It's more hot in the Philippines! (Beach Edition)

It's hot and you're melting. You sweat even if you only move an inch. It feels like you want to take a bath every hour, or much as well stay in the shower/tub for the rest of the day. It just only means two things, you're in the Philippines and it's summertime!!! *phew* (just typing that made me sweat a buckets now... kidding! ^^,)

I'm not a fan of going to the beach especially during summer. I really find it boring, idk, but maybe the idea of making sandcastles and eating all the baon could make me go. hehe. So last weekend, my family went to Laiya to "beach hop" (is there such thing?). Papa always wanted to check out Laiya because his co-workers highly recommends it. I already told them that I don't have any plans on swimming that day so I just went with them for a 2-3hour long drive going there. Just because roadtrip sounds fun. =]

Good thing I brought our camera so I did took pictures of the resorts we went too. Something I could blog about, finally. So if there is someone in the web would google about resorts in Laiya, Batangas , hope this post would give them a heads up.

1st stop: Kabayan

I wasn't able to take pictures that time so the next 6 pictures were grabbed from their website. Credits to Kabayan Resort.

What's nice in here is that there rooms is fully equipped with your necessities. There's a fridge you can use and a stove if you want to cook your own dinner. They are also equipped with utensils you need and one 5-gallon water is also given for free on your stay so you don't need to buy water.

They also have large Nipa huts in the beach front you could rent. It's so spacious that it's perfect for family outings with all the relatives in.

According to them, the rooms are already fully booked from April to 2nd week of May most especially on weekends, but you could still call them to check. There were a lot of people there when we checked it out, so I guess they have something good that attracts more customers. Rates are 140php for adults and 100php for kids. Honestly, they're not my 1st choice among the beaches we went to that day. It's looking a bit crowded in the beach and I don't like crowded places. But of course that's inevitable during peak season. But the place was nice, there's a lot of trees in the area so it helps to cool down the place from the heat of the sun.  Check their website for more info. http://www.kabayanresort.com.ph And one more thing, their staffs was very nice. One of their staffs accompanied us while going around so there's someone to answer your questions. To which none of the other beach resorts we went to did. Thumbs up for Kabayan! =]

Next: White Cove Beach Resort

 Aah. i love the feel of this place. =] There's just a fair amount of people that day. The beachfront was very nice. I also love the wooden seats near the beach. I can just imagine myself lounging there, sipping on a fresh cool shake and reading a book. Ahh. Life. chos! haha!

The wooden chairs.

The place was nice. They even have a small chapel there where you can hear mass on Sundays. Parking was spacious. Though there's not enough shady trees near the beach compared to Kabayan, that makes the place a bit more hot.  I don't even know if anyone can even sit on some of those chairs laid in the heat of the sun. But anyway, they have large beach umbrellas so in a way it helps to shade you from the sun. They also have a pool if you don't want to soak on salt-water.For bookings, you can call on their Manila office, just check their website here - http://www.laiyawhitecove.com 

Next: Virgin Beach Resort

Beautiful, clean, peaceful, quiet. Perfect words to describe this place. I love the relaxing ambience of this resort. I can count on one hand the people I saw soaking in the sun when we went there.

The Parasols by the beach front.

I love this photo! Postcard-worthy? hehe. pagbigyan na. =]

One annoying thing. No one assisted or even cared to welcome us to check out the place. Anyway, moving on the resort area was large and spacious. Very serene, calm and peaceful. A place that perfectly applies to those looking for a peaceful and quiet getaway beach destination far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We just basically checked out the beach but looking at their website they have this open-air cabanas for those who want to feel the fresh breeze of the air and Casitas if you want an air-conditioned room. And I guess this is the resort where the movie "Here Comes The Bride" was shot. Very nice place. (I just don't know with the staff. wala yatang pakialamanan dun. ha-ha.)

