2011: A Retrospect of Lakwatserong Tatay's Adventures

by lakwatserong tatay

Thank You 2011 !!!!!.........Welcome 2012 and hope to have more DIY travel and camping activities this year!!! I would like to take this chance to show my appreciation to all of my travel companions, the new and old ones.....hehehehe.... It was really nice to be with you and hope to be travelling with you again this Year of the Dragon. Thanks for entrusting me to be your travel buddy/companion and one of your friend. I do promise that our escapades and adventures will not be ended but it will be surely pursue up to the end....nonstop na galaan and tipid trips ang gagawin natin muli ngayon 2012......cheers and more travels to us!!!!!!!!

2011 has ended, but the memories, places and travel is been part of my life. It was really a jam packed year for me, inspite of having nonstop OT's at work, different travel opportunities together with my travel buddies..."Xplorerboyz" and another set of travel/blogger buddies "Tropang Tits & Pips". It is nice to look back on all of those things...the chance to visit different places. Travelling via plane, bus, jeep, tricycle, habal-habal and small boats and roro transfer. Visit different churches of our country, Chasing of Waterfalls, and  Encourage other trippers to make their own blogs to share their own stories. There are two happenings in my life that i would not be able to forget in the year 2011: The chance to be seen in GMA News TV for Weekend Getaway Show with Drew Arellano as Weekend Warriors for Vigan Episode and of course the Birth of my Third Angel "Gabriel".

Here to share my adventures, travels, climbs, events, and happenings in 2011:

JANUARY:
San Pablo, Laguna : DIY Trip of Seven Lakes (Bunot Lake, Lake Calibato, Lake Pandin, Lake Yambo, Lake Palakpakin, Lake Mohicap and Sampaloc Lake). Trek to Mt. Malauban

Nagcarlan, Laguna :  Underground Cemetery, Presedencia Nagcarlan, St. Bartholomew Church and Bunga Falls.

FEBRUARY:

Antipolo, Rizal : Gift Giving at Precious Heritage Children's Home

FEBRUARY:
Puerto Princesa, Palawan : Food Trips (Bilao't Palayok, Kinabuchs Grill & Bar Restaurant, and Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill & Restaurant), Trip to Binuatan Creations, Manny's Guest House, Mitra's Ranch, Baker's Hill, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, Crocodile Farm, Tiangge Tiangge, Palawan Museum, Plaza Cuartel and Immaculate Conception Cathedral.

Taytay, Palawan :  Parish Church of Santa Monica and Stone Fortress: Fuerza de Santa Isabel

El Nido, Palawan : Marina Garden Beach Resort, Trek to Nagkakalit Waterfalls, Island Hopping (Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Seven Commandos, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cudugnon Cove, Snake Island, Natnat Beach, Bukal Island) and Parish Church of Saint Francis of Assissi.

MARCH:
San Antonio, Zambales : Church of Holy Infant Catholic

Pundaquit, Zambales : Anawangin Cove, Capones Island, Camara island and Faro de Punta Capones.

MARCH:
Biñan, Laguna : Family Trip at Splash Island Resort

MAY:
Tagaytay : Overnight Stay at Foggy Heights Village and People's Park in the Sky.

MAY:
Nasugbu, Batangas : Caleruega Church.

JUNE:
Vigan City : St. Paul Cathedral, Vigan Heritage Street (Meztizo District): Calle Crisologo, Vigan Plaza Hotel, Vigan Heritage River Cruise, Arce Mansion, Plaza Burgos , Plaza Salcedo, Pagburnayan (Jar Making Factory), Baluarte (Mini Zoo), Vigan Airport, Food Trips (Irene's Empanada, Hidden Garden, Los Mojitos de Vigan, Cafe Leona, Legacy Super Club)

Here's the first part of my Weekend Getaway (Vigan Episode) taped last June 9-12, 2011 and aired to GMA News Channel 11 
For the rest of the videos just click this link (lakwatserong tatay)

Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur : Pinsal Falls 

Cabugao, Ilocos Sur : Cabugao Beach Resort

JULY:
Kalibo, Aklan : Kalibo Airport, Solina's Residence

Boracay Island : Helmet Diving, ATV Ride Adventure, Everland Aviary Farm and Amigos Beach Resort

JULY:
Rosario, Cavite : POD Outing at Mount Sea Resort

SEPTEMBER:
National Capital Region (Quezon City) : La Mesa Eco Park.

