Herb Republic: Fresh Food in a Garden Setting

This recent visit to Herb Republic Restaurant along the National Highway, Maahas, Los Banos, Laguna is actually our second.  The first was a dinner with entomologist friends on the same day we celebrated our baby's 1st birthday and christening with a gathering over lunch at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan, Bay, Laguna in March last year.  Mama Sez wrote a bit about our Valentine's Day lunch date that emphasized our yearning for healthy food on that day of the hearts.

Here are some more photos of Herb Republic at daytime.  Consistent with their "freshest food straight from the garden" theme, the restaurant is basically a homey garden with bamboos and lots of vegetation to cool you down at lunchtime.

An inner sanctuary/hang out spot has couches, low tables and a piano.  The artistic decor and soft music that went well with the sound of flowing water that feeds the small pond containing Koi fishes contributed to this hideout's cozy ambiance.  That time, we had the place all to ourselves.

Here's an excerpt from Mama Sez's blog post:

"This restaurant offers only organically grown vegetables and meat from naturally grown chicken and pig that they themselves produced. Dishes are prepared with their finest herbs. Even the drinks are healthy as they are prepared without sugar and sweetened only by the herb called “Stivia.” All food in the menu are fresh and healthy and therefore good for the heart. We ordered the Herb Republic Salad, Basil Pesto Pasta, Mint Buko Lychee Cooler and Mint Watermelon Cooler. Hot Lemon Grass Tea was served as welcome drink."

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Pook ni Mariang Makiling: Photos

Here are some photos of Pook ni Mariang Makiling resort in Los Banos, Laguna where we chose to commune with nature on Valentine's Day.

View of the facilities near the creek in Pook ni Mariang Makiling

View of the cottages from the swimming pool area

Lots of areas to see and stairs to climb

A perfect little cottage to relax in the sound of water flowing along the creek

Sights and sounds to behold in front of the perfect little cottage

Read our previous posts to learn about the fees and contact number as well as how to get to Pook ni Mariang Makiling nature resort.

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Pook ni Mariang Makiling: Rates, Charges and Contact Number

One of the many attractions in Laguna, Pook ni Mariang Makiling is a nature resort situated in Los Banos and is part of the Mt. Makiling National Park.

Yesterday, we published an alternate, more scenic route through the mountain instead of the usual route through the University of the Philippines Los Banos campus. Today, we'll provide information about the rates and charges so you'll have an idea on the budget to prepare for your next outing. The contact person & number is at the end of this post.

Pook ni Mariang Makiling is known for its Olympic-size swimming pool in a tropical forest environment. The resort entrance fee is only PhP 25, while the swimming fee is PhP 40. Children below two years of age is free. Swimming attire is swimming trunks or shorts for males, and shorts and sleeveless white shirts for females. Shorts with zipper and buttons are not allowed. Day swimming is from 8am to 5pm. Night swimming is by arrangement (contact person and number is at the end).

Table rental is PhP 300 for daytime occupancy, while a small pavilion that can accommodate 30 persons is PhP 500.

For those who prefer to stay overnight, rates for cottages ranged from PhP 200 per person for minimum requirements like bed, toilet & bath and electric fan to PhP 500 per person for a cottage with aircon. These figures are based on room sharing in a cottage with two or three bedrooms.

For instance, Lakambini cottage has 3 bedrooms with 4 beds each, 3 toilet and bathrooms and 3 electric fans. So it's capacity is 12 persons for PhP 2,400/day.

Their best cottage is Diosa that has 2 air-conditioned bedrooms with 3 beds each, 2 toilet & bathrooms, and an attic in one of the bedrooms. So Diosa can accommodate 6 persons at PhP 3000/day.

Note that these cottages are not at par with standards of more expensive private resorts. But the place is good for simple group (family or barkada) outings and nature trips.

There are charges for electricity consumption starting at PhP 100 per day depending on wattage. Other rentals: audio system/karaoke @ PhP 200/day, electric fan @ PhP 200/day, extra bedding @ PhP 150/set and excess headcount @ PhP 25/head for cottages. Corkage fee for beer and softdrink is PhP 50/case.

Please contact Rose @ (049) 536-3489 for reservation and for more details.

More photos to come in the next post.

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Pook ni Mariang Makiling: How to Get There

Pook ni Mariang Makiling is one of the many attractions of the town of Los Banos in Laguna and is part of the Mount Makiling National Park just like the National Arts Center (NAC), the Philippine High School for the Arts, and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) National Jamboree Site.

The normal route for tourists, especially buses, to reach Pook ni Mariang Makiling is via the University of the Philippines Los Banos campus. However, this route would take you through the busy intersection of College, Laguna, where traffic going to Santa Cruz and San Pablo also passes.

