magazine editor, are the innkeepers. The inn reflects
their pursuit of contemporary and eclectic junk-turned-art
and literary collections.
Activities:
Stay overnight or come for lunch. They accommodate workshops
and seminars for groups of up to 100 people.
Directions: From Manila, after the San Pablo
border, stay on the Maharlika Highway. You will see
a Caltex station to the left, right before a fork in
the highway. The right side of the fork heads straight
to Lucena, the left leads to San Pablo city. Take the
left road, this is Colago Ave. Watch for the Community
Hospital on your left. Shortly after the hospital, to
the right, is Kay Inay Resort. Turn into the resort
gate, Casa San Pablo is inside.
For Reservations: Prior reservations must be
made. Please call 0917-8126687 or visit www.casasanpablo.com |
SAN
PABLO-TIAONG DESTINATIONS:
CARLITO’S WORKSHOP
San Pablo City
Carlito Ortega is a sculptor who works in welded
steel and brass, as well as with old hard wood. He creates
figurative works in both intimate and monumental scale inspired
by Philippine folk art and lore. Come and visit his artist
workshop and garden.
Activities: Watch the artist
at work, relax in his workshop and sip his unique blend of
rice coffee.
Directions: Coming from Manila, after the San Pablo
border, stay on the Maharlika Highway. Watch for the kilometer
marker 88 on the right side of the road. Turn right on the
road a few hundred meters after the marker. This road leads
to Barrio Sta. Ana. Follow this road for 1.4 kilometers and
you will see a gate to your right with the sign Carlito’s.
Rates: Entrance fee is P150.00 per head.
For Reservations: The workshop is open on Saturdays
and Sundays from 9 AM to 5 PM. For weekday visits, please
give advance notice.
Contact Information: Call Carlito at (0919) 8377755
or (049) 5620351
COLETTE’S BUKO PIE
San Pablo City
Colette’s Buko Pie at Pasalubong is the
main store in a chain that offers pasalubong treats like their
famous buko pie to pineapple pies and cassava bibingka. Beside
their main store is Caffé Curio, which serves hot lattes,
ice-blended coffees and smoothies, plus pasta and rice dishes.
Activities: Pastillas de leche,
broas espasol, yema, sampaloc candy, panocha with peanuts,
uraro cookies, meringue, pili candy, okoy and more.
Baked product line. Buko pie, ube macapuno pie, buko-pandan
pie, pineapple pie, buko-langka pie, buko pie supreme, cassava
bibingka
Directions: From Manila, stay on the Maharlika Highway,
after the San Pablo border, watch for the Honda Showroom.
Colette’s Pasalubong and Caffe Curio are on the left,
shortly after Honda.
Hours: Colette’s Pasalubong open 24 hours,
7 days a week. Caffe Curio open 6 am to 2 am, every day of
the week.
EARTHKEEPER’S GARDEN AND RESTAURANT
Tiaong, Quezon
Having started as a commercial garden, selling
houseplants and landscaping materials, Earthkeepers now has
a restaurant which serves organically grown products cooked
in the traditional Quezon way. While dining, you can enjoy
a good view of the garden’s various tropical and native
plants. In support of the communities around Mount Banahaw,
Earthkeepers also sells native products by aspiring local
artists.
Activities: You may come over breakfast,
lunch or snacks. You may also look at and buy plants, as well
as native products.
Directions: From San Pablo City, follow Maharlika
Highway to Tiaong. Proceed until Km 101, Barangay Talisay,
Tiaong, Quezon. It is on the left side.
For Reservations: Earthkeeper is open from 6 AM to
6 PM. Call Tere at (042) 5457112.
KINABUHAYAN CAFE BED AND BREAKFAST
Dolores, Quezon
In the historic town of Dolores, Quezon, is
Kinabuhayan Café and Bed and Breakfast. Inspired by
the majestic Mount Banahaw, the rustic, homey accommodations
and personal service are complemented with a mélange
of Asian and European cuisine.
Activities: Stay overnight
or come for lunch or dinner. Kinabuhayan Café is a
jump off point for trekkers of Mount Banahaw. Picnic lunches
can be arranged at Kubli Springs. They offer massage services.
And sometimes, they also hold community theater performances.
