LILIW RESORT: A COMPLETELY LUSH FOREST PARADISE

Location: Gate 2, Barangay Kanlurang Bukal, Liliw, Laguna, Philippines

Note: This is a part of my 2-day Pandin-Yambu twin-lake tour, Liliw shopping spree and food trip, attending holy mass at Liliw Church, overnight at Liliw Resort, religious visit to Nagcarlan Church and historic tour to Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery.

The luxuriant Liliw Resort

Liliw Resort is just more than a kilometer from Poblacion through public utility motorcab. After a tiring and endless shopping in the town center of Liliw; dining from White House Pavilion and attending mass at Saint John the Baptist Parish Church, the best option is to stay overnight in this resort.

A little green paradise

As this resort rests along a running spring, it gives a soothing cold water. It has affordable nipa/wood hut cottages with small dining area, grilling/cooking area, sink, toilet and bath, and beds. Beware though, the water in the spring is ice cold! There are no TV sets but there is electricity where you can charge your gadgets. In addition,there is no network signal either Globe or Smart.

While at the cold spring in the morning

The cottages vary in sizes where the pricing follows. They are identified with the name of the flowers like: Sampaguita, Waling-Waling and a few others. But the biggest cottage that I have seen was the Maranao. It has like a function hall. We stayed in Sampaguita where there were three rooms with each room has one bed equipped with only a fan. The comfort/bathroom is common and there is like a common living room with kitchen and dining table. Not bad at all.

Viewing the cascading spring adjacent to the cottages

Facilities of the resort are so basic. The caretakers are difficult to locate most particularly at night though they sleep inside the resort. Not a world-class but with backpackers, groups and family bonding activities, this resort is the ideal one with its affordable rental rate. I had the chance to roam around in the morning and met some backpackers who just did their shopping spree and food trip in Liliw town. Like us, a few of them just came from Pandin Lake of San Pablo City.

Defying the ice cold water of the spring

Mind you, I had a good and soundly sleep at our resort. It was so cold that I did not even need an electric fan. The beddings and blanket were so ordinary and so I had to use my own where I took it intended for a soundly and warm sleep.

Pretending to be comfortably seated in an ice-cold water

It is advisable that guests should bring their own food as there is no assurance that they can order food from the Kamayan Restaurant situated at the main entrance which I saw was already closed at 10 P.M. when we arrived to check-in and was still even closed when I roamed around in the morning at 8:30 A.M.till we checked out at 9:30 A.M. Maybe, bigger groups can arrange their food ahead of time by the time they reserve for accommodation.

The kiddie pool

The swimming pools are outside the cottages area where one has to go out first from the main gate of the resort. The entrance fee irregardless of age, day trip or overnight is P50. It was not clear if it only covers the kids but not the infants. Common sense, he he he . . .

The adult pool

Parking fees are charged to vary as to: overnight is P100 for the bus and P50 for jeepney while the day tour charges P50 for the buses and P25 for the jeepney. Jeepney and cars have the same rates, I suppose.

My companion friends (from left to right): Hara Yukiko (Japanese), Jessie Gines and Judy Aguinaldo

Join me to see more of the resort through the following pictures:



























As resorts vary in size, it would be practical to contact the administration office with the following contact details:

Ms. Maye
Liliw Resort
Gate 2, Kanlurang Bakal, Liliw, Laguna
(049)563-1123
0916-2142529

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH CHURCH OF LILIW

Location: Liliw, Laguna, Philippines

Note: This is a part of my 2-day Pandin-Yambu twin-lake tour, Liliw shopping spree and food trip, attending holy mass at Liliw Church, overnight at Liliw Resort, religious visit to Nagcarlan Church and historic tour to Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery.

The Baroque-inspired architecture of Liliw Church

St. John the Baptist Parish Church is popularly known to most tourists of Liliw as Liliw Church. It is one of the Roman Catholic churches in Laguna which was opened in 1646. Its feast is celebrated every August 29 known as the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist.

Indeed a massive edifice

This church which is recorded to have been 370 years old serves as the center of activities for most Catholics of Liliw. However,the first church was built in wood in 1620. A stronger stone church was built from 1643 to 1646 and was partially destroyed during the 1880 Luzon earthquake. It was reconstructed in 1885 and was partially burned in April 6, 1898 (Wikipedia). So, counting from where it was originally built, the church is close to its founding anniversary of 400 years, four years from this writing.

