Archive for June 2015

The first time I went to Liliw, Laguna was during our Visita Iglesia to go to St. John the Baptist Church. It is a small town near the foot of Mt. Banahaw. This small town is also known as the "Tsinelas Capital of the Philippines" just like Marikina as the shoe capital of the Philippines. Aside from food, Liliw is also home to some delicious foods like Bibingka and Sumang Liliw. Speaking of food, we found a restaurant that is quite popular here in Liliw.

Restaurant facade

Bake house and coffee shop sign

Arabella is from the names of the daughters (Ara and Bela) of the owner. It started from a bake shop and then became a restaurant. Their specialty here is Italian dishes like pasta and pizza.

When we went here after our Visita Iglesia, the restaurant is already closed. They are only until 7 pm and their last order is just until 6:45 pm. But I had the chance to try the restaurant when we went to Quezon for our long weekend trip in Cagbalete and Padre Burgos beaches.

The Menu

The Restaurant

The restaurant is easy to find. It is in the corner of the street next to the street where shoe stores are. The restaurant is a little small and has a low ceiling, but it has a nice ambiance. They also have tables outside.

Pretending we didn't know about the camera

Their ceiling is I think 6 feet high

The price is not that expensive. Comparing it to prices in restaurants in Manila (not fast food) it's much cheaper. Here are some pages from their menu.

Specialty Pasta

Pizza

For the food, we ordered their specialties, of course, pasta, and pizza. Their best sellers for pasta are 'Spaghettini with anchovies, black olives, and tomato' and 'Pescatora (seafood in tomato sauce)' while for pizzas is 'Kesong Puti' and 'De Luxe'. We had some mojos the Spaghettini with anchovies and De Luxe pizza. Their large pizza is 8 inches in size, and XL is 10 inches.

Spaghettini with anchovies, black olives, and tomato - PhP 230.00

Pescatora - PhP 210.00

XL De Luxe pizza - PhP 340.00

Mojos, dip is good - PhP 80.00

The food was great, especially the pizza. I can say It's worth the price. For the drinks, we had the usual watermelon and lemon shake. What I also really like was their dessert. We had the tiramisu cake, fudgy walnut, and blueberry cheesecake.


Watermelon shake		Lemon shake

Tiramisu cake

Fudgy Walnut, this is really good. It's moist inside

Blueberry cheesecake, very nice plating and just so good

The dessert was so good. I'm already full with our meal, but I just had to taste all of them. If that doesn't make you crave for desserts, then here's more.

More cakes!

And more brownies!

Overall, the food was great and worth the price. So whenever you're in Liliw and looking for a place to eat, be sure to try this place out. Thanks for reading!

Arabella Camellos Bakehaus and Coffee Shop
(049) 563-2495
503 Rizal St. Liliw, Laguna
Store Hours: 11:15 am - 7:00 pm

Cheers from Liliw!

Aside from Cagbalete Island, there are more beaches you can visit in the province of Quezon. Not far from Lucena City the capital of Quezon, is the town of Pagbilao and Padre Burgos where the beautiful island of Borawan and Dampalitan, and Kuwebang Lampas/Puting Buhangin beach is located. Borawan and Dampalitan Islands are in Padre Burgos, while Kuwebang Lampas is in Pagbilao. But you can access the three in Padre Burgos by boat.

Borawan Island

How to Get There

By public transportation, and coming from Manila, ride a bus bound for Lucena City in Quezon. Jac Liner, Jam Transit, Lucena Liner, and Ceres Transport are several bus lines that have the Lucena route. Terminals are in Buendia, Kamias and Cubao. Bus Fare is around PhP 210.00 and approximately 3-4 hours travel time.

The bus will stop at Lucena Grand Terminal. From there, ride a minibus bound to Padre Burgos and ask to be dropped off in Brgy. Marao. The fare is PhP 35.00 and around an hour or more travel time. When in Brgy. Marao, go to May Ann's store for Mang Rudy and Aling Tess .

A small boat fetched us to transfer in a bigger boat

You need to rent a boat so I suggest to contact a boatman before getting there. I read in another blog about Mang Rudy and Aling Tess (+63 921-454-3137) for an island hopping tour so we contacted them. They were very kind and will provide and remind you everything you need for the tour. Our boatmen were also a great tour guide, we wanted to give them a tip for good service, but they refuse it. I highly recommend these guys for your ride.

There is also an available secured parking lot in their place if you opt to bring a vehicle. Parking fee is PhP 50.00 for a day tour, but I'm not sure how much for overnight. It might be PhP 100.00.
Here are the prices on the boat rides or island hopping tour:

Borawan: PhP 800.00
Borawan + Dampalitan: PhP 1200.00
Borawan + Dampalitan + Kuwebang Lampas: PhP 1800.00

The view on the way to Kuwebang Lampas, the locals call it "Mag-asawang Bato"

This island is full of snakes they say

If you arrived at Padre Burgos late and needed to stay in a lodge or inn for the night, you could stay in Villa Anita also in Padre Burgos. It is just 10 - 15 minutes away from May Ann's store. The place is very nice and clean. We stayed here for the night since we arrived in Padre Burgos around 8 pm, since we came from Cagbalete. Their normal price for an air-conditioned room for 4 is PhP 1400.00, but they gave it to us for PhP 900.00 since we are leaving 5:30 am in the morning to start our Island Hopping at 6 am. Here's their contact number: +63 916-936-0260.