If you are using a private vehicle (not a bus!), the alternative Jamboree route is recommended to avoid the College junction traffic. This more scenic route would take you up the mountain with dangerous turns and steep inclines so care must be taken at all times when using this route.

The critical turn for this alternate route to Pook ni Mariang Makiling is the PCARRD (Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development) road.  At present, the point where this road joins the National Highway has a big sign that notifies the public that buses are not allowed on this road (see point A in the map above and the photo below).

If you're coming from Manila, turn right when you spot this PCARRD junction, and proceed (PCARRD entrance is about 100 meters on your left). This is PCARRD-Jamboree Road and just follow it to reach the BSP Jamboree site, which is about two kilometers away. In a little more than a kilometer from the PCARRD turn, you will see the Magnetic Hill gate to your right (see point B in the map and the actual photo below).

At this point, you would be nearing the BSP Jamboree boundary and expect more dangerous curves and steep climbs and descent in the next kilometer or so. You will run into two forks after you enter the BSP Jamboree arch. In both cases, just choose to turn right instead of going straight. See points C and D in the map and the following photos.

After this last right turn, you can immediately spot the National Arts Center arch. Just go straight (instead of going to the gated uphill road to the right that leads to NAC). The next structure you would find is the (unmaintained) BSP swimming pool. Proceed farther until the final right turn to enter the Pook ni Mariang Makiling arch (see yellow star in the map above and the photo below).

Enjoy the scenery and the olympic-size swimming pool within the Pook ni Mariang Makiling compound.

Reminder: it is not advisable to use this alternate route during inclement weather and wet road conditions.

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It's Christmas at UPLB Part 2

Someone made a comment in the first post about the Belen, which is the centerpiece of the UPLB Christmas Park, as being weird. We figured it's because the figures were made entirely out of wood. We visited UPLB Baker Hall again today with the kids to take advantage of a Christmas Book Sale.  Then, we decided to take more photos of the Christmas Park.

Belen at the UPLB Christmas Park

Notice that the figures in the manger or belen are now clothed. Perhaps it doesn't look weird anymore. LOL

Here are more photos to enjoy:

The Manger at the UPLB Christmas Park

Giant Christmas Tree with Gingerbread houses to the right of the Belen

Cheers!

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It's Banamos Festival here in Los Banos

The 2010 Banamos Festival of Los Banos, Laguna is ongoing from today, 17th of September, until Sunday, the 19th.  It's a great time to visit and know more about Los Banos, the Special Nature and Science City in Laguna.

Main activities of the first day (September 17) are centered near the Los Banos Municipal Hall in the Paciano Rizal Park where there's Palarong Pinoy in the morning and Talent Search in the evening. Second day (September 18) main activities are centered at the UPLB Freedom Park where a civic parade would end.  The second night will be highlighted by the Search for Miss Los Banos back at Paciano Rizal Park.

Click here to learn more.

For those passing through Los Banos towards other towns in Laguna, expect heavier than usual traffic on these days.

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Typhoon Basyang Reminded Us about the Downside of Living in Laguna

13 July 2010, Los Banos, Laguna, 11:00pm - The winds blew so hard that Mama Sez decided to call it a night. She was supposed to do some work on the computer but got scared of the strong winds. As she dived under the blanket, I teased her that she's not used to typhoons anymore. Laguna was declared to be under typhoon signal no. 2 then.

It was the kids' first typhoon experience and they were excited to feel and witness the strong winds and rains that they only see on television or heard from our stories. They were anticipating it as classes were already suspended that afternoon, though winds and rains did not really pick up that much. But we decided not to wake them up in their deep sleep. They'll get another chance we thought.

I was awaken when the lights went out some time after midnight. I just checked if my cell phone was within reach so I could use it to navigate the house if I need to get up later. The night went uneventful for the children, while Mama Sez and I were awaken every now and then to check on them. The howling sound of the wind and the brownout did not bother them. It was already around 5am, the usual time to get up, when Rica and Nadine noticed that electricity was out.

The kids cheerfully got out of bed when there was already some light outside. They anxiously checked the surroundings and found our favorite Langka (jackfruit) tree fallen. It was a favorite because its full crown have been giving us some respite from the sun when we are outside since we moved to this new location. Now it's gone and the front yard felt so bare (our neighbor immediately got a mango tree seedling to take its place that afternoon; it got blown away just a few hours later, but it's now back in its place).

Since we did not allow them to go further than the gate, the kids content themselves with news and stories from Tita Tin and other visitors about roofs flying off and the commotion caused by families that had to move to another place as water entered their houses. The excitement ran out as the day progressed without electricity. They played among themselves and with neighbors but were totally bored by late afternoon.