Directions: From Manila, after the San Pablo
border, stay on the Highway up to Km 86 where you will see
the Meralco Compound to your right. Shortly after Meralco,
turn left on the road leading to Dolores. Go passed Bato Springs
and turn left after the gas station. Stay on this road until
you reach Bejarme St. Turn left, after a few meters, Kinabuhayan
Café will be to your right.
Rates: P500 per meal per person.
Reservations: Call Winston at 0917-3271106
or call Jay at 0917-3680054 or 042-5656828. Visit www.klar.us/kinabuhayan_cafe
 KUSINA
SALUD
San Pablo, Laguna
Patis Tesoro, renowned fashion designer and
advocate of indigenous fabrics, has thrown open the doors
of her enchanting country home. Chef Paul Poblador, formerly
of Salud! Bistro in Baguio City (nominated one of the best
restaurants in the country by Tatler magazine) creates a memorable
menu of favorite Filipino dishes with a contemporary twist.
Activities: We offer find dining
services set in a verdant environment. We accept bookings
for private parties and corporate gatherings.Visit the garden
and mini aviary (accredited by the Feathered Friends Foundation
and the DENR). Look at the latest art exhibits at Galleria
Esperanza.
Directions: From Manila, after the San Pablo
border, stay on the Maharlika Highway. Follow the signs to
Kusina Salud along the Maharlika Highway.
Rates: Lunch buffet every Sunday for P400++/adult
and P250++/child. Yaya and driver meals at P70++/head.
For reservations: Please text Jerome at (0921)
7726985 or call (02) 699-5035 or (049) 246-6878. Open everyday
for lunch from 11 am to 3 pm and for dinner from 5:30 pm to
9 pm. Reservations are recommended so we can serve you better.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
PILLAR PLANTS AND NOVELTIES
San Pablo City
Some of the best and most interesting antiques
and collectibles from all over Southern Luzon can be found
at Pillar Plants & Novelties.
Managed and owned by Emilio and Redemcion Pilar, they have
a branch within the Kusina Salud compound. The main showroom
is in Lucena City ( 2497 Gulang-Gulang, Lucena City) where
you may see their landscaping artistry. They also have a branch
of Immaculada Concepcion, along Maharlika Highway, Isabang,
Lucena City (near GSIS).
Activities: Shop for collectible
antiques, plants, and art pieces.
Directions: Coming from Manila, after the
San Pablo border, stay on the Maharlika Highway. Look for
a Shell gasoline station on the right side of the highway.
After negotiating the blind turn beyond the Shell station,
turn left on side road. Follow Sta. Cruz barangay road until
the wooden bridge. The entrance to Kusina Salud is the second
gate to the left after the bridge.
Store Hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, from Monday
to Sunday
Contact Nos: Kusina Salud Branch: (0915)
3737851, look for Louie. Main office: (042) 710-5753, look
for Eding. Isabang Branch: (042) 373-7556, look for Ella or
Liza.
SAMPALOK AND PANDIN LAKES
San Pablo City
Visit two of San Pablo’s seven lakes—Sampalok
and Pandin, the two most picturesque lakes. Sampalok Lake
is the largest among San Pablo’s seven crater lakes.
There are now 16 lovely parks along the shore all created
by private groups. All the parks look out to the lake and
the majesty of Mount Cristobal.
Pandin Lake is San Pablo’s best-kept little secret.
Away from the main highway, this beautiful 20-hectare lake
has retained much of its natural beauty.
Activities: At Sampalok Lake: Environmentalist
Mandy Marino welcomes visitors to his veranda overlooking
the lake. He tells the story of the lake and its rebirth.
Visitors are then taken for a half-hour walk to view the parks
and the mansions along the lake’s “magnificent
kilometer.” At Pandin Lake: You can take a 20-minute
guided hike along a winding footpath leading to the serene
lake. A ride on a bamboo raft and fresh buko juice are provided.
Rates:
For Sampalok Lake Tour: P100 per person.
For Pandin Lake Tour: P180 per person.
Reservations: Prior arrangements necessary.
Contact information: Call Mandy Mariño
at 0917-5016694.
