The TG’s were itching for an out of town getaway, and so February 24 morning found us inside Thom’s car enroute to Villa Escudero somewhere in Laguna. For an entrance fee of 1,250 pesos per head we had a free run of the place and had an activity packed day.
Museum. This housed all of Escudero’s collections and was more interesting than your average museum because it had a mix of all sorts of antique odds and ends from all over the world, including this collection of minatures that had us wondering how such intricate handiwork could have been done in such minute detail. The place was also blanketed with the signature spooky feeling that accompanies old places and we spent the better part of the tour trying to scare each other. We also got reprimanded for taking pictures. Bawal pala? Ahehe.
Carabao ride. We rode a cart pulled by a carabao towards the resort area. We really enjoyed watching the provincial scenery while being serenaded with folk songs and guitar.
River Rafting. This is rafting in the truest sense of the word. At first I was afraid to board the raft with Caloy lest we sink in the river because the bamboo was not strong enough to hold us both. Eventually we were paddling towards the far end of the river. It was a fun, calming, though tiring experience.
Coconut Harvest. We headed towards the coconut grove where a bunch of guys showed us the step by step process of how to harvest a coconut which I caught on film.
They also opened the old coconuts (niyog), ripped off the husks, scraped off the meat inside and squeezed out the coconut milk. The leaves were woven into playthings – grasshoppers, fish, spaceships, birds. Wow. The coconut tree sure is useful.
Cultural Show. We sat down at the cultural hall and got entertained by the presentations of the various traditional Filipino dances. We were amazed to see the same guys who climbed the coconut trees twirling and jumping onto each other’s shoulders onstage.
Concept Pics. Put together an environment conducive for concept pics and a group that has produced some of the best concept pics ever and what do you get?
Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort
San Pablo City, Philippines
Website: www.villaescudero.com