Tahanan ni Aling Meding and Outdoor Lunch at Lake Pandin

April 6, 2010 by

 

 

We were out of the country only a week ago and I didn’t expect that we’d have plans for the Holy Week.  I was really thinking of staying in but was pleasantly surprised that Bubba had something up his sleeve for me.

 

Although it’s been on my Things to Do/Visit list for quite some time, it was Bubba who managed to pull off the Ugu Bigyan-Tahanan ni Aling Meding-Lake Pandin trip.  It was probably the best local trip he ever planned!

 

 

Casa San Pablo was Bubba’s first choice to reminisce our first trip together to San Pablo Laguna in early 2008.  However, I opened the idea of trying a new place –my choice in mind, Tahanan ni Aling Meding.

 

Wake up to the soothing view of Sampaloc Lake from the balcony of your room and relish the feeling of living at a mansion.  This house was built initially to be the rest/vacation house of the Borja family, whose whole family (11 siblings) is already based in the States.  The hotel serves as their own mansion for relaxation and family reunions and other events when they fly to the Philippines.

 

Tahanan ni Aling Meding opens up their big gates for folks who are visiting San Pablo City, it’s your secret hide-away residence in Laguna.

 

Type of Rooms:

 

1 Family Room PHP 5,500

(5 beds for 6 persons)

 

1 Honeymoon Room PHP 3,500

(1 queen-size bed)

 

This is the room Bubba got.

 

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Closet

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There’s computer desk for your laptops.

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2 Superior Rooms PHP 3,500

(2 beds)

 

4 Executive Rooms PHP 3,000

(2 beds)

 

2 De Luxe Rooms PHP 2,500

(2 beds)

 

 

Amenities:

 

*Wi-fi Zone

*Aircon

*Cable TV

*Swimming Pool (7am-10pm only)

*Hot and Cold shower

*Refrigerator

*Telephone

 

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At breakfast the next day, we noticed a table of foreign guests and a lot of families staying in Tahanan ni Aling Meding.  Two families enjoyed swimming at Tahanan’s pool.  We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Wilson Borja and sharing a breakfast conversation with him –reminiscing how the whole Mansion started.

 

 

Tahanan ni Aling Meding

Dagatan Blvd., Sampaloc Lake,

San Pablo City, Laguna

Manila Line: (632) 520 6089

Laguna Line: (049) 562 5951/ (049) 562 5855

Email: admin@tahanan.info

 

 

How to Get There:

(From Tahanan ni Aling Meding Brochure)

 

 

Coming from Manila, after San Pablo border, stay on the Maharlika Highway.  You will see a Caltex station to the left, immediately before a fork in the highway.  The right side of the fork leads straight to Lucena, the left leads to San Pablo City Proper.  Take the left road.  At the junction to Calauan, take the main avenue to your right.  This is Rizal Ave.  Turn left at the corner of San Pablo Central School.  Follow the road beyond the City Hall.  As soon as you see the lake, turn left on the perimeter road (actually more of a sharp U-turn).  Tahanan will be to your left.

  

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Reminiscent: Jay’s Kinabuhayan.  Elusive: Kusina Salud.  Revisit: Palmera’s.

 

During this trip, we fought the urge to drop by at Jay’s Kinabuhayan Café to just say hello.  We remembered our fantastic time at Jay’s eating that delicious spiced chicken and greens/flower salad of his.  After that lunch in 2008, we also had some bonding time with Jay and his trustee aide and friend and some of his pet animals over some smooth lambanog –yes we were drinking at 3 in the afternoon!  After which, we had a short trip at Kubli Springs and took an energizing dip while playing some guitar music.  Good times, yeah.

 

We missed to try Kusina Salud last time we were in town.  Bubba has been trying to contact Kusina Salud since Tuesday that week to no avail.  Nobody seems to answer the phone or maybe we have the wrong or an old number.    It was included in the plans to have dinner there that evening.  Unfortunately, since we weren’t able to place our reservations, we hesitated to walk-in. 

 

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Palmera’s restaurant was again recommended to us.  When it was being described, I felt that I knew the place.  And I was right.  We dined there in 2008.  We were supposed to go to Jay’s Kinabuhayan Café for dinner that day but ended up going to Palmera’s instead because of fear of getting lost and rebel attack (?).

