Travel Hacks

Beach house by Saud

A Home like no other -- Cathy's Homestay, Saud, Pagudpud

I've always had a soft spot for enthusiastic, generous and hardworking people, as I've always found them very admirable. They seem to be the ones who persevere despite the changing times, and of course, despite social status. That's why it wasn't hard for me to really like Mrs. Cathy Respicio -- part-owner of Cathy's Homestay at Saud, Pagudpud. 

The room at the back was our haven for 2 nights. :] (Please pardon my 'bagong gising' look! Lol)

 Ate Cathy, as what her guests call her, has been Saud's charm for quite sometime now. She was able to put up her homestay with the help of some of her husband's family members. Business was very slow when they started out. But things started to pick-up through the years.

Ate Cathy asked me to post her permits to help prove that her pension house is legally permitted to operate. :)

Always a text away

One thing that I've found very impressive about Ate Cathy was her efforts. Whenever I would text her, she would always find the time to respond to you at the soonest possible time. And when she promises something to you, she will surely deliver. We didn't have a hard time going to her accommodations since she was always a text away, especially when I would ask her for directions. I didn't even have a hard time paying for our downpayment since her mode of payment was via Cebuano Lhuillier, which was very customer-friendly. :)

Our Accommodations

The room that we availed from her included free breakfast, which we absolutely enjoyed since she was the one cooking the food for us. We were even grateful for our Igado breakfast, since Ate Cathy shared a little something from her mother's death anniversary celebration that morning. She was that generous and thoughtful. :)


What was even more impressive about Ate Cathy's Homestay was that her rooms were well-maintained. There were also several electrical outlets that we were able to utilize simultaneously, since we brought with us three phones and a camera. 

Anyhow, the room that we got was clean and cozy. We had an aircon unit inside the room but didn't have a television, which was fine since we were always out during the day anyway. The bathroom was also impressive as the fixtures were clean. The shower, toilet bowl and sink even looked newly acquired. Although we weren't provided with hot water, we were still able to get by without any. Moreover, our beds were also prepared with (we were given a double and single bed) soft pillows and blankets.


The room was really cozy and the view of the beach from our window was even a plus! And for a price of Php1,000/night, everything at Ate Cathy's definitely spelled HOME! 

If you're thinking about visiting Pagudpud soon, do check-out OR even book your stay at Ate Cathy's! Her rates are very reasonable. Heck! You'll even be impressed with her amenities should you book there (if you're into budget travels/backpacking/etc.). =) Not only that, you'll also get to have a room that's just a few walks to the famous Saud beach.

You can easily reach Ate Cathy through her cell # (63) 909-9444089 or (63) 915-1904905. And should you ever need to be picked up near Saud or Pagudpud Bayan, you can always hire the services of Ate Cathy's brother-in-law, Kuya Raphie Respicio (63929-1462505 or 63905-7256500). He was also our tour guide/tricycle driver when we did the South & North Tour in Pagudpud. Rest assured that you'll be in good hands all the way.

Explores & Be Free!
Mai

*Pagudpud was our 2nd stop from our 5-day Ilocos trip. We rode the bus from Laoag to Pagudpud aboard a regular, non-ac bus at the Pagudpud Bus Station. More details about our Laoag adventure here.

Budget Biyahera

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37 comments

  1. Shugah Pauline Diez GonzalesAugust 21, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    wow! clean and definitely homey! Kudos to the homestay owners <3





    WANDER SHUGAH

    ReplyDelete
  2. mavicdesignsAugust 21, 2012 at 11:08 AM

    Like you, I always admire people with enthusiasm and hard working... Especially in this time of crisis... More power Ate Cathy...:D

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  3. Rossel Encarnacion DacioAugust 21, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    My husband and his office mates had their team building in Pagudpud. He said the place is wonderful. We are planning to spend the summer there next year.

    By the way, you look good even you're "bagong gising". :)

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  4. Maria Gemma Defeo-HilotinAugust 21, 2012 at 12:45 PM

    I'd love to go visit Pagudpud and enjoy the sceneries of that place.. I miss Igado!

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  5. Traveling MorionAugust 21, 2012 at 3:38 PM

    wow tnx Mai for posting their contacts. I am going to consider this guest house- soon I am going to visit Pagudpud

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  6. anne mary ThompsonAugust 21, 2012 at 11:07 PM

    This is a very informative post to those who would like to visit Pagudpud. I am sure Ate Cathy will be delighted if she read your post about their pension house.

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  7. Franc RamonAugust 22, 2012 at 12:51 AM

    A place that feels like home and treated like family and at a very reasonable price. A perfect combination.

