Backpacking: Exploring Villa Escudero Plantations & Resort Quezon Province, Philippines

Welcome to Travel+Experiment!   

Villa Escudero Plantations was founded in 1872 by Don Plácido Escudero and his wife Doña Claudia Marasigan. Originally a sugar cane plantation, the crop was converted to coconut by their son, Don Arsenio Escudero in the early 1900s. A pioneering agriculture industrialist, he built the country’s first working hydroelectric plant - Labasin Dam - to supply his desiccated coconut factory and the Escudero Plantation house, which he and his wife Doña Rosario Adap built in 1929.

Villa Escudero Plantations is 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of working coconut plantation and hacienda located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of the city of San Pablo, Laguna province on the border with Quezon province in the Philippines. Since 1981, the plantation has opened its doors as a resort offering village tours, museum tour, food and accommodations. It has developed a worldwide reputation as a focal point to experience Philippine culture and history in a beautiful rural setting.

In 2008, 415 hectares (1,030 acres), more than half of the estate, was converted into an exclusive residential development called Hacienda Escudero. Highlights of the tour are the visit to the museum of historic, religious, pre-Hispanic and World War II artifacts. Carabao-drawn cart transport takes visitors to the resort area, surrounded by park-like setting accompanied by musicians and singers serenading you with Filipino Filipino folk songs on the way to the resort. The dining table settings are set in the bottom of the waterfall which cascades water underneath the table you are dining in. Also an authentic live cultural dance show choreographed by National Artist Ramon Obusan, performed with live music.

Activities and attractions must see in Villa Escudero.

Destination: Introducing Villa Escudero!

How to get there:

By Bus from Manila

Take the Jac Liner bus going Lucena, Quezon Province. It has hourly bus service to Lucena, Quezon Province from LRT Buendia Station (first trip is 5:00 AM; last trip is 10:00 PM) and Kamias Station (first trip is 2:00 AM; last trip is 9:00 PM) terminals. It takes 2 1/2 hours with its various stopovers along the way. Cost is around 178.00 pesos one way fares, air-conditioned. Make sure to tell the driver or the conductor that you are going to Villa Escudero so they can stop right after the Quezon Arch and drop you off there. The gate of Villa Escudero is just after the Arch and at the left side of the Arch. From the point where the bus drops you off, you cross the road to the other side to walk to the entrance. It's a very long walk. It's advisable to take a tricycle if you see one and ride it to the entrance of Villa Escudero.

Rates (cited in Villa Escudero 2015)

Day Tour Packages

• Mondays to Thursday

Adults: 1,250 pesos
Half rate: P625 (Children below 4 feet)

• Fridays to Sundays & Holidays

Adults: 1,400 pesos
Half rate: P700 (Children below 4 feet)

Welcome drink, carabao cart rides, use of outdoor recreational facilities and lunch at the waterfalls. By special arrangements with the AERA Memorial Foundation, the museum is open to resort guess. Cultural Show: 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays.

Lodging

• Rooms

Total number: 30
Capacity: 4-12/unit

• Amenities

Private Restrooms
Electric Fans/Aircon
Hot/Cold Shower
Fresh Linen
Insect repellents

No. of Pax	1	2	3	4	5	6-9	10-12
Long House	P4,130	P3,245	P2,750	P2,415	P2,300	P2,200	-
River Unit	P5,440	P4,145	P3,495	P3,135	P2,980	P2,780	P2,650
Executive Suites (Aircon)	P5,860	P4,970	P4,170	P3,730	-	-	-
Gumamela Suites (Aircon)	P5,860	P4,970	P4,170	P3,730	-	-	-
Katakataka (Aircon)	P6,120	P5,240	P4,440	P3,995	P3,750	-	-

*Rates are per person per unit and inclusive of meals.

