Silangang Nayon Park and Restaurant (Pagbilao, Quezon)

Posted on 6 April, 2014 by Benjie Layug — 1 Comment ↓

Our final stop on our Appsline Travel-sponsored Lucena City/Pagbilao tour was the Silangang Nayon Park and Restaurant where we were to have dinner. From Pagbilao Wharf, we followed Lurhen as we drove to this popular destination and quiet retreat which is a 25-min. drive from Lucena City. From the Maharlika Highway, we turned right and drove 6.5 kms. inland before reaching the resort. It was just about dusk when we arrived and we were welcomed by general manager Ms. Mary Ann Padilla who asked us to proceed to its floating restaurant.

Silangang Nayon Park and Restaurant

We descended down a series of paved walkways with dining cottages, nestled along the edge of cliffs, on either side. At the base of the cliff, we next had to cross a long footbridge with a sturdy foundation of concrete stilts, passing two other dining cottages, before reaching the larger, boat-shaped restaurant at its end which overlooks Tayabas Bay, Pagbilao Grande Island and Patayan Island.

The footbridge and floating restaurant

Ms. Padilla soon joined us at the table and we proceeded to interview her, at length, about the resort. The resort first opened in 2003 with just one seaside cottage. As the years went by it slowly grew into a cozy park with a main restaurant (a very nice place to view the sunrise and feel the cool sea breeze while dining); bamboo dining cottages, function hall; a mini-zoo and a children’s playground.

The resort also has a bed and breakfast, on top of a cliff and overlooking the sea, with affordable room rates: PhP2,500 (good for 2-4 persons with free breakfast for 2), Php4,000 ( good for 8 persons with free breakfast for 4) and PhP5,000 (good for 8-10 persons). Each spacious, clean airconditioned cottage has a TV and a private bath with hot and cold shower. They also offer boat trips or kayaking to Patayan Island Puting Buhangin Beach and Kwebang Lampas.

Interior of restaurant

The place also had its share of misfortunes, being almost reduced to rubble by the wrath of typhoons, notably Milenyo. From the ruins, it slowly rebuilt, replacing the bamboo and thatch main restaurant and the bamboo bridge with sturdy concrete. It also closed down a not so successful second branch at SM City Lucena. Even with the same cooks preparing the same food at both branches, the SM branch simply could never relicate the ambiance of the original.

L-R: Lurhen, Mary Ann, Mel, the author and Rannie

Even as we were interviewing her, our cooked food slowly arrived, delivered to the restaurant from the main kitchen/grilling area on the mainland via a helicopter-shaped dumbwaiter running along a steel cable, truly an attraction by itself. The restaurant serves very affordable and great tasting Filipino and Chinese seafood dishes and we got to sample a number of their signature dishes.

Seafood Cream Soup

Beef with Broccoli

First up was the filling seafood cream soup (PhP340 for medium and PhP500 for large) followed by the green mango encelada, beef with broccoli, calamares and crab szechuan (PhP100/100 gms.). The ostrich with mushroom sauce (PhP415 for medium and PhP615 for large), its meat sourced all the way from Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao, was really tender and tasted like beef. The piece de resistance was the grilled oysters . These oysters are first steamed, then grilled and flavored with garlic and butter. For dessert, we had the not so sweet but still great tasting buchi plus brewed coffee.

Calamares

Ostrich with Mushroom Sauce

It was now late in the evening when we finished dinner and, as we had a long 3.5-hour drive back to Manila, we said our thanks and goodbye to our gracious host Mary Ann as well as Ms. Lurhen. With me at the wheel of the car, traffic was almost non-existent but we were sometimes traveling at a snail’s pace because of slow-moving trucks. We arrived in Manila past midnight.

Grilled Oysters

Silangang Nayon Park and Restaurant: Brgy. Bantigue, Pagbilao 4302, Quezon. Tel: (042) 716-0077 and (042) 622-2173. Mobile no.: (0922) 886-7677, (0920) 813-2324 and (0919) 442-0042. Contact Person: Ms. Mary Ann Padilla. Email: silangang_nayon@yahoo.com.ph.

