A Day at Pico de Loro Cove - Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu, Batangas

Batangas homed some of the most beautiful beaches and resorts in Luzon specially the Nasugbu part of it. Though it may not possess the whitest sand, the relaxation that visitors may experience due to nature that surrounds this place fairly makes it up. Therefore, it is not surprising that this place has always been on the list of Manilenos whenever they are, or should I say, whenever we are ask on where to go for an out of town trip. Having said that, we chose the town of Batangas to hold our team building/team outing!

It was pretty tough to decide where we should go. There are lots of potential resorts in Batangas and we have bosses coming from different sides of the world so we need to consider high class place but also not to risk our own pockets. Haha.

Then we came across Pico de Loro Cove of Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu, Batangas. It is a private beach club owned by SM investment group. It is so private that the only way for an individual to access this place are 1) to own an apartment unit, 2) know someone that owns a unit and have an endorsement from them 3) or book a room at Pico Sands Hotel. Being tagged as private, staying at Pico de Loro is accompanied as a luxurious trip. Thank Goodness, we know someone who owns a unit and have us endorsed. That lessen our expense BIG TIME!

How to get there?

1. Take SLEX (Southbound) headed toward Laguna.
2. Take the STA. ROSA EXIT and turn right after the toll booth. Follow the road all the way to Tagaytay City. (Alternatively, you may choose to take the ETON EXIT (after STA. ROSA EXIT))
3. Once you're along Aguinaldo Highway in Tagaytay City, you will pass: Josephine’s Restaurant, Taal Vista Hotel
4. When you reach the Junction of Balayan (Caltex Station at the Right), turn right again to go to Nasugbu (You will pass Central Azucarera de Don Pedro on your left side)
5. When you reach the Shell Gas Station (Left side), turn right to go to the Nasugbu Town Proper.
6. Go straight until you reach the road that will take you uphill. You will pass by the “Brgy Wawa” arch and the following developments: Canyon Cove, Kawayan Cove, Terazzas de Punta Fuego, Tali Beach Club, Peninsula de Punta Fuego
7. Go further uphill until you reach Pico de Loro by following the yellow signage of “Hamilo Coast”

Disclaimer: Please don't ask me or clarify anything about the given direction above. I just got it from their website. All I knew was during our trip, it was like a never-ending roadtrip. Haha. Well, kidding aside, it was 3-4 hours of long drive from Manila to Pico de Loro with the suggested direction.

Its Christmas at Pico de Loro lobby!

Pico de Loro Cove is a 37.5 hectare of coastal community with lots... i mean tons of activities/amenities to offer which includes both outdoor and indoor activities. They even have a tagline that says it will take 40 hours for an individual to experience all sports and recreational activities of Pico de Loro. And I strongly believe on that. However, he or she should also prepare his/her wallet to cover all the acts.

They also have an infinity pool here

The management cares for their visitors. External shuttles roams around the vicinity and take every visitors to their desired place. It is free of charge and there's a frequent rotations. This eliminates long wait to go from one place to another and also saves time.

Team CertPoint!!! Yeah!

I can say that this beach club is suitable for all types of vacationers. Why? Because the activities they offer here doesn't focus on a single type of customer.

Sports oriented type of guests may use/rent their badminton facilities, basketball court (indoor), beach volleyball and table tennis. For Family bonding, enjoy some bowling session and karaoke at their KTV hubs. Extreme seekers and adventurers will definitely enjoy banana boat, scuba diving, jet skiing and hiking. While nature trippers should avail the cove tour and water taxi. Also, health conscious can do biking and jogging around the vicinity.

Sun bathing. Anyone?

Perfect for brisk walking, jogging and even biking

Lastly, food enthusiasts. Bars, restaurants and cafes are available and offers wide varieties of food in terms of selection. One will definitely satisfy his or her taste buds.

Ate Mars enjoying the variety of food

Three fourths of our stay were spent at the beach part of the club. Summer season is still far to come so we really missed being on the beach. The shore is quite big. It has lots of umbrellas and beds which are perfect for sunbathing. Beach volleyball and soccer area are also located at the beach shore.

The girls are now ready for some water action

Team QAs and Developer :P

Sorry guys I will not lay on that one

We were only there for a day trip and it is definitely not enough to experience all of what Pico de Loro can offer. But it was definitely a great experience. Luxurious trip on its finest actually. I don't know if I could be here again yet I still hope someday.

Chill time!

Hamilo Coast, Pico de Loro - Nasugbu, Batangas
For reservation, contact Pico Sands Hotel at (02) 214-7888 or (0917) 809-1289
For membership inquiries, ontact Pico de Loro at +632.902.8053
For amenities ratings and other information, you may visit their official website. Click here.