Check them out: http://www.virginbeachresort.com

 Next: Blue Coral Beach Resort

Very commercialized resort. Tall buildings surrounding the resort. So surely they got a lot of rooms to accommodate everyone. Parking area was bad, prepare to get back in your car fresh from the sauna in the heat of the sun. 

This is the personal choice of Mama if we ever go back to Laiya. They have accessible showers outside near the pool which I didn't see from the other resorts. Meal packages are mandatory when you plan to stay overnight. 

 Excuse the over-exposed photos of the rooms. I was walking while I took these photos and ignored the settings.

 Cottages in front of the beach

Looking up, I gotta love their ceiling in the lobby and the ethnic looking wall mirror.

 I would also love to try out this resort if we go back. It seems like they got everything you needed. A number of reclining chairs everywhere. Nice interiors. Dining hall have couches and have enough space to accommodate everyone for the buffet time. In there's a touch of bamboo everywhere. =]

Check the gallery in their website. I think you'll love it. =] http://www.bluecoralbeachresort.com.ph

Last but not the least: Taramindu Beach Garden Inn

It's a small beach spot farther down Laiya. Rows of similar resorts/inn can also be found beside Taramindu.

 Small space so there's no chance they can have a pool. But kids could maybe get used to this.

I seriously wonder if anyone would even seat on those chairs. Those must be blazing hot that moment. 

http://www.taramindubeachresort.com/


Laiya is promising. Hope to get back this year to try out one of those resorts.

Dinner at Dampa

I bet that only a few knows that the first and original Dampa is located at Paranaque and not the ones in Seaside Macapagal. My father also said that there's also one in Baclaran which has been established long before. Basically, "dampa" is a filipino term for "bahay kubo/ nipa huts". I don't know where I get the idea, but I always thought that dampa is like a term for swamp or any body of water. Ahh. Maybe the reason is because   Dampa's are known for seafoods. hehe. Also, the restaurants in Dampa back then is still not air-conditioned unlike now so you get to smell the freshness of the wet market in the area. =] Anyway, the main concept here is you buy your own seafoods/meat fresh from the market and bring it to the restaurant of your choice to get it cooked the way you want it.

Last Thursday night, we had dinner at Dampa in Paranaque to celebrate Papa's birthday. We just went to the nearest one from where we parked while Papa went to the wet market. He already bought a few from the wet market near us before we went there. Prices of seafood here are higher as expected so it would be better if you get to buy beforehand. 

Not much to expect. Shylin II got two fully air-conditioned floors. They got TV and of course a for-rent videoke machine that can never be absent in places like these. hehe. And they also got restrooms in both floors so it won't be a hassle to go down if you're in the second floor. We had ordered 5 dishes and waited for 10- 15 mins. As the food was brought up one by one, we noticed that one of the dishes (Inihaw na Liempo) was not hot. I don't know to them, but it seems like it was cooked earlier. So we just made them re-heat it. But as most says, don't complain much on those serving your food kasi baka kung ano gawin nila sa pagkain niyo pagnainis sila. hehe. But everything went well after that. We were 9 in all, and ordered 3 plates of rice and two 1.5L of softdrinks.

Shrimp Tempura

Calamares

Inihaw na Liempo

Buttered Prawns

Miso soup with fish.

We got 2 servings of each (except the Nilagang "something) and got to take home some after eating. They will wrap it in front of you so you would  be assured on what they're packing in.

It was just okay. Nothing special that made in to my favorite list. Everything tasted how it should be. I googled Shylin and found out that they also have a branch at Macapagal. 1 bowl of rice costs P100 same with a 1.5L of softdrinks. I don't know the exact breakdown of our bill, so I'll just summarize it to give an idea to those interested to dine in there. *after googling again* Sorry, I'm lazy so might as well check this menu I saw in the net. hehe. 2010 pa ang last update but keri na yan. =]