**Rates are in Philippine peso and updated as of February 15, 2012

Nipa Hut Day Rental: P750/day (9:00 AM- 5:00 PM)

Conference Hall Rental: (5,500 pesos / room)

Available for rental:

• Facilities

Sound System
Overhead Projector
Whiteboards
Screens

• Business Center

Cellular Phones
Copying Machines
Fax Machine

Recreational Activities Bird Watching Basketball Fishing Volleyball Swimming Bamboo rafting Mountain Biking Filipino Games Obstacle Course Palo Sebo Hiking Hit the Pot Tennis Pabitins

Other Facilties Wedding Center Chapel Jeepney Service Carabao Carts Bar Clinic Restaurants Auditorium Videoke

Mode of Payments

Cash/Currency: Philippine Peso & US Dollar
Travelers Checks: PNB Mabuhay Card, American Express Credit Card, And Visa/Master Credit Card

Reminders

1. Reservations must be made at our Manila Booking Office at least 48 hours before date of visit.
2. Resort hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
3. Museum hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
4. Children below 7 years old are not allowed inside the museum.
5. Food and drinks cannot be brought into the resort without prior arrangements. Corkage is applied to all alcoholic drinks, tetra packs and soft drinks.
6. Only proper swimming attire in our swimming pools please!
7. Please leave your pets at home.
8. Tariff rates inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT).
9. Prices and cultural show schedules may be change without prior notice.
10. For overnight guests, check-in is 11:00 am or 5:00pm.

I. Villa Escudero Tour

1. Museum

The AERA Memorial Museum, founded by spouses Arsenio and Rosario Escudero, contains the private collections of the family from their local travels and around the world. The assorted collections include oriental ceramics, natural history and ethnographic dioramas, costumes, household furniture, weaponry and many other items of interest collected in their travels around the world.

2. Labasin Lake

Labasin Lake is the narrow lake or reservoir created by the Labasin hydroelectric dam. One of the amenities provided by the resort to visitors is rafting and native bamboo rafts are available and is included with the day tour. Some accommodations made with native materials are beautifully set protruding by the lake.

3. Waterfalls Restaurant

Lunch is served on bamboo dining tables set in a few inches of crystalline running water from the falls. The experience of dining on delicious local dishes with the sparkling waterfalls as a backdrop with clear spring water running over your feet is a truly singular and memorable experience only Villa Escudero can offer.

4. Philippine Cultural Show

After lunch, guests have the opportunity to watch the Philippine Experience Show where the country's rich culture comes to life, from its ethnic diversity to its colonial legacy. The dances were painstakingly recreated by the late National Artist for Dance Ramon Obusan of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Mr. Obusan's insistence on authenticity sets this show, performed by resort employees and accompanied by the resort's own musicians and rondalla ensemble, makes this show a far cry from the stylized performances one sees today. (Fridays-Sundays/Holidays only)

5. Rural Village Tour

Happy Travels!

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Backpacking: Places to Visit in Subic Bay, Philippines

Welcome to Travel+Experiment!   

Subic Bay is two hour drive from Manila and 45 minutes from Clark International Airport (DMIA) via new SCTEX Subic/Clark highway. Aside from a peaceful, safe and controlled environment, Subic offers excellent international access for foreign and local tourist. It has become a haven for hotels, resorts, amusement parks, golf courses, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues which concentrates on recreational activities and tourist destination which makes it a good option for a weekend getaway. 

There are a lot of things you can enjoy in Subic Bay. In Subic, you can, swim, dive, kayak, jet ski, sailboat, wind-surf, parasail, yacht, fishing, hike, horseback ride, go nature trekking, bird-watch, butterfly hunt, watch/learn auto racing, race go-carts, enjoy casino, play tennis, golf, bike, bowl, shop, and enjoy its amusement park. Subic Bay is one of the Philippines top playgrounds for extreme sports and adventure travel.

Activities and attractions must see in Subic Bay. 

Destination: Introducing Subic Bay Freeport Zone!

Subic Bay used to be the largest U.S Navy’s Naval Base in Asia. The naval base was a major ship-repair, supply, and rest and recreation facility of the Spanish Navy and subsequently the United States Navy located in Olongapo, Zambales, Philippines. The naval base was the largest overseas military installation of the United States Armed Forces after Clark Air Base in Angeles City was closed in 1991. Then, Subic Bay was transformed into the Subic Bay Freeport Zone by the Philippine government in 1992.

