Villa Escudero | Where Nature Meets Tradition and Culture.

It has actually been months since we last visited Villa Escudero, but I wanted to blog about it anyway for two reasons: 1) Villa Escudero is one of the top tourist spots in this region (or perhaps in the country), and 2) this was such a fun day for the entire family; it has been years since my cousins and my siblings and I did something like this together.

Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort is an eco-tourism resort that showcases the history and cultural heritage of the Philippines. Located along the boundary of Laguna and Quezon, Villa Escudero is best known for its carabao rides, cultural shows, and its scenic waterfall restaurant.

The way to Villa Escudero. 
If you see this along the highway, then you're on the right track.

Established in the late 1800s by Don Placido Escudero, Villa Escudero began as a self-contained sugar plantation. Towards the early 1900s, the place eventually became a coconut plantation. In 1929, the plantation became officially known as Villa Escudero, the same year when Don Arsenio Escudero, Don Placido's son, built the country's first working hydroelectric plant to supply power to his dessicated coconut factory and to the entire estate.

In 1981, Villa Escudero opened its doors to the public, making it one of the oldest and most famous resorts in the Philippines. From its humble beginnings, Villa Escudero has become one of the country's leading tourists destinations for both locals and foreigners alike. It is especially popular among balikbayans or expats who have been away from their home country for so long and are eager to experience traditional Filipino food, culture, and heritage all over again.

A modified jeepney parked near the waiting area.

The Villa Escudero Museum, which houses religious artifacts and other historical items.
Picture taking is prohibited inside the museum.

We visited Villa Escudero last November, a few days after the onslaught of Typhoon Paeng (Tropical Storm Nalgae). Since we were traveling as a big group (there were 13 of us), I made a reservation about a week prior to our visit, which I booked through their website. I called the Villa Escudero office the day before our visit, just to make sure that they're open and our reservation was not cancelled because of the possible damages brought about by the typhoon. Thankfully, the staff confirmed that Villa Escudero is open and operational, and so our trip pushed through.

More of our Villa Escudero experience after the jump!

Dr. Nielsen Donato and His True Heart for Animals.

“What makes you wake up early in the morning?” asks veterinarian Dr. Nielsen Donato while strolling through his animal sanctuary. “It’s not work. It’s something that you’re excited about.”

When people think of veterinarians, they usually think of them tending to household pets, like cats and dogs. But Doc Nielsen isn’t a regular vet. He’s the managing partner and chief surgeon at Vets In Practice (VIP), which caters to not-your-usual pets, and he also has a background in Avian and Exotic Medicine.

But what makes him so special is his unbridled care for virtually any kind of animal, be it crawling, flying, galloping, or slithering.

Zuma the Albino Burmese python and Doc Nielsen pose for the camera.

Doc Nielsen’s passion started when he was around three years old. One of his favorite childhood memories was being excited about going to church just so he could see the yellow chicks and ducklings being sold by vendors outside.

Today, Doc Nielsen helps run the Laguna Wildlife Park & Rescue Center, which sits within his family’s property in Pansol. This non-profit organization houses around 100 species of farm animals and wildlife, including domestic and neglected pets, as well as exotic animals that were rescued from illegal sellers and dangerous living conditions. The wildlife park has everything from chickens and goats to monkeys and a serval cat, which he tends to with the help of his staff. It’s also backed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which assists in acquiring and transporting animals to the park.

Best Friends Forever: Doc Nielsen and Kulit.

The veterinarian calls the park his “happy place,” which he visits as early as 5 am to see all of the animals and listen to the different sounds that envelope the whole park. “When I’m walking here in the morning or afternoon, it relaxes me. Nalilimutan ko yung mga stress, that’s why I call it my ‘haven,’” says Doc Nielsen.

Compassion project

“We support the animals with our own resources,” Doc Nielsen says as he shows the many enclosures in the park that the animals call home. He also provides them with nutritious food and medicine to keep them healthy while they’re living in the park.

Feeding time: Violet, a rescued tortoise, snacks on papaya.

He doesn’t do this alone. Apart from the staff he works with, Doc Nielsen’s family also helps. His kids, Cedric and Nina, are studying veterinary medicine, so they’re well on their way to following in their dad’s footsteps.

Giving animals a second chance

While giving a tour of the park, Doc Nielsen stops to feed and pet the animals he passes by. One of them is a bearcat (binturong), a nocturnal mammal with cat-like features that’s endemic to Palawan. Doc Nielsen explains that the bearcats were transported to the park with the help of DENR, and they are raised until they’re ready to be released back into the wild.

