Ocular trip: Punta De Fabian Resort Getaway

by lakwatserong tatay

One of the advantages being a traveler is giving you the opportunity in getting to different places. And if your working at a company that usually does team building and POD outing. It's really an advantage because you will be the first person that been asked and most of the time you will have the luxury of having an ocular trip and of course it is all expense trip.....wow...sarap diba!!!! Although in exchange you will the assigned person to know all of the things about the place you will staying for a perfect weekend getaway.

Punta De Fabian

I've heard so much resorts near my place in Rizal, with just little research and checking for those resorts review i've done. I came to a decision that  to endorse Punta De Fabian Resort located at the boundary of Baras and Tanay, Rizal. Its just a perfect place for us to have a fresh air, serene hilltop view, and of course a few little bit team activities.

the hilltop views

Punta de Fabian is located on a hillside of Baras, Rizal which is boundary of Tanay, rizal too. A perfect place to have a nice view of lush greenery views and of course Laguna Lake. Fresh air will greet you and together with their friendly and attentive staffs, you will surely have a blast of weekend getaway if you choose to stay here.

one of the pools and a jacuzzi

the infinity pool

One thing i loved with this resort is their infinity pool, even though it was quite scary because it was actually a hillside drop, so please be careful and i found it safe because there's a pool attendant that usually checks for the swimmers that usually stays on the hillside part.

The time we visited the place, there was actually a quite big group that also having their company outing or maybe team or POD outing. Even though we've given the chance to swim, we did not take it and reserved it for our POD outing...hehehehe..I thought one of their resort attendants will assist and tour us. But i was kind a surprise because the supervisor did that....o di..ba..galing ni mam!!!! From their rooms, conference hall, videoke area's, restaurant, billiards, table tennis and dart area, kid's playground and basketball court area, and one of the most i've really like the maze area, which is really perfect for a team building activity.

two of the building accomodations

the rooms we've stayed during our POD outing

the conference hall, other meeting rooms

one of the videoke area with a hilltop view...^_^

The greatest thing happened that time was we had a free lunch. Although prior to that, we ask if we could have a food tasting, it was approved however we will have to pay for it but with a discounted price. However, we had a turn of event when one of the supervisors came in, maybe she was in a 2nd shift and told the supervisor that toured us, i was featured on tv show which is the Weekend Getaway Show , she's been following my blog too.....thanks po mam...sorry talaga nakalimutan ko name mo and nahiya ako sobra kasi nagpa picture kapa kasama ako and yun iba staff nyo...akalain nyo nagblush ako kahit maitim na ko un lang di ata halata talaga.......^_^. So because of that, we've got our lunch for free and we had also photo sessions after...

the ocular team...from L-R, mondi, pot, roger and me...^_^

my plate and our food choices that time...^_^

The restaurant area situated near one of the pools and also their receiving area for their guest. The 2nd floor of this is one of the activity area that holds the billiards tables, dart area, table tennis area, and one of the videoke area. Here are some of the photos of activity area's of Punta De Fabian resort.

Restaurant / Receiving / Activity Area....^_^

photo opps at their restaurant...^_^

for team building acitivities....

Basketball court area and kids playground

one of the photo souvenirs of my cotrippers that day

Overall, we had a great time that day, specially for me, nakakahiya moment yun pero at least akalain mo nakilala ako.....^_^. I was really excited to go back to this place as the advance party for the company and spend overnight....yehey...ang sarap...sad to say the morning after our said POD outing i have to go early because of an emergency...However the overnight experience and ocular trip experience were really superb and very unexpected, finding this place was not really hard however staying their and experience is quite a memorable experience, for sure i'll be back on this resort together with my kids and wifey....just hope meron ulit ako libre...mga mam....^_^. I personally recommend this place because of its hillside location and serene views and peaceful grounds that makes you feel to forgot the things on the city and just laid back and enjoyed it....^_^

It's me @ Punta De Fabian.....^_^

PS: They're guest usually comes during weekends so expect to have a kind a packed crowd so make sure to have an early reservations, because of that, they're not usually accepting walk in guest during weekends so better to call their office for advance reservations or bookings.