Today, Subic Bay serves as a commercial shipyard and container port at the same time a recreation and business haven with strict environmental controls for businesses and tourists.

How to get there:

By Car from Manila

If you are going by car, take the North Luzon Expressway and continue driving for around 76 km going to Angeles City and look for signs for Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). Take the SCTEX toward Subic Bay. Continue on SCTEX for 57 km as you exit the expressway in Maritan highway. Maritan highway merges into Argonaut highway after 2.5 km. Continue on Argonaut highway until you reach Subic Bay Freeport Expressway. The distance will usually take 1.5 hour drive.

By Bus from Manila

1. Take a taxi or bus to Victory Liner Bus Terminal Taft/Cubao station.

2. Ask the conductor/driver to drop you off in front of the terminal.

3. Do not take MRT as they will search your bags and they will let you unpack if necessary. You’ll also have a long walk from Taft station going to the bus terminal or from Cubao station.

4. Ride a Victory Liner bus to Olongapo or Iba, Zambales, The ride takes about 3-4 hours. You can visit the Victory Liner website for the daily trip schedules and fares.

Buses' schedule (either Zambales or Olongapo) is from 4:00 AM with 1 hour interval. The fare is 229.00+ pesos. The usual bus route from Manila will take approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

Upon reaching Subic Bay Freeport, 24 hours taxi service is available inside the Freeport Zone. If you have your own vehicle all you need is to grab a map and let Subic Bay provide the adventures. If going by taxi, regular fixed one way fare to any of the Subic attractions like Zoobic Safari, Ocean Adventure or Tree Top Adventure will cost 400+ pesos. You can negotiate with the driver if you want to visit all the three destinations. Be sure to ask if he will bring you back to the terminal, because tourists will only be brought to the main gate where you can already ride a jeepney to the terminal.

I. Subic Tour

1. Ocean Adventure

Address: Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin Forest Area, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales 2200 Philippines
Open Hours: Daily 9:00 AM-6:00 PM

Admission is inclusive of all Feature Shows and Aquarium Exhibits.

• Adult – 650.00 pesos
• Senior Citizen – 520.00 pesos
• Children 12 years old and below – 520.00 pesos
• Children under 30-inches – Free

Dolphin, Sea Lion & Marine Encounter Prices

• Encounter prices are in addition to admission prices listed above
• Please bring swimwear and a towel

For inquiries and advanced bookings, contact Ocean Adventure at (047) 252-9000

• Swim with Dolphins – 3,700 pesos. 8 years old minimum age
• Dolphin Beach Encounter – 2,400 pesos. Minimum age 6 years old
• Dive with Dolphins – 4,250 pesos. Include all dive gear. Bring your certification card
• Family Dolphin Experience – 10,000 pesos for 4 family members • 2,500 pesos for each additional member up to 6 persons max. No minimum age.
• Shark & Turtle Adventure – 500.00 pesos/Person. No swim wear needed.
• Shark, Turtle, and Jack Dive – 1,400 pesos, include all dive gear. Bring your certification card.
• Animal Trainer Adventure – 5,500 pesos, include snacks or lunch at the Ilanin Bay Cafe, an Ocean Adventure t-shirt, and a Certificate of Accomplishment. 10 years old minimum age.

The Swim Encounter, for 45 minutes, you can actually swim with the dolphins and whales in deep water. Put on your life vest and go for a ride with one of these majestic creatures. Pictures taking sessions are included.

The Dive Encounter Program where you strap on your dive-tanks and actually play-amongst, feed and swim in the deep with these massive, playful, majestic creatures. Of all the encounters, this requires the most skill. Then get your photo taken with your new aquatic acquaintances to show all of your friends and family back home. You must be a certified diver and show your dive card for this one.

The Animal Trainer Adventure is a half-day long program. Work hand-in-hand with the actual trainers at Ocean Adventure and actually participate in training sessions with these feisty sea creatures. Swim with then, prepare their food and learn some important training techniques.