The brick Church belltower and the statue of Fatima

Yes, the most striking feature of the church is its facade made of striking red bricks and adobe. By looking at it closely, even without the carbonating machine, one can tell that this structure is indeed centuries old.

An interior of solemn and heavenly ambiance

Attending the mass in this church is quite such a cleansing experience. I felt so holy inside it listening to every word of the Gospel. I felt then so closer to God. The indoor lighting is so different from other churches. The scent inside made me feel I am totally besieged with religiosity and piousness. I felt I was like renewed as a Catholic believer. I was alone when I attended the mass, away from my three companions who were busy for their shopping spree.

The pulpit: an indication of old Hispanic church

This church is just a block away from the municipal hall, two blocks away from Badong and three blocks away from White House Pavilion. But they are small blocks. It is just a walking distance from these points.

The main altar and the side altar

For Catholics, don't miss to attend holy mass in this church. It will turn out to be a different if not an entirely different experience. Below is the schedule of masses:

Daily Masses Schedule

MY FIRST COURSERA ONLINE ENGLISH SPECIALIZATION COURSE

Graduated the US$395 1-Year On-line 5-Clustered Academic English Specialization Course Grant of the University of California Irvine. After long sleepless nights for almost all nights of the year, I successfully completed this course. Thanks God! It is the most important Christmas gift I ever received this year.

DINE AND SHOP TILL YOU DROP IN LILIW (LAGUNA)

Location: Liliw, Laguna, Philippines

Note: This is a part of my 2-day Pandin-Yambu twin-lake tour, Liliw shopping spree and food trip, attending holy mass at Liliw Church, overnight at Liliw Resort, religious visit to Nagcarlan Church and historic tour to Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery.

Cheaper but durable footwears in Liliw shoe stores
Liliw, which is a fourth class municipality in the province of Laguna is not only famous for its foot wears production but also for its cold water spring resorts and native homemade sweets. It is 17 kilometers away from Santa Cruz, Laguna's capital. I have visited this place for four times already and I like its cooler climate maybe because it is situated at the foot of Mount Banahaw. Its climate is like its neighboring town, Lucban.

The durable sandals of Badong Footwear Factory
And not only that, the town also grows fruits and vegetables where they sell it at cheaper prices. There are marangs, lansones, "pako" and many other fruits and vegetables.

Footwear shopping spree at Entrada Shoe House
Inside Entrada Shoe House
Liliw, like Lucban, has narrow roads but one thing that you will notice is one stretch of street where it has footwear stores of all kinds. You can buy them at cheaper prices.

The Corcega Footwear
In my humble opinion, Liliw has more shoe and footwear stores compared to Marikina. Talking to a few owners, I was told that they are also exporting their footwear products. The reason their products are cheaper because they are of factory prices.

One of the souvenir shops
Like any other major tourist destination, Liliw has also some souvenir shops which sells like t-shirts, key holders, mugs, hats, wallets, kids apparels, accessories, plates, toys and many others.

Inside the Souvenir and Crafts shop
The possibilities of buying a lot of pasalubong items in Liliw at very attractive price is just endless. You can have these souvenirs printed by your name or the name of the receiver to make it personalize in a very minimal cost.

Part of the municipal hall
Liliw is not a big town and these shoe and footwear street are just near its municipal hall and also its very old and historic church. Vendors of street food and fruits are everywhere and guests and tourists can have their own choice.

The most convenient Cebuana Lhuillier
You might have run out of cash while in endless shopping in Liliw but there is no problem, there is an ATM station here of the Quezon Capital Rural Bank (QCRB) which is located along Gat Tayaw Street of Poblacion to withdraw cash. Of course, if you want your family to send you money, the Cebuana Lhuillier is just across Badong's Footwear Shop.

Liliw Fastfood
Aside from the endless food vendors, you may want to eat regular meals and just a few steps from Badong and adjacent to it is the Liliw Fastfood. I can't forget their crispy chicken. So yummy!!!! Meals here are affordable and will not even be more then P100. This is a famous fastfood of the Lola Anda where shoppers and visitors flock to dine in.

The Arabela Cake and Coffee Shop
Another food craving destination that you should not miss in Liliw is the Arabela. They serve a variety of cakes, pastries and coffee --- these are delightful cravings that Arabela can offer you with a guaranteed satisfaction. Their store opens at 11:15 A.M. and closes at 7:00 P.M. If you have not dined here, then you miss a lot about Liliw. The owner of this shop is the uncle of of the owner of White House Bistro which is just almost adjacent to it.

