General Location: Quezon Province, Philippines
This trip was just a day tour with our main destination to Borawan Island. We left Mandaluyong City at 4:00 A.M. and we drove to Tayabas which took us 3 hours via Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26 and Southern Luzon Expressway/R=3 because it was very early. This is a total of 142 kilometers stretch of road travel which at normal traffic condition would be four hours drive. By the way, we had our own car when we went there.
KAMAYAN SA PALAISDAAN IN TAYABAS
Kamayan sa Palaisdaan is a famous restaurant located in Brgy. Dapdap, Tayabas Quezon province trailing the Lucban - Tayabas Road.
Dining at the Kamayan sa Palaisdaan is a treat of our very own Mommy Jousie Noscal to our group. Meanwhile, we waited for her relatives from Lucban to join us in her dining treat.
Specific Location: Tayabas-Lucban Road, Barangay Camaysa, Tayabas City, Quezon Province, Philippines
Graceland Estates and Country Club is a lavish 11-hectar development inside a 22-hectare property equipped with hotels and villas. It has two big pools – lower and upper pool. It also has a restaurant where guests can dine inside or outside overlooking the scenic lagoon. This is my second time to visit this destination. My first visit was on March 30, 2015 with as I featured here in tnis link.
There are available condotels for non-members situated in front of the man-made lagoon. Usually, condotels have a kitchenette, veranda, queen-sized bed but separate designated parking space. Early in the morning or afternoon, guests can jog, brisk walk around the one hectare lagoon. The lagoon is also open for fishing and boat ride. Big bikes are available which can be rented at P100 for 30 minutes. This property is even good for corporate team-building activities and facilities like obstacle relay.
HOW TO GO THERE
Coming from Manila, board a JAC Liner on its Buendia (Pasay) Terminal going to Lucena City's Grand Central Terminal for 4 hours road travel at a distance of 133.5 kilometers with a bus fare of P249. From there, ask for the jeepney terminal going to Lucban and ask the driver to drop you off at the gate of Graceland Estates and Country Club where the trip will be more or less 30 minutes.
Specific Location: Barangay Lipata, Padre Burgos, Quezon Province, Philippines
My first visit in Borawan Island was on August 28-30, 2011 when the island was not yet operated by its LGU because the latter started to manage it in 2013. The island then was only known to some locals.
From Tayabas City, we had another one hour drive going to Padre Burgos where we headed to its Aplaya where boats for rental were awaiting us. This was my fourth time to visit the place wayback 2011 when it was not yet crowded with campers and beach goers.
Borawan has been developed already as a tourist destination. The first time I went there, there were only two make shift nipa cottages available but in my recent visit, cottages were better.
At the Aplaya, you can have a choice of boats with a capacity of 8 - 10 pax for P800 going to Borawan Island and good for a round trip or day tour only. It takes around 15 minutes from Aplaya to the island's beach front.
You will wonder, how the island got its name. It was given a name by a local resident as its monicker, as the island’s name implies it’s a combination of the famous tourist destination Boracay Island for its white sand beach while Palawan for its towering massive rock formations evident on its beach front. It was opened only in 2013.
During low tide, the long stretch of white sand which is longer and wider than that at the beach front of Borawan, is accessible by wading along the rocky coastline. Unlike the beach front, this is more spacious and can accommodate as much as six times capacity of people compared to the beach front.
Its new cottages has the capacity of 10 to 15 pax. New bathrooms and shower rooms have fresh running water compared before that water is being bought per water can if one wanted to rinse. Guests can can cook and grill their own food and there are tents available for rent. There is a store where guests can buy drinks, food & other personal needs.
I observed that at the edge of this long stretch of white sand is a small fishing village community. It was there that I was able to buy a buco fruit of only P15 per piece whereas in Metro Manila, I buy it at P30-35.
Just a word of caution, Borawan's beach front is crowded during weekends and holidays/summer. As anybody can reach the island, you expect that crowded moments may result to inconvenience to guests and they will not enjoy. We even encountered unruly drank guests. Also, during "habagat" season, numerous jellyfish abound on the beach.
Aside from Borawan, guests can also enjoy the Puting Buhangin and Dampalitan Island. Enjoying all these destinations, one can enjoy it for 2 days and 1 night.
