Blast from the past at Villa Escudero

Get a chance to experience bloodline history until 3rd generation and on wards.

There's this place called 'Villa Escudero.' Where family from generation made their home open for tourist to show their lifestyle, culture and historical experiences  from the past to the present. Name it, they got it. From antique collections, coins, wardrobes, airplanes, etc. 

For location, schedule, reservations and how to get there, you may log in at www.villaescudero.com

When you reach the hacienda, you will be guided at the receiving room. There are two options which you can choose an overnight stay or a day tour.

We opt a day tour which includes a tour in their hacienda (museum) buffet lunch in their man made falls, bamboo boat ride, swimming at their pool, and a cultural show all about filipino folk dances.

To be continued...

The Trolley (It's more fun in the Philippines)

Experiencing the TROLLEY.

Ive seen it in pictures and some movies but to actually experience it?
Well, life is short. And when you're young don't you just want to try it? Just to satisfy my curiousity.

See for yourself...

This is made of wood customized for a 6 seater passenger, plus one "manunulak" or the driver who pushes you around. People use this as a transportation from their home to go the nearest train station and vice versa. You just need to pay the "manunulak" 10php for the ride and let Physics take you to your destination.

You'd probably wonder what if there's a train passing by? isn't it dangerous? Well you don't have to worry cause they know the train schedule and if it's time for the train to pass by, all they need to do is to carry the trolley and put it aside. Same principle applies when they need to turn around or when there is another trolley on the other end. Cool right?


 It's amazing how Filipinos can be creative and innovative. They see an oppurtunity, they use it and walaah.. An instant mode of transportation and income generator.

Nuestra Senora de La Paz y Buen Viaje, The Antipolo Church visit

"You ever felt the feeling of just talking to someone, share experiences and right there and then you decide that you wish to share your experience to someone and you invite the person to go and take a leap and have the adventure with them?"

It was 8am and it was one rainy Sunday morning. The shift just ended and we were on our way home. It was so cold and a hot beverage was suggestive for the event. So we went a nearby fast food chain and drunk hot chocolate (Mc donalds) just near my home. The plan for the day was to watch a movie and just stay at home for a while while waiting for the mall to open. While in Mcdo, we were talking and eating breakfast while looking at the rain pour. Topics in and out and out of the blue the topic of going to Antipolo Church came. 

I can't really remember who invited who. I just remembered that I said " let's go there, Now. I'm serious. (I'm fond of visiting churches and making wishes)" Then my companion just kept silent. And I immediately said, "Never Mind, there's always a next time." 

The silence continues as I drunk my last cup of hot chocolate and started eating the fries. 

After how many minutes, he just blurted out and said, "Come, let's go to Antipolo Church, I'll take you there."

I was just shocked. He was thinking about it the whole time. He added "You said you were serious so let's go." And I was like, "Okay, Let's go!"

You ever felt the feeling of just talking to someone, share experiences and right there and then you decide that you wish to share your experience to someone and you invite the person to go and take a leap and have the adventure with them? That's what I felt when he asked me. And I think it was sweet.

Without any hesitations, I said yes and we got up from our seats, finished up our meals, and got our selves ready for the adventure of the day.

9:30am. The ride takes about 40 minutes (No traffic). Unfortunately, they wait for the passenger seats to fill in so we waited until 10:02am. 

10:42am. Destination Arrived. Antipolo City, Rizal.  

I got this picture from the internet. I was not ready for the trip and we didn't even bring a Camera for the trip. So it was all in the memory. But to give you a glimpse on how I felt when we started walking and going to the church. This is 85% camera captured.

I say 85% because in the picture, there are a lot of  people in the streets, busy. The day we came, it was rather many but solemn.

The Church. The place was WOW. I fell in love with the Church. The way people respects the place making it solemn and peaceful; the way they market the their specialty (lechon, kakanin, cashew peanuts, etc.); the devotees; the lighting of the color candles with meanings on them; lastly, the way they preserve the remains and the Image of Nuestra Senora de La Paz y Buen Viaje or Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Somehow, it felt like Home.

Wait until you see the insides of the Church. It was breath taking. It was like God is just your neighbor. Mixed with Gold, white, brown it felt like i'm in the Kingdom of God (like I've been into one. haha!). It's similar to the old Churches I went the Baclayon Church in Cebu and Baclaran Church (The ones that I remember). 

I wish I could express everything I felt when I went there. This feeling is subjective so might as well try and see for yourself.