 

Bubba couldn’t remember that we ate there until we walked inside the place.  Palmeras’ has its own appeal as a grill-resto-bar that offers live music on certain nights.  Bubba ordered Crispy Tilapia slightly recalling that he liked it the first time we were there.  My order was grilled liempo and hot calamansi juice.

 

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Before Shot

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He massacred the tilapia

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A sweet smug smile.

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Whatta really large snake!!!

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He in fact did like it and finished the three tilapias.  We drove back to Tahanan ni Aling Meding to retire for the night.  Bubba’s plan didn’t end there.  The next day after checking out, we headed straight to this “secret” place Bubba has been keeping under wraps.

 

I was very much in the know about the Ugu Bigyan and Tahanan ni Aling Meding plans but he cooked up something special for me –a simple outdoor lunch at Lake Pandin.

 

Lake Pandin

 

Lake Pandin is one of the seven lakes, called Pitong Lawa, in San Pablo, Laguna.  We reached the gateway point and parked our car.  Aling Siona, the wife of Mang Tano, who Bubba corresponded with regarding our reservation that day, welcomed us and guided us in the trail. 

 

 

It was a 10-15 minute trail walk to Lake Pandin.  Bubba asked me if the trek feels like the Kabigan Falls trek we did in Ilocos Norte.  I said it was a bit the same but there were more scenery in the previous trek I think.  He knows I have my qualms on trekking but I like it better than hiking.  I’ve never hiked in my entire life.

 

 

Mang Tano and wife are part of the group (“samahan” in Filipino) who escorts the visitors –they are the same group that live nearby the lake and make a living out of fishing and the Pandin Lake tours.  Nowadays, it’s all ladies who paddle the raft because the “men” felt a bit awkward in the past when foreign guests wear only their skimpiest.

 

 

The idea is they serve your lunch on the bamboo raft and the lady paddlers will take you across the lake at a quiet corner with shade.  Enjoy nature’s breeze in Pandin Lake while eating your lunch made by the locals. 

 

 

I was taken by the calming beauty of Pandin Lake.  The sun was out but we didn’t feel the heat –just the cool wind whispering softly in our ears.  We had the view of the lush greens at every corner. 

 

 

Lunch was simple but tastes good.  We loved the little shrimps in coconut milk (gata).  And despite having tilapia the night before, Bubba was able to finish the 3 tilapias on the table again -this time grilled instead of deep fried. 🙂

 

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After lunch, Bubba and I relished the calmness of the scenery and stillness of time.  We look out at the “docking port” where we came from and felt so on our own.  Our minds were very relaxed… while my body was such in a tranquil moment. 

 

 

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Our Fun Rapid Shots (Neoprint style photo sesh haha)

*WARNING*

Might be too cheesy for those with strong gag reflexes.

 

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Our “Pose Ode” to Madz *salute*

 

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More Photos:

In his own time.

Bubba with the pink paddle.

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Thought-bubble: “This is just so nice.”

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Yea, I have a tummy. 

I tried to exercise but with my eating habits…

there will always be a happy bump there in the mid-section.

Sexy ain’t in my dictionary.

Never mind, I’m happy.

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The lady paddlers resting as we were resting.

A coconut suddenly fell, almost on the head of Marlyn.  We all laughed.

Out of relief.

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Bubba and Boozie-la

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At peace with nature.

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Back to the roots.

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“Initiation?”

“Baptism of Fire?”

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Oh no!

I wasn’t trained for this. 😀

 

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After a couple of hours in this peaceful setting, we decided to head back.  If only I didn’t promise “Moms” that I’d be in Manila for dinner-out, we’d be staying until past 5PM.  Bubba helped in paddling back to shore. 

 

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The Baranggay Tanod who makes us feel safe.

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It was a short 20-minute paddle, where we bonded with our raft paddlers, Marlyn, Malou and Nik. 

 

Ate Marlyn, Ate Malou and Nik

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The Other Lady Paddlers

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The Baranggay Tanod who protectively watched us from afar and helped us trek back to the parking lot.

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You can opt to take the ride at PHP 180 and with lunch, an additional PHP 180.  We enjoyed the afternoon so much that Bubba gave PHP 500 as extra.  If you plan to visit and you enjoy it tremendously, please feel free to leave an extra for the community locals.  They earn here through integrity and hard work that it’s so easy to give from the heart.

 

 

The Afternoon at Lake Pandin

 

It’s one of those afternoons I will long remember.  Tranquil.  Serene.  Rural.  This was the part where we most felt recluse from the world.

