The way of the sun from San Pablo to Quezon

Hey look at the sun! It rises right on this special map, a gentle arc with rays pointing to unique soulful places. Follow our route, trace the highway from San Pablo, Laguna to Tiaong, Quezon, or catch the sunlight as it runs through charming country inns, off the beaten path cafes, and inspiring artist's studios.

We call this charming route Viaje del Sol: The way of the sun. Take it as a simple suggestion, a witty road map, a guide to a cultural loop, a lure to an adventure, or just a reason to run away.

This map intoduces you to Viaje del Sol's third incarnation. The first two editions were such a hit that we had no choice but to cover more special places, this time in Los Baños and Batangas.

Consider this an invitation from us, a group of friends who grew up in these envisions, and who'd like to share just how beautiful and rich this countryside is.

Should you join us on this journey, we guarantee you an experience of Laguna, Quezon and Batangas in the most unexpected ways, its magical tales, its creative spirit, and its deep roots in plantation life. Take it at your own pace, savor every step. Create each encounter anyway you like.

It's as much your journey as it is ours.

Pettyjohn Pottery (Bucal, Calamba, Laguna)

La Vista Pansol (Pansol, Laguna)

Famous for its elaborate five-story water slide, La Vista Pansol is a visit vast resort complex between Laguna Lake and Mount Makiling. It offers weekend getaway retreats for families or seminars and conference packages for companies. It has 7,000 square meters of crystal natural warm spring swimming pools and 7 state-of-the-art conference halls. Most interesting for families looking for educational pit stops on their Laguna route is their animal sanctuary.

Contact Information:

All visits must be pre-arranged. Call (02) 812-0766, (02) 729-2980, workshop and residence (049) 545-1608, cell (0917) 896-5491.

Contact Information:

Call (049) 834-1121 or (049) 244-3645 or (049) 545-1850

The Forest Club (Bgy. Masaya, Bay, Laguna)

The Forest Club is an eco-friendly conference center amidst a nature sanctuary in Bay, Laguna. It strives to integrate a supporive social environment with a low-impact way of life by integrating various aspects of ecologocal design, permaculture, ecological building, alternative energy, and much more. We are built amidst a forest sancturay that is home toa collection of tropical forest, exotic palms, and medicinal trees and plants.

Collete's Buko Pie (San Pablo City, Laguna)

Colette's Buko Pie at Pasalubong is the main store in a chain that offers pasalubong treats like their famous buko pie to pineapple pies and cassava bibingka. Beside their main store is Caffe Curio, which serves hot lattes, ice-blended coffees and smoothies, plus pasta and rice dishes.

For Reservation:

Laguna Office: Call Ruben Layug at (049) 249-4985, Fax (049) 249-4984, Mobile (0917) 460-8185.

Hours:

Colette's Pasalubong open 24 jours, 7 days a week. Caffe Curio open 6am to 2am, every day of the week.

Casa San Pablo (San Pablo City, Laguna)

Casa San Pablo is a country inn surrounded by Baguio-like pine trees and sprawling lawns. Avid art collector and hobby enthusiast Boots Alcantara and his wife An Mercado-Alcantara, writer and magazine editor, are the innkeepers. The in relflects their pursuit of contemporary and eclectic junk-turned-art and literary collections.

Tour of Sampaloc and Pandin Lakes

Visit two of San Pavlo's seven lakes-Sampalok and Pandin, the two most picturesque takers. Sampalok Lake is the largest among San Pablo's seven crater lakes. There are now 16 lovely parks along tha shore all created by private groups. All the parks look out to the lake and the majesty of Mount Cristobal. Pandin Lake is San Pablo's best-kept little secret. Away from teh main highway, this beautiful 20-hectare lake has retained much of its natural beauty.

For Reservations:

Prior reservations must be made. Please call (0917) 812-6687 or visit www.casasanpablo.com

Contact Information:

Call Mandy Mariño at (0917) 501-6694

Pillar Plants and Novelties (San Pablo City, Laguna)

Some of the best and most interesting antiques and collectibles from all over Southern Luzon can be found at Pillar Plants and Novelties. Managed and owned by Emilio and Redemcion Pila, they have a branch within the Kusina Salud compound. The main showroom is in Lucena City (2497 Gulang-Gulang, Lucena City) where you may see their landscaping artistry. They also have a big branch on Immaculate Concepcion, along Maharlika Highway, Isabang, Lucena City (near GSIS).

Kusina Salud (San Pablo City, Laguna)

Patis Tesoro, renowned fashion designer and advocate of indigenous abrics, has thrown open the doors of her enchanting country home. Chef Paul Poblador, formerly of Salud! Bistro in Baguio Ciyt (nominated one of the best restaurants in the country by Tatler magazine) creates a memorable menu of favorite Filipino dishes with a contemporary twist.

Contact Numbers:

Kusina Salud Branch (0915) 373-7851, look for Louie. Main Office: (042) 710-5753, look for Eding. Isabang Branch: (042) 373-7556, look for Ella or Liza.

For Reservations:

Please text Jerome at (0921) 772-6985 or call (02) 699-5035 or (049) 246-6878. Open everyday for lunch from 11am to 3pm and for dinner from 5:30pm to 9pm.

Carlito's Workshop (San Pablo City, Laguna)

Carlito Ortega is a sculptor who works in welded steel and brass,as well as with old hard wood. He creates figurative works in both intimate and monumental scale inspired by Philippine folk art and lore. Come and visit his artist workshop and garden.