Villa Anita, nice and clean rooms

First stop: Kuwebang Lampas aka Puting Buhangin

The farthest beach from the port where you left since it is in Pagbilao. Around 45 minutes to 1-hour boat ride, you'll reach this place. You'll be passing Borawan and Dampalitan and some small islands on the way here. This beach is the most swimmable one. It has a fine creamy white sand and clear blue waters. On the right side of the beach is a small cave where its name probably came.

Approaching Kuwebang Lampas

Puting Buhangin, literally white sand.

Cave on the right side of the beach

Entrance of the cave

Don't dare jumping

Another view of the cave entrance

The water inside the cave is just knee deep

Fishes you can see inside the cave.

The other side of the cave, this area is a little deep

Entrance fee at the beach is PhP 80.00 for day tour and PhP 160.00 for overnight with discounts for students and senior citizens. For overnight campers, there are tents that can be rented for PhP 500.00, good for 3 and if you have your own tent, there is a PhP 200.00 pitching fee. There are restrooms available, but it's not very well maintained. There are no stores around the area.

Cottages are also available

Ow yes!

Second stop: Dampalitan Island

The least crowded beach among the three is this one. Probably because it's still early and the sandbar doesn't show up till afternoon where it is low tide. Also, this is the best spot where you can watch the sunset. The water here though is not as good as Kuwebang Lampas and there are some jellyfish in the area. We didn't stay long on the island since we were just on a half day tour so I just took some photos around.

Approaching Dampalitan Island

A few people swimming

Entrance fee at the island is PhP 80.00 also for day tour and PhP 160.00 for overnight with discounts for students and senior citizens. I'm not sure though about the tent rent cost and pitching fee. There are restrooms also available.

Side where the sandbar comes out when it's low-tide

Last stop: Borawan

Probably the most popular of the three. This is also the closest to Padre Burgos, It's just a 15-minute boat ride. Borawan got its name from Boracay and Palawan for its Boracay like sand and Palawan like rock formations. That's the reason why it suddenly became popular among tourists. The beach is really beautiful, but the water sometimes becomes so murky, you can't even see anything underwater. There are also jellyfishes so they put up a netted area where it's safe to swim. You can also rent a kayak or pedal boat for some extra activities. There is also a "sari-sari" store in the area.

Approaching Borawan

Almost there

Nets are placed to keep jellyfishes away

Dinosaur-shaped rock formation

More rock formations near the shore

Cottages are also available

Side activities

Bonfire is prohibited

Borawan has the most expensive entrance fee of the three. Day tour is PhP 150.00 and an overnight stay is PhP 220.00 with discounts also for students and senior citizens. Though they have that entrance fee, the beach is overcrowded with tents.

Please don't do this

Some parts of the beach also stink. Yes, literally stinks. I don't know if it is the restroom's fault or some people just go peeing in the rocks. Beer bottles are just scattered around the sand and some rocks have a plastic garbage tucked into it. It really angers me when some stupid, idiot tourist does this. Anyways, like our boatman says, don't believe everything you saw on the internet. Borawan is a lovely place, but it may also disappoint you when you expect it to be just like Boracay and Palawan. I leave you more photos of Borawan.

Quick tips

For boat rides, you may contact Rudy/Tess at +63 921-454-3137
If you opt to stay in town for the night, you can stay in Villa Anita, you may contact them at +63 916-936-0260
Bring foods that you can cook in the island. Mang Rudy can provide the kitchen utensil you need.
You can camp in any of the three, just bring your own tent since it will cost you PhP 500.00 that is only good for 3 pax, while pitching fee is only PhP 200.00
Better bring a flashlight and power banks
All of the islands have a shower room and restroom

Estimated Overnight Expenses

Roundtrip Bus Fare Manila - Lucena: PhP 210.00 * 2 = PhP 420.00
Roundtrip Bus Fare Lucena - Padre Burgos: PhP 35.00 * 2 = PhP 75.00
Food: (estimated contribution of 4 pax for lunch, dinner and breakfast) PhP 500.00
Island Hopping Tour: PhP 1800.00 / 4 = PhP 450.00
Entrance Fees: PhP 80.00 (Kuwebang Lampas) + PhP 150.00 (Borawan) + PhP 160.00 (Dampalitan) = PhP 390.00
Tent Fee: PhP 200.00 / 4 = PhP 50.00
Total: PhP 1885.00

For less than PhP 2000.00, you can enjoy a great overnight stay in Quezon's beautiful beaches. It's a bonus that it's only 4 hours away from Manila. So pack your things this weekend and head to Quezon! Travel, enjoy and remember, leave nothing behind and take only selfies!