SITIO DE AMOR, FARM/RESORT
Sitio de Amor is a 4.5 hectare orchard nestled
between Mt San Cristobal and Mt Banahaw, traversed by the
Balanga River feeding a huge lagoon meant to entice the visitor
for a cool dip or simply be soothed by of the water's murmuring
sound. Landscaping is an interplay of solid rocks and luxurious
greenery expertly done by Igorots, the architects of our famous
Ifugao terraces. In August, during the Rambutan Festival,
visitors can pick and eat rambutan free and buy more to take
home.
Activities: Visit for a quiet time--reading
in a hammock, unhurried walks or jogging around. Also available
for garden weddings, anniversaries and reunions, corporate
planning, team building, educational field trips, camping
Rates: Day tour with lunch is P600/person
Directions: Take Maharlika Highway from South
Superhiway heading towards Lucena. We are on your left side,
7 kilometers after San Pablo City proper and 3 kilometers
before Villa Escudero. Turn left at the signage, its about
600 meters in. We are about 1.5 hours from Manila.
For reservations: Prior reservation required.
Call tel no: (02) 552-7340 or cell No: 0918-927-4346. Email:
sitiodeamor@yahoo.com
 UGU
BIGYAN: POTTER’S GARDEN
Tiaong, Quezon
For potter Ugu Bigyan, home has always been
in Tiaong, Quezon. His artist’s workshop is a cluster
of quaint huts, connected by brick paths, and surrounded by
a lush garden. Ugu’s works are on display and are for
sale. Lunch is served at his garden. Meals are served on his
beautiful ceramic plates and bowls.
Activities: View his pottery
and buy bowls, plates, chimes, even jewelry. Take pottery
lessons.
Directions: From Manila, head towards Tiaong,
Quezon. Drive past the Tiaong Public Market and watch for
the Tiaong Elementary School. Five minutes from the school,
watch for a sign pointing to Lusacan National Highschool,
to your left. Turn left on the road near the sign. Follow
the road and turn left on Alvarez Village. The house is the
red clay house to your left.
Reservations: Reservations for lunch must
be made with a minimum of five persons. Telefax (042) 5459144.
 VILLA
ESCUDERO
Tiaong, Quezon
Villa Escudero has preserved the lifestyle and
culture of turn of the century hacienda living. See the grand
mansion of the Escudero family, the nipa cottages perched
around the Labasin Lake, and the amazing collection of Philippine
history and culture kept in their family museum.
Dining at Villa Escudero is unforgettable. Lunch is served
by the waterfalls of the old hydro-electric plant. Guests
enjoy their meal while their feet are soak in running water
from the falls. This is pampering the haciendero way.
Activities: Villa Escudero
has several fresh water swimming pools and a lake for rafting.
There are cultural shows on weekends. It also has facilities
for workshops and conferences. They also accommodate wedding
receptions and parties.
Directions: Coming from Manila, after the
San Pablo border, stay on the Maharlika Highway until you
reach the boundary of San Pablo and Tiaong, Quezon. The entrance
to the resort is on the left right after the welcome arch
to Tiaong, Quezon.
Rates: Overnight stay is P3000 per head.
Day visit is P800 per head with free lunch at the waterfalls.
Museum visits are free for day guests.
For Reservations. Call (02) 521-0830.
LIPA, BATANGAS
DESTINATIONS:
CASARAP
Batangas
Run by Sr. Emma Alday and Mrs. Sonia Alampay, CasaRap is a
greenhouse café, art gallery, and organic garden. Casa
means house and RAP stands for Restaurant and Alternative
Products. “Kasarap” is a Batangueño expression
meaning very delicious.
They serve Batangueno comfort food.
Activities: Dine and relax
in the garden and visit Sr. Emma’s workshop, where she
recycles “junk” into furniture or home accents.
Directions: From Manila take the Star Toll to Lipa.
Take Tambo Exit to Batangas City. CasaRap is just 20 minutes
away from Wan Fernando Airbase.
Rates: There are 5 sets of menus (bottomless rice
and pandan iced tea included), for P300 each. Rice toppings
are P85 to P100.
For Reservations: Open daily, 7 am to 5 pm. For dinners,
big groups and private functions, advance notice is requested.