The White House Bistro Experience

The facade of the White House Pavilion
Dining at the White House Pavilion in Liliw was the best of my delectable experience and the ambiance was just to soothing. Very relaxing and welcoming with the couple owner hands-on in entertaining their guests not to mention with their very accommodating staff. This is the very reason why I am featuring here this restaurant.

The friendly and accommodating staff
I had the chance to chat with the owner where she narrated that the house was a former ancestral built in 1938 one converted into a restaurant by 2000s. It is an authentic Japanese Restaurant located along Gat-tayaw Street of Poblacion of Liliw. If you want to reserve for a slot for some functions there, don't hesitate to contact them at 0917 532 8075.

White House Pavilion at night
This restaurant is normally closed during Mondays and has operating hours of 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. from Tuesdays to Fridays. However, it varies during weekends and holidays.

The following pictures were taken just to give you an idea how it looks like inside. Its interior design is very much of Hispanic and Filipino culture. Join me to peep inside it . . .











An unforgettable dining experience
Our group of four who toured Liliw in the name of Judy Aguinaldo, Jessie Gines, Hara Yukiko (a Japanese friend) and I had been shopping separately in Liliw since we vary in interest and inclination. We did the shopping at 3PM and I even attended the holy mass at Liliw Cathedral or the so famous Saint John the Baptist Parish Church. Prior to that, we agreed to meet 6:00 PM in one place and surprisingly, we were pointing at one venue, the White House Bistro. Earlier at 3:30 P.M. then, I had been at White House Pavilion to take some photos for this blog but I did not suggest to the group to have a dinner here.

A photo with the gorgeous couple owners
The gorgeous couple owners in the name of Christian Villegas Polistico and Marianne Polistico, were so accommodating. In fact, we had the chance to chat with them while we were having our dinner. Christian serves as the Head Chef. As per our experience, we highly recommend the tourists in Liliw to dine here with a price worth it.

According to Marianne, the present structure was a Polistico ancestral house since 1938. They converted it as resto bar in May 2015. For reservation, you can contact Marianne at 09175328075

Their array of menu are as follows:

FILIPINO CUISINE

Name	Amount	Name	Amount
Paco Salad	P150	Chilli Popper	P150
Guinataang Suso	240	Grilled Liempo	170
Half Chicken	280	Whole Chicken	380
Sinigang na Hipon	380	Pork Sinigang	300
Crispy Pata	480	Special Bulalo	480
Beef Kare-Kare	380	Longganisang Lucban	240
Fried Boneless Bangus	170	Pancit Lucban	200
Pork Sisig	180	Pinakbet	180
Chopsuey	380	Hototay Soup	240
Gising-Gising (Beans)	180	Gising-Gising (Coconut Milk)	180

Rice Meals

Name	Amount	Name	Amount
Tapa	P120	Tocino	P120
Longganisa	120	Baby Back Ribs	200
Beef Caldereta	150	Pork Dinuguan	150
Ginataang Kalabaw	150	Binagoongan Rice	150
Rice	30

Set Meals Good for 5

Set 1 (P1,000)	Set 2 (P1,000)	Set 3 (1,100)
FRIED BONELESS BANGUS	GRILLED LIEMPO	WHOLE FRIEND CHICKEN
Pancit Lucban	Pancit Lucban	Pancit Lucban
Sisig	Sisig	Sisig
Chopsuey/Pinakbet	Chopsuey/Pinakbet	Chopsuey/Pinakbet
Iced Tea	Iced Tea	Iced Tea

Set 4 (P1,150)	Set 5 (P1,200)	Set 6 (1,350)
PORK SINIGANG	BEEF KARE-KARE	KRISPY PATA
Pancit Lucban	Pancit Lucban	Pancit Lucban
Sisig	Sisig	Sisig
Chopsuey/Pinakbet	Chopsuey/Pinakbet	Chopsuey/Pinakbet
Iced Tea	Iced Tea	Iced Tea
		Chilli Popper