How to get to Punta De Fabian Resort? Click here:

Punta De Fabian Resort

Manila East Rd., Brgy. Evangelista, Baras, Rizal, Philippines
Tel. nos: +63 (2) 994-9560 / +63 (2) 994-9546

For reservations and inquries:

Manila Sales Office
Ground flr. Lexington Condominium
65 Xavierville Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines
Tel. nos: +63 (2) 433-1995 / +63 (2) 994-1455 / +63 (2) 710-3153
Telefax: +63 (2) 929-2920
Email: PuntaDeFabian@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.puntadefabian.com

***disclaimer: this is not a sponsored post, this is just based on what i have experience during our ocular trip and my overnight experience....hope you will enjoy your stay like what i have......^_^

DIY Trip: A Glimpse of Batlag Falls

by lakwatserong tatay

Right after our quick photo session in Daranak falls, our group was supposed to upper level of this park, where another falls can be seen. However due to the incident, three of my trippers decided to stay and have rest. Me and Ichan go ahead with the plan. To have another glimpse of a majestic falls, mostly can be seen in fantasy movies like "Enteng Kabisote", due to its enchanted look place....

Batlag Falls

In fact this falls is favorite place for prenuptial photo shoot. Luckily last year, i've tried it, and experience to have a prenuptial shoot to be used on my friends wedding. Because of that i came to conclusion that's why this place is favorite on fantasy movies and tv series because of its majestic and enchanting place.

this where you have to pay for the entrance...

Batlag falls is at top of Daranak falls, you don't need to have another ride to reach this falls because it few meters away, just follow the cemented path and whaaaaallah.....you will have the glimpse of its cascading waters. So enjoy the view first this photos as we walked into its cemented path.....

Welcome to Batlag Falls....

Batlag falls offers overnight trippers which could cost you for php150 for adults and php75 for children. For day trippers you have to pay php50 for adults and php25 for children. Picnic sheds and cottages are also available which cost you around php250-300 pesos. There's also a open space for campers that could maybe pitch their tents however i wasn't able to ask if there's additional fee for tent campers. However according to other blog sites bringing DSLR camera's could cost you php150, but if you just have a digicam that could be hidden on your backpacks your damage would just be the entrance fee...^_^, just like we do, both of us, has DSLR cameras but we manage to sneak it in and placed it on our backpack, although we have to lie to the caretakers...^_^ and having a photoshoot could cost you around php3000.

Here are some of my photos that i captured while sneakingly taking shots......maybe because of this scenery why this place really nice to be used in movies, commercials and photo shoots.

one of the small basins..

Glimpse of Batlag Falls

Batlag falls is consists of three cascading waterfalls which has each of small catch basins while Daranak falls has much wider and deeper catch basin making Batlag falls more crowded even though you have to pay twice on its entrance. So choose what's best for your group, if your into swimming and all of you are swimmers it is better to go to Daranak falls which has less crowd due to it deeper pool/basin however it is not a photo haven like the Batlag falls, so if your group is photo opps enthusiast and just want to have better view of the forest or maybe just to have chilaxation....Batlag falls is much better for you....^_^

1st of three cascading waters....

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Batlag Falls

Note: Bathrooms and shower rooms are available so don't worry changing up your wet clothes.

How to get there:

You may take two options via GTXpress Vans or Jeepney ride to Tanay Market. For GTX will cost you php70 located in Starmall (EDSA cor Shaw Blvd.). For Jeepney ride: will cost you php55 located also in Starmall and another terminal in Parklea Jeepney Terminal adjacent to Starmall. Traveling to Tanay is about 2-3 hrs depending on the traffic situation, specially on Ortigas Extension. As you arrive in Tanay Market, most of the tricycle will stare at you and talked to you to bring in your destination. The usual fare is php150/4pax up to Daranak falls entrance, however there are no tricycle waiting near the falls going back to Tanay market, so its a better option to negotiate with your tricycle driver and used your haggling skills...^_^.
Or else you will have to walk on foot up to the main highway and/or maybe up to Tanay market and pray to have a tricycle that has no passenger...^_^

Next stop.....Paete, Laguna: Trek to Mt. Humarap (aka Tatlong Krus), Matabungka Falls and Church of Paete......

DIY Trip: Enchanting Daranak Falls

by lakwatserong tatay

Two of the majestic falls that is near in the metro that within 2-3 hours of driving or commuting, one of the popular destination for movie scenes, tv commercials, wedding pictorials and favorite getaway among the locals that living near this majestic and beautiful falls. A two majestic falls in one place. Sounds great...right?