 

 

Bubba and I shared varying moments here.  There were moments we talked.  Moments we took photos.  Moments we look out to the world… …even moments where we each had our own thoughts, devoid of the other’s presence. 

 

Being enclosed in the rural surroundings is a humble reminder that life started out simple.  And in simplicity, we are in touch more with our inner selves.

 

 

 

Lake Pandin

Baranggay Santo Angel

San Pablo, Laguna

 

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A Potter’s Paradise at Ugu Bigyan

April 5, 2010 by

 

 

Our recent Bali trip introduced us to an area there called Ubud, an artist village that is a foodie haven as well.  This Holy Week, I didn’t have to travel that far to get both hunger for artistry and gastronomic finds filled.  At the heart of Tiaong, Quezon, Ugu Bigyan sends me to another memorable journey.

 

It’s Maundy Thursday.  We set out for San Pablo, Laguna at 8AM.  It’s been a while since we traveled South on a holiday.  I’m not really big on traveling southbound since they started that road construction that’s been ongoing for years.  It’s good to know that all lanes are now passable in SLEX.  Nevertheless, we didn’t escape the heavy holiday traffic. 

 

 

I was quite excited to finally visit Ugu Bigyan.  I remember in 2007, I called and inquired about getting a reservation for four because I was planning a weekend trip with Chai and her Mr. Big then.  That didn’t push through but never did Ugu Bigyan leave my mind as one of the places I want to go to.  I read somewhere about their delicious Filipino dishes –like Kulawo, Lato Salad, Sinigang na Baboy, Adobong Chicken and Pork, Grilled Tilapia and mussels with vegetables.  I’d imagine that Sinagang na Baboy to be really sour, a bit creamy/milky (from the gabi or taro) and oily from the pork fats –just how I would make it if I knew how to cook it myself.

 

 

It took us 4 hours and 30 minutes to get to Tiaong, Quezon.  The plan was to drop by Tahanan ni Aling Meding first and check in, but decided to go straight to Ugu Bigyan.  It is 12:30pm after all, time for lunch.  That long drive is not the best way to start anybody’s morning.  It made us feel so tired and prickly.

 

The car entered the red clay house one won’t fail to spot on the left side of the street.  As soon as the car got parked, limbs stretched out to the open sky.  Walking inside, our fatigue seems to have abandoned us and stayed with the car. 

 

Augusto “Ugo” Bigyan, is a celebrated pottery artist who opens the door of his house-cum-workshop to the rest of us looking for a relaxed getaway with a bit of ceramic artistry. 

 

My Photo with Ugu

 

Stepping into the world of Ugu is like stepping into an old world.  Earthy.  Unpretentious.  Al-fresco.  Makes you feel that Metro Manila is hundred hours away… and your mind also leaves behind whatever occupies it in bustling Manila.

 

We meet Ugu’s sister(?), Haidee and her son Kim at Ugu’s clay-crafts gallery.  There was another group ahead of us, scouring the area where Ugu’s hands have shaped some fine pottery arts and crafts.  The shop displays his original dinnerware sets, furniture and house décor.

 

 

We look around and bathe ourselves in fresh air.  The unpolluted air revives our tired spirits making us feel like we only woke up a few minutes ago, ready for the rest of the day.

 

Ugu’s pottery garden composes of different dining areas, each bedecked with its own artistic slash native charm.

 

 

While waiting for the food to be served, Bubba and I relaxed on our seats.  We see more people coming in.  A familiar face entered my view and I waved hello.  It was Anton of Our Awesome Planet and he shared some of his discoveries in Quezon, particularly Cagbalete Island (which I’ve been meaning to visit as well after reading it on Jen’s site).  Anton has a big project coming up (amidst a lot of his other ongoing projects) but this is a first of OAP and it’s pretty exciting! 😉  You gotta watch out for that!

 

 

I also saw Liza, formerly from the Star group with some of her friends.  They are staying at Casa San Pablo, Bubba’s first picked when he planned this trip but I suggested trying a new place so we opted to go for Tahanan ni Aling Meding near Sampaloc Lake.

 

 

The wait staff, all in white shirt and board shorts (very summery), arrived and placed the starters on the table.  One apologized that the dishes will come in one at a time because it’s being cooked personally by Ugu fresh in the kitchen.  We didn’t mind at all since time seems to be irrelevant when you are in an exceptionally comfortable and relaxed setting.

