Our 2-hour drive from Manila to free ourselves from the hustle and bustle of the city was all worth it as Villa Escudero’s amenities and activities exceeded my expectations. It is not just an ordinary resort; it is a huge plantation that’s full of wonders, showcasing an authentic Filipino heritage. When we booked this place, I was only aware of their unique waterfalls restaurant which was featured in one of the local travel shows. But when we reached there, I learned that there was also a free carabao cart and bamboo raft ride, museum tour, and a wide pool with bubbling jacuzzi.
Their native villas are Filipino-inspired. We stayed at the riverside made of bamboo, riverside as it was beside a river. This place is so packed of hospitality and I was so surprised when some male crews started singing Tagalog country songs while playing the guitar at the balcony of our room. Reliving the Filipino tradition called “harana” that’s slowly dying with time, was their way of welcoming their guests, and I really appreciated it. Another surprise was that our room is already inclusive of dinner, breakfast, and lunch. That was an awesome deal!
I regret that we had to stay for just 2 days and 1 night, so I made sure that we maximize our very limited time. We started off with the pink museum with a façade that resembles a church. Upon entering the hall, I was totally filled with awe! The gigantic sacred icons caught my eyes wide-open and it gave me the impression of the incredible wealth inside this edifice. Unfortunately, picture-taking is not allowed inside, so the exhibits that we saw such as war memorabilia, native Filipino artifacts from all over the country, and other antique collections gathered from both the travels of Don Arsenio and Doña Rosario Escudero and some donations, were for our eyes only.
It felt like I found everything inside this seemingly secluded spot. I enjoyed our early morning bamboo rafting by the river and the short carabao cart ride. We ended our day swimming in their huge pool and calming jaccuzi. Before we finally left the resort, we had lunch at the famous waterfalls restaurant where the crews were all wearing traditional Filipino costumes as they served native Filipino dishes. The cool water flowing from their man-made waterfalls was totally relaxing.
That was such a superb experience that you wouldn’t want to miss in your lifetime!
So here’s how you get there from Manila:
If you’re going there by bus, you may ride the Jac Liner at Buendia bus terminal. You have to get down the boundary of Tiaong, Quezon and there are motorcycles that can send you to the location. Otherwise, taking the Pan-Philippine Highway would be the fastest route to reach the plantation if you want to use a private car or if you want to rent one.
Go pack your bags now and see for yourself the enchanting beauty of Villa Escudero! You may also book online thru their official website here.
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