Lola Tekla's Beach Resort of Laiya, Batangas

This trip is actually unexpected. The original plan was to go to Puerto Galera with my officemates. Unfortunately, the weather didn't permit us and so we had to think for an alternative route. We're in Batangas Port, stranded and feeling hopeless because there were no trip going to Galera that day due to a bad weather condition. I hate that LPA building up that day! Good thing we were able to use our smart phones and search for a good spot in Batangas where we can spend our weekend getaway.  We traveled for 3 hours already and turning back will be and will always be our last resort. After a couple of arguments and lay back moments in Batangas Port, we finally made up our mind -- Laiya, Batangas it is.

We chose Laiya, Batangas because there are tons of positive feedback about how beautiful this place is. Most specially its beach part.  Creamy sand, enticing clear water, water adventures/activities, and lots of resorts to choose from. These factors made Laiya, Batangas a perfect place for us who were unprepared for this change of plan.

Personal chat? Lol (Photo from Thea Velasco)

As we land on Laiya, Batangas, the beach of Laiya didn't fail to 'wow' us. Our disappointment on our Galera trip just fade away and all we can think off that time was to get a nice place to stay in. Budget friendly, lesser crowd, fun activities, accessibility to market place, and lots of freebies. These are the qualifications we wanted as we scout for a resort. Then we found Lola's Beach Resort. A public resort in Laiya, Batangas that almost fulfilled our qualifications. Trivia: Lola is a local term for grandmother. The resort is called Lola Beach Resort because the owner of this place is already a grandmother - named, Lola Tekla.

Serves as our home for an overnight (Photo from Lola Beach Resort FB Page)

Lola Beach Resort is a non-private resort so there is no entrance fee implemented in this place. Aside from that, they have 5 rooms to choose from which can accommodate large group. We were 9 in the group and we chose Room #4 to spent an overnight. It costs 5,500 Php per night which includes a refrigerator, bathroom, kitchen with stove, dinning table, spacious receiving area, and (1) AC room with 4 beds that can accommodate 3 persons each bed. A free large nipa hut near the beach was granted to us as a freebie. Yeah!

This is how it looks like as you enter Room #4 (Photo from Lola Beach Resort FB Page)

The are 4 beds in the AC room and 1 bed outside of it (Photo from Lola Beach Resort FB Page)

Small bathroom and our free hut! (Photo from Lola Beach Resort FB Page)

There is also a Sari-sari store inside the vicinity of Lola Beach Resort which is good if you need something like soap, shampoo, canned goods, alcoholic beverages, etc. Another key factor why we chose Lola is because of its accessibility to wet and dry market. Since the room we got has a stove, might as well cook our own food instead of buying ready-to-eat food which is not ideal if we wanted to save money. Fresh fish, chicken, pork, and vegies are available in a market nearby. It is just a 5-10 mins walk away from Lola Beach Resort and it is hard to miss out.

We don't have any problem with the staff of Lola. They gave us a warm welcome and were all friendly. Lola Tekla even visited us in the house. Even at her age, she still manage to walk and checked out her guests. They also let us borrowed some kitchenware like plates, spoons and forks, knife, frying pan, etc...

After doing the grocery that we will be using for our whole stay, we decided to have a swim. I don't know if it is normal but the temperature of the water there is a bit warm. However, the water level there is gradually changing from shallow to deep so it is also ideal for non-swimmers. Apart from splashing on the water, we also had some fun games like creating sand castles. We divided the group into 2 to compete and let our creativity shine! Lol.

Fun time in the water (Photo from Thea Velasco)

D' Castle builders. Which is better? (Photo from Thea Velasco)

never mind... hahaha (Photo from Thea Velasco)

It's time for some water activity. One of the facilitator of Lola Beach Resort offers us a banana boat ride. Note: Standard fee for this ride is 1500 Php for 15 mins and is good for 5 pax. Only 6 of us are willing to try the Banana Boat so we divided the group into 2 again. One group decided that they will only go for a plain ride while the other group wants the extreme ride wherein the Banana Boat will turn sideways and riders will be toss into the air (of course, I am included on the 2nd option). It was my first Banana boat ride and I really do had fun. After that, we were also offered to try the boat ride going in the snorkeling part of Laiya. Again, the weather/rain stops us from doing that. We didn't take risk. Safety first.

Photo op before the water activity starts (Photo from Thea Velasco)

Team Extreme and Team Unexpected Fall (Photo from Thea Velasco)

Love the part when we are being toss in the air! Thrill part of the Banana Boat ride (Photo from Thea Velasco)

After almost 5 hours in the water, Jean and Ate Cath (the cooks) called us for dinner. It was one of the best dinner I have ever had! It was just a grilled fish, grilled liempo, plain rice and Ferdie's sawsawan recipe but it was a perfect combo! We all ate like a construction worker and seems like there's no tomorrow. I can still imagine how good it was as I blog this entry. Yum!