Dolphins and Friends Show is the main attraction at Ocean Adventure.  This show features dolphins and other friends such as seals and sea lions performing tricks and humorous interaction with their trainers and audience members alike. 

Shallow Water Show is for those that are not comfortable in deeper water.  Here you get to stay in the shallower water of the Ocean Adventure Lagoon while touching, feeding and hugging some fantastically interesting dolphin characters for a full 30 minutes. 

Sea Lion Marine Patrol Show is performed at the new Sea Lion Theater expansion area. This show features trainers and the audience interacting with these fun and exciting animals who love to clap, play ball and act like comedians.  After the show enjoy the sea lions playful antics in their deep relaxing pool alongside the theater. 

Walk on the Wild Side Show features the indigenous Aetas showing off their talents and skills.  They light fires without matches; make their own bamboo utensils demonstrating self-sufficiency and survival they are famous for. Then the real adventure begins as you are transported into the Subic forest at night by your guides to interact with various birds, bats, reptiles and mammals.  Entertainment abounds as the show participants are treated to a performance at the Wildlife in Need Rescue Center at Ocean Adventure. 

Ocean Discovery Aquarium is an impressive display of sea creatures and habitat all in an air-conditioned underground aquarium. You’ll experience coral reefs, deep dark caves, mangrove forests, water streams and incredibly diverse inhabitants such as sea horses, stingrays, exotic colorful fish and sea snakes while they swim about in the territory they call home.

The Learning Center serves as a question and answer college of marine life where you’ll learn answers to such questions as what do you call a group of dolphins?  What is Baleen?  What’s the difference between a fish and a dolphin?  Don’t be shy; ask whatever is on your mind.  There are many friendly and knowledgeable park guides to ask whatever questions you may have regarding the marine life of the South China Sea.

2. Tree Top Adventure

Address: JEST camp area, Upper Mau Cubi,, Aparri Rd, Subic Bay Freeport Zone 2222, Philippines
Open Hours: Daily 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Rate: 20.00 pesos/person for Environment and Tourism Administrative Fee (ETAF) as implemented by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for the purpose of protecting the environment in Subic Bay. 

Package 1 

Includes Canopy Ride and Superman Ride
Rate: 500 pesos/person

Package 2 

Includes Canopy Ride, Superman Ride
and Trekking
Rate: 600 pesos/person

Package 3 

Includes Superman Ride,Tree Drop,
Silver Surfer and Parachute Fall
Rate: 800 pesos/person

Package 4 

Includes Canopy Ride, Superman Ride,
Tree Drop, Silver Surfer and Trekking
Rate: 1,000 pesos/person

 

Superman Ride is the most popular and exciting according to most surveyed participants. This consists of a zip line that covers two platforms for a distance of approximately 140 meters long at a height of 100 meters, securely suspended facedown and feet up at very fast speeds for a very long distance. 

Rate: 200 pesos/person

Silver Surfer is essentially a stand-up cable ride for two designed to simulate the Silver Surfer in the movies.  You and your partner stand high above a lush tropical forest on platforms facing each other on a cable suspended from 10 feet above the ground on one end and 80 feet high at the other end. Both occupants will be transversed quickly, experiencing the ultimate fun of surfing in the air. The sudden stops and acceleration cause you and your partner to rock wildly high above the trees.

Rate: 250 pesos/person

 

Tree Drop Adventure is repelling training that allows you to repel down a 60 foot tall tree on a controlled cable while your fiends watch and take videos of you from an adjacent platform. This experience can be accomplished in a variety of styles (conventional, the lizard, and the daring Australian style (face first)). 

Rate: 150 pesos/person

Canopy Ride allows its riders to get to view the unspoiled nature 100 feet above the ground at the very tree top level.  The trail portion of the adventure crosses a total of 4 suspension bridges and sports 5 motorized cable rides of up to 220 meters long.

Rate: 350 pesos/person

Interactive Free Fall Adventure is a group activity that will give you and two others stand on a metal frame and transverse quickly up and down alongside of a 100 foot majestic Subic forest tree together.

Trekking Adventure explores through the wilderness and marvel at the magnificent flora and fauna of Subic’s renowned virgin rainforest.