Shylin menu

Barbara's

Last Saturday we finally had the time to use Papa’s MetroDeal voucher to dinner at Barbara’s. It’s a quaint restaurant located along the street of Gen. Luna in Intramuros. We went there earlier than the scheduled time and were entertained by the live soothing music from the grand piano while waiting for them to finish setting up the buffet table. From the entrance, you’ll already be delighted with their wooden staircase and a large elegant mirror hanging in the wall going up to the main hall. Maybe it’s place their so you could check yourself out first before going in. Haha! I was even joking on the way their about how true that it’s a “prestigious” restaurant accorindg to the voucher. But good enough, they are true to their words. The outside area was nice.. I’m such a sucker for early era houses so I appreciated it much. It’s like stepping into a place reminiscent of old world elegance as their site says. The interiors in the dining hall were quite nice too. They got crystal chandeliers hanging on their wooden ceilings. The room was enclosed with wooden walls with some intricate designs. Drapes of cloth were hanged in a decorative way in the sides that adds up to the homey feeling. Just enough for you to feel your in the old Spanish era.

 A couple of minutes after we were seated the buffet table was already set up and we can already start. Some more guests arrived and the hall was already 80% full for that night. Most of the diners were groups of family and also some couples. There were also some foreigners who tried out the place. The food choice for that night were: Seafood pasta in olive oil. Pandan rice, Lumpiang shanghai, Beef caldereta, Roasted chicken, Fish fillet, soup, Sweetened banana sprinkled with sesame, Gelatin and a DIY salad. Just enough for the voucher’s worth. The grand piano was replaced with a live music from the rondalla as the dinner buffet started.

 As the dinner continued, candle-lit glasses were placed on each table, a sign that the show would start in a few minutes. Lights were off after and the spotlights were on facing the stage. After some opening music, the cultural dance show started and a voice over of a short intro about the Spanish colonization in the Philippines were narrated. And their came a series of dances performed. I personally love the period costumes of the girls, very classic and appropriate. The lightings were a bit off for me. No offense meant, but it did looked like those lights on red-district areas. But whatever, I enjoyed watching them. Hehe. The "pandango sa ilaw" part always gets me. The show went for about an hour showcasing a number of cultural dances from different eras. The music was done by the live rondalla all throughout the show. For their final part, an INTENSE tinikling was performed. Oh yes, it was an INTENSE one, the beat went faster and faster. Fun! =] They also called out volunteers from the audience to try out tinikling. The dancers were introduced at the end of the show. They were college students who dances their way out to fund off their school expenses. Donations were gladly given after and guests were invited to do photo ops with the dancers.  The show was unexpectedly entertaining. The performers were all smiles throughout the show and there energy was all out. Not bad. Props to the live rondalla and high-spirited dancers. 

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 During the photoops, I checked on their buffet table hoping that their salad bowl were already replenished because I didn’t get a chance to try it. But unfortunately, it's not. Though they refilled the other dishes earlier before the cultural show started. I guess they stop refilling the table as soon as the show starts. So as a friendly advice for my fellow foodlovers, arrive early so you could already try more out. Personally, lumpia and the fish fillet were the only good ones I liked. And before the proper show starts, get whatever food you most liked because after the show, you wouldn't be going on another round because you'll already tempted to go home now as everybody does. Excuse my “matakaw-sounding” advice. I love getting the most out of buffets. Hehe. =]

 A hotel in the same compound.

Overall, the dinner buffet with cultural show was a nice experience at Barbara's. The place was nice, I love the ancestral ambience. The service was average. Food was a 'B'. The cultural show was an A+. A nice time to bond with your family. I would recommend it to those who would want to try out a classic dining experience in a old era type of place. And also for those balikbayan families who would want to be reminded of the Filipino culture.

P.S. Flash photography in indoor shows is seriously annoying. Please refrain from using you flashes constantly especially when the lights are out and the spotlight's on the stage. We're not in the red carpet people, minimize that popping flashes. Ok, I'm guilty from it sometimes. But seriously.

P.P.S. Sorry for the lousy pictures that didn't gave justice to the place. The other camera's still in the service center that time. =[