After the dinner, everybody washed up while others take some short naps before we continue on our socials. We drink all night till dawn and laugh. We also celebrated Jean's birthday. By the way I would also like to mention Donna because she took the responsibility for washing our dishes for this whole trip :] Thanks Donna!

The chef, the assistant chef, the dishwasher and the lazy boy (Photo from Thea Velasco)

The next day, we were all surprised to see the big waves. I actually planned to have a boat ride that time unfortunately it was really impossible. Just simply refer on the photos below to see how dangerous those big waves are. Having said so, instead we took that chance to have a photo op.

Big waves at my back! (Photo from Thea Velasco)

Next time we'll make sure that the weather condition is clear from LPA (Photo from Thea Velasco)

Polaroid shots from Jean's Instax camera (Photo from Thea Velasco)

Our most perfect jump shot that day...  (Photo from Thea Velasco)

Trying to catch viewer's attention but Claire outstage me here. Aw

We left Lola Beach Resort at around 3:00 PM. One of the caretaker called a jeepney that took us to Alps Terminal Bus and costs 35 Php per pax. Even though it seems like everything was against this trip, we still manage to enjoy and relax away from our busy life in the city -- not bad!

Breakdown of Expense:
Accommodation: 5,500 Php (divided into 9 persons)
Banana Boat: 1500 Php (divided into 6 persons)
Food: 250 Php (group contribution) good for 4 meals
Pasalubong: 300 Php (makapuno, espasol, etc..)
Transportation: estimate of 450 Php Two way (can't give you a breakdown since we
originated in Batangas port and we just rented a private van from there)

Lola Beach Resort
Balacbacan, Laiya Aplaya, SanJuan Batangas
Contact # Alex Atienza: 0917-3643602 | Ronald Atienza: 0919-6807597

Boracay de Cavite - Marine Base Beach Resort of Ternate, Cavite

Security while having fun on the beach. That's how I would describe my experience in Boracay de Cavite Beach Resort which is also called as Marine Base Beach Resort. Yes, you read it right. Boracay de Cavite Beach Resort is situated inside a Philippine Marine Base found in Ternate, Cavite. So expect to see trainees and people in uniform while you are in the area. Having said that, you are guaranteed that this place is safe. So just enjoy!

How to get there?
From Baclaran, take a Saulog bus or a mini bus going to Ternate, Cavite. You'll be spending 85 Php if you take an AC bus and 70 Php for riding a mini bus. This will be a long drive so just charge yourself up before the actual swim. An estimate of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of traveling time before you reach Ternate bus terminal. From the bus terminal, you need to hire a jeepney because there are no public transportations available going to Boracay de Cavite. A 22 seater jeepney can be hired for 2,000 Php - 3,000 Php. This price is already round trip and may vary depending on how good you are in barking. So goodluck! As for those who'll be travelling in private vehicle, take the Coastal Road and go straight to Cavitex. Prepare 24 Php for the Coastal toll fee and 65 Php for the Cavitex toll fee. From Noveleta Exit, drive all the way going to Ternate. Before you reach Ternate, you'll be passing by the towns of Tanza and Naic. Note: Monitor your gas tank gauge because the most accessible gas station to Marine Base is in the city proper of Ternate. You'll know you're in the right direction if you got to see the jump off point of Mt Pico de Loro, Puerto Azul and Caylabne Bay Resort. Just drive until you reach the Main Gate of the Marine Base (which is hard to miss).

Main Gate of Marine Base

From the Main Gate, prepare your entrance fee. 100 Php is charge for a day swim and 200 Php for an overnight stay.  For those who'll be staying overnight, rooms (700 Php) and cottages (350 - 450 Php) are available in the beach side but if you want to cut from these fees you may bring your own tent and just set-up a camp. There's also a pay parking there - Motorcycle: 10 Php (day) / 20 Php (night), Car: 50 Php (day) / 100 Php (night). You need to go back again to your vehicle after paying all those fees because the beach part of this camp is still 2-3 kilometers away from the Main Gate.

Computing our fees :]

As we reach the beach area of Marine Base, I noticed the creamy (not white) and fine texture of its sand. And thought to myself that maybe it is one of the factor why this place is called, the Boracay of Cavite - Just maybe. The area is amazing. Never thought that Cavite has this kind of beach. Aside from the fine sand, it is surrounded by tall stone walls with waves splashing on it (like the one I see in the movies). Most importantly, the area and the water of Boracay de Cavite is clean.

Nice sand and calm water

We brought our own tent

Aside from the tent, we also rented a hut

It is also recommendable for family outings and reunions. Kids will definitely enjoy Boracay de Cavite because the water level of this beach doesn't change drastically. So, kids and teens can enjoy their swim for as long as they know their limits.

Ate Rain and her cute kids

Swimming time!