SEPTEMBER: 
Cayagan De Oro : White Water Rafting Experience, Victoria Suites, Food Trip (Street Food Dining at Plaza Divisoria and Hammer Time Bar and Grill).

Misamis Oriental : Balingoan Port and Roro Boat Ride Experience. 

Camiguin Island : Taguines Lagoon, Giant Clams Sanctuary, Sto. Niño cold Spring, Gui-ob Old Church Ruins, Sunken Cemetery, Mt. Vulcan/Walkway to the Old Volcano Station of the Cross, Bura Soda Pool, Katibawasan Falls, Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring, Pabua Cottages, Island Hopping (White Island and Mantigue Island). 

Bukidnon : Camp Phillips Del Monte Plantation and Dahilayan Zipline Adventure.

OCTOBER :
Iligan, Lanao del Norte : NPC Nature's Park, Maria Christina Falls, Tinago Falls and St. Michael the Archangel Church.

NOVEMBER:
Tanay, Rizal : Daranak Falls, Batlag Falls and San Ildefonso Parish Church.

Paete, Laguna : Mt. Humarap (Tatlong Krus), Matabungka Falls and St. James the Great Parish Church

Antipolo, Rizal : Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Cathedral) and 3B Resthouse 

My Greatest Achievements for 2011:

Last March, 2011, my wife gave birth of a bouncing baby boy named as "Gabriel Rein Enzo", youngest of my three adorable kids. My son Gab just have his christening few months ago that happened at Antipolo Cathedral and reception follows at 3B Resthouse.

Last 2010 when me and wife finally decided to purchase a house and lot. Our house is located near Thunderbird Resort (Rizal). After 6 months of paying the equity our house was started and had the chance to visit just last quarter of 2011 and 1st floor was almost done and just last December, together with my wife our house is finally built and ready for turn over and hopefully this year we could already transfer to our dream house were also my brother bought a house and lot too......^_^

I'm proud to say that i've influenced some of my fellow newbie tripper to create their own blogs with their own taste, on how to share something about their self, trips, and etc. Although their all newbie when it comes to blogging, im pretty sure that they do more than what did i do for the past 2 years in blogging.
Anak ng Kidlat (Ichan), Lady Traveler (Judith),
Valiant Wife (Lorna) and Batang Kaladkarin (Aleli)   
and hoping that Jheng would follow....

I just want to thank this time to give THANKS TO YOU ALL.......who is behind why am i called the Lakwatserong Tatay now........My travel buddies (The Xplorerboyz and Tropang Tits and Pips), thanks to all funny memories and activities we've shared on 2011 and hope to travel with you more this 2012.

To all my kabundukeros.....SPIMC and YABAG MC....i really miss you guyz, it's been a while since the last time i've joined any of your mountaineering activities...i'm hoping this 2012, i could get back on trails and reach again each of every mountains that i'll be walking and trekking on....^_^

To my online friends, especially the Pinoy Travel Blogger community, that is always there when it comes in sharing different travel tips and helpful guide in everytime one of the member of this community is in need of  TRIP GUIDE, im proud to say that i'm part of of this blogging community that shares the passion for traveling. Even though as of now i'm not really active in making out of my blog stories....hehehehehe.....

To the readers and followers.....Thank you so much for making me more comfortable sharing my travel trips and showing appreciation by simply saying that i helped some of your trips, getting you more reliable contacts, and plan your dream getaway. I promise that to update my site by early quarter this year and continue to share my upcoming trips, the funny stories behind it and make it very easy to you my readers to plan your dream getaway......^_^.....Thank you for the visit, shares, likes, tweets (bago palang ako dito....), and comments. Hope that someday we could meet and join any of your travels.....^_^....

Finally, to my family and friends, who is always supporting me and keeps me comfortable doing all of this trips. to my travel buddies/friends that is always on the go when i planned an unexpected trip......to my tatay, at mga kapatid, who is always reminding me every time when i'm in out of town, that it is always show respect to other and be courteous to greet each everyone....and of course to my loving wife, that understand my passion of travelling even though sometimes...galit na talaga siya kasi ba naman...sa isang buwan 2 -3 times ako gumala (day trip or overnight man siya)...Thank you so much Hon....sana this year payagan mo parin ako sa mga trips ko....hehehehe.....and lastly to my three adorable angels....Kuya Gian, Ate Gayle and Baby GabGab, this passion of sharing my stories behind my travels is for them. That hoping someday when they know how to read, write and understand things, they will be proud of me....and follow my footstep in exploring our countries beauty and share it to the world the unique sights, festivities, food and people in the Philippines...once again Thank you so much!!!!!!!

