On July 3, 2010 with much anticipation of our weekly “coffee break”, the team decided to spend the weekend in one of the resort hotels located at the foot of Mt. Makiling in Los Banos, Laguna.

We droved about 50 to 55 km. from Makati southbound, took the last exit of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Calamba Exit. And since it was Saturday, and the usual traffic situation in the metro is moderate, we hit the place in just about 2.5 hours. We had our brunch at David’s Tea House which is five minutes away from the resort.

Splash Mountain Resort is a hot-spring resort in the area, enjoying the nature-supplied hot water from Mt. Makiling. The resort houses three hotels in a one huge private compound which is on the left side of the national highway. The three hotels in the compound are Splash Suites, Splash Hotel and Splash Oasis. We choose Oasis for obvious reason – the lobby has free internet access, and just beside our room downstairs is a 5-feet swimming pool with mini-slides for kids.

Oasis has three different types of rooms to offer, the Superior Room for the VIP’s. It can accommodate 4 persons, with 2 large beds and costs P3,810.00, they got 2 of these rooms. The second type is the Deluxe rooms, they got 34 of these – can accommodate up to 4 persons with 2 beds, and located at the 2nd and 3rd floors of the hotel, costs P3,510.00 for 4 pax and P2,800 for 2 people. We chose this room since the VIP is no longer available when we checked in. The last is the Standard room which is best for couples has one double bed, they got 3 of these and costs P2,110.00. All rooms have cable-TV, mini-bar, of course hot shower, and internal telephone system.

The resort has lots of swimming pools — all hot! It has two giant and crazy slides, but too bad it wasn’t operational anymore when we went there because it’s no longer the summer season. When we were toured, we brought the wrong lens, so I apologize we don’t have picture of the giant slides.

Check in time is 2:00PM and check out time is 12:00noon. Upon check in, all guests will be issued some sort of tags which will identify if you are just a day visitor and want to go swimming or picnic, or a hotel guest, a color coded tags allows you to go swimming on designated pools only.

The Splash Suites which is the newest hotel in the complex has very nice rooms with indoor pool. Rates in this hotel with the indoor pool starts at P1,800++.

The complete rates can be found in there website, or you simply click this link. You can visit the resort without staying in the hotels, you can just go swimming – they have this swimming package.

DigitalSpidey has more photos, click here to view.

There are a lot of really nice places to go when looking for beaches and resorts in Palawan. The entire group of islands is practically a huge resort in itself with hundreds of untapped small islands to check out. The most prominent though is Lagen Island in El Nido.

Our recent 3-day trip to El Nido was spent on Miniloc Island. However, we were able to visit Lagen Island on the second day just to check out the place and try their swimming pool.

In an island surrounded by white sands and sparkling waves, the pool is a nice contrast and is a favorite among visitors.

Lagen Island is just awesome and the resort is positioned to give visitors the best view of the sea. Cottages on stilts line the row of a small lagoon and scores of fishes and sea creatures populate the shallow water.

Like its sister resort, Minoloc Island, Lagen is a bit more private and secluded which caters more to couples who want a little lone-time and privacy. Of course, that comes with a price.

Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte

This is one of those less well-known surfing spots in the Philippines — Bagasbas Beach.

Some 350 kilometers south of Manila lies one of the country’s [little known] surf spot.

Approximately 7-8 hours drive south of Manila is Daet, Camarines Norte.

4 kms away from Daet town proper is Bagasbas beach, one of Philippines’ surfing, skimboarding and kiteboarding spot.

We had the chance to drop by Bagasbas beach on our way to Camarines Sur. It was around 10am and it was a low tide, the water was shallow and we had a good time beach walking.

On an ordinary day the waves reach 3-6 feet and on a lucky (surfer’s) day, it can reach up to 8 feet. The wave is good for those who are just starting to learn how to surf and also for the intermediate surfers.