Visitors can also play beach volleyball. There is a dedicated place for this sport in the mid part of the area and I believe it is for free of use. Just bring your own ball. It is also ideal for other games and team building activities provided that it has a wide area to roam around.

Playball!

A Sari-Sari store is also available in the area. So if you forgot to bring chips and toiletries, you can buy things there. The comfort room is OK. All covered up and there's no problem with the water supply.

Look how beautiful this place is...

There's not so much amenities in Boracay de Cavite provided that it is a Marine base after all, but I truly enjoyed my visit there. The water and the view is enough for me to say that others should also stop by Boracay de Cavite - Marine Base Beach Resort.

Pack up! EOD... aw (me and my girlfriend)

Before we left Boracay de Cavite - Marine Base Beach Resort...

Breakdown of Expense:
AC Bus (Baclaran to Ternate, round trip) - 170 Php
Jeepney Rental (Ternate to Marine Base, round trip) - 2,000 Php (good for 22 people)
Entrance Fee - 100 Php
Parking Fee - 50 Php (divided by number of people)
Cottage - 450 Php (divided by number of people)
Food - **.** Php

Update!!! (March 3, 2014)

from Ehrm.Bas (Thank you for giving me and my other readers an update! =])

Some were asking for contact numbers, or how you can make reservations.

The answer is they don't entertain reservations in the Ternate Marine Base, and they don't have a landline that they'll give away. However if you have a party of 20 or so people, you can make reservations by going to Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown (Marine Base Manila) in Fort Bonifacio, Makati. Ask the MP guarding the gate where MC7 is. That is where you can make reservations (you have to pay there also), and they'll be the ones who will contact the personnel in Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim in Ternate.

And if anyone wants to ask the "is it still open to the public" question in year 2015 or 2016, just go to the Marine Barracks in The Fort described above and ask the personnel there.

Some were asking if they will still be allowed to enter the premises if they leave Manila at night.

The gate of Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim is only open from 5AM to 10PM, daily. The MP won't let you in outside those hours. Make sure you have a reliable vehicle if going there alone as there are no street lights in the road going up, and almost no settlements - though the road is very nice.

Additional information:

• There are two stores, and one of them accepts cooking service, also from 5AM to 10PM, for a modest fee.
• Signal on Smart is erratic, at best you'll get 2 bars of 3G signal, then sometimes you get dropped to GPRS or 2G.
• Signal on Globe while on the beach front is awesome. I was consistently getting HSPA/HSPA+ signals while in there and encountered no problems uploading 3MB photos.

BORACAY DE CAVITE IS CLOSED UNTIL MAY 16,2014

Side Trip at Sumilon Island of Oslob, Cebu

After our "whale shark watching" experience at the municipality of Oslob, we decided to visit or just have a sneak peek on a near island known as Sumilon Island. Note: This blog entry about Sumilon will not showcase resort experience since we did not avail or tried it out. We only land on the shore and just enjoy the heavenly land and the crystal-clear water of this gorgeous  island.

How to get there?
From the small town of Tan-awan where we had our butanding watching (click here how to get there), we rented a bangka to take us there for 2,300 pesos. Since we were 11 people in this trip it only cost me 210 pesos. The boat ride took 30 minutes to reach the island. As we land to the shore of Sumilon, we were asked to pay 10 pesos per head for the entrance fee. We did not avail resort accommodation because we only planned a day visit.

Surfer mode Baron and Aizel

The local tourists Rina, Anna and Aizel

Got ya! Lols

Whitening soap models (photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Sumilon Island is a paradise. I can still picture out its white, fine sand and also the lovely shades of blues of the beach. We were all stunned and amazed at the same time as we land on this beautiful island. I salute the people who preserves this place because it is really clean and well maintained.

Photoshoot the the center of this sand bar

All for one and one for all

At the tip of the sand bar

If there is a part of the island that I love the most, it will be the white sand bar that appears during low tide. I love this part of  Sumilon because people can really walk away (really far away) from the shore with a feet high water level but at the both side of this sand bar awaits a deep water level that I didn't tried to measure (amazing yet dangerous).

Feeling the waves and the air

Our group really enjoyed the view here and we went really crazy. Just look at the the photos below.

Crazy as hell (photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Timer plus burst mode (photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Yeah Baby! (photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Sumilon Island is also a perfect place for photography. I find this place as a perfect site to have some fun shoot with my friends. Here are some of my shot (kinda amateur though):

Paula doing her homework =]

Jing reminds me of  Samantha Potter in this shot

Anna taking anime to the next level

I hope you enjoy my side trip blog entry to Sumilon Island!

Breakdown of Expense:
Boat ride: 2,300 pesos (good for group contribution)
Entrance Fee: 10 pesos

Look at my "before" color under that short (photo from Byron Cantonjos)