I hope this year 2012 will be more fruitful and very jam packed trips again for me and also wishing that someday we could meet and bump within our travels....

Cheers....and more travels to you all this 2012!

Splash Island Spa & Resort

Our Family Weekend Getaway Trip
by lakwatserong tatay

Here is the another story that on my backlog lists.....hehehe....a week after my zambales trip. Yours truly together with my family and on my mother-in-law side, had a yearly summer weekend getaway destination. This is the first time we got out of Antipolo Resorts...at last.....hehehehe...^_^...Thanks to my sister-in-law Ruth, who purchased a discounted ticket on online ticket forums and groups. We got a 50% discount on each ticket we purchased and free additional tickets, plus 3 barbecue meal at Hawaian Village Food Stall located inside Splash Island premises. So the day we have waited come, i was assigned to look for our private vehicle going to Biñan, Laguna.

Splash Island Spa & Resort

We scheduled our trip on a Saturday, because it will just be a one day funday for us, and aside from my another sister-in-law that is scheduled to be back on her work abroad by the end of March. And the day we've waited come, most of us is awake 4am that day on preparing some things, foods and stuffs for our outing. Our scheduled time to go to Biñan was 6-630am so we will have time on its resorts schedule from 8am - 6pm. As you could see below some pics of my family and my mother-in-law side.

my tita, my two angels and my wife....^_^

They really ready for this trip, even though my wife is still pregnant when we do this outing...hehehehe...^_^. My mother-in-law together with her friend, my sister-in-laws and jhed is also ready.....^_^

some of the trippers.....^_^

But of course, in some circumstances we leave around 7am and we arrived at Splash Island Spa & Resort around 830am. The resort is already open and visitors is already lineup to get tickets and guest services.

@ the carpark...& heading to the resort...

Wow...im back again on this resort...it was almost 4 years ago since i got on this resort, im a bit excited what is store inside now on this resort with its new management.

Splash Island

Aside from seeing the same gate, but the ambiance of Splash Island looks like different from the last time i've been there. So let's see more inside.....

Main Gate of Splash Island Resort

Summer time is already started, and with a perfect theme of luaw, is a perfect blending for the resort.

We are guest that time...naks....^_^..thanks to ruth...

At the guest service station, where my sister-in-laws, showed are discounted vouchers in exchange of Splash Island Tickets....btw...we got are ticket for Adult (Php 250) and Students (Php 150)....^_^  only....isn't that cheap together with some freebies like two additional entrance tickets, 3 barbecue grilled meal.

Ticket Booth's

Entrance of Splash Island

As we entered the premises, there were already many tourist inside, that are roaming around, looking for perfect spot to take photos and going to different pool amenities....btw...Pools with Slides in Splash Island has different schedules....but on our side we were still looking for our cottage...hehehehe...^_^.

looking for our cottage....?

After few meters of walk, as last we found our cottage, it is place right side the Balsa River. Here is son Gian poses infront of our cottage...hi kuya gian...^_^

At last......our cottage....^_^

As i room around to take some photos, for backpacker like me, there were available locker rentals, that can be availed if you and your group are not taking any cottages, but sad to say i wasn't able to ask how much is the locker rentals....=(

Locker Rentals are also available

Here is one of their attractions, Balsa River that you will just get on your rubber "balsa" and drift along this gently flowing river and there's nothing like floating easy on a raft.

My mother in law @ River Balsa

who want to try river balsa?

Aside from getting a leaflet for the resorts map, there's an available tarp map just along the entrance of the resort, as you've seen below im with my father taking photo-opps.....Other stalls, are Splash Island Souvenir Shops, were you could buy some souvenir stuffs from the resort, from tshirts, keychains, ref magnets...etc..and also swimming attires. A photo booth souvenir picture is also available for (Php 50) only you could have a Splash Island photo souvenir with luaw backgrounds...^_^ and become a bird feeder at few moments to a big bird feeding cage, i not aware if there's a entrance fee when you entered the cage....