Contact Information: Call Emma at (043) 726-2873
or (0916)2126685
 CHARLEY’S
BED AND BREAKFAST
Lipa, Batangas
Hotelier Charley Leviste-Antonio operates a restaurant where
guests can have the unique feel of casual dining in a private
luxury family estate. Chef Rodolfo de Leon, a graduate
of Les Roches Switzerland, meticulously prepares every meal
with fresh ingredients flavored with hebs picked from Charley’s
greenhouse.
Activities: Dine al fresco in a gazebo, or
in the home’s main dining room, which provides a view
of the estate. Visit the estate’s stables. Enjoy a horseback
or carabao ride, and a walk through mahogany tree-lined paths.
Directions: From Manila, take the SLEX and
exit at Calamba. Take the route to Lipa via the Star
Tollway. Take the Lipa exit. Turn right and continue
on this road until a fork and take the road on the left. You
should pass La Salle, Lipa City Hall, SM, and a billboard
of the Sto. Nino Parish. Turn left at this billboard on to
Gov. F. Leviste Highway. A few hundred meters down this
road is a long stonewall and a wooden gate. Welcome to Charley’s.
For Reservations: Charley’s is open
for lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner on weekends. All visits
must be pre-arranged. Call Charley Leviste- Antonio at
0920-9507032.
First Asia Institute of Technology
and Humanities
Tanuan, Batangas
Visit a world-class school campus right at the
heart of Tanaun, Batangas. The First Asia Institute of Technology
and Humanities is a five-hectare campus with fully air-conditioned
classrooms used for all levels of education. It also houses
complementary facilities for sports, extra-curricular activities
and school functions.
Activities: Visit the school
just to relax and see its different gardens. Hold seminars,
conferences and sports events. It also offers special courses
on art, sports (Chess and Basketball), computer, and Robotics.
Directions: Take the
SLEX and exit at Turbina. Go straight to JP Laurel Highway,
passing the towns of Makiling, Sto. Tomas and Tanauan City.
The school is just along the highway going to Lipa.
For Reservations: Please call
the Office of Planning and Development at (043) 405 2326 or
e-mail inquiries@firstasia.edu.ph. As an educational institution,
First Asia Institute gives priority to activities that promote
education, culture, business development and those that promote
the Calabarzon region.
 TARAWOODS
ESTATE
Tanauan, Batangas
Tarawoods Estate is a 17-hectare farm and haven
in Barangay Natatas, Tanauan, Batangas with a charming three-story
main house and bungalow with modern amenities. Surrounded
by landscaped gardens and areas planted to coffee, corn, calamansi,
mango, papaya, langka, black pepper, and peanuts, the property
is also heavily wooded with narra, acacia, and mahogany trees.
The houses can accommodate a total of 35 persons for overnight
stays in eight airconditioned bedrooms and a naturally ventilated
attic. It is and ideal site for corporate meetings and teambuilding
sessions as it has an airconditioned training room with a
capacity for 40 persons, as wells as plenty of open space
for outdoor learning activities. Lunch and dinner parties
for up to 200 persons can be accommodated within the main
house and lawn area. Separate quarters for drivers are provided
near the houses and ample parking is available.
Tarawoods is a working farm with a full time staff who tend
to the fields. Fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables are available
depending on the harvest schedule. They are grown organically
with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides used in their production.
Tarawoods is open only by reservation. Since
only one group is booked at a time, visitors are assure complete
privacy fir their corporate seminars or parties. It is located
just one house south of Manila using the South Luzon Expressway
and STAR tollway.
For further inquiries, please contact us at
tara@info.com.ph
PANSOL-LOS BANOS
DESTINATIONS:
HERBANA FARMS
Calamba City, Laguna
Herbana Farms is an agroecological sanctuary
that makes its own organic fertilizer by using beneficial
microbes. They have farm tours and offer the experience of
living in their unique Mud/Cob Houses, the only one of its
kind in the Philippines. Gil Carandang, the man behind all
these is in the forefront of Organic Advocacy.
Activities: We accept apprenticeship, internship
and farm volunteers. We can accommodate 30 people in our dormitory
type quarters, or bed-in in one of our Mud/Cob houses. We
sell Organic Fertilizers, soil composts and specialty vegetables.
Visit our website www.herbanafarms.com.
