Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort – San Pablo City, Laguna

  

 

 

Warm and cheerful hospitality, in a rustic Philippine setting! Definitely it is. It’s been awhile that we were planning to visit this hacienda. Some members of our family went there but we didn’t go with them because of a lot of reasons. So finally we booked for a day tour. By the way those who want to visit this place if possible book first because sometimes too many guests. That is just if you don’t want to be part of the super crowded place.

We leave the house early because we were going to take public utility vehicles and might take time to wait for the bus in Alabang, Muntinlupa. The buses going to the south with the signage of Lucena or Batangas are the one passing by the hacienda. We just told the conductor to drop us to the Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort, and presto we reached the resort.

The resort’s main gate is far from the main road but it is walking distance too just a bit far. For those who want to have leisure walk under the mighty coconut tress and be enveloped by the fresh and cold breeze walking might suit you. But since we have two kids in our company we opted to ride a tricycle.

The resort staff dressed in traditional Filipino costumes baro at saya (blouse and skirt) for girls and camisa chino with neck scarf; warmly welcomed us and offered cold drink.

Our first stop for a day tour was the museum. It is a two storey church like building. Taking picture is strictly prohibited. The first floor housed the religious relics: huge statue of saints, old chalice and more. Second floor has also extensive collections of Oriental ceramics, natural history and ethnographic dioramas, costumes, household furniture, weaponry, old coins and bills and other items which were collected.

In front of the museum is a beautiful garden and on the side of the garden is another house, which will be made into museum.

We transported leisurely by a Calesa (carabao-drawn cart) around the resort. In every cart there is a kutsero (driver of the cart), a guitarist and a singer. What really made it amazing experience was they sing local folk songs, which we don’t hear often. Very rare opportunity, that we could hear these classic songs. It was refreshing and uplifting experience as Filipinos. It was like we were transported to the old time.

We were thinking that we could have our lunch at the Labasin Waterfalls Restaurant, where we could experience dining with the sparkling man-made waterfall back drop and the refreshing water running over our feet but the rain poured so we had no choice but had it inside the nearby Nippa hut hall. We were treated to a feast of local food like the grilled seafood, grilled meat, ensaladas (vegetables salad), veggies, fruits and native delicacies.

Just on time after our lunch, the Philippine Experience Show was already starting. The hall was full of guests. The show showcased the Philippine’s rich cultural heritage thru dancing and performances.

The kids were so eager to try the swimming pools so we let them, while some did fishing. We tried fishing but we didn’t catch any because we moved our fishing rod often.

Bamboo rafting was busy and falling in line was a waste of time, we waited for more than two hours but it was almost 5:00 pm still we were waiting for a cue to be accommodated. We decided to explore the place more rather than wait for the bamboo rafting.

Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort offers unique blend of the country’s cuisine, customs, dresses and cultural dances, giving us the glimpse of the Philippine’s rich cultural heritage. It was an indeed a laid-back and unique countryside experience.

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Attractions, Amenities and Activities
Museum
Waterfalls Restaurant
Philippine Experience Show
Bamboo Rafts
Rural Village Tour
Sports and Recreation Facilities
Bird Watching

Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort
San Pablo City, Philippines

Manila Office
1059 Estrada Street, Malate 1004 Metro Manila

Telephone Nos.
(632) 521-0830
(632) 523-0392
(632) 523-2944

E-mail: info@villaescudero.com