It's me, with my father @ Splash Island Map

Souvenir Shop as "Gift Galleon"

Souvenir Photo Booth

Bird Feeding @ Splash Island

So let's go, to the Different Park Slides, for me this one big reason why im so excited to be back on this resort. But sad to say, this slides has Schedules.....but i do know understand why they should doing that, with such kind of pressure they are using, that is one procedure that i think they could used to give the satisfaction on the visitors and tourist using those gigantic slides...but i think they add some schedules depending on the nos. of their visitor per day ^_^. But even though it has schedules, i and cotrippers that day was able to try it all, and my favorites of them is the MAGELLAN'S DROP......yahoooooo....^_^

Here are the Pool with Slides Schedule:

     AGOS GRANDE                      BIG BAM BOO/ TAUSUG TRAILS
     9:00am - 10:30am                                 10:30am - 12:00nn
     1:30pm - 2:30pm                                   2:30pm - 3:30pm
     4:30pm - 5:00pm

     RIO MONTAÑOSA /                              BALSA RIVER
     MAGELLAN'S DROP /                          8:00am - 5:00pm
     KING PILIPIT
     12:00pm - 1:30pm                                     WATER WAHOO 
     3:30pm - 4:30pm                                        9:00am - 12:00nn
                                                                        2:00pm - 5:00pm

                               CURL OF THE ORIENT
                                     12:00pm - 2:00pm

Here is one of the pools with slides, The Big Bam Boo, a bamboo, a straight, tall and hollow treelike plant abundant in the Philippines grows to collosal proportions at Splash Island. The Big Bam Boo is a covered tunnel rid that slides straight into pure excitement, and you may try first the middle of these three slides, and please do tell me and share what is your experience....hehehehehe ^_^.

My Sister's-in-law and jhed @ Bigbam Boo.....

Tip: You may try the slide in the center....^_^...let me know what you will feel?

Next is my favorite one, The Magellan's Drop, is came from King Philip of Spain, after whom the Philippines was discovered, would have enjoyed the twist in his name as well as the giant twists in this partly covered body slide. "Pilipit" is the tagalog term for "twisted". This slide is a must try.....^_^.

The Magellan's Drop......^_^

This is my favorite slides of them all........

This next two slides also is a bit pumping heart ride, when you're inside it's tube....hehehehe....The Dos Supremos & King Pilipit, The Dos Supremos, is Katipuneros who shed blood for our freedom from Spain, looked to one Supremo or supreme leader. At Splash Island, we have two! The Dos Supremos are giant twisters that revolutionize the definition of blood-pumping.  The King Pilipit, is came from King Philip of Spain, after whom the Philippines was discovered, would have enjoyed the twist in his name as well as the giant twists in this partly covered body slide. "Pilipit" is the tagalog term for "twisted".

Splash Island's "Dos Supremos & King Pilipit"

1...2.....3....pose....^_^ @ King Pilipit Slide

And if your looking for a family fun ride of your life, this slide is one thing that i could suggest, it can take up to 6-7 persons depending on your body size......The Rio Montañosa, Spaniards were once awed by the breath and height of the Cordilleras in the Mountain Province - La Montanosa they called it. Today, there's a new breathtaking mountain high river raft ride the entire family will rave about, that can only be found at Splash Island.

Splash Island's "Rio Montoñosa"

This is a really big salbabida's......^_^

Here's another slide that have a bit heart pumping experience, The Tausyg Trails, the word Tausug (ta-oo-soogs) or "people of the current" is a native filipino tribe in the south. Wait till this river-dwelling lot discovers our giant water trails with full-circle curves! But for now, the Tausug Trails are all ours to blaze.

Splash Island's "Tausug Trail"

This pool, is an interactive kiddie pool that will delight every little kids with innovative water play activities.

For Kiddie Pool "Water Wahoo"

This attraction is one of the biggest of them all, and one of their main attraction, The Agos Grandes, big waves are exactly what you get at Agos Grandes. With machine-generated waves, this one-of-a-kind pool allows you to completely immerse yourself and go with the tide. Aside from that a wide shore of white sand and a stage fronting this pool is also part of Agos Grandes. Where most of the events like TV shows happening on this place.

Splash Island's "Agos Grandes"

The beacheeneering like experience....

Aside from big waves experience on Agos Grandes, you can also rent a kayak and experience a zorb ball in poolwater.

Stage infront of Agos Grandes

For relaxation and in find of food hunt, their are food stalls that can be found around the resort and one of this is Fiesta sa Pulo, where this is wide range food selections that can be found. For us, we did our lunch outside, because we bring food and beverages for our lunch.

My Two Angels @ Fiesta sa Pulo

The Food Court of Splash Island

On this food stall, we got our free 3 barbeque grilled meal....^_^.

Grilled Food are also available

Hotdog on Stick Food Station

Here is the added attraction of the resort, Zip line, Wall Climbing, Inflatables in Agos Grandes, Paintball near Rio Montañosa, Spa Area, Dampa and Team Building Activities.