Located both in Tanay, Rizal, facilitated by city's local government and few minutes away from its city proper. Our second destination for the day is known as Daranak Falls, means "Dadanak ang Dugo" or "The Coming of the Blood", maybe it came through its historical past or this location maybe part of our war history, that i may not be sure......But more of the funny side and let us remains its past, this falls can be transcribe as "Dadanak ang Saya or Coming of Fun", in short "Its  More Fun in the Philippines", right...^_^

Daranak falls opens from 8am to 5pm, with entrance fees of php20 for adults and php15 for children. Renting picnic table is optional but if you really want you will have to shed out php100 for picnic table. Overnight staying in Daranak falls is prohibited however Batlag falls which is located on its upper portion offering overnights....check my next post for Batlag falls...^_^

We arrive to its park quite early and had the chance to chat with other travelers alike, other group trippers and among locals too....^_^

Upon entering the premises a mini hanging bridge will greet you. On each other side views a captivating cascading of waters will entice your eyes, some rock formations maybe done by locals or trippers alike that got the chance to get down to its stream.

After few minutes of walk on a cemented path......waaaalah....the beautiful and stream of cold waters of Daranak falls can be seen....A 14 meters-high falls that has a catch basin pool, with a very cool and relaxing waters for swimming. Lucky enough for us that time, we are among of the first trippers...so we had the chance to go for a few minutes of deep..however we really did not swim.....our purpose on this trip is to take more shots as we can....maybe the next time ill be in here i will never missed to go swimming on its catch basin pool....^_^

Here are some of them.....from the falls, and its streaming cold waters and hope you like it....^_^

Daranak Falls

It maybe a quick trip stop but it was full of funny and unexpected scenes, as one of my co-tripper got dizzy upon going to Batlag falls, she was quite heavy....^_^ and among us 5 trippers we are the only two guys so we had no choice and stop for few moments as she must have to regain her strength but afterwards decided not to go to Batlag falls. So my two other cotrippers "Jheng & Judz" stay with him...together with Ichan, we walked up to cemented path and after few minutes were greeted by the Batlag falls entrance....see you in my next post.....^_^

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Daranak Falls

Note: Bathrooms and shower rooms are available so don't worry changing up your wet clothes.

How to get there:

You may take two options via GTXpress Vans or Jeepney ride to Tanay Market. For GTX will cost you php70 located in Starmall (EDSA cor Shaw Blvd.). For Jeepney ride: will cost you php55 located also in Starmall and another terminal in Parklea Jeepney Terminal adjacent to Starmall. Traveling to Tanay is about 2-3 hrs depending on the traffic situation, specially on Ortigas Extension. As you arrive in Tanay Market, most of the tricycle will stare at you and talked to you to bring in your destination. The usual fare is php150/4pax up to Daranak falls entrance, however there are no tricycle waiting near the falls going back to Tanay market, so its a better option to negotiate with your tricycle driver and used your haggling skills...^_^.
Or else you will have to walk on foot up to the main highway and maybe to Tanay market and pray to have a tricycle that has no passenger...^_^

Next stop.....A Glimpse of Batlag Falls......

DIY Trip: San Ildefonso Parish Church of Tanay

by lakwatserong tatay

As we start our journey in Tanay and part of 3W2C1M Trip, our first stop is one of the historic structure in Rizal, a 410 years old church, that has been part of our history, lies beside Tanay Park, The San Ildefonso Parish Church, or commonly known as Tanay Church. This church has gone through different rehabilitation and renovation due to natural calamities back in the 1600's and now it still stood and will stand as a silent witness to Tanay's history.

San Ildefonso Parish Church

Here's a quick history....The church was built first in Nipa and Bamboo in 1606, by 1640 the convent was started and in 1680 church was rebuilt but was demolished and 1773 it was repaired and by 1783 San Ildefonso Church was completed and rebuilt in stone by Father Ildefonso Fentanes. In July 31, 2001, the church is declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Commission by Culture and Arts.

Historical Marker

As we got inside, we found the interior of this centuries--old church colorful and charming - quite whimsical, as its stark contrast to its stone-cold exterior. With the sunlight enters added extra charm to its beauty.

We wasn't able to go up to choir loft and church's bell tower. However, if you want to it, you may go near the guard post which has a wooden staircase leads to the second floor where another door leads back to church's choir loft.

The church it self has main altar and two others on its both sides, making it grandious one. As you will roamed around there are some rooms where you could offer a pray. Adoration Chapel is located in the school's courtyard enclosed with grey brick walls resembling a classic spanish Colonial structure too.

confession room

bowl of holy water

church's bell tower

near the adoration chapel

San Ildefonso College

Me @ Church of Tanay

We stayed for a few moment, offered some prayers for our safe journey for the day. Take some pictures with its exterior and interior facade, which i really most like, and add this to my collection of visited churches in our country.

Next stops...Waterfalls of Tanay....Daranak and Batlag Falls...