Farms and Where to Stay Overnight in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon and Tagaytay - Accommodations at the ATI Calabarzon Dormitory and Gorgeous Farms!

From almost a decade ago until now, in support of RA10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, I consider myself fortunate enough to become an Organic Agriculture (OA) blogger in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute of the Philippine Department Agriculture (DA-ATI). Back then, I didn’t even think about going to farms on my own for leisure. Where can I find them right and who do I talk to? Slowly but surely and with the onset of technological advances, I now look forward to easy DIY farm tours and staying for a few days away from my hectic city life. I am very happy that our current Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Puyat came from the DA and now the two agencies collaborate more to promote farm tourism at last 💕 This year, ATI CALABARZON and DOT published the Agriculturally Awesome: Regional Farm Tourism Guide for Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon farms and ATI learning sites to help us plan more trips and connect directly to farms and farmers 😊 One such farm featured is Gorgeous Farms - located along the  Tagaytay highway! Read my post below on the available accommodations on your way to farms in CALABARZON  and Tagaytay! 

 

An Outdoor Team Building Challenge near Tagaytay & Travel Adventure at Kampo Trexo with Pioneer Insurance!

Two of the things I'm scared about when I travel are getting hurt and getting sick. These fears guide me to choose which activities I would do, what to bring and what to eat on my trips. I have my moments of courage and curiosity though which take over and I allow myself to plunge into the unknown, do what I've never done and live my life to the fullest. I've discovered in this latest trip what it means to have others have your back, look out for you and have some financial assistance at an affordable price (and peace of mind) if ever something bad happens. On this day, I teamed up with 4 other bloggers to do the Pioneer Travel Buddy Challenge at Kampo Trexo in Alfonso, Cavite.

 

Gourmet Foodie Find at The Dining Room in Cavite and Preparation Tips on Coffee Dripping and French Press from a Coffeeholic Place near Tagaytay!

I've been a Tagaytay goer ever since I was a child and I've only discovered this place now.. Restaurants have began sprouting from home cooked meals, salad affairs and fastfood chains in the area for the past few years. The Gourmet Farms restaurant in Silang, Cavite (15 mins away from Tagaytay) actually has a "K" when it comes to the flavors (Italian and Mediterranean) that come out of their kitchen - I mean I prefer the things I've eaten here so far than other widely renowned ones known near here. I'm craving for their unique Nachos and that veggie Pizza right now haha. Being in the forefront of coffee roasting in the country, one bonus I got from this Gourmet Farms visit was a short course on the French press and manual drip way of preparing ("brewing") coffee. Because brewed doesn't mean a mechanical machine was used. By the end of it all, there's this newly found appreciation for coffee on a very full tummy :)

Gourmet Farms Tour and St. Joseph's Sanctuary in Silang, Cavite near Tagaytay!

Tucked away somewhere near Tagaytay City is a spiritual sanctuary and a farm with products I buy at the supermarket all the time. Thanks to the invitation by Gourmet Farms in Cavite, I was able to tour the property, learn something new about growing stuff again, eat good food fresh from the farm restaurant The Dining Room (hmm I just found out about this! yummy food!) and enjoy the sneak peek of a very serene getaway (ideal for less than 10 people who want peace and quiet near Manila). I'll probably go here again when I'm in the area and also from January to February to check out their abundant harvest hehe.

The Pinoy Taste Buds: What's Cooking in Philippine Food Tourism? Philippine Festival List and Kulinarya Food Trip Itineraries for Quezon, Taal, Bicol, Bulacan, Pampanga, Davao and Many More!