“I promised that if I ever breed any endemic wildlife animal in the park, my goal is to help repopulate their species and bring them back to their natural habitat,” he says. He also takes time to assess animals who might need medical attention and treat them right away to prevent infections.

Doc Nielsen demonstrates how to bathe a Bayawak,
with his resident monitor lizard, Bruce.

It’s not always easy for Doc Nielsen to let go of animals, especially those that have been used to being around humans. Many of the monkeys, for example, lived in crowded areas and were treated as pets in their past lives. Releasing them back into the wild would be a safety risk for them because a troop of wild monkeys might hurt them.

This is why he and his staff ensure that animals like these get the care they need so they can live a long and healthy life. The wildlife sanctuary is their safe haven until they are ready to be released in a protected space.

Doc Nielsen at the Laguna Wildlife Park & Rescue Center.

Whether it’s at his clinic in the city or the wildlife park in Laguna, Doc Nielsen is always ready to offer his expertise and care to all types of species, no matter how scary they may seem.

“I always dreamed of being someone like [British veterinary surgeon] James Harriot. I’ve always wanted to treat dogs and cats, and farm animals as big as horses, goats, and sheep,” he said. “There weren’t exotic animals to treat yet [when I was just starting out.] Now, I’m lucky because I get to treat more exotic animals, as well as farm animals, in my clinic and the park.” 

Foodie Goodie | Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant.

Sundays, as customary, are for dining together with the family. And for this particular Sunday after our visit to St. Martin de Porres' Kids Home, Mum chose to have our family dinner at Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant.

Travel back in time at Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant.

Located in Brgy. Del Remedio, San Pablo City, Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant gives its visitors a glimpse of the past as it reimagines the Filipino cultural heritage through its colonial era architectures and traditional Filipino cuisine.

The stairs leading to the restaurant.

Blast from the past! More of Sulyap Gallery Cafe and Restaurant after the jump!

A Trip to JASIF (Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms).

Two weeks ago, Yue's schoolmates went on an exposure trip to Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms (JASIF) as part of the course requirement in their EPP class (that's Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan or in English, Home Economics and Livelihood). Yue wasn't able to join the trip because he was still recovering from pneumonia at that time, so I promised him and his teacher that we'll go on a trip to JASIF as soon as his pediatrician permits.

After his follow-up check-up, Yue got his medical clearance from his pedia which allowed him to go back to school, and go out and be 'exposed to the elements' (haha). And so last Friday, we finally got to visit the Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms and experience their DOT-accredited (that's Department of Tourism) Sunflower Maze.

Welcome to Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms!

Don't be fooled by his 'Instagram pose'. He's actually thrilled to be here. :)

Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms started its construction in August 2018. The farm is located along Maharlika Highway, Barangay San Ignacio - just ten minutes away from the San Pablo City Plaza.

JASIF also offers seminars on Hydroponics, backyard gardening, and mushroom cultivation.

The development of this 2-hectare farm was spearheaded by Mr. Joni Sanchez, owner and CEO of the Joni and Susan Agroshop, with the help of his wife Susan, his children, and their spouses. For several years, the company has been planting corn as its main crop. They even offer partnerships to help others generate income through corn plantation, urban and container gardening, land conversion and mushroom plantation.

Inspecting the seedlings.

As the company started to grow, so did the crops, and more varieties were then included in the Joni and Susan Agroshop inventory. As such, the Joni and Susan Agroshop and Integrated Farms was established to create a tourist attraction focused on farming and gardening.

Here's our JASIF experience in photos:
(Sunflower Maze and more after the jump!)

Wordless Wednesday #92 | An Unexpected Guest.

Two days after the onslaught that was Glenda, an unexpected guest flew into my grandmother's home.

From Hogwarts? :)

Yes, it's an owl!

The poor thing must have lost its way during the typhoon, so we decided to take care of it for the meantime. Everyone was so excited to have this feathered friend around, especially my little man. He even named it 'Hedwig', after Harry Potter's ever famous owl.

Showing off.

I believe this is the Philippine Scops-Owl aka Oriental Screech Owl, though I don't remember hearing it screech while he was here.

That stare.