Food and accomodation is cheap, though most inns and restaurants around the area are not fancy.

click here for more photos

Summer is still here and you still have time to go out of town on a competitive budget. If you are a group of five or maximum of twenty, or if you are a team who just want to have team building on a mini out of town trip, Hide Away Resort is the place to be.




If you are coming from Manila, this place is around three hours travel. Count in the heavy traffic in the entry of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). To get there, just head on to SLEX and exit on the last tollway down south, go further until the end of the SLEX, that road will take you to the National Highway of Calamba. At the intersection ahead turn right, that is the highway going to Pansol. The home of private hot spring resorts in Laguna.



We went here last weekend for a team building/bonding activity of the group. We were total of 16, three cars, and an individual contribution of P835 per head. Total rent of the place was pegged at P8,000.00, the excess cash went to the food, utensils, drinks and to the props used in the team building.

The place has two swimming pools, one kiddie and the other that is 5 feet hot spring pool. It has three rooms, the bigger one has A/C and the rest has electric fans. Inclusive in our payment is the use of the entire facility; the rooms, kitchen, videoke unlimited. The best of all, it is exclusive only to us.

Mang Nanding owns the place, and for more information you can contact him at +63 0926 696 4633.

There is a separate post here and some photos of the place.

Canyon Cove Residential Beach Resort is located in Nasugbu, Batangas. It is a two and a half drive away from Manila via South Luzon Expressway on an ordinary day. Expect to add another hour on your travel time though, especially on a weekend where traffic is sometimes heavy southbound.

Bringing your own food is strictly prohibited inside the resort and the security guards are searching the guests’ bags upon arrival.

The resort doesn’t look big on the outside and it’s not until you get past the entrance hall/building that you get to see the entire view of the resort and the beach.

They have a huge main pool which is partitioned into two to cater to adults and children and a secondary pool just meters away. In between the pools are the shower rooms and a beach volleyball court. You can also find a mini-bar and children’s playground beside the pool. A number of lifeguards are always on monitor by the poolside.

The resort has a number of villas/condos offering a panoramic view of the beach which is perfect for sunset viewing. Unluckily we were only on daytrip so we weren’t able to check out the rooms.

The beach’ white sand and clear water is likeable, though swimming just a few meters away it already gets rocky. If you don’t like to swim, you can go kayaking, jetskiing or snorkeling.

Food is ordinary and a bit pricey and customer service is average.

Although the resort and its facilities are bigger than the usual resorts, It is more ideal for company or group outings and team buildings. If you are looking for a more private and relaxed ambiance, you can try checking on other resort destinations.

Canyon Cove website

Click here for more photos

Summer is now in full blast! Its time for the whole family to pack their bags and hit the beach. Ocean Adventure could be your best destination. First, its just three (3) hours or less drive from Manila, just take the SCTEX otherwise your blood pressure might shoot up if you take the old route. FYI – there are road constructions in the old route, the San Fernando – Bataan road.

Going there can be a lot of fun, you don’t just go for the swimming but there are educational shows. Good for the kids on vacation, also for the photography enthusiasts like like me.

Here are some contact details should you decide to check them out.

Telephone Nos. +63 (47) 252-9000, +63 (47) 252-5885
Fax No. +63 (47) 252-5883

Or try their Manila office at 706-3344 to 46

There are more photos of the Dolphin show here.

Philippine Airlines is offering a more afordable way to fly dubbed as, Econolight Class. With PAL’s EconoLight, you can travel one-way to local destinations for as low as P488 all-in, or even go internationally starting at U$48++ roundtrip.

Local travel destination includes Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Legaspi, Manila, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tagbilaran and Zamboanga. Travel Period starts at November 10, 2008.

Book and buy only through Philippine Airlines Website.