Rate: 100 pesos/person

Schedule Time: 09:00 AM; 11:00 AM; 01:00 PM and 03:00 PM

Parachute fall

Rate: 250 pesos/person

3. Zoobic Safari

Address: Group I Ilanin Forest Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines
Open Hours: Daily 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Watch the ANIMAL SHOW and PARADE!

Open Hours: Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays at 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM

Day Tour Entrance Rate

·         495 pesos- Adult

·         395 pesos- Kids 4 ft. and below

·         Free-Kids 3 ft. and below

Note:  Purchase tickets online to avail 10% discount

Inclusions:

·        11 attractions (Zoobic Park, Rodent World, Serpentarium, Forbidden/Zoobic Cave, Tiger Safari Ride, Close Encounter, Savannah, Animal MuZOOeum, Aetas' Trail, Hip-Hop-Bay-a-Wak, Croco Loco) for approximately 2 1/2 hours

·         Zoo Guide

Other amenities to make your tour more exciting (optional)!

Zooper Train

·         50 pesos/person

Animal Food Basket  

·         100 pesos/person (Zoobic Park)

Chicken                      

·         200 pesos/person (Tiger Safari Ride), 50 pesos/person (Croco Loco)

Sky Safari (Zipline)

·         199 pesos/person

GirafZ Ride (Segway)

·         199 pesos/person

3D Movie (15 mins)

·         69 pesos/person

Photo w/ the Tiger* (Schedule: 9:00 AM- 3:30 PM (exemption when the tigers are full or not in good condition)

·         240 pesos - good for two persons (4 x 6)

·         390 pesos - good for 3-4 persons (6 x 9) 

·         540 pesos - maximum of 6 persons (A4)                                                                                  

* May also use own camera for personal copy

Close Tiger Encounter - An exciting, extra-close encounter (2 ft. away) with Siberian and Bengal tigers. Watch them tear apart and bite-through raw chicken carcasses with the ease of butter.

Tiger Safari - Ride in a safari jeep where you actually enter an open-range area teaming with live tigers roaming and frolicking in their natural habitat. Listen to their deep, awesome growl just a few inches from your face as they eat from the hands of your tour guide through the screen mesh of your safari vehicle. While on our safari the tour guide threw a chicken on top of the vehicle and a 400 pound Siberian tiger followed to the roof, rocking the vehicle back and forth with its massive weight.

The Zoobic Park - Enjoy a walk-through petting zoo, set in a walk-through tropical jungle atmosphere, you’ll be able to experience live interaction with deer, ostriches, albino caribou, ducks, camels, bear, monkeys, eagles, miniature horses and more.

Savannah - A sanctuary of exotic and farm animals featuring a wide range of ostriches, potbellied pigs, wild boars and guinea fowls. See the ostriches run alongside your car.

Serpentarium – Grab an up-close and personal view of snakes, iguanas, lizards, turtles and various other slithering and crawling reptiles.

Rodent World – is a fascinating collection of rodent animals. They even have their own grooming salon where you can watch guinea pigs being groomed in a Rodent Salon.

Croco Loco – Here you can view up to 200 crocodiles in a natural swamp area. If you’re lucky, get a chance to feed a few of the hungry crocodiles, feeding them chicken lowered by a fishing pole and see them jump, snap and tear at the carcass. Quarter chickens can be purchased for only 50 pesos each.

Adventure Animal Rides - Ride on camels, horses, carabaos and alpacas - a unique and exciting experience only available at Zoobic Safari.

Educational Shows - You can also see educational shows featuring live animals or learn jungle survival skills from the indigenous Aeta people and see native dances performed by the same.

Muzooeum is a collection of real mummified animal bones and preserved skins that provide mammalian educational opportunities for the youth.

Bird Walk is a unique bird adventure where you can feed a multitude of birds of various species.

Zoobic Cave offers a look at the world of wild and exotic animals but all non-living taxidermies (stuffed).

Forbidden Cave is an Indiana Jones jungle adventure type where guest can have an excitement while walking in a shaking hanging bridge.

Happy Travels!

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