San Pablo, the first city of the Province of Laguna, is best known for its “7 Lakes”. All seven lagoons can be explored D-I-Y style in just under a day, but if you want to explore more of the place, you can stay in one of San Pablo City’s budget hotels. For a group of five eager travelers, we were able to see the crater lakes and a few nearby sites for only PHP900+ per person.
Our weekend getaway last month was welcomed with an abundance of positive energy. We breathed in fresh air, and were constantly embraced by cool and gentle winds. We were also greeted with picturesque landscapes, served with fresh and organic meals and drinks, attended to by the friendliest staff, and were warmly received by the owners, as if we were old friends. The existence of the farm has certainly showed us how much of a precious gem it is, especially to its founders, farmers, partners and employees.
[L-R] Jherson, Mai, Claire, Paula, Mrs. Josephine Costales, Lana and Karl. :) |
Focusing on Agritourism, Costales Nature Farms promote not only a farm-to-table concept. They religiously campaign for healthy living through the use and consumption of fresh organic produce and livestock.
Amélie Hotel Manila, which is named after the owner's granddaughter, is an Art Deco inspired 70-room boutique hotel. Located in the old-world neighbourhood of Malate (a short walk away from Robinson's Place Manila, a major shopping mall in Manila), the attractive establishment is surrounded by landmarks that are both rich in history and culture (i.e. Intramuros, Luneta, Rizal Park).
Our 4-hour road trip to Batangas definitely put a strain on us, to the point that we wanted to stay an extra night in the resort just so we could rest. But of course, we couldn't. Though it was refreshing to know that we were extending our weekend getaway in one of the nice hotels down south. And so three toll ways and three hours later, we arrived at Microtel South Forbes.
Commuting is such a hassle here in the Philippines. Long lines, unsure departure times, and needing to go to the terminal just to buy tickets in advance are a common experience for travelers and passengers.
Especially with the holidays just around the corner, it's good to know that commuters can now enjoy stress-free travels out of town with online bus and boat reservations that lets passengers choose seats for free, claim a variety of freebies, and earn points. Payment options include credit/debit card via Paypal, 7-Eleven, all major banks, and the most common payment centers.
Book directly at their website (biyaheroes.com).
I've been recently married, and one of the ID's that I can instantly apply for is the PHL Postal ID. I've never applied for one before, so it was timely for me to get the newly improved version using my new surname. And so last month, I applied at Allimall in Cubao since the closest branch from our house went through some technical issues at the time of my visit.
PHLPost will no longer release old versions of the postal ID (the laminated ones), as they've opted to change the material of the card to avoid illegal printing. According to PHLPost, added security measures have been instilled in the ID to further secure the integrity of one's identity and to eliminate fraudulent transactions. The Improved Postal ID has been infused with improved physical and biometrics-based security features such as the QR code (which also shows a hologram and ghost image), and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). It is now accepted as a valid government-issued identification document.
Photo courtesy of PHL Postal ID Site |