I just attended the latest forum The Pinoy Taste Buds: What's Cooking in Philippine Food Tourism held by the AIM (Asian Institute of Management Makati) Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism about Pinoy food :) Representatives from the Department of Tourism, the academe and chefs were the speakers this time around. The discourse revolved around our cuisine and the various ways to include it and promote it as an integral part of Philippine tourism. I've included links and details about nationwide Kulinarya Food Trip Packages available to the public which you can use as a guide for your itineraries. ;)

Mt. Batulao Batangas Trek - Intro to Hiking and Overnight Camping, The Way to the Old and New Trail

The city girl from Manila attempts to climb another mountain after that epic Mt. Pulag trip last 2013 with the barkada! Haha. This time I reached my first summit successfully - Mount Batulao it is. Getting there was easy since it's just in Nasugbu, Batangas - near Tagaytay. I am no mountaineer (more like super beginner LOL) and my exercise is pretty much all that walking from my trips. This trip was definitely a test of endurance and courage. While I was climbing, I laughed at myself for thinking that this was easier than the Pulag Ambangeg trail because the Mt. Batulao Old Trail was shorter and the altitude was so much lower. I researched a bit online before the trip and it was either I didn't look long enough or not many people attempted to document the most dangerous parts of the climb for fear of falling or they turned their attention to the tiring act of hiking already... Therefore, I thought it was really easy peasy. Nuh-uh! Think "long way down without rails" to your left and right then me clinging to the ground and rocks at some parts that I won't even attempt to shoot a picture... I don't regret any of it though. ;) Some moments were so intense that it will force you to love nature and fall in love with what's in front of you! Here's a glimpse of our arrangements from Manila and the long common path for day hikers and overnight campers - from the jump-off point (where we were dropped off and started walking) to the fork where you'll decide to go with the Old Trail or New Trail of Mt. Batulao.

Taal Vista Lodge Hotel Stay Review, Staying in Tagaytay, Food Delivery and My View from the Premiere Suite!

It's been a while since I went back to Taal Vista Hotel. It's THE hotel of my childhood, you see. Almost every year circa early 90s, we would "go up" during Easter and play all day on the grounds below (running around, painting eggs and looking for Easter eggs hehe). We would also go for several rounds of horseback riding. Today, a lot has changed although there is still a place there for families and the magnificent Taal view is still there. Maybe I've grown up quite a bit too. =) Let me take you through my Taal Vista stay just this month.

Favorite Guiltless Restaurant Picks In Manila / Also Top Guiltless Date Places in Manila

Eating different cuisines in Manila is a great way to experience a slice of life in different parts of the world. I am not an expert in differentiating which one is more authentic because you would have to have a good palate, a good memory and a thick wallet to do that. I do, however, have my own list of favorite restaurants in Manila that serve different cuisines. If you ever decide to try them out, you will be able to get a taste of my food preferences and how restaurateurs perceive either their own food or an adaptation of another cuisine through their restaurants. Sometimes, they even try to provide the same ambiance, culture, language and service of the country they are representing. Oftentimes, everything suits your taste that you end up assuming that this must be what I would be served when I go to that country. Note: Some restaurants here adjust their recipes to satisfy the Filipino senses.

As for this blog post, favorites are favorites. It's so hard to rank them and there is no need because they have different cuisines. Only my favorite locations are listed and I've included restaurants opened by locals (even those with no particular cuisine). We are not going to discuss the price because premium ingredients are generally expensive and restaurants are supposed to make some business (if you don't like to eat at home and make it yourself). If you eat in one of my favorite restaurants and you don't like the food I marked with Y, it just means that we have different tastes. I rest my case. This post will appear again once in a while with new additions (new restaurants and pictures) so stay tuned! I will search the metro and pickle my brain for some more.

Kainan sa Dalampasigan in Nasugbu Batangas

The craze all started when a foodie uncle brought us to this place as a stopover from Punta Fuego a few years back. The dishes we ate can be categorized as Filipino comfort food just because the food you can always find all over the country and is really normal but reminds you of the good old days. Those days when sago't gulaman was a labor of love, at least for me, and part of it was melting sugar on the stove at our old home, perhaps? The place was cozily big and quiet. There was a time when Sonya's Garden just became popular and everybody started regarding Tagaytay as a quick escape from Manila. It's nice to find another hangout place and it's still in the same direction, only a little further where people don't go very much. Part of the journey with Jeff involved years of yearning to go back on our own and finding the place, with no set directions and taking hours to get there. Ever heard of Kainan sa Dalampasigan? It's somewhere in Nasugbu, Batangas.