Zipline @ Splash Island

My brother and sister-in-law, tried one of this added features, wall climbing that about 30m high (Php 50) and Zip line (Php 150). Here are some of their photo opps while on that activity.

My Brother & Sister-in-law trying Wall Climbing Activity

Wall Climbing @ Splash Island

And around 4pm, some of us started to washed up, so by 530pm we could drove back to Antipolo. There's one thing that i really want to comment on Splash Island, it parking lot facility, as you could see below, you may know why im complaining about it and a suggestion that if they could some sheds around it parking lot facility for the visitors could stay if they have they're own foods and stuffs that cannot be brought inside.

Parking Lot Area

Lunch time @ Parking Lot, and in a very hot day too and are we in the forest.....hehehehe...^_^

Eating Time via Parking Lot......^_^

Here is one of the many poses of my cuties little princess "Gayle"......^_^

My Little Princess "Gayle"

How To Get There:

Via Bus(along EDSA): CHER, JAM, PACITA LINER, DELA ROSA BUS LINE
With sign board San Pedro / Pacita Complex. Alight at Jollibee Pacita, then take tricycle going to Splash Island.

Via Bus (Park & Square Terminal, Lawton, Manila): CHER BUS LINE
 With sign board Pacita Southwoods.Alight at Sto. Nino Church, then take tricycle going to Splash Island.

Via Jeepney going to Binan (Starmall Alabang):
Go down to Tubigan, ride a pedicab going to Brgy. Soro Soro. From Brgy. SoroSoro, Splash Island is walking distance.

Via Private vehicle: Take southwoods exit and follow the map (click).

Thanks to Buboy for driving us to Splash Island

All in all, we had great fun on staying on Splash Island Resort and Spa, even though it is just a one day of funday on our families. One last photo opps (group pic) of Splash Island....1..2...3....smile...^_^

The Macoy Family........

Park Admission & Fees:

WATER PARK HOURS
Splash Island is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday.
During off-peak season, operating dates & hours are subject to change without prior notice.

PARK ADMISSION
Splash Island's one-day ticket entitles guests to unlimited use of all slides, attractions, and facilities. Cottages situated around the park are FREE of charge and are on a First Come First Serve basis except for the Cabanas or the Bahay Kubo cottages which may be rented for a minimal fee.

Here are our Regular Rates.

WEEKDAYS:
   P 400.00   Adults
   P 350.00   Children 3ft to 4ft
                    Senior Citizen (with National Senior Citizen ID)

SATURDAYS/SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYS:
  P 500.00    Adults
  P 400.00    Children 3ft to 4ft
                    Senior Citizen (with National Senior Citizen ID)

PARK HOURS:        8:00am to 6:00 pm

* CORPORATE AND BIG GROUPS *
       20 - 50 PAX      10% off
       51 - 100 PAX    15% off
       101-200 PAX    20% off
       201-500 PAX    25% off
       501-1000 PAX  30% off
       1001 up PAX    35% off

*companies and organizations must submit letter of request and must fill-up vital information to be sent via email.
Note: Includes all slides and attractions (except zipline, wall climbing and paintball).

CABANAS RATES:
        Free           Tents with tables and chairs
        Php 500      Small Cabana
        Php 800      Cabana with lock
        Php 1,000   Cabana with aircon and lock
        Php 5,000   Cabana with sala set, private bathroom & bedroom

Note:
Their Cabanas are FIRST COME FIRST SERVE basis. Locate which cabana you like, stay there and an attendant will come for payment.
Children under 36" are free of charge. Higher rates apply during peak season. Admission fees are subject to change without prior notice.
Guests who leaves Splash Island with the plan to return within the day must have their hands stamped at the exit. The hand-stamp and admission ticket must be presented to re-enter.

It's Summer Time...so where are you going?

Splash Island

You may contact Splash Island on this information and visit their website:

Splash Island Spa & Resort
Southwoods Ecocentrum Binan, Laguna Philippines
Managed by Global Gutz Parks Philippines, Inc.
 
Tel. No. +632.3824711
Mobile No. +63918.9129177 / +63915.7843527 / +63918.5742462
Telefax No. +632.68006301

email : info@splashisland.net
website: http://www.splashisland.net/

Lakwatserong Tatay Xplored this Resort....^_^

So i do hope, you could visit also this resort like we did and experience all of their one of a kind slides...^_^