Unplanned Road Trip to South of Metro in Search of "The Beach"

Truckload of Sugarcane along Nasugbu, Batangas

Finally, I'm back to writing on this blog.

It's been a dizzying 10 months as I had to adjust to new challenges of my job and did a lot of traveling. I'm back in Manila (and will be off again soon) and the last article about the South of Metro I wrote was in June 2011. Whew! Yes, that long.

I've been to a lot of places in almost a year and I saw it fit to kick-off my 2012 summer blog with something about our unplanned road trip to Batangas in time for my kids' summer vacation.

The goal was to look for new beach spot south of the metro. It shouldn't cost an arm and a leg but should have white sand, a pool, and a feel of exclusivity in a tropical forest setting.

We searched the Internet and Tripadvisor the night before our trip. I printed some maps and target spots then went to sleep.


We were up late (around 9am), prepared our stuff good for 2-3 days, and had breakfast at McDonalds near our village. We discussed our options of either taking the Sto. Tomas (towards Laiya) or Sta. Rosa (towards Nasugbu or Calatagan) exits. We called up 2 places in Laiya and reserved for 2 days just in case we won't be able to discover a new spot.

While at SLEX, we decided to exit at Sta. Rosa towards Tagaytay and even thought of going to Taal. The trip, being a Holy Monday, was easy going up to Tagaytay that we eventually decided to look for some places in Calatagan.

St. John the Baptist, Lian, Batangas

We passed by Lian and took some photos of the Shrine of St. John the Baptist. It was midday so it was scorching!

Still, the kids went down the car to take some pics.

It took us 2.5 hours to get to Calatagan. We heard from the locals that the Stilts was the best place in Calatagan.

Unfortunately, the sea was rough and the Stilts Beach Resort was fully booked.

Though we decided to look for Ronco beach which was in our map, we couldn't find it and ended up in a single-lane paved road which was really scary. This was way after Playa Calatagan. There were no structures on either side of the road and some farmers beside the road gave us questioning stares -- as if asking, "where the hell are these guys going?"

On the way back, we still gave Calatagan a shot. We passed by this old rustic blue-roofed house with a Suntan-lined long driveway. It had a small round-about infront of the house. The kids gave it one look and said that it looked like scary mansion more than a resthouse.

Calatagan beach as seen from the road

View from SLEX

We continued on and passed by the Matabungkay area. We decided to take a peak. The SK of the area charged 5 pesos per head at the entrance to the barangay. As our car slowly edged towards the area, a bunch of so called "beach agents" approached us and were leading us toward their resorts. It reminded me of the old-fashioned way of getting into beach resorts in Cavite and Batangas where there seemed like a bid for each customer. It was bordering on chaos with summer beach goers flocking to the area. Well, we were really for a more private area, so we turned around again towards the main highway. Mission failed.

We drove towards Nasugbu. We had one more shot for day. We could stay at Johndel or El Cacar in Barangay Wawa for the night then head off to the pricey Canyon Cove in the morning.

Old-style Mercury Drug, Nasugbu town proper

After a quickstop at the local pharmacy (an old-style Mercury Drugstore) and a quick meal at Chowking at the Nasugbu town proper, I asked recommendations from a local traffic enforcer. He obviously endorsed the local resorts but whispered the better settings at Munting Buhangin, Canyon Cove and Terrazas (famous for Ogie and Regine's wedding). Hmmm...interesting.

Fisherman on their way to work at dusk

A few meters away from Chowking, we turned left on the road after Andoks. As we approached Johndel and El Cacar beach resorts, "beach peddlers" went about flashing pictures of their "choice" places. We parked at El Cacar to check out the beach. The kids were obviously disappointed with grey sand and lack of privacy. One peddler flashed a picture of a place with white sand which he said was only 15 minutes away by boat. The kicker was the price. It was half of what one would pay at Canyon Cove.

In 10 minutes, we were on board the banca captained by "Ama," a veteran with more than 20 years experience. We securely parked our car at Aling Ana's residence (she is the caretaker). Overnight parking is 200 pesos and the cost of the banca (round-trip) ranges from PhP1,200 for a direct deal, and PhP1,500 it goes through a peddler.

Costa De Oro

Costa De Oro beach line

This place is truly amazing!

Costa de Oro is located in Barangay Natipuan, Nasugbu, Batangas.

It's the same area where the rich and famous have their rest houses in this part of Batangas. The houses dot the coastline and beside the hilly areas of the island. You would also notice that the more affluent have their yachts parked on the shore.

Resort's own banca (P1,200 fee round-trip)

It didn't appear in any Internet searches and was believed to be known only to locals and foreigners (mostly Japanese). There is no road leading to it. Just reachable by banca or yacht.

However, club  members of Terraza can gain access to it via a 5-minute walk from the beach, and those from far away Munting Buhangin can walk the beach in about 15 minutes. Otherwise, it's faster and more enjoyable to reach the place via banca ride if you come from other parts of the island.

The Main Villa

Owned by a British couple (the wife is Pinay), Costa De Oro is well maintained and has the luxurious feel of a private resort with its own swimming pool and covered by forest. During the day, you'd hear different calls of birds -- reminiscent of the Mocking Jays in Hunger Games. At night, you'd hear the sound of Geckos (local: Tuko).

Living area (Main Villa)

The airconditioned rooms are large enough to accommodate as much as 7 people. There's a spacious kitchen, dining, and living area in the main villa where we stayed. To get to the main villa, you'd have to walk a 3 flights of cobbled-stone stairs. Since there was a huge lanai (by the pool), we would bring our things for the day and just hangout by the pool. The beach is a few meters away.