JAPANESE CUISINE

STARTERS	AMOUNT	ALA CARTE	AMOUNT
Miso Soup	P40	Chicken Teriyaki	P150
Gyoza (Japanese Dumpling)	120	Tonkatsu (Breaded Pork Cutlets)	140
Tofu Steak	140	Shrimp Tempura	220
California Maki	140	Yakisoba(Stir Fried Noodles w/ V)	150
Kani Salad (Cucumber, Mango, Crabstick)	150	Yasai Itame (Stir Fried Mixed Veg)	100

DONBURI (RICE TOPPINGS	AMOUNT
Katsudon (Pork)	P140
Teriyakidon (Chicken)	140
Gyudon (Beef)	160

OTHERS

DIMSUM	AMOUNT	DESSERTS	AMOUNT
Pork Siomai	P100	Blueberry Cheese Cake	P120
Hakaw (Shrimp Dampling)	100	Strawberry Cheese Cake	120
Asado Siopao	100	Chocolate Cake	100

Snacks

Name	Amount	Name	Amount
Nachos	P150	Meat Spaghetti	P100
Tuna Puttanesca	150	Carbonara	100
Clubhouse Sandwich	170

Beverages

Name	Amount	Name	Amount
Raspberry Shake	P80	Calamansi Shake	P80
Soda	50	Brewed Coffee	50
Mineral Water	30	Rice Tea (Hot)	80
Local Beer	50	San Mig Light, Pale Pilsen	50
Pineapple Juice (can)	50	Red Wine/Bottle	500

AFFORDABLE TOUR PACKAGE OF PANDIN LAKE (SAN PABLO) FOR AS LOW AS P674

Location: Barangay San Lorenzo, San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines

Note: This is a part of my 2-day Pandin-Yambu twin-lake tour, Liliw shopping spree and food trip, attending holy mass at Liliw Church, overnight at Liliw Resort, religious visit to Nagcarlan Church and historic tour to Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery.

The tranquil Pandin Lake
San Pablo City of the province of Laguna is endowed with seven lakes which according to volcanologists are maars or low-profile volcanic craters, namely: Lake Bunot, Lake Calibato or sometimes spelled as Lake Kalibato, Lake Palakpakin sometimes spelled as Lake Palacpaquin or Palacpaquen, Lake Muhikap also known as Lake Mojicap or Lake Mohicap, Lake Sampaloc which is the largest of the seven lakes and the twin lakes of Pandin and Yambo.

The first part of the 20-minute trek trail
Lake Sampaloc is situated in the heart of San Pablo city proper, thus, it is quite accessible. It is in itself a tourist destination within the city proper. However, I did not find time to visit this lake and the other four since my target destination was really the Pandin Lake and its twin lake, Yambu.

The second part of the 20-minute trek trail
With very minimal budget and its accessibility, one will really be enticed to push through for this destination considering that its tranquility and beauty is really incomparable and by itself unique. It is surrounded by a lush forest and its water is extremely fresh coming from a source underneath. Unlike other lakes, Pandin is equipped with a running water.

The location base where the exciting rafting starts
So, how does the tour start? Take a bus from Cubao with a signboard of Lucena for three hours but tell the driver to drop you at SM San Pablo. Then, you have a choice to take either another jeep or tricycle to San Pablo city proper where you have to lift in a jeepney terminal near a 7-Eleven Convenience Store and from there, you board another jeepney with a signboard of "Ilog" where it will take you to the Lake Pandin parking lot just along the highway. There are enterprising kids who will approach you as guides for a minimal fee but there is only one way leading to the lake so you will not be lost anyway.

Part of the P360 tour package - the sumptuous lunch while having lake cruise
The first part of the trail leading to the lake is shady because of trees but if you pass through the private properties with concrete walls, it will be open already and during the day it will be hot. Then, trail starts to ascend where you need to have an uphill trek. Then, as you approach the lake, you will have a downhill trek for a few meters. As easy as that. However, it is advisable that you should have a reservation earlier because you might not be given a slot for the raft to cruise with.

Rafts are secured as they are attached to a stable rope to maneuver to the end of the lake
For reservation, you can contact Ms. Cristina "Tina" Abrego in her mobile number at +639079952983. You need to pay a reservation fee of 25% if you are booking for 15 pax or more of the total amount of tour package cost which is at P360 per head for a minimum of 6 persons since the rafts can not accommodate a bigger number of people. The inclusion of the tour is the raft cruise and the lunch while on board. For less than 15, you can place your reservation and pay on the day of your tour. By the way, the P360 rate per pax starts for a group of four; 2 pax is at P500 per head; and 3 pax is at P400 per head.