Appsline Travel Services and Consultancy: Phase 2, Krisanta Village, Brgy. Bukal, Maharlika Village, Pagbilao, Quezon. Tel: (042) 716-0067. Mobile number: (0922) 633-0363 (Ms. Lurhen T. Cortes). E-mail: yvette_24@yahoo.com and appsline0305@gmail.com.

The Pagbilao Islands (Pagbilao, Quezon)

Posted on 6 April, 2014 by Benjie Layug — 5 Comments ↓

It was already midway in the afternoon when we finished our lunch at Cortijo de Palsabangon Farm Park & Restaurant and, according to Lurhen, we had to leave now if we were to catch the boat and avoid the low tide at Pagbilao Wharf (also known as Daungan) in Sitio Kalawit. Up ahead was the piece de resistance of our Appsline Travel-sponsored Lucena-Pagbilao Media Tour – the Pagbilao Islands.

Author at Pagbilao Grande Island

Upon arrival at Daungan, our huge 25-pax outrigger boat was already waiting for us. Here, we met up with Mr. Celedonio “Dionnie” Dapla, member of the town’s tourism council and former head of the DENR Mangrove Experimental Forest. We were supposed to visit Dionnie’s forest-farm and nursery in Brgy. Pinagbayanan but, as it was already late in the day to do so, he just saw us safely off.

L-R: The author, Lurhen, Dionnie, Rannie and Mel at Daungan

Mel, Maichel, Angela, Lurhen (with her son Marxus), Rannie and I were soon on our way, cruising the river, passing thick patches of mangrove forests along the way before heading out into Pagbilao Bay and the open sea.

Mangrove forests

The Pagbilao Islands, also called Pulo Island, are a lovely pair of islands (Pagbilao Grande in the north and Pagbilao Chico in the west) joined together by a 500 m. long, 200 m. wide (3 m. above sea level at its highest point) sandy isthmus called Tulay Buhangin (meaning “sand bridge”). The main settlement (also called Tulay Buhangin) is located here.

On our way into the open sea

Though part of Pagbilao town, the islands are more accessible by boat from Padre Burgos. Bounded by Laguimanok Bay in the north and east and Tayabas Bay in the west, the islands are 100 feet above sea level on a promontory overlooking Padre Burgos town to the east. This ancient and still developing coral rock formation has numerous coves, caves cliffs and a hilly interior with clumps of giant yuccas and small, emerald forests. There are also white sand beaches and rich fishing grounds.

Patayan Island (Pagbilao Chico Island)

Around 30-40 mins. on our journey we passed Pagbilao Chico Island, also called Patayan Island. It has a smooth stone beach and a single privately-owned beachhouse that can be rented out. Its Bansilan Cave has cathedral-like dimensions.

The Team Energy coal-fired thermal power plant

We next espied the tall chimney of 735-MW Team (Tokyo Electrification and Marubeni) Energy coal-fired thermal power plant. During our visit, a huge cargo ship was unloading coal at the power plant. The plant is the landmark for those taking the land route to Puting Buhangin Beach. Turning a corner past the power plant, we were greeted by beautiful rock limestone formations and Kwebang Lampas and, past it, the beautiful cove with white sand Puting Buhangin Beach with its clear emerald waters and coconut trees.

Puting Buhangin Beach

The 70 m. long and 10 m. wide white sand Puting Buhangin (which literally means “white sand”) Beach, with Kwebang Lampas at one end, is located in Brgy. Ibabang Polo at the southwestern part of Pagbilao Grande Island.

Author at Puting Buhangin Beach

We requested the boatmen to dock and, upon reaching the shore, Rannie and I made for the beach. This private beach (also called Lukang Beach after the Lukang family), available to the public on day trip visits (PhP100 entrance fee), was filled with people during our visit. Some were staying on native picnic huts (rented for PhP300-500); others pitched tents along the beach, while others just availed of the shade of coconut trees.

Visitors making their way to the beach via the power plant and limestone formations

Visitors making their way to the beach via the power plant and the treacherous limestone formations

Other destination, though, was the small, unique cave right at the edge of the cove famously known as Kwebang Lampas whose opening we saw on the way to the cove. Walking along the beach, we reached the foot of the limestone formation and carefully negotiated the rocks to the entrance of this easily explored, tunnel-like cave. We could see the cave’s other opening at the opposite end.