 

 

On the Table

 

Halaan Soup

The warm broth with big clams (Pacific clams?) was very soothing, and ideal calmer for my sore throat.

 

 

Ensaladang Pako (Fern Salad)

The fern salad tasted fresh with a faint hint of citrus –the bits of green apple slices add a natural and easy sweetness to the dish.

 

 

Both starters were good openers.  Quite simple in taste, cleansing the palate for a story of flavors to come.

 

 

Tortang Tahong

“Torta” is the Philippine version of omelette.  This particular torta was made with mussels and onions.  It’s not an immediate leap from the taste of the earlier starters but a first for me to try.

 

 

Kulawo (Puso ng Saging or Banana Palm Heart)

One taste of Kulawo and Bubba and I were both impressed.  The smoky flavor emerges on top of the flaky dish.  The grilled (tad bit tangy) taste is very delish and we couldn’t quite get enough of it.

 

 

Calamares

Big squid rings very lightly battered with sweet and sour sauce on the side

 

 

Sauteed Shrimps

 

 

Lapu Lapu with Mango Relish

Clean and light fish meat accompanied by sweet and slightly tangy mango relish

 

 

Barbecued Spareribs

Interestingly, each dish builds a different layer of flavor and ultimately, the smoky barbecue ribs reconnect the taste of the Kulawo, linking the overall taste.  There’s a thick sheet of fat accompanying the chunk of meat and it melts in the mouth almost surreptitiously.  The barbecue sauce coating is lip smacking that you’d want to scrape off the charred BBQ sauce and nick the bones with your teeth.  Or maybe that’s just me *shrugs*

 

 

Cold Coconut Juice

Refreshing with shards of coconut meat

 

 

 

Ginumis

 

 

With a smorgasbord of food in front of us, Bubba asked me what my favorite was.

 

 

Bubba was surprised that I rated the ribs my #1 because he would suppose that Naughty Nuri’s has raised the bar high in terms of ribs experience.  It’s hard not to really like Ugu’s version of smoked spareribs, with its rich, barbecue flavor… and the sinful fat! 

 

I told him, “You already know by now, me and fat… are this close (crossing my index and middle finger).”

 

Bubba’s favorite was surprisingly the sautéed garlic shrimp, which he would not normally touch in an ordinary day.

 

 

We both agree on our second favorite –the smoky and quite tasty banana palm heart.   

 

Service was great –efficient and very affable.  Ugu is a multi-faceted artist that can whip up the most delicate pottery inside his workshop and the most delectable dishes from his kitchen.

 

There’s so much to remember on this wonderful lunch at Ugu’s 🙂

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Escape into this beautiful countryside home that showcases pottery artwork and clayware that contains scrumptious food… Leave with a satisfied tummy and relaxed mind.  It reminded me of Bali, but it is definitely a class of its own. 

 

Ugu Bigyan

Brgy. Lusacan, Tiaong, Quezon

(042) 545 9144

 

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How to get there:

(Directions from http://www.waypoints.ph/detail_gen.php?wpt=ugu)

To Tiaong Quezon:

From Manila, take the South Luzon Tollway all the way to the south end.  At the end of the tollway, after the toll plaza, take the exit that points to Lucena and simply drive along this national road until you reach the Sto. Tomas junction.  Sto. Tomas has two junctions, and one of which (the second) does not have any road sign when we passed by.  Anyway, on both juctions, take the road to the left (southeastward) toward Lucena.  This will take you through Alaminos then San Pablo Laguna.  At San Pablo junction, just follow the highway, veering to the right and bypassing the city.  Do not enter San Pablo proper.   Next town after San Pablo would be Tiaong.

 

From Tiaong: From the Tiaong market, continue further southwest along the national road.  After about 240m, the road will turn sharply to the left.  Continue down the road southeast.  About 480m from the turn you will see the Tiaong Municipio on your right.  Continue travelling for another 2.4km from the municipio until you see the Tiaong Rural Bank on the left side.  If you prefer looking at kilometer posts, this rural bank is a few meters after KM98.  Turn left at the small street just before the rural bank.  600m into the street, after crossing a rail road halfway, you will see a sign ‘Alvarez Village’.   Turn left, and barely 90m from the corner, you will see a distinctly different house constructed from bricks on the left side. This is Ugu’s workshop-residence.

 

 

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