Grandbay Resort is known to have one of the biggest pools in the whole of Laguna — about 1,350 square meters all in all. The place is very accessible and is just a few minutes away from Calamba Exit at the South Super Highway (SLEX).

They also have a hot spring swimming pool that is helps to relax and detoxicate our bodies while enjoying the water. The resort can accommodate a total of 2,000 persons. For those wanting to stay overnight, they have aircon rooms, fan rooms, pool room, cottages and pavilions.

Room Rates:
Aircon Rooms: Php3,150 up to Php4,550 (2 – 6 people)
Fan Rooms: Php2,050 up to Php2,850 (2 – 8 people)

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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.

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.

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In anticipation of the extended summer season and in response to a lot of guests’ clamor for water attractions at this time of the year, Enchanted Kingdom, and BiKiWorld of South Korea have agreed to set-up the first and only world-class inflatable water park in the country, the EK BiKi Waterworld.

EK BiKi Waterworld has a variety of six giant inflatable pools with water slides, games and rides that families can enjoy in a safe and hygienic water environment. The site inauguration coincided with the Ms. Earth-Philippines 2010 Talent Competition at Enchanted Kingdom.

From April 18-30, enjoy EK Biki Waterworld’s pre-grand opening promo rate of only P250 per person. Starting May 1, 2010 admission rate is P350.

Enjoy a “twicket” (twin ticket) of an EK Good-Same-Day and EK Biki Waterworld Regular Passes for only P700 from May 1until June 6, 2010. Guests are required to come in proper swimwear complete with swimming caps. EK Biki Waterworld is open from 2PM to 9:00PM.

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If you’re planning to spend time with your friends or families at Enchanted Kingdom this month, you couldn’t come at a better time. Enchanted Kingdom celebrates its 14th year anniversary this October which is loaded with a whole lot of exciting events.

To start off, the Regular Day Pass is now priced at P320 for weekdays and P380 during weekends for the whole month of October to commemorate the original ticket price when Enchanted Kingdom opened in 1995.

Grand Wizardry Competition

A fireworks competition will be held for the whole month of October and every weekend starting Oct. 10, you will see a triple dose of fireworks as pyrotechnicians all over the country will be showcasing their expertise.

Then on October 24, 6 finalists will be vying for the grand prize so expect a whole lot more of spectacular display of lights.

Otaku Kingdom

The 2nd annual cosplaying event for Enchanted Kingdom will take place on October 18. “Otaku Kingdom” will gather animé, manga enthusiasts, movie & toy hobbyists and cosplayers and there will be toy & manga exhibits, film showings, drawing & gaming contests, animé bands and Woodstock, the much-awaited grand cosplay contest and parade in the afternoon.

Guests wearing a full otaku costume can enter the park for FREE. They can also upgrade their tickets into a Regular Day Pass for only P250. Just head to the registration area at the front of the park from 10AM to 5PM.

Student Sembreak Anniversary Blowout

From October 1 to November 15, students get to avail the Regular Day Pass at a discount. It will be P275 during weekdays and only P335 on weekends. This is exclusive to students who must present a valid ID or certificate of registration/enrollment.

Only two tickets can be purchased per ID so that’s enough to bring the whole barkada to Enchanted Kingdom.

Enchanted Kingdom’s Princess 2009

The Grand Coronation Night for the Search for Enchanted Kingdom’s Princess 2009 will take place on October 25. Girls 6 to 10 years will be competing for the title of EK Princess 2009 and will get a chance to win cash, EK Privilege Cards and other fabulous prizes.

Mardi Gras Halo-ween

On October 31 to November 2, a haloween costume party will take place at the park. Kids and teens ages 0-19 are welcome to join the Mardi Gras Halo-ween and can enter the park for free if they come in their Mardi Gras costume.

Park Schedule

From now until December 18, Enchanted Kingdom is open Thursdays to Fridays from 12NN to 7PM and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 11AM to 9PM with Fireworks Display at 8PM.

For more info, visit www.enchantedkingdom.com.ph.

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This is our first attempt at doing a travel video podcast or vidcast. All scenes were shot at Batangas during the recent Holy Week. Armed with a Nokia N95 and a Canon EOS D40, we spent 3 days and 2 nights at Nasugbu, Batangas visiting Terrazas de Punta Fuego, Pico de Loro in Hamilo Coast, Munting Buhangin Beach Resort and Lago de Oro in Calatagan.

We call our YouTube vidcast Xplore Pilipinas! This is our debut episode and we’ll be doing more of them each month.

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Visit the best kept secrets of Batangas, Laguna and Quezon:

Organized by the country’s oldest orchid and plant society, the exposure and wellness trip aims to treat the members as well as guest to one of Southern Luzon best kept secrets that few people knows.

Itineraries: Gintong Talulot Orchids and Ornamental Plants Farm (Laguna). This farm is one of the largest producer of semi-terete and quarter terete vandas for cutflower and top cuts in Laguna, the farm is also known for its high quality ornamental plants.