Boat Tour Rates (Maximum 8pax capacity):
P800 – Borawan Beach only (round trip/day tour)
P1800 – Borawan/Dampalitan/Puting Buhangin (all-in package)
Other Fees to be Incurred in Borawan Island:
Entrance Fee: P80
Tent Rental: P500
Cottage Rental: P700-P850
Tent Pitching Fee: P200
Shower Use Fee: P20
Restroom Fee: P10
Puting Buhangin>
Entrance Fee: P80
Tent Rental: P300-400
Dampalitan Island
Entrance Fee: P60
Tent Pitching Fee: P100
Hut Rental: P850-P1000
Water: P40 per 5 gallons, P400/drum
HOW TO GO THERE
Coming from Manila, board a JAC Liner on its Buendia (Pasay) Terminal going to Lucena City's Grand Central Terminal for 3-4 hours road travel at a distance of 133.5 kilometers with a bus fare of P249. From the Grand Central Terminal, take a mini-bus which is not air-conditioned with a fare of P40-45 with a road travel duration of 1 and a half hours. Tell the driver to drop you off at the QCRB Bank in Padre Burgos. From this point, take a tricycle to Aplaya specifically for the boat wharf going to Borawan Island. The boat going to Boracay beach front will only take around 15 minutes.
Specific Location: Brgy. Tinamnan, Lucban - Tayabas Road, Lucban, Quezon Province, Philippines
Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is a 5-hectare pilgrimage site of the Catholics with life-size sculptures of scenarios of the 14 Stations of the Cross, a replica of Noah's Ark, a family-friendly park, statues of the biblical scenarios and offers healing masses every Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:30 A.M. It is open to public everyday from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. It charges no entrance fee. Functions and reservations can be called on its landline number at (042) 540-2206.
Pilgrims and devotees visiting this site usually do the uphill trek with 14 Stations of the Cross on its sides where on top of the hill is the 50-foot Risen Christ statue with his hands spread out, somewhat waving to you to reach the top which is more than 300 foot steps.
The place itself is equipped with retreat facility located on its Noah's Ark and Pastoral Center. This part is specifically constructed to a place of prayer and meditation who wanted to renew their vows with the Lord. Thus, during Lenten season, its retreat facility is fully booked either for individual or group packages.
The place will really help visualize the biblical scenarios because some of them are erected on its life-size replicas strategically positioned within the area. The kids most particularly will learn from them a lot as these scenarios are being characterized in these life-size replicas like the Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, The Marian Park, Lulukan ni Maria, Noah's Ark, The Angels Hill and even a lot of saints around the vicinity. A tour would be help a believer to know more about the Bible and saints and prominent religious figures mentioned in our religion.
Patio Rizal Hotel and Restaurant is a 3-star hotel in Lucban located at No. 77 Quezon Avenue, Lucban
Plaza de la Revolucion is fronting Patio Rizal Hotel. The main plaza has an American-era monument of Dr. Jose Rizal. It is the first Rizal monument in the country which was inaugurated at Daet, Camarines Norte in 1898. Lacking a professional sculptor, the locals built an obelisk topped by a mythical sun as a symbol of freedom to honor the martyred hero.
If you want to dine with some other restaurants, the following are the just walking distance, namely: Center Miki Factory, Ground Zero House of Pizza, and King's Table. It is also very close to the municipal hall.
HOW TO GO THERE
There are four options to choose from in going to the Shrine of Kamay ni Hesus:
Public Transportation (Cubao/Pasay-Lucena-Lucban)
Coming from Manila, board an HM Transport (Cubao) or JAC Liner on its (Buendia-Pasay) Terminal going to Lucena City's Grand Central Terminal for 3-4 hours road travel at a distance of 133.5 kilometers with a bus fare of P249. From the Grand Central Terminal, take a jeepney bound for Lucban and tell the driver to drop you off at the Kamay ni Hesus with a fare of P30 for a travel time of 45 minutes.
Public Transportation (Pasay/Cubao-Sta. Cruz-Lucban)
Coming from Manila, board an HM Transport (Cubao) or JAC Liner on its (Buendia-Pasay) Terminal going to Lucena City's Grand Central Terminal for 2.5 to 3 hours road travel at a distance of 95 kilometers via Southern Luzon Expressway/Pan-Philippine Highway/R-3 and National Highway for P140 (HM Transport). From Sta. Cruz, take a jeep bound for Lucban town proper for 33 kilometers for 45 minutes at P38 fare. Then, finally take a tricycle to Kamay ni Hesus.
On Private Car (via South Luzon Expressway)
Take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at Calamba. Before you reach the town of Lucban, you will have to pass through the numerous towns in Laguna including Los Baños, Bay, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz, Pagsanjan, Cavinti, and Luisiana. The Shrine is one kilometer away from Lucban town proper.
OTHER NEARBY DESTINATIONS TO TRY WHEN IN LUCBAN
Try the following:
1. 12 Things To Do in San Pablo, Nagcarlan and Liliw 2-day Trip
2. Liliw Resort
3. May 15 Pahiyas Festival
4. Villa Escudero
5. Cagbalete Island
6. Mount Banahaw Climb
7. Hangga, Lanot and Asana Water Falls in Lucban
8. Aliw Water Falls in Luisiana
9. Majayjay/Imelda/Taytay Water Falls
10. Bukal Falls in Majayjay
