Spent last weekend at the Beach Club of Peninsula De Punta Fuego located in Nasugbu, Batangas. This is around 10 kms away from Canyon Cove. Peninsula De Punta Fuego is an exclusive 88-hectare flame-shaped peninsula which according to their site is envisioned to be a world-class residential beach resort.

The place is huge, beautifully designed and you would feel like you’re in a different country while you are there.  Anyway, we stayed at one of their Casitas which is on the seaside of the club. Just below us you can hear the raging sea waves. It feels great to be sleeping with only the sound of the sea waves putting you to sleep.

Peninsula De Punta Fuego has several swimming pools and beaches in different location inside the property. Butthe best spot is located in what they call as the long beach. Although not as good as the beach in Laiya, the good thing about this beach is that very few people go there to swim. So, you’d feel like you’re in your own beach resort. The main club’s swimming pool is also great since it’s an infinity pool overlooking the Hamilo Coastline.

Overall, it was quite a great vacation.  Food was also great in the Peninsula De Funta Fuego’s beach club member’s lounge.

After several years (around 4) I finally went back to Baguio. Unfortunately, my family was not with me. It would have been a better experience if my wife and my now two kids were with me. The last time we were there my daughter was just one year old and we met up with a good friend of mine and his family who are now based in Wellington.

Anyway, it was my first time to stay at the Baguio Country Club which in case you’re not aware of is already a hundred years old. It was inside Camp John Hay and was just near my favorite hotel – The Manor.

And since I was there on official business, I had only a couple of hours to spare and visit two of my favorite restaurants in Baguio. So, together with three officemates we had lunch at the Sizzling Plate near Legarda St.  Nothing beats the Porterhouse steak in Sizzline Plate. Perfect for the cool weather in Baguio.

After devouring our huge serving of Porterhouse steak, time for coffee! And where else who you rather get your coffee fix but at the nearby Cafe by the Ruins.

After several years of not visiting the place, it was like coming home to Cafe by the Ruins that time. Sadly, something has changed. A new building is being constructed just beside the Cafe, blocking the soothing wind that use to greet you as you enjoy the aroma of  Cafe by the Ruins house blend.

Then it was back to Manila again. Before I checked out BBC, I passed by the Raisin Bread Bakeshop which is just outside the lobby of the hotel to grab a couple of their famous raisin bread.

Overall, despite the few hours that I spent in Baguio, it was somehow worth it. Too bad I wasn’t able to visit our favorite Coffee Shop in SM Baguio. But promise we’ll be back before the year ends if not early next year.

Just came back from a long drive to Manaoag, Pangasinan taking the new Subic-Clark-Tarlac-Express Way.  It took  us 30 minutes to reach Tarlac City from Clark exit. Then another one hour drive from Tarlac City to Manaoag Pangasinan passing by the towns of Paniqui and Moncada Tarlac, Carmen Rosales in Pangasinan, before reaching Urdaneta where a left turn will lead you to Manaoag.

We didn’t know that it was the first Sunday of the month so devotees flocked to the famous Our Lady of Manaoag Church. It’s a good thing a local prompted us to an alternative route, avoiding the traffic near the church entrance.  The payback? We were forced to buy 10 pieces of  candle for Php 150.

Anyway, the hussles and bustle of going to the Church were all worth it after we’ve paid our homage to Our Lady of Manaoag.

And of course, a trip to Pangasinan will not be complete if you will not be complete if you won’t have your lunch at the famous Matutina’s Restaurant.

We decided to go to Matutina’s Annex 2 which is just along the McArthur Hi-way near the Urdaneta Town Proper. It’s on the left side of the road if your heading back to Manila.

So what’s for lunch?

Mango Salad with Tomatos, Onions and Bagoong!  Simply the best!

Another great choice, Pinakbet with Chicharon and Fresh Ampalaya!

We also had Buttered Shrimps

And Sinigang na Bangus Belly (the Bangus is under the veggies)

Actually we also ordered Calamares and Bangus Sisig, but I forgot to take their photos because I enjoyed the feast so much.

Overall, it was a great road trip except for when we were exciting SCTEX on our way back to Manila. Some cops stopped us and told us that we were overspeeding. The maximum speed in SCTEX was up to 100km/hr. So, they asked for my driver’s license and was told to get it in LTO Edsa. WTF??!!!

Oh well, be warned when you take the SCTEX, there are speed detectors monitoring your speed, you’ll never know when it will catch you. Spoilsport!

If you’re starting to plan your long weekend trips and vacation this 2010, check out the official Philippine Holidays of 2010 at the end of this post. Info was provided by the Department of Tourism.  And if you don’t have any idea where to go, check out our past coverages of some great places we’ve visited.