Carabao Island is just one of Romblon’s tourist destinations that is waiting to bloom. I was able to go there last Friday via a boat from Pandan, Tablas Island, Romblon. The time to go there will take you about almost an hour wherein we spent half the time screaming as if we’re on the Jungle Log Jam (one of the rides in Enchanted Kingdom). Upon arriving there, I just can’t help but admire its beauty. Its shore is covered with a white and fine sand, similar to that of Boracay. The water is very clear. It’s wavy there though which is caused by the northeast wind.

We were able to go around the island and I saw a Tourist Information Center there and as well as some accommodations. The part of Carabao Island that we were able to go to is not the one you can see from Puka Beach, Boracay Island. According to some locals, an airport is said to be developed there. I did a little research in Google and confirmed that an International Airport is going to be developed there.

I do hope that the cleanliness in Carabao Island will be maintained.

This post is also on Rockers World.

Together, with other bloggers, we spent 3 days and 2 nights in Microtel Boracay, a renowned brand of American chain of hotels. Their tagline, “The same great hotel everywhere you go!” speaks for the other Microtel hotels. They all look the same but not for Microtel Boracay. Microtel Boracay was conceptualized to be a resort-hotel. Likewise, the architectural design of Microtel Boracay is very different from the other Microtel hotels because it used the Mediterranean design.

The way the furnitures and fixtures are lay out in the double rooms and suites are all the same. They maintain this kind of standard in every Microtel hotel. I would certainly bet that you would not forget your Microtel stay once you’ve slept on their beds. The mattresses they provide are approved by chiropractics and are imported.

Other guestroom features and amenities are the following:

• Complimentary continental breakfast
• Colored TV with cable channels and remote control
• Individually controlled air-conditioning unit
• Multi-function telephone system with IDD and NDD
• Internet ready data port
• Toilet & Shower with hot and cold water
• Electronic keycard system
• Radio clock
• Fully automated fire safety alarm system
• Window seating for relaxation
• Baby cribs available upon request
• Children under 12 years old stay free in parents’ room

But if you want to have the ultimate Microtel experience, you could try out the suite which has the following additional features:

• Coffee/tea making facilities
• Refrigerator
• Microwave Oven
• Kitchen counter with sink
• Sofa sleeper
• Bath tub
• and Handicapped rooms

But if you’re up for the Microtel Boracay experience, you might want to get a suite facing the beach. What’s best about the beach front of Microtel is that you could only see a few people there making your Boracay stay a relaxing one. The reason for this is that it has its own main cove in Diniwid Beach. If you want to go to the main beach, you could walk at the pathway. You could also ride the shuttle service provided.

The rates are for double rooms and suites respectively are:

Super Peak – Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, and Holy Week
- 150 USD
- 190 USD

Peak – October 16 – June 15
- 130 USD
- 160 USD

Lean – June 16 to October 15
- 70 USD
- 90 USD

More information about Microtel Boracay can be found on their website.

One does not need to go as far as Camarines Sur to go wakeboarding. Lago de Oro Resort in Calatagan, Batangas has one you can enjoy and have tons of fun wakeboarding.

Just a couple of hours drive from Manila (about 115 kms), Lago de Oro is the next best thing in water sports.

There are normally two schedules for wakeboarding — one is in the morning from 9:00AM to 1:00PM and another from 2:00PM to 6:00PM. You will have to be early for these schedules in order to maximize your surfing time. On occasions, there will be a lot of people there so you’ll end up spending more time falling in line rather than in the water.

The half-day sked costs Php840 per person. For two people, you can book a room for the night at Php4,400 which comes with free breakfast and 2 half-day tickets for wakeboarding.

If you are staying overnight though, you may want to skip the resort and go somewhere else. The food inside are very expensive. It would have been better to stay and eat in Tagaytay and drive the rest of the way for an afternoon session. Imagine regular steamed rice for Php80!

The equipments (vests, wakeboard, skis, etc) are inclusive of the tickets. You may bring your own boards if you don’t want to line-up and take turns with their equipments. Also make sure to do some stretching before hitting the water. The cables pull you off at an average 30-32km/hour and the continuous tugging could end you up with body pains later on.