I didn’t know about Villa Escudero until I came across an article posted
online by Bored Panda about the 21 Amazing Hotels To Visit Before You Die. Spellbound by the
pictures of the regal waterfall restaurant in Laguna, we decided to celebrate my
boyfriend’s 23rd birthday there.
Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort is a rural getaway located on the
border of Tiaong, Quezon and San Pablo City, Laguna. It’s an independent
coconut plantation founded in the 1880s by Don Placido Escudero and his wife,
Doña Claudia Marasigan. The vast estate was opened to the public as a
resort/plantation in 1981. Since then, it has become a prime tourist
destination for locals, overseas Filipinos and a wide array of foreign
visitors.
Bus Ride
I wasn’t able to see road signs telling us that we’re approaching Villa
E. (Either there are none or I missed them.) The conductor dropped us off right
after the Quezon Arch. The gate of the resort is at the left side of the Arch.
It’s a long walk from this point to the welcome area so it’s advisable to ride
a tricycle which is readily available at the resort gate. We paid Php 50.00 for
the ride.
7:25 AM - Departure from Manila
9:45 AM - Arrival at Villa Escudero
Welcome Area
We registered in this huge hallway where we were greeted by
traditionally dressed men and women. We paid our balance for the day-tour (We
deposited Php 500.00 at BDO five days before the trip.) and we were given tickets
for the Carabao cart ride, visit to the AERA Memorial Museum, and buffet lunch
at the Labasin Waterfalls. No tickets are required for the cultural show,
rafting, access to pool, and use of other amenities.
Tickets for the day tour on weekends costs Php 1,400.00 each.
AERA Memorial Museum
We walked from the welcome area to the AERA Memorial Museum
which was founded by Spouses Arsenio and Rosario Escudero. Before going inside,
all our belongings (except our phones and money) were surrendered and we were reminded
that picture-taking is not allowed inside.
The AERA Memorial Museum is a replica of one of Manila’s
most famous churches, the San Agustin Church.
The museum houses one of the largest collections in the
country. Being inside is like stepping back in time during the Spanish era. The
museum contains the eclectic private collections of the family from their local
and international travels. Some of the artifacts were donated by famous
families from politics and Philippine society. The Escudero’s treasure trove
include, among others, religious artifacts, ceramics dating back to the Ming
and Tang dynasty, rare coins, foreign currencies, antique furnitures, ethnic
clothing, international traditional costumes, relics from the Second World War,
clothes of Philippine presidents, butterfly collections, weaponry, life-like
taxidermy mount of stuffed animals, and even the love letters of Don Placido to
Doña Claudia.Here we found out that Don Placido is an archaeologist. He
excavated gold in the remains of Chinese-men who believed that gold is a
talisman. All we did was revel and say “Wow!”
Snapping photos is not allowed but here's a sneak peak of
what's inside. I used my ninja skills while a number of employees are roaming
the museum. Haha. 
Antique furniture and religious statues can be found at the ground floor of the museum.
Canons are displayed in the garden in front of the museum.
You’ll see airplanes and tanks in
the middle of the field.
Buffet lunch at the Labasin Waterfall Restaurant
Buffet lunch starts at 11:00AM and tables are on a first
come, first serve basis. There were too many people (majority were foreigners) so there was a queue in
getting our food. Dining is offered in a unique al fresco restaurant where the
dining tables are situated a few inches away from the “Labasin waterfalls”
while diners enjoy their lunch dipped in the flowing calf-deep water.
Filipino cuisine for lunch
The falls is filled with algae so be careful not to slip! My
boyfriend slipped a bit but he won’t admit that it was because of the algae. He
told me he stepped on a fish. Haha. Lame excuse. :p
My boyfriend and I posing in front of the majestic Labasin
waterfalls.
Their dam provides electricity for the whole plantation.
Cool, eh?
The wash area made of a big shell. 
Lush vegetation surrounds the resort.
Philippine Experience Show
After lunch, guests have the opportunity to watch the Philippine Experience
Show where the country's rich culture comes to life, from its ethnic diversity
to its colonial legacy. The dances, which include Pandango sa Ilaw, Maglalatik, Cariñosa, Itik- Itik, and Tinikling,
were painstakingly choreographed by the late National Artist for Dance Ramon
Obusan of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The resort employees were the
performers and the show was accompanied by the resort's own musicians and
rondalla ensemble. The cultural show lasted for one and a half hour.
The Ifugao dance was also exhibited in the cultural show.
Singkil dance
After the show, the performers gave out fish and bird palm
leaves as souvenirs.The cultural show is on Fridays-Sundays/Holidays only. I suggest you visit Villa E. during weekend because this is one performance you wouldn’t wanna miss.
Photo-ops with the performers
Cancio and one of the dancers in a harana set-up.
We ordered
cookies-and-cream frappe at Café Indigo. Sipping this refreshing drink
while sitting at a table overlooking the Labasin lake and watching the cultural
show is priceless!
Labasin Lake
Labasin Lake is the narrow lake or reservoir created by the Labasin
hydroelectric dam. One of the amenities provided by the resort to visitors is rafting.
Native bamboo rafts are available and is included with the day tour.
The serene Labasin
Lake. Some accommodations made with native materials are beautifully set
in the lake.
Idle away by bamboo
rafting and fishing on the placid Labasin Lake.
Amenities, Sports
& Recreational Facilities
The day tour also includes free use of the resort’s swimming pools and
Jacuzzi. They have two medium-sized swimming pools – one for kids and one for
adults which has a slide.
Kids' swimming pool.
The pool for adults. This one has a slide.
Kids' swimming pool.
Exercise proper care! :)
Sign at the men's comfort room.
Sign at the women's comfort room.
Behind is the Villa Escudero's Conference Center - a popular spot for conferences, trainings and seminars.
The shutterbug
Bicycles, tennis, basketball, and billiard are also available. Try a song at the karaoke hall or a game of ping-pong.
Yey. I still know how to bike.
Carabao Cart Ride
On the way back to the entrance, we rode the Carabao cart and we were
serenaded with Kundiman songs.
 |
Our carabao is named Ligaya.
|
These ultra-talented people have been in Villa Escudero since they were kids.
This shot was taken by the official photographer of Villa Escudero who saw us taking pictures in the field. He said "Natuwa kasi ako sa inyo." :)
Breathtaking backdrop
Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort is truly a haven ideal
for a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It offers a
glimpse into the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage. This place may not be the
usual adventure-packed escapade but it’s worth visiting for a phlegmatic and
unique countryside experience. It is indeed a must visit place before you
die!
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
Fax Number:
(632) 521-869
E-mail: info@villaescudero.com
Provincial Mailing Address
P.O. Box 4 San Pablo City 400, Philippines
No comments:
Post a Comment
Would love to hear from you. :)