Directions: Take the second exit after Calamba
tollway, Batino/CPIP, and follow the sign to Tagaytay Highlands.
Reaching km 59 to the left is a waiting shed and farm sign,
Herbana Farms. Enter the access road.
For Reservations: Herbana Farms is open 24/7.
Call Monina Carandang at 0920-5445439 and RT Gonzales at 09183527511.
LA VISTA PANSOL
Pansol, Laguna
Famous for its elaborate five-story water slide,
La Vista Pansol is a vast resort complex between Laguna Lake
and Mount Makiling. It offers weekend getaway retreats for
families or seminars and conference packages for companies.
It has 7, 000 square meters of crystal clear natural warm
spring swimming pools and 7 state-of-the-art conference halls.
Most interesting for families looking for educational pit
stops on their Laguna route is their animal sanctuary. Run
by veterinarian Dr. Neil Donato, the sanctuary gives refuge
to rare birds and animals unable to thrive in the surrounding
Makiling forests or rescued from other places in the Philippines.
You may also enjoy a meal at their Tree House Cafe and Restaurant.
Activities: Swimming, water
slide, basketball, and volleyball. There are picnic huts for
day guests, and executive rooms and cottages for overnight
guests. Family rest houses are also available with their own
private pools.
Directions: At the end of SLEX, left towards
Calamba crossing. At Calamba crossing, right towards Los Banos.
At Km 55.5, turn left. You will pass the Pansol Barangay Outpost
before reaching La Vista Pansol.
Rates: Basic entrance fee is from P50 to
P70. Wet & Wild entrance fee is P150 to P170. Room rates
range from P2,100 (day only) to P4,500 (overnight). Rooms
can accommodate from 2 to 16 people.
For Reservations: Call (049) 834-1121 or
244-3645 or 545-1850
 PETTYJOHN
POTTERY WORKSHOP
Pansol, Laguna
Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn, pioneers of Philippine
pottery, have been creating works of ceramic art in their
Pansol, Laguna workshop since the 1970’s. The workshop,
and the Pettyjohn’s traditional, Filipino-style house
are perched on the foothills of Mount Makiling, offering a
spectacular view of Laguna de Bay, while surrounded by the
lush greenery of the Makiling rainforest.
The workshop is home to both gas and wood-fired kilns, including
an Anagama (the ancient Japanese word for “cave-kiln”)
which was built following the ancient Japanese tradition.
It fires for 2-3 days to produce beautiful and highly-prized
natural wood ash glazes.
Activities: Tour the workshop and gallery.
Demonstrations can be arranged by appointment.
Directions: At the end of SLEX, turn left
towards Calamba crossing. At Calamba crossing, turn right
towards Los Banos. The workshop is located at the boundaties
of barrios Bucal and Pansol. Turn right just before Luisita
Ridge resort.
Contact Information: All visits must be pre-arranged.
Call (02) 812-0766, (02) 729-2980, workshop and residence
(049) 545-1608, cell (0917) 896-5491.
 THE
FOREST CLUB
Bgy. Masaya, Bay, Laguna
The Forest Club is an eco-friendly conference
center amidst a nature sanctuary in Bay, Laguna. It
strives to integrate a supportive social environment with
a low-impact way of life by integrating various aspects of
ecological design, permaculture, ecological building, alternative
energy, and much more. We are built amidst a forest sanctuary
that is home to a collection of tropical forest trees, exotic
palms, and medicinal trees and plants.
Activities: Bird watch, swim
in the hot spring pool with jacuzzi, tennis and basketball,
walk around the estate and take a panoramic view of Banahaw
from the lotus lagoon.
Directions: At the end of SLEX, left towards
Calamba crossing. At Calamba crossing, right towards Los Banos.
Keep following the main highway, passed the UPLB junction.
Turn right on the road leading to the Geothermal Plant. The
Forest Club will be to your left, at the border of Barangay
Puypuy and Barangay Masaya.
For Reservations: Laguna Office: Call Ruben
Layug at (649) 249 49 85, Fax (649) 249 49 84, Mobile 0917
460 81 85. Manila Office: Call MAIEN CLARINO at (632) 911
35 71, Fax (632) 911 27 89, Mobile 0917 825 89 58. You may
visit our website at www.the-forest-club.com.
|