The densely-forested lake coastline
Native food is served for lunch but if you prefer other recipe or meal package choice, you can request it from Tina but of course the tour package may no longer be the same. You should maximize your time because the cruise is only good for 2 hours. You can swim while on cruise but it is strictly advised to always wear life jacket for safety.

The other end of Pandin Lake where rafts are anchored
Being at Pandin Lake is seemingly an endless opportunity to capture postcard-perfect pictures. Every angle of your sight in the lake is like an event. It gives a soothing effect when you dip your body in the water of the lake. The water is crystal clear and so clean and fresh. It is like bathing gallons of mineral water.

A fresh swim while our raft is docked
The tour operator which is a group of the locals residing in this place has organized a sustainable income-generating tourism activity and so they do not want to abuse the beauty of this 20.5-hectare lake. Thus, as of now, they only have 12 rafts operating for guests not to overcrowd. They wanted the guest to maximize communing with the lake savoring its majestic beauty. So, if you intend to enjoy the place, place your reservation earlier to get your slot.

Relaxing on a swing while we are docked for swimming
If you intend to stay overnight, then you can coordinate with Tina for your accommodation. It is not owned by their association but she can place the reservation for you with cottages of P1,000 for kubo (nipa hut) and P1,500 for a good cottage with comfort room. Remember, there is no electricity provided in the cottages but be glad that there is a network signal. Just bring with you a power bank for charging.

A refreshing swim in Pandin Lake
As most of the guests are extremely enticed to swim, this thought will not even spare you. So be ready to swim, too, in this lake with an average depth of 63 meters or 206.69 feet. Don't worry, there are no crocodiles in the lake nor some suspicious monsters or scary creatures. According to experts, they had calculated that the total volume of water in storage in Pandin Lake is 6,600 cubic meters.

Our group just about to trek to Yambu Lake
Part of the 2-hour package is to trek to other side of the lake where Yambu Lake can be seen. There is a guide who will bring you there but it is just a matter of less than 5 minute uphill trek from the point where our raft was docked. You can just give a tip to the guide. I gave him P50 and he was happy but I was sad that in our group, it was only me who gave him a tip.

The totality of Yambu Lake: Is it not amazing?
Yambu Lake like Pandin, is oligotrophic, which means that it has abundant plant and fish life. It has a normal surface area of 28.5 hectares, comparatively bigger than Pandin which is also suitable for swimmming, camping and picnics.

On-board a raft at Yambu Lake
If only not of the 2-hour tour limit package, I would have stayed longer. According to Tina, they only one hour extension with an additional fee of P90 per head during peak days like weekends and holidays. But it would still depend if some guests are waiting for their turn.

Mount Mabilog at the background of Yambu Lake
My guide going to Yambu Lake is Kuya Nick Catapang and he assured me to be his guide when I climb there. I might do this Christmas break for a dayhike. It will cost around P700. Are you going to join me? He told me that at the summit of Mount Mabilog, all the seven crater lakes of San Pablo Lake System will be captured. You may want to contact him also at 09772818967 or 09108557305.

Last glimpse of Pandin Lake
After viewing the scenic Yambu Lake, we returned to Pandin Lake and consumed the remaining of 2 hours tour package. We did not finish yet our lunch. It was too much for a regular meal.

I assure you!!! I really enjoyed this trip. It was so near from Manila and I only spent around P674. Why not have it for yourself, too. Surely, these lakes will pamper you!!!! I just love it!! I wish to be back here.

Though, we still had the Liliw and Nagcarlan trip after this tour where we stayed in Liliw Resort for overnight, I am giving you an idea on the expenses if you opt to had this a day tour only.

Actual Expenses Breakdown

SN	Particulars	Amount
1.	Round trip bus fare airconditioned bus fare from Cubao to SM San Pablo (Laguna) at P135 one-way	270
2.	Round trip tricycle fare from SM San Pablo to Jeepney Terminal for "Ilog" in 7-Eleven at P10 one-way	20
3.	Round trip jeepney fare from 7-Eleven Ilog Terminal to Pandin jump-off point at P12 one-way	24
4.	Lake Pandin tour package with lunch for a minimum of four	360
	TOTAL	P674

CONTACTS

For tour package reservation and accommodation for those who wanted to stay for overnight, you can reach Ms. Cristina "Tina" Abrego at +639079952983.