Sitio de Amor (Km 88.8 Maharlika Highway, Laguna)

Sitio de Amor is a 4.5 hectare orchard nestled between Mt. San Cristobal and Mt. Banahaw, traversed by the Balanga River feeding a huge lagoon meant to entice the visitor for a cool dip or simply soothed by the water's murmuring sound. Landscaping is an interplay of solid rocks and luxurious greenery epertly done by Igorots, the architects of our famous Ifugao terraces. In August, during the Rambutan Festival, visitors can pick and eat rambutan free and buy more to take home.

Contact Information:

Call Carlito at (0919) 837-7755 or (049) 562-0351.

For Reservations:

Call tel no: (02) 552-7340; (0918) 927-4346. Prior reservation required. Email: sitiodeamor@yahoo.com

Villa Escudero (Laguna-Quezon Boundary)

Villa Escuderso has preserved the lifestyle and culture of turn of teh century hacienda living. See the grand mansion of the Escudero family, the nipa cottages perched around the Labasin Lake, and the amazing collection of Philippine history and culture kept in their family museum. Dining at Villa Escudero is unforgettable. Lunch is served by the waterfalls of the old hydro-electric plant. Guests enjoy their meal while their feet are soaked in running water from the falls. This is pampering the haciendero way.

Kinabuhayan Cafe Bed and Breakfast (Dolores, Quezon)

In the historic town of Dolores, Quezon, is Kinabuhayan cafe and Bed and Breakfast. Inspired by the majestic Mouint Banahaw, the rustic, homey accomodations and personal service are complemented with a melange of Asian and European cuisine.

For Reservations:

Call (02) 521-0830

For Reservations:

Tel: (042) 565-6828 Call: Winston at (0917) 327-1106 or Jay at (0917) 368-0054. Email kina_cafe@yahoo.com

Ugu Bigyan: Potter's Garden (Tiaong, Quezon)

For potter Ugu Bigyan, home has always been in tiaong, quezon. His Artist's workshop is a cluster of qui=aint huts, connected by brick paths and surrounded by a lush garden. Ugu's works are on display and are for sale. Lunch is served at his garden. Meal's are served on his beautiful ceramic plates and bowls.

Earthkeepers' Garden and Restaurant (Tiaong, Quezon)

Having started as a commercial garden, selling houseplants and landscaping materials, Earthkeepers now has a restaurant which serves organically grown products cooked in teh traditional Quezon way. While dining, you can enjoy a good view of the garden's various tropical and native plants. In support of the communities around Mount Banahaw, Earthkeepers also sells native products by aspiring local artists.

Reservations:

Reservations for lunch must be made with a maximum of 5 persons. Telefax (042) 545-9144. Mobile (0917) 560-5708.

For Reservations:

Earthkeeper is open from 6AM to 6PM. Call Tere at (042) 545-7112.

Casa Rap (San Jose, Batangas)

Run by Sr. Emma Alday and Mrs. Sonia Alampay, CasaRap is a greenhouse cafe, art gallery, and organic garden. Casa means house and RAP stands for Restaurant and Alternative Products. "Kasarap" is a Batangueño expression meaning very delicious. They serve Batangueño comfort food.

Charley's (Lipa City, Batangas)

Hotelier Charley Leviste-Antonio operates a restaurant where guests can enjoy the unique feel of casual dining in a private luxury family estate. Chef Rodolfo de Leon, a graduate of Les Roches Switzerland, meticulously prepares every meal wiht fresh ingredients flavored with herbs picked from Charley's greenhouse.

For Reservations:

Open daily, 7am to 5pm. For dinners, big groups and private functions, advance notice is requested. Call Emma at (043) 726-2873 or (0916) 212-6685.

For Reservartions:

Call Charley at (0920) 950-7032. Open on weekends only, prior reservation required.

First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanitites (Tanauan City, Batangas)

Visit a world-class school campus right at the heart of Tanauan, Batangas. The First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities is a five-hectare campus wiht fully air-conditioned classrooms used for all levels of education. It also houses complementary facilities for sports, extra-curricular activities and school functions.

Tarawoods (Tanauan City, Batamgas)

Tarawoods Estate is a 17-hectare farm and haven in Barangay Natatas, Tanauan, Batangas with a charming three-story man house and bungalow with modern amenities. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and areas planted to coffee, corn, calamansi, mango, papaya, langka, black pepper, and peanuts, the property is also heavily wooded with narra, acacia, and mahogany trees.

For Reservations:

Please call the Office of Planning and Development at (043) 405-2326 or e-mail inquiries@firstasia.edu.ph.

For further inquiries:

Please contact us at tara@info.com.ph

Herbana Farms (Calamba City, Laguna)

Herbana Farms is an agroecological sanctuary that makes its own organic fertilizer by using beneficial microbes. They have farm tours and offer the experience of living in their unique Mud/Cob Houses, the only one of its kind in the Philippines. Gil Carandang, the man behind all these is in the forefront of the Organic Advocacy.

TAKE A SUNDAY, or better still, set aside a few days, and discover the Viaje del Sol which circles the Southern Tagalog provinces of Laguna, Quezon and Batangas.

For Reservations:

Herbana Farms is open 24/7. Call Monina Carandang at (0928) 772-5567, Gil Carandang at (0920) 544-5439 and Rt Gonzales at (0918) 352-7511.