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  8. Adeline YubocoAugust 22, 2012 at 12:56 AM

    Wow! For that price tag, this is definitely going to be on my bucket list. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  9. lovemindanaoAugust 22, 2012 at 7:27 AM

    am planning on my ilocos trip in October .. am bookmarking this ... love the post ... thanks

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  10. Mai_FloresAugust 22, 2012 at 2:03 PM

    Hello sis!!! Yes, you're right.. Kudos to Ate Cathy and her family.. They are definitely worth the stay. :)

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  11. Mai_FloresAugust 22, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    Thank you Mavic! I hope Ate Cathy gets to read your nice words. :)

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  12. Mai_FloresAugust 22, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    Hello Rossel! :) Hope you can try Ate Cathy's on your future trip to Pagudpud. And THANK YOU for the compliment.. :)

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  13. Mai_FloresAugust 22, 2012 at 2:06 PM

    Hey Gemma! You like Igado? Me, not so much.. after finding out that the pig that was slaughtered to make it was still alive on our last night there. I was still able to see the pig then. :/

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  14. Mai_FloresAugust 22, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    You should consider them. :) They're very nice and accommodating there.. Meeting Ate Cathy and her family made our trip more meaningful and memorable. :)

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  15. Mai_FloresAugust 22, 2012 at 2:08 PM

    Hi Anne! Actually, I'm only one of many other awesome people who have blogged about Ate Cathy. :) She is truly a gem. :)

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  16. Mai_FloresAugust 22, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    It was a really good combination, Franc! :)

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  17. Mai_FloresAugust 22, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    Surely, Adeline! :)

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  18. Mai_FloresAugust 22, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    Thanks LoveMindanao.. Hope I can meet you when I do visit Mindanao again. :)

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  19. Teresa MartinezAugust 22, 2012 at 8:04 PM

    Nothing beats a good travel and accommodations deal in convincing visitors to come.

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  20. ralphAugust 23, 2012 at 11:15 PM

    a place with a homey atmosphere... and a personal touch... a nice place to take a rest after the whole day of activities... Yahweh bless.

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  21. Gil CamporazoAugust 24, 2012 at 6:51 PM

    Practically, I kept on thinking of this place, Saud and the municipality of Pagudpud. I read the blog several times, but yet I couldn't find where it is. I found out it later when I search the web and it is in the province of Ilocos Region, a 4th class municipality.

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  22. Mai_FloresAugust 28, 2012 at 5:51 PM

    I agree! But we were actually given this expense-free trip because our film was invited for Jeonju's film festival. :)

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  23. Mai_FloresAugust 28, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    Thanks for the additional information!

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  24. anne mary ThompsonJanuary 18, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    This is a very informative post to those who would like to visit Pagudpud. I am sure Ate Cathy will be delighted if she read your post about their pension house.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Franc RamonJanuary 18, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    A place that feels like home and treated like family and at a very reasonable price. A perfect combination.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Adeline YubocoJanuary 18, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    Wow! For that price tag, this is definitely going to be on my bucket list. Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Budget BiyaheraApril 5, 2013 at 1:36 PM

    I was planning to stay here but unfortunately due to her being so unprofessional i need to look for a new place to stay...

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  28. Budget BiyaheraApril 5, 2013 at 2:06 PM

    Hi there! If I may ask, what happened?

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  29. Budget BiyaheraApril 5, 2013 at 3:27 PM

    they unfortunately cancel my booking without informing me... the fact that they didnt even mention na first come first serve daw sila... i just booked it last week before holy week...

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  30. Budget BiyaheraApril 5, 2013 at 3:37 PM

    Sorry to hear that. :( that was indeed awful. Although I never heard of that rule from her. :|

    ReplyDelete
  31. Budget BiyaheraApril 5, 2013 at 4:16 PM

    i was surprised too... since we talked through phone and everything was ok... she never told me of their policies since i ask if possible payment upon check in... she just told me "pwede mag deposit pra meron naman kaming aantayin" so i suppose there are some who just booked but never arrived... i even txted her to adjust the date of stay and she even acknowledge it... so from that you would know that we really have the intention to stay.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Budget BiyaheraApril 6, 2013 at 10:05 AM

    When were you supposed to stay and for how long? Actually kami, we made sure to deposit 50% para talagang ma-secure booking namin. Mahina rin kasi ang kapit sa isang bagay pag walang pinanghahawakan. Ako kasi segurista, so I pay at least 50% para may proof of payment ako, walang lusot sa booking from the suppliers end. But like you mentioned, dapat naging straight to the point na lang, which will save all the hassles.

    Try mo na lang siguro magBook sa Evangeline's Beach Resort. Katabi lang ng homestay, tapos mas near the beach. [ http://www.evangelinebeachresort.net/ ]

    ReplyDelete
  33. Budget BiyaheraApril 6, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    this coming weekends... yah they didnt informed me that arrangement... i was planning to settle the deposit already buti nlng di ko muna ginawa kinonfirm ko muna... my tour guide will help me to reserve a place for us...

    ReplyDelete
  34. Budget BiyaheraApril 6, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    who's your tour guide? :) Try mo na lang si Kuya Raphie. :)

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  35. Budget BiyaheraMay 28, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    I hope she does get to read this. :)

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  36. Budget BiyaheraMay 28, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Indeed! :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Budget BiyaheraMay 28, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Surely! :)

    ReplyDelete

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