My clan of 15 including 7 kids aged 1 to 10, recently spent 3 days at Palm Beach in Laiya, Batangas. It's a leisurely 3 hour drive from Manila via the STAR Tollway. Roads are great except for the last 1 kilometer or so (you'd need a 4-wheeldrive to get you through the steep hills if it's raining).
On the way, we had lunch at Lipa Grill. Food was excellent - particularly the grilled tawilis and the crispy pata. Nothing in Manila comes close. After, we had coffee at Cafe de Lipa. Coffee was ok, nothing great though. ( i think the best coffee is at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf)
In Palm Beach, we stayed in a cottage good for 20. The daily rate was P22,000. It had 5 rooms, which were spacious and clean... better than most of us expected. It also came with a water dispenser. Beach was not white nor powdery soft, but also better than we expected.
Buffet meals (approx. P1,200 per person per day for 3 meals and a merienda) were decent and service was great.
Bottom line is kids (and adults) had a great time!
So there, you may want to recharge and escape to any Laiya, Batangas beach this sizzling hot, hot summer. Recommended!
From:
Jhoie
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Subject:
Ang aming bakasyon
Message:
My family & I arrived in Manila last 4th of January 2010. Even though we missed the Christmas and New Year celebration in Pinas, still, we felt that the holidays were extended until our last day in Pinas. We were so amazed with the huge and fascinating malls in Metro Manila, particularly MOA, Eastwood, Greenbelt & Serendra. Also, we were overwhelmed with the costs of clothes, foods, as they are cheaper compared to NZ. We had a great time with our families, friends, former high school classmates/batchmates and former officemates. We had lots of laughs and memories and we will never ever forget our vacation in Pinas. We were able to watch the last shooting day of May Bukas Pa in Bacolor, Pampanga. We had pictures with Ryan Agoncillo and TonTon Gutierrez, and of course, with Director Jerome Chavez Pobocan, who was my friend & classmate in high school. We met Santino in person, but I was told by Jerome that picture taking with Santino was not allowed as the politicians were using him for election campaign. We also had a great 2-night stay in Intercontinental Hotel Makati, where the foods are superb and the service is commendable. Hope we can save lots of money so that we can visit the Phils again.
From:
girl-next-shore
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Subject:
Nothing beats Christmas in Pinas!
Message:
I just came from a two-week Christmas vacation with my whole family in Manila. The last time I went home was five years ago, with my husband, also in the holiday season. This time, kasama na ang dalawang anak namin. I wanted to make them feel how warm and special this season is in our hometown.
I really missed spending Christmas and New Year in Pinas. The traditions are I should say extra-special, as compared with what we have in the US. Nothing beats the smell of smoke coming from bibingka and puto-bumbong stalls. Masaya magsimbang-gabi kasama ng buong pamilya at humigop ng mainit na sabaw ng mami sa labas ng simbahan pagkatapos ng misa. Na-miss ko rin ang caroling ng mga bata tuwing gabi, kaya nga noong huling uwi ko, lagi akong may nakahandang coins for them. I love it how families enjoy Noche Buena and Monito Monita. The street parties prepared by the neighborhood people after midnight just spell one word --- FUN.
The New Year celebration is no different. In fact, I think it is more extravagant than the Christmas celebration. I think I'll never trade "sinturon ni Hudas" and "bawang" with the "more sophisticated" fireworks displays in other countries.
Sabi nila mahirap daw ang buhay, pero parang hindi uso ang kahirapan 'pag Pasko at Bagong Taon sa Pilipinas. Balik-US na kami, mag-iipon ulit para makapagbalik-bayan agad.;-)
From:
MariahSam
Monday, July 06, 2009
Subject:
Buko pies ... yummmmm
Message:
I remember buko pies in Iloilo City. Buko pies especially from real fresh young coconut could jazz me up any day. But there's no such thing like that here in Las Vegas! Come on down here and start this business. Anyone? Let us name the business: Iloilo Buko Hut! Right smack in the Mid section of the Strip! I dare you, compadre. Hey, anybody heard about my dad in Manduriao? He's up in the years, but everyone calls him lovingly as "DIGOL". I miss you a lot Papa. This is your daughter, MaritessSamuelle.
From:
RueCooks
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Subject:
The Truth About Pinas
Message:
Much has been said about our beloved country. And yet it still remains a mystery to many as they have not taken the time to see the beauty of Pinas. I have, and I can only say one thing about it... Awesome! I will never get tired of Pinas. I come and visit at least 3-4 times a year where my wife and I explore every nook and corner of this beautiful country. We have done it all. We drove around in our SUV to see Quezon Province, Mountain Province, Cordillera Central, the coastal roads from Zambales to Pangasinan, etc. We rode our mountain bikes in Pangasinan, Bolinao, Baguio, Banaue, Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Dumaguete and Davao. We went hiking and exploring in the the mountainsides of Banaue together with some natives who served as our guides and eventually became our very good friends, too. We covered hundreds of miles as we cruised around in our motorcycle and met new friends along the way, as we enjoy the amazing cuisine and camaraderie of our kababayans. I love it and I will never get tired of exploring Pinas. Yes I have travelled in many different parts of the world as well and they too are very beautiful. However nothing comes even remotely close to one's native land. It is my Home... It is my country and I am very proud to say that I am a Filipino.
I have lived in Canada for more than 28 years and yes this is also my home and the birthplace of all my children and they too love Pinas in their own way. I have shared with them our history (using Zaide's textbook) and they all speak our national language. They too have spent their vacations here in Pinas and loved every minute of it. Now that they are all grown up they still come and visit from time to time. My second son who is 21 spent 4 months in Cebu as a volunteer worker in an orphanage while enjoying the sites during his free time. My eldest son spent a year back in 2005 working as a volunteer as well and also attended a short term studies in Manila.
We love Pinas... is it obvious enough for you? Mabuhay!