We were supposed to turn this guy over to the folks at DENR this week, but my grandmother decided to just let Hedwig leave on his own. She was worried that the poor thing might die, since we don't know exactly what to feed it with. I know owls eat mice and lizards and stuff like that, but how on earth am I supposed to give him those? Lol.

Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Hedwig. I hope you're safe and sound and happily eating wherever you are. :)

In Glenda's Aftermath...

With signal number 3 raised in Laguna on the evening of July 15, I knew Glenda (international name Rammasun) would hit our province our hard. The typhoon was expected to make landfall in the Bicol region at around 3 or 4 am the following day, and true enough, heavy rains and howling winds kept me up during the wee hours of July 16. I could hear the trees rustling in our backyard, while in the front yard, I could hear ripping and crashing sounds of what seemed to be roofs and pole posts.

I was scared as hell the entire time, while my little boy was sleeping soundly beside me. I have never prayed so hard in my entire life, asking for this ordeal to be over and done with, for the typhoon to finally leave, and for our house to be safe from falling and flying objects. Floods don't scare me (as this is a rare occurrence here in San Pablo City) but falling coconut trees do.

It was around 10 am when the rain finally subsided and the skies began to clear. It was only then that I had the courage to step outside the house and check the damages that Glenda left in our compound.

Flooded garage and front yard.

Fallen trees and flying roofs.

Here's how our backyard looks like.

I'm thankful that bananas, and not coconuts fell on our backyard.

Electricity, phone lines, and cellphone signal were down and out, but luckily we had potable water. By nighttime, our telephone line had been restored, much to the the relief of our loved ones abroad. And as of 5 pm today (July 18), after almost three days of darkness, power has been restored in our barangay and in most areas here in San Pablo City.

Earlier today, the little man went to the mall to eat out and do some grocery shopping. Here's the devastation that we saw along the way.

Photo credit: ANC Facebook page.

Who would have thought that the biggest mall here in my hometown could be damaged to this extent? Well I never.

Photo credit: ANC Facebook page.

Pizza Hut along Rizal Avenue.

I heard there's another typhoon coming, so I stocked up on batteries, canned goods, and drinking water. I am hoping this new weather disturbance (he now goes by the name 'Henry') will not be as threatening as Glenda. Stay safe and dry, everyone!

Foodie Goodie | Brazo de Mercedes.

Today's edition of Foodie Goodie will be different. I won't be sharing the recipe. Instead, I will shamelessly promote these uber yummy Brazo de Mercedes that my sister April makes.

Yummy! :)

They're being sold at Php 400 per box of 10. (Do the Math that's Php 40 per piece.)

She delivers within the San Pablo City area, and you may reach her at 09178133016. For those in neighboring towns here in Laguna (Alaminos, Nagcarlan, Calauan, Los Banos, etc...) you can arrange a pick-up/meet-up schedule with her should you wish to order. :)

Shared with Food Trip Friday and Food Friday.

Everything Zen.

Two weeks ago, I had the rare opportunity to go to the spa and get a massage. And I say rare because 'me-time' is a little difficult to come by when you're a work-at-home mom, especially when're the only one who does the chores at home and have no one else to look after your child.

But thanks to my 'balikbayan' cousins, who were in town for a quick vacation and practically took Yue wherever they went, I had the chance to pamper myself a bit at Lake Zen The Medical Spa.

Fairly new in the business, Lake Zen has been operational since March and is owned by the husband and wife team of Dr. Cathy Villero, an OB-Gyn, and Dr. Reden Villero, an orthopedic surgeon.

I guess it's their professions that inspired them to open a spa such as theirs. After all, a spa can only be called a 'medical spa' if it is operated under the supervision of a medical doctor. (In their case, it's doctors.)
Also, what sets a medical spa apart from the traditional day spas is that the former not only offers rest and relaxation, but also focuses on long-term healing and beautifying treatments that require a doctor’s expertise.

At the waiting area of Lake Zen.

Some of the services offered by Lake Zen include traditional massages (e.g. full body massage, hot stone massage, reflexology), treatment massages (e.g. pregnancy massage, infertility massage, baby massage), and aesthetical procedures such as facials and slimming massage. They also offer hand and foot spas, manicure and pedicure - with nail art, even.

Isn't this cute? :)

I went for the Traditional Full Body Massage (Php 250), which lasted for one hour. I forgot to tell the spa consultant beforehand that I would like Moroccan Rose Oil (additional Php 50 for essential oils) to be used for my massage - my bad. And to think their collection of oils were impossible to miss as they were just sitting in the counter, lol.