The night without electricity was terribly annoying especially for parents with very young children like us. It is during those times that one gets to appreciate the modern conveniences. We have become so dependent on electricity.

The hassles we experienced were not much compared to those who lost lives and properties to Typhoon Basyang. Death toll is still rising as the typhoon (Conson is the international name) also devastated mainland Asia.

Having lived away from Laguna for more than six years, we have forgotten about the terrible things that can happen during the typhoon months here in Luzon. Typhoon Basyang reminded us how blessed people in Davao are to be free from the risks to life and property that typhoons bring.

It was the thought that the kids are safe and the soothing sound of the wind chimes in front of the house that probably helped calm us down all that time.  As I write this post, the sun is out, the leaves are swaying and the wind chimes are playing. Life is wonderful no matter what and I am thankful for that.

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An Extended Vacation

It sure feels like it! What if you’re still in a place you only intended to visit and spend time during summer but ended up staying longer? What if you’re housed next to a hotspring resort, near the lake and with a view to the sunset across Laguna de Bay?

Well, it’s happening to us…we’re on an extended vacation, sort-of. We’ve decided to stay longer in the town where we originally started our family. Staying longer means renting a place for the family, and we got a good one near our relatives, which is a main requirement for us.

It was not that difficult a decision to move to a new place, especially when the kids were most excited when they were asked about it and are actually happiest when their Tita Tin, Tito Jay and Tito Cris are around. Of course we had to do the most difficult part, i.e. facilitating the transfer, including the transfer to a new Montessori school.

Well, school has started and so far so good.

While the hassles of getting used to a new place and some degree of longing for the comfort of a home we’ve gotten used to for years also get to us at times, we relish on the thought of new possibilities on the horizon, which is enough to get us through.

When one feels like having an extended vacation, the excitement never runs out. But things should settle down somehow and we’re getting there. And the signs tell us that a new season has begun, but then again the adventure continues…

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Top Five Signs that the Rainy Season is Here in Los Banos, Laguna

Yes, after the much anticipated and celebrated first rain in Los Banos, Laguna, many signs indicate that the summer season has indeed ended and the rainy season is at hand. Here are our top five signs that the rains are here to stay:

1. More overcast and less sunny period. Since the first one about a week ago and without missing a day, rain has become a daily event in the town of Los Banos. We even had a swimming party that was rained over.

2. Troublesome laundry. There are changes in the laundry process, namely: appearance of urine-soaked sheets and extended air-drying of clothes under a canopy, among others. The latter is obviously a consequence of the shortened exposure of the laundered clothes to the sun because of increasing overcast and rain period, while the former has to do with colder nights that may result in “accidental rain” under the sheets. This is particularly true for families with preschoolers or toddlers that are in the early stage of weaning from diapers. Our own toddler who’s turning three in a few months has almost perfected last month without diaper and without “accidents”. However, he has wet the bed in most recent nights except in one when a diaper was successfully put on while he’s fast asleep. You see, he refuses to wear one ever since we encouraged and praised him for not needing it.

3. Mating flights of soil insects. As moisture become sufficient to soften the dry earth, which is a better condition for the establishment of new nests, soon-to-be queen and king termites or ants leave their old colony and perform their nuptial flights. Aerial displays of these insects and their attraction towards light at night have started to become irritants as they enter houses. Eateries even closed early on the initial big swarm of tiny winged ants on the first day of June here in Los Banos as they go to exposed lights and accidentally fall into food and even get into people’s eyes!  

Note: in the photo to the right are bodies of two species of ants on our lawn chair found in the morning after.  At the bottom are fecal material of lizards that feasted on the winged ants that swarmed around an outdoor light that night.

4. Mud on shoes and slippers. This is a big deal for people who like their shoes squeaky clean. It’s also a big deal for our toddler who likes to run around but hates sand or wet soil on his slippers. He wants the mud off immediately through washing that makes the situation worse as soil easily clings to wet slippers and feet that again irritates him even more.

5. Greener grounds. Dormant seeds and vegetative parts get enough moisture to emerge and thus making what used to be dry, bare soil green. Greener, happier plants contribute to a greener, happier environment- a much appreciated ambiance to replace the hot sunny days of summer that is now but a memory and at the same time a dream to look forward to next year.

It’s goodbye summer…a new season has begun!

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The First Rain

Los Banos, Laguna, May 28, 2:45 PM - It finally came…the first rain to hopefully signal the end of summer heat and let’s not forget, El Nino here in Laguna. The anticipation of rain has been a daily conversation topic with a new neighbor ever since we moved in to an apartment early this week.