Main pool and lanai

In the main pool area and lanai, you can either buy fresh seafood to be cooked by Chef Baggy -- a veteran cook and chef from the old Anito and Victoria lodges. Thus, we bought fresh lobsters and tuna from fisherfolk, had them grilled also by them, then order the rest from Chef Baggy. I even ordered fresh Talbos ng Kamote (Camote Tops) which he picked from the garden!

The long beach is shared by the more exclusive Terraza and Canyon Cove. There are 2 more small resorts in the area where locals usually stay to rent cottages for the day. Some even bring their own tent.

Typical food fare: Freshly grilled Lobsters & Tuna!

During the day, local banceros can take you on a boat ride towards the whole island, even as far as Fortune Island and Twin Island. From across Costa De Oro, you can see exclusive summer dwellings of the titled few and see their parked yachts and sailboats. It is said that the island hosts the likes of Aga Muhlach, Rica Peralejo, The Marcoses and even FVR. Willi Revillame's yacht is also seen docked across Costa De Oro.

How much does it cost?

For 2 days, inclusive of all the frills, fresh bounty and banca ride, it only cost us less than P20,000! There were 5 of us. Not bad, eh?

Things to Note:

The author amidst the forest

1) Getting there is via Nasugbu route (Town proper), then park your car c/o Aling Ana's residence. Drop me a comment if you want to get in touch. Only personal referrals allowed by her.
2) You need a banca to get to the island.
3) Stay away from peddlers if you want to make the most of your money.
4) Discover the Islands of the Philippines





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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development in Digital Media http://homernievera.net

Viaje de Descanso a la Casa San Pablo

What an excuse to get away.

The Friendster Team went on a team-building activity in Casa San Pablo, San Pablo City in Laguna. Having teen-aged kids, I took my sweetie along for the trip. Well, I needed help in case the kids (the Friendster team, that is) went rowdy and needed a mom...haha.

Living in the south has its privileges. We didn't need to wake up so early since San Pablo City was only an hour-and-half's drive from my place. We met the rest of the team at Seattle's Best in Caltex, just before the Sta. Rosa exit of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

There are actually two ways going to San Pablo City from the Calamba exit. One is through Calauan via Pansol in Los Banos, Laguna. The other, which me Sweetie took, was via Sto. Tomas in Batangas. Coming from Sto. Tomas, Casa San Pablo is at the right side of the street where the main Puregold entrance is located.

Casa San Pablo was formerly called "Kay Inay"(Mother's). "Inay" was the endearing term for the grandmother of Boots Alcantara, Casa San Pablo's owner and resident manager. The place is almost unnoticeable from the main street except for its old steel gate with a security guard. Casa San Pablo covers a huge tract of land in the city. The Alcantara family used to own that one-hectare property before selling it to Puregold recently.

Upon entry, the security guard shall guide you to the parking lot. Walking through a path, the swimming pool is the first refreshing site you see. Crossing a small footbridge over a creek, you're guided to the main reception area which is like your old grandparents' lanai where old furniture abound.

The rooms are strategically spread out in almost cabana style. Boots said that the rooms were originally designed by popular potter Ugu Bigyan of Tiaong, Quezon, who's a an old friend. "That was before Ugu decided to concentrate on doing pottery," Boots confided with a smile.

Trellis entrance

Old iron marks Room 8

Other rooms

Lanai, Lounge area

Sweetie

Casa San Pablo in itself is art. Besides its interiors and furnishings, the paintings and little works of art abound. From the red paper mache horses on the small study table in the living area to the old Lambretta scooter somewhere at the back of the dining hall, everything's worth a camera shot.The rooms have their own personalities. One was even decorated with Boots' collection of Matchbox cars. Many paintings and sketches were done by the famous Saturday Club (of artists) who meet Casa San Pablo once-in-awhile for their sessions.

Our Room

Hammock break

The boss is working

Bric-a-brac

There are hammocks tied to pine trees in the garden. At night, candles in small bottles light the place, making it almost surreal. The big garden leads to the Alcantara's residence where Mommy Vinya lives. Boots jokingly told us that, "My mom is Casa San Pablo's official guest relations officer." Indeed, she is. Mommy Vinya was the first to greet us when we arrived. It's as if you came home to your Lola's house.

Ýummy food!

Working

Just pictures

Dining at Sulyap

Sweetie & I @ Sulyap

Dining area @ Sulyap

Old stairs

What's Casa San Pablo without the food? Again, the home-made cooking will always remind you of your grandparents in the province -- with a touch of San Pablo's style and taste. And when I meant the food was super "sarap," this meant all meals. It's even as if Lipton's hot tea tasted more delicious there.

During our brief stay, there was a retreat being conducted for the Southridge School. Our host Boots said he even gave a talk. Interestingly, the rooms and dining halls of Casa San Pablo can be arranged to fit small and big groups alike. Our room was even turned into a honeymoon suite!

Sweetie with Mommy Vinya

Alcantara residence

A pose with Boots

A Lambretta scooter

Besides retreats and seminars, there are many other activities that can be done in Casa San Pablo: videoke, frisbee, stargazing, billiards, and in-room or group massage. For those wanting to catch up with the outside world, there's free wi-fi. (Yey!)

Scenic Sampaloc Lake

Sampaloc Lake & Mt. Banahaw

The Boatman @ Sampaloc Lake

Since Casa San Pablo is part of the Viaje Del Sol chain of suggested tourist places to go in the south, there are a number of spots to visit, and use Casa San Pablo as your home for a few days. Nearby is Sampaloc Lake, Sulyap Restaurant and Ugu Bigyan's House.

In all, Casa San Pablo was worth the trip. We went there to re-charge. And re-charge we did.