Kwebang Lampas

They say that the water at one end of the cave is freezing cold, while water at the opposite end is warm, but I didn’t notice any difference. Mel, Angela and Maichel soon joined us. After the usual photo ops, using Rannie’s camera, we made it back to the beach and our boat, thoroughly sated with the adventure we just experienced. It was with some feeling of regret that we left the island back for the mainland.

The author, Maichel, Mel and Angela at Kwebang Lampas

Cortijo de Palsabangon Farm Park and Restaurant (Pagbilao, Quezon)

Posted on 6 April, 2014 by Benjie Layug — 4 Comments ↓

From Ouan’s The Farm Resort in Lucena City, we proceeded to the next destination in Appsline Travel-sponsored tour, this time traveling to the next town of Pagbilao where we were to have lunch at the 5.1-hectare Cortijo de Palsabangon Farm Park and Restaurant. As we neared the restaurant, we passed by its organic farm planted to fruit trees and pesticide-free vegetables.

The native-style restaurant

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by owner Ms. Ayrin Llorin at the native-style restaurant. The place looked very relaxing, with its lush greenery and backdrop of mountain scenery. Built with bamboo, hardwood and sawali, the restaurant is furnished with tables and chairs made with bamboo or hardwood and accented with large and small cart wheels. Within is a billiard table and a bar stocked with regular wines and spirits.

The dining area

Cart wheels provide a nice touch

The well-stocked bar

Ms. Ayrin prepared for us Filipino dishes that included pork sisig and baked tahong (mussels baked with cheese), both popular appetizers, and seafood kare-kare (using shrimp instead of stewed beef or pork and cooked with some of their organically grown vegetables), all served with steamed rice, plus pancit canton.

Shrimp kare-kare

Pancit canton

Pork sisig and baked tahong

After this very filling and delicious meal, we also tried out the local, coconut-based lambanog (the Philippine version of vodka) spiked with liputi, a local wild blackberry which adds a slightly sweet, tangy taste. Lambanog’s other flavors include grapefruit, bubble gum, pineapple, prunes among others. Though fiery tasting, it is said not to produce a hangover.

Trying out the local liputi lambanog

Near the restaurant are 3 native-style bamboo cottages named after vegetables – singkamas (jicama root), sigarilyas (winged bean) and talong (eggplant). They each have their own dining and sleeping area and is rented out for PhP500 for an overnight stay. Aside from the restaurant, customers can dine al fresco or in a picnic cottage.Come Friday evening, a local band provides a night life party. Cold nights are warmed with a bonfire.

L-R: Melissa, Lurhen, Ayrin, Rannie and the author

Diners here can also play billiards or sing their hearts out with their videoke. The place is ideal for camping; team building; agricultural and organic farming tours (you pick and pay for the fresh fruits and vegetables which they cook); and horse and pony riding. Come November to January, a rainbow usually appears during the day.

Cottages for overnight stays

Cortijo de Palsabangon Farm Park and Restaurant: Brgy. Ibabang Palsabangon, Pagbilao, Quezon. Mobile number: (0999) 513-4730 (Ms. Ayrin Llorin), (0923) 517-7001 (Ms. Ayrin Llorin) and (0917) 719-5184 (Ms. Noriko Usui). E-mail:cortijodepalsabangon@yahoo.com.ph.

Ouan’s The Farm Resort (Lucena City, Quezon)

Posted on 6 April, 2014 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

After checking out at the Quezon Premier Hotel, Mel, Rannie, Angela, Maichel and I drove out to Ouan’s The Farm Resort, , a popular choice of visitors to Lucena City, whether for business or pleasure, exploring or just passing through. Here, the thrills of a complete family resort are combined with the simple, laid back life on the farm, with its butterfly haven, fish pond, goats, chickens, fruit-bearing trees, lush vegetation and fresh air.

Ouan’s The Farm Resort

Upon arrival at the reception area, we were welcomed by resort Gen. Manager Ma. Louchiel S. Labay who prepared for us a breakfast of pancit habhab, chicken empanada, fresh buco and pandan juice. Also on hand was travel/tourism consultant Ms. Lurhen T. Cortes, Gen. Manager of Appsline Travel Services & Consultancy, who was to tour us around Pagbilao town.