Essential oils, take your pick.

Oh well, there is always a next time. After that pleasant first visit to Lake Zen - with their warm and accommodating staff plus the soothing and relaxing massage - I will definitely be coming back for another round of R&R. The curious cat in me is dying to try their Slimming Massage (Php 400), so I might give that a try the next time I visit.

Oh, and I heard that Lake Zen has a lot of stuff happening this July. They've announced that they'll be expanding, so I guess that's additional floor area to accommodate more customers and to cater to bigger spa parties. They'll also be launching their Loyalty Card, with a special treat for its repeat customers. Now that, I want. Haha!

For updates on promos and special spa packages, like Lake Zen The Medical Spa's official Facebook page.

Lake Zen The Medical Spa

GMC II Bldg, Unit 4 20 Barleta St., 

San Pablo City, Laguna

(049) 5736744/ 0922-8871513/ 0906-3544800

Spa-turdate at Maja Thai.

After several rainchecks and countless cancelled appointments, my friend Sylvia and I somehow made our weekend schedules to jive. And so yesterday, we finally had the chance to check out Maja Thai - the newly-opened spa in town.

We've been planning to go to the spa together for the longest time. Sylvia and I had been planning this since the start of the year, our busy bodies and tight schedules just wouldn't permit. Until yesterday, that is. And so off to Maja Thai we went, for some much needed and well-deserved R&R.

This hut thingy sits just beside the spa's entrance.

See?  And that's my friend, Sylvia, by the way.

OOTD: Striped Top, Forever 21. Shorts, Dorothy Perkins.
Flipflops, Havaianas. Tote,  Bijoux Terner. Wristwatch, Vera Wang.

First impressions of the place? The atmosphere is very welcoming - with its well-lit and spacious waiting area, minimalist interior design, decorative pieces that scream Thai, and furniture that's very Kenneth Cobonpue.

Lovely furniture

My favorite spot in the waiting area.

Pretty lantern sitting by the counter.

It doesn't get more Thai than this. :)

Chic lighting.

Their staff are very cordial and friendly, too.

Sylvia at the counter. :)

Sylvia and I actually had GCs for this particular visit, which were given to us by our friend Aljer. (Thanks, bro!) Our GCs were good for any of these three Massage Services: Thaw Relaxation (foot massage), Klatem Bliss (back massage), or Totem Vigor (body massage).

We went for the latter, and added a 30-minute foot massage (Php 200, regular rate) on top of the body massage. The foot massage was given first, and we were ushered to this room with massage chairs and foot spa machines.

Photo credit: Maja Thai

Those chairs are the comfiest ever, and Joan, my masseuse for the day, was pretty good. My only gripe was how cold this area was. Or it's the spot where I was seated that's cold. I could feel the A/C blowing towards me, and by the time my foot massage was over, I was sniffling like crazy.

We were then transferred to this room for our body massage. As you can see, the mattresses are laid on the floor. That's because the form of bodywork of the traditional Thai massage is done this way - on the floor.

Photo credit: Maja Thai

In a Thai massage, the receiver (ergo, the one being massaged) is positioned in a variety of yoga-like positions during the course of the massage. Deep static and rhythmic pressures form the core of the massage, which energizes the body, rejuvenates the spirit, and calms the mind.

Just to give you an idea of what happens in a Thai massage, there's cracking the knuckles, pulling fingers, toes, ears, even hair, walking on the recipient's back, and arching the recipient into bhujangasana (or cobra position). Quite a challenge, huh? But believe me, your body will feel light and relaxed once all the pulling and cracking are done.

And then you can cool down with your drink of choice - a glass of water or a cup of ginger tea. I went for ginger tea, and so did Sylvia.

Tea time!

This pitcher is so pretty. 

After our one and a half hour massage. :)

All in all, our 'spa-turdate' at Maja Thai has been nothing but pleasant. This visit will not be the last, and I'm already looking forward to our next 'spa-turdate'. I'm thinking of getting the Holistic Rejuvenation (Php 525, promo rate) next time; it's a combination massage that covers the foot and the entire body. I just hope this date will not take another four months to happen, haha.

Girl bonding at Maja Thai! :)

Maja Thai Massage and Wellness Spa
2nd Floor Allysa's Arcade
Brgy. San Benito, Alaminos Laguna
(right across Toyota San Pablo)
049.527.3839 / 0932.877.9959
0928.447.8369 / 0926.747.0879