Many were afternoons when all we get from the heavy dark clouds, supposedly signs of impending rain, were disappointment and worse, more intense discomfort brought about by the high humidity that goes with such clouds. Those were the times when one is thankful for air-conditioning units for instant relief, never mind the electric bill at month’s end. Such relief is critical for babies, oldies and persons with hypertension and similar conditions that gets aggravated with heat and humidity.

Despite the hassle that it brought us as we were moving stuffs we bought from a local store when the rain poured, we welcomed it with a smile and sighs of relief. So happy was I that I invited our kids to shower in the rain, an activity that happens rarely, if at all. The kids next door, however, were not so lucky to get the consent they sought from their parents and had to be content with watching us and the rain through their windows.

The rain lasted for a few minutes only, but a good portion was a downpour, enough to truly wet the Los Banos downtown area…enough to make the plants happy…enough to bless many families with a good night sleep even without air-conditioning…and enough for everyone to hope for a longer relief from the heat of summer and El Nino. Would we be so lucky again today?

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UPLB Museum of Natural History and IRRI Rice World

It’s been 21 days after the unwanted incident and here we are grounded in Laguna.  Our vacation plans may have been warped, but bitterly dwelling on it won’t help.   We rather make the best out of our present situation and continuously enjoy our days.

Though it surely tears my heart when our older kids utter “Mom, I miss VEG” (that’s how we call our car), and bug me with the question “When can he be fixed?” I have to remain jovial and divert their attention to exciting but realistic plans that my husband and I are able to come up with.

We were able to enjoy a swimming resort in San Pablo City with my brother-in-law hauling people twice from their residence to the resort and back because obviously two families cannot fit in his car to enable just one trip.  Thanks to his patience.  Details and photos pertaining to this activity will be posted in a separate blog.

The recent activity we had was a trip to the Museum of Natural History at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) followed by a visit to the Rice World at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).  Both places can be reached by taking jeepney rides.

Pointing your forefinger up signals the jeepney driver that you want to go up the mountain...I mean to Forestry (UPLB upper campus where the museum is situated).

The jeepney rides we had was a bit inconvenient having four children to carry plus the bag of feeding bottles and extra clothes (thanks to my brother and sister who were available to accompany us), but generally good especially when the jeepney runs continuously having the wind blow at our faces. Zeki often exclaims “Wow the jeepney is air-conditioned!”

We reached the Museum a little past 11 in the morning.  We were greeted by the Director, Dr. Ireneo Lit Jr. who is a fellow Entomologist, a true friend, a brother to me and my husband and Lolo Jun Este Tito Jun to our kids.  Mr. Orly Eusebio guided us to the different sections as we chat about personal to museum matters.  My boys got amazed by the live stick insect specimens available at the entrance while my daughter was startled at the creepiness of the corridor of the bat exhibit.  I brought my children, my siblings and our college scholar, who are all first timers to the Museum. I am not sure if they were able to retain information about our natural history in their memory bank but I am certain that the experience was memorable for everybody. In my case, it was my brief talk with Kuya Jun, Orly and other Museum staff that made the experience more pleasurable.  I promised to come back with my husband who was in a meeting at that time, for a longer talk.

We intended to have a picnic lunch at the Botanical Garden across the Museum after the tour.  Unfortunately, it was closed so we ended eating at the Museum garden where the staffs spend their break time.  The Museum is housed in the Upper UPLB campus, which is part of the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve.  Being surrounded by tall trees of the mountain, my children felt so free that they talked loudly as they explore the big roots and trunks posing for photo shots.  There were bigger trunks and taller trees in the area but who cares, at that point they just love being close to nature.  For me, it was indeed a feeling of being home again.

After lunch, we took a jeepney to go down to the lower campus to get another jeepney going to IRRI.  This time, we had to point our forefinger to the left to signal jeepney drivers that we want to go to IRRI situated at the western side of the campus. From IRRI gate, we walked about 50 meters to reach Chandler Hall for the Rice World  exhibit, apparently passenger use vehicles are no longer allowed to enter IRRI premises. Incidentally, this is the week that IRRI celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

Rice World is an exhibit of rice-related materials, art works, machineries and cultures around the world.  Historical information, basic rice knowledge, rice research, population growth data and other rice-related issues are also on display.  Wide computer screens and touch screens are available to facilitate learning.  Everybody was amazed to see the estimated world population that keeps on changing as new babies is born per second.

As expected, my boys spent so much time exploring the machineries while my older daughter rehearsed her tribal dance steps and pictorial poses. We even had fun taking pictures of ourselves facing a one-way mirror, maybe people on the other side were laughing at us.

This tour culminated at the Carabao Park for our college scholar’s chance to pose by the UPLB’s Flame of Excellence.

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