• Breakfast at Antonio’s in Tagaytay
• Balay Laiya in San Juan Batangas, Revisited
• One Tagaytay Place
• Paradise Ranch in Clark Pampanga
• Paradise Philippines Spotlight: Golden Sunset Resort in Calatagan, Batangas

Philippine Holidays 2010

• February 20 – 22, Saturday to Monday (February 22 – EDSA Anniversary)
• April 1 – 4, Thursday – Sunday (April 1 – Holy Thursday, April 2 – Good Friday)
• April 9 – 11 Friday – Sunday (April 9 – Araw ng Kagitingan)
• May 1 – 3, Saturday – Monday (May 1 – Labor Day moved to May 3)
• June 12 to 14, Saturday – Monday, (June 14 – Independence Day)
• August 21 – 23, Saturday – Monday (August 23 – Ninoy Aquino Day)
• August 28 – 30, Saturday – Monday (August 30 – National Heroes Day)
• October 30 – November 1, Saturday – Monday, (November 1 – All Saints Day)
• November 27 to 29, Saturday – Monday, (November 29 – Bonifacio Day)
• December 24 to 27, Friday – Monday (December 24 – Non-Working Holiday, December 25 – Christmas Day, December 27 – Rizal Day)
• December 31 – January 2, Friday – Sunday, (December 31 – Non-Working Holiday, January 1 – New Year’s Day)

After a stressful two weeks, what a way to unwind, relax and  spend sometime with the family but a quick trip to the beach. You don’t have to go Boracay to enjoy the sand, the cool waters, and even just the smell of sweet air. You can enjoy it just by driving around 3 hours from Manila heading towards the quiet town of San Juan in Batangas, where Balay Laiya is located.The first time we went here was January 2008. Less than a year had passed and Balay Laiya is still the quaint and serene beach resort that it is.  The water is still clear and very few people still go there.

The sand although not as white as those in Boracay is still pristine.

My favorite spot in Laiya. Reminds me of that grotto in Boracay.

The bancas are still there.

Nothing beats the blue skies and the pristine white clouds. Makes you forget  the stress of city life.

Was digging up some old photos and found these photos taken when we visited Tagaytay Highlands a few years ago. I wasn’t a blogger yet then. Tagaytay Highlands is an exclusive, for-members-only club house located in the outskirts of Tagaytay.

They have a very nice pool surrounded by lush greeneries. You can also access this funicular.

And here’s a nice view from a restaurant (I forgot the name) on top of a hill.

Finally able to visit Vieux Chalet, a Swiss Restaurant hidden somewhere in Taktak Road, Antipolo. For the longest time, my wife and I have been wanting to visit the place, thanks to the different write-ups that we’ve been reading about it. Luckily, when we finally able to visit it, it was my birthday. My wife has secretly arranged some special requests which were granted by the Vieux Chalet’s ever jolly and friendly manager named Rico – a birthday song played when I entered the restaurant, and there was a birthday greeting written on small blackboard near our chosen table, plus a birthday cake for dessert!’Twas a fun birthday breakfast celebration. Nothing beats the cosy and homey ambiance of Vieux Chalet on a fine Saturaday morning. But of course the best part and the reason why we went to Vieux Chalet was because of its FOOD.

So, we feasted on the following:

Vieux Chalet’s Special Brunch which consists of hungarian sausage, pork, Canadian bacon, two fried eggs, toasted wheat bread and butter, jam and pesto cream for spread.

Vieux Chalet’s very own Fettuccini Alfredo in Tomato Sauce, bacon bits/ham, parsley.

Fresh garden salad with Vieux Chalet’s very own vinaigrette dressing

Vieux Chalet’s Rosti – Potato Pancake

Vieux Chalet’s yummy cake, which they simply call chocolate cake. The chocolate coated pretzel is a winner!

The contest runs from July 1 to October 31. More details can be found here.

Via Pinoy Travel Blog

The last time we were here, my daughter was still 2 years old. Who would have thought that we will be visiting Sonya’s Garden again after two years. Well, my daughter is turning four soon, and she has a little brother now.

Anyway, we’ve travelled more than 100kms from Antipolo to reach Sonya’s garden in Tagaytay in time for lunch.

Of course we immediately ordered for the famous Sonya’s Garden’s Lunch Buffet which includes the following:

• eat-all-you garden fresh salad with salmon and a special honey mustard dressing,
• pasta meal with choices various pasta sauces – ratatouille, carbonara, sun-dried tomatoes, and pesto
• a loaf of bread with several dips – pesto, white cheeze, pate, etc
• banana fritters and swetened camote for dessert plus a thin slice of chocolate cake sampler
• and of course – the bottomless bottomless dalandan juice with mint leaves – the best!

The buffet cost around Php800+. Two years ago it was only around Php500+.

It was a nice and healthy lunch. Definitely worth the 1.5 hours travel time from Antipolo to Tagaytay.

Incidentally if you want some more healthy eating tips, check out this new health blog – Moderate Fat.

Kusina ni Salud is located along Maharlika Highway in San Pablo Laguna. It’s a few kilometers away from the more famous Villa Escudero resort spot in Quezon. Kusina offers up a garden-type ambiance with the main restaurant designed like an old spanish house while the interior is a mixture of various chinese ornaments and accessories.

Kusina ni Salud offers Filipino dishes with some authentic viands including “Tapang Kalabao” (Carabao Meat). Best entree would have to be the Lumpiang Ubod. There’s just something different to it that would make you yearn for more.

Food prices are reasonable and staff services is great. Kusina ni Salud is a perfect stop-over if you’re on your way to Bicol or Quezon. Best to visit the place during lunch time. For more details and information visit Kusina Salud’s Multiply site.