Olympic size swimming pool

Pancit habhab

After breakfast, Lurhen and some of the resort staff toured us around the grounds. The resort has overnight accommodations (standard rooms, suites, dorms) and a number of swimming pools ranging from Olympic size, to free form and kiddie pools. It also has a coffee shop (Grandma’s Kitchen); cozy and spacious conference rooms and function halls; a firing range; tennis court; basketball/volleyball court, camp site; sauna and football field.

Angela scales the climbing wall

Of particular interest to us was their wall climbing, rappelling and zipline facility and everybody proceeded there. My four companions decided to try out all 3 activities while I, with my bum knees, just watched from the sidelines. Louchiel’s daughter also joined them on the single pulley zipline. Once on the other side, they then climbed another tower and zipped back to the starting point. Maichel and Angela also successfully climbed up and rappelled down the climbing wall. Mel only did the latter while Rannie tried and failed on the former.

Maichel tries ziplining

Back at the reception area and prior to leaving, Louchiel also introduced to us their new product – milkfish (bangus) sardines. These fish are cooked in a pressure cooker so that the bones become so tender they can be eaten.

Ouan’s signature bangus sardines

Louchiel also introduced us to her father, retired PNP Chief (during the Ramos administration) Dir.-Gen. Recaredo A. Sarmiento II (PMA Class 1966), who is from Buenavista in Marinduque. His father and namesake was Buenavista’s longest serving mayor. A proponent of modern farming, he was once a provincial agriculture program consultant in Marinduque. Back at the farm, he tends to his tree plantation, notably his duku and longkong lanzones trees.

L-R: Maichel, Lurhen, Gen. Sarmiento, Mel, Rannie, Angela and the author

L-R: Maichel, Lurhen, Louchiel, Gen. Sarmiento, Mel, Rannie, Angela and the author

Ouan’s The Farm Resort: Km 133 Diversion Road, Kanlurang Mayao, Lucena City 4301, Quezon. Tel: (042) 710-4552 and (042) 373-4728. Mobile numbers: (0923) 744-4181 and (0923) 749-4333. E-mail: ouansfarm@yahoo.com. Website: www.ouansthefarmresort.com.

This travel blog, a diary of the author’s local and international travels, aims to provide the reader with news and information on people, places and events that would interest the avid traveler and tourist. But, it also aims to be much more, providing insights on the wonders of this beautiful country, as well as the world, beyond the strict confines of the city. Have a BLAST seeing old churches, exotic temples, educational museums as well as palm-fringed islands; white sand beaches; thundering waterfalls; placid lakes; fiery sunsets; turquoise seas; cathedral-like caves; swirling rivers; majestic mountains; stupendous, amphitheater-like rice terraces; awesome volcanoes and the like. Get to know the movers and shakers in the tourism industry; find out where to titillate the palate; rejuvenate your body; feed your adrenalin, unwind and relax; satisfy your craving for history and culture; and find out what's being celebrated and where.

BENJAMIN “BENJIE” LAYUG, an architect by profession (he finished his B. S. Architecture degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1982), is an avid reader, traveler and free-lance travel writer in his spare time, contributing articles to Travel Update, Philippine Daily Inquirer, COLORS, TODAY, 7107 Islands Magazine, Business Day, Bluprint and the Business Mirror.

He is also the author of the following travel books:

A Philippine Odyssey (New Day Publishers, 2005)
Pathfinder’s Travel Guide: Boracay (Great Books Trading, 2006)
A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Churches (New Day Publishers, 2007)
A Tourist to Notable Philippine Historical Landmarks, Monuments and Shrines (New Day Publishers, 2010)
A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Museums (New Day Publishers, 2012)

Some of his books now appear in the local library shelves of the National Library of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, U.P. Diliman, Centro Escolar University, San Sebastian College, Miriam College, Silliman University, to name a few, as well as internationally at the National Library of Australia and the University of California Berkeley Library.

Now a senior citizen, he is probably one of the oldest, if not the oldest, active travel blogger in the country today. He also has a lifestyle blog called F.Y.I.:Firing Your Imagination (www.firingyourimagination.blogspot.com). Benjie has traveled to two-thirds (53) of the country’s 81 provinces and over 20 countries in 4 continents.