Golden Petals Orchids and Ornamental Farm (Sto. Tomas, Batangas)

One of the leading supplier of strap-leaf vandas in Batangas and adjacent areas, The farm also boast of native orchids such as Phalaenopsis schilleriana or Tiger orchid as well as other rare ornamental plants such as anthuriums and birds nest fern .

Earth Keepers Organic Farm and Garden (Tiaong, Quezon)

The farm boast of organically grown vegetables, fruits and organically grown farm animals such as pigs. Experience how traditional massage relieves tensions and relaxes your mind and soul.

Ugo Bigyan Potteries

Traditional Filipino potteries and the art of making these pots. Exported to Japan and other parts of the world. See and experience how these magnificent pots are created.

Fee: P 800 for Philippine Orchid Society members and P1,000 for non-members
Tour Date: March 29, 2008 (Saturday)
Assembly Place and Pick-up Points: Manila Seedling Bank Compound at 5:30 to 6:00 am
Magallanes Station at 6am to 6:30 am

Trip is inclusive of breakfast, lunch and merienda

Contact information :
THE PHILIPPINE ORCHID SOCIETY Headquarters
Unit 209 Delsa Mansion, Scout Borromeo corner Scout Torillo Streets,
Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines
JENNY RIVERA – Executive Secretary at (0917)848-5468
or (02)929-4425
Lawrence Chan- Corporate Secretary (0919)390-1671
Email: philorchidsociety@yahoo.com

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Lake Caliraya is a man made lake, I think originally made by the Americans as a water reservoir to create electric power. Now it is a recreation area with couple of private homes around the lake and a resort: Caliraya Recreation Center Resort. We went there three years ago with some speed boat riding, masaya.

To go to the resort you have to park your car along the shore and then the resort is a short boat ride from the shore [the parking area]. When we got to the other side of the lake at the resort side. It’s a nice walk to the garden, a well manicured lawn then you pass by some of the recreation facilities like the basketball court, some cottages and then there’s some horseback riding at the resort.

(photo courtesy of Karla)

Up at the resort good facilities for a group, team building or some conferences. A variety of rooms; some for families, some dorm-like rooms and then the recreation activities.

Of course they have swimming pools and I think basketball, volleyball and the feature would be the water sports available at Caliraya. They have the speedboats, we have the jet ski, some wind surfing and then kayaking, what else?…the swimming pool.

You can go fishing and there’s also a new wall climbing … wall . They say it’s the highest outdoor fiberglass wall in the Philippines, you have to check that out for yourselves.

We went on a speed boat ride there. On the speed boat ride went around the lake for one hour. I think it cost us about Php1200 for a one hour speed boat ride and then we took our turns driving the speed boat, that was exciting, that was fun…that was fun!

Contact Caliraya Recreation Center call these numbers:

Manila: +63(2) 632-1010
mobile phone: 09285010480
Telefax: +63 (2) 637-7027
E-mail: reservations.crc@asbgroup.com.ph
Website: www.asbgroup.com.ph

Have fun at Caliraya. Enjoy the ride!

Related: Caliraya Lake – previous entry Karla on PinoyTravelBlog
Podcast permalink: Lake Caliraya Recreation Center

EdXcribe

10 August 2007
PinoyTravelBlog

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The town of Pila is a typical Philippine town during the Spanish occupation. This is what our towns and cities look like before modernization stepped in. A large plaza surrounded by stone houses also known as the bahay na bato.

The houses around the Pila town plaza has been perfectly restored and kept for the next generations to appreciate. The town of Pila was also granted the status of Villa during the Spanish Colonnial Period. The town was then called La Noble Villa de Pila in 1610.

In more than three centuries of Spanish occupation, only eight cities and towns were given the title of Villa. These are the La Villa del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus de Cebu in 1565, La Villa de Santiago de Libon (Albay, 1573), La Villa Fernandina de Vigan (Ilocos, 1574), La Villa Rica de Arevalo (Iloilo, 1581), La Noble Villa de Pila (Laguna, 1610), La Muy Noble Villa de Tayabas, (Tayabas, 1703), La Villa de Bacolor (Pampanga, 1765), La Villa de Lipa (Batangas, 1887).

It is also interesting to note that the first Philippine dictionary was printed in Pila, and it is still housed in one of the museums there. And in May 17, 2000, the National Historical Institute declared the Pila Town Plaza and the ancestral houses surrounding it as a National Historical Landmark.

Source: List of Spanish Villas

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Better late than never… the remaining Lupi of the Turumba Festival 2007.

Ika-5 Lupi ………………………….Pistang Linggo………………………… May 6, 2007
……………………………………………Pistang Pakileña ………………………May 12, 2007
Ika-6 Lupi ………………………….Pistang Pag-akyat…………………..May 18, 2007
……………………………………………Daan ng Krus sa Ping-as………….May 26, 2007
Ika-7 Lupi ………………………….Pistang Pagpanaog …………………..May 27, 2007

……………………………………………Pistang Domingo de Dolores……..September 16, 2007

More info here in my last year’s entry.

Info: My Sarisari Store

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