Aside from cashew nuts, native delicacies, and lechon along the streets, Antipolo is best known for the shrine of Nuesta Señora De la Paz y Buen Viaje or Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

Patrons go here to attend mass and visit the shrine showcasing some of the sceptres and crowns. It was said that the state has around  400 pieces of dresses already.

Aside from this, patrons go here to have their vehicles blessed with holy water as a sign of gratitude for the blessing of having acquired a vehicle. Many also believe that the intercession of Nuesta Señora De la Paz y Buen Viaje will bring forth a safe trip for the car owners.

Just across the area where the cars are parked while awaiting for blessing ceremonies, is Reggie’s store. It’s not a complete trip without the suman and kasuy.

Suman is sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaves. One bundle of around 20 pieces is sold for Php 100 (USD 2) while roasted kasuy (cashew nuts) in plain or garlic flavor ranging between Php 150 (USD 3) to Php 200 (USD 4).

Day tour is my personal preference for this place because in my experience for an overnight stay, some of their facilities need some more improvements on facilities and more drastic training in events management.

For facilities, there are cabinets in the rooms that need minor repairs, squeaky doors, leaks from ceiling in the CR, non-working aircon in room or conference hall, faucet malfunction, etc… and it was difficult to transfer if there are corporate bookings.

Day tour accommodation is quite promising given that the common shower room is better maintained (or probably has been recently renovated). I enjoyed the kayak. Rate is at Php 350/hour including two life vests. Beach is clean and the water was refreshing and blue. Pool area is very enticing with all the cabanas around and trees close to the area provide some shade and greenery, making the place relaxing and cozy.

Room rate ranges at around Php 5,000++ or more. It’s just good to know that in my stay there last April 2010, renovations were underway for the north wing already (I stayed in the south wing).  Food is good and the location of the restaurant at the lower ground give a good view of the beach and accessibility to the pool.

In events management, most specially if the reservations were coursed through the Makati office, they should strongly coordinate the requirements agreed with the sales representative with the events management on-site.  As an example, when we arrived there for a planning session, it is at least expected for the conference hall to be prepared, what was the submission of the program for if these things will not ready. Upon arrival at the beach club, that was the only time they arranged the conference hall; turned on the aircon (and learned wasn’t working and had to fix– which affected our schedule); set-up of free flowing cofee, etc and was done almost end of the day already. Our PM snack was served close to 5pm (supposed to be between 3PM-4PM) and the dinner roll served with pancit, in our impression, tastes old.

You may contact them directly for quotations or reservations at telephone number: +632 520 6400

Overall, this is in my list of options for day tour but will think twice for overnight stay.

Mine was a Full Body Scrub with free Cream Bath (Php 1120) – This is a one hour exfoliating full body scrub with moisturizing cream. The effect was not just polished skin but also invigorating with the massage that comes with this service.

Other services we had were:

Foot Spa with Back Massage, 1 hour   Php 560

Hair Spa with Scalp Massage, 30 mins   Php 560

Aromatherapy Steam Bath, 20 mins   Php 450

Manicure/Pedicure, Php  150/Php   150

Lilac Package, 2.5 hours   Php  2580

Lilac package comes with body scrub with a choice from rose, banana, green tea, or olive grove plus facial and hair spa, Sonya’s signature massage.

By the way, the soaps in their bathrooms were the mini-honey soaps from Ilog Maria, a honey bee farm nearby.

And then, there is a Panaderia (Bakeshop) with various local breads and pastries.

Sonya’s Garden

Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines (near the vicinity of Tagaytay City, Philippines)

Driving to South Luzon having a clear destination of where we want to go, although unsure of where it is exactly hehe, we found this pristine nature that is a home to a lot of honey bees.

We went there primarily for their honey products – soaps, royal jelly hair oil, honey cider vinegar, aroma theraphy products, and a lot more.

These soaps were hand-made in small batches. The production area is just below the store where ladies mix ingredients from an old recipe that is said to have moisturizing, softening, healing, deep cleansing, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effect to the skin. They even have deodorizing pet soap.

Among my favorites are the Lip Balm (bcoz I seldom wear lipstick) and Propolis Ointment (for skin irritation and infections, allergies, insect bites, rashes, skin irritations, fungal infections, swollen and infected wounds. For the reason that when I am in a place with mosquitoes, I am the first one bitten. While my skin is already tortured with bites, people around me doesn’t even notice there are mosquitoes. Me and my sister Jean share the same ‘attraction’ to those blood sucking insects.

Aside from this store in Silang, Cavite… some of their products are also available in Echo Store, Kape Isla, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City. Ilog Maria also have an online store.

Contact Details:  www.ilogmaria.com / +63 46 865 0018

Mode of Payment: Cash (in Silang)

Summer is here and there is no better way to welcome the season than our version of Amazing Race in Binakayan, Cavite.  With friends and bloggers, we were invited to Detour: Island Cove Adventure.  It is my first time in Island Cove and I’d say I was impressed with the diverse offerings that they have for the whole family.

I say diverse because they cater to the interests from fishing, singing, outdoor fun such as swimming (with slides!), and  paintball.  Kids and kids once will also enjoy and learn about nature in the butterfly farm and zoo featuring crocodiles, about 35 monkeys, ostriches, cassowary, lions, deer, and a lot more.  I suggest, you see for yourself, hehe.

For people who like the night life, they also have Patron where BBZ is served. Yes, Beer Below Zero. Island Cove so far is the only establishment in Cavite that serves BBZ.

Corporate establishments can also choose this place for their team building events, summer outing and other functions as the place boasts of large rooms that can accomodate up to 400 people.

This day was so fun-filled, my team- white team, was in the top five to finish the race.  Fifth in a game of six teams. Well, the point is I’m going back with my family before the summer ends.  This place offers a lot that I cannot let my love ones miss the experience.  So I got a brochure that I’m sharing with you… might help you decide on vacation destination for the summer of 2009

ROOM RATES

ROMANTIC AND FAMILY PACKAGES

 
BARKADA PACKAGE

I will have a Part 2 for the Island Cove Adventure post. In the second one, I’ll be sharing the photos I got from running around the place