Showing posts with label Accommodations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Accommodations. Show all posts
La Traviesa Hotel Resort in Cavite
First off, this is not a paid blog. I just love this place so much I'm spending my afternoon to share what a jewel La Traviesa is.
Anyways, forget Microtel Inns & Suites. When in Cavite, choose La Traviesa.
The Courtyard
I first visited La Traviesa to check where our Korean students were staying during their summer camp here. And when I stepped into the courtyard it was like visiting a small Mexican villa.
From the color of the Villa's roofs, walls and the capiz windows, the relaxing gardens and walkways, I couldn't help but think to myself "How could I have missed this place???" Probably because I haven't explored General Trias that much. Moving on...
They have a couple of gardens here, which can be used for al fresco dining, camping (they rent tents), playing or maybe even holding pictorials.
One of the things I love about this place is their walkway, which I call the "Lovers' Lane." It's wide enough for a couple to walk on, whether under the warm morning sun or the cool gaze of the lovers' moon at night. The Lovers' Lane has benches where you and your beloved can lounge while waiting for your breakfast or dinner to be served and talk about your future. I think it's even a great place to make a wedding proposal! ; )
Or, if you're alone, stay here and contemplate. Then we'll call it "Contemplators' Lane." It's a free country.
Bar & Restaurant
You can eat the usual resort food here like sandwiches, pasta, and rice toppings for about PhP150 per serving. They serve drinks, too, of course. Going back to the food, I recommend their beef caldereta and pesto chicken penne. The serving amount is just right and the flavors can satisfy a picky palate.
Function Rooms
La Traviesa has 2 of these which both have ample space for celebrations or seminars. Our company used one of the function rooms here for a despedida party and it was okay. They let us use a huge flat-screen TV and a portable videoke machine, free of charge, I believe. You can bring your own drinks but there's corkage of about PhP50.00 per bottle. Best to ask the staff before you bring anything.
Guest Rooms
The guest rooms are clean, elegantly designed, and have lots of space. I forgot to mention that they smell good, too! (I say "they" because I stayed several times here already). They're secured by a keycard, which you'll get from the staff upon check-in.
They have 4 room locations: the Casa Mayor, the Villa, the Attic, and the Cabana. All but the Cabana are spacious, even the ones that are good for 8 people. The Villa rooms, for instance, can fit 4 to 5 queen-sized beds, by my guesstimate. It only has one bed, of course, but I just wanted to give you an idea how big it is. This means, you can not only sleep and watch TV, you can even do yoga, dance or walk around while practicing a speech.
I highly suggest staying in the Villa, where you can choose to get a room that's either facing the sunrise or the sunset. For some hotels, this doesn't matter, because you can't open the window, or when you walk out the door, you''ll just see walls around you.
But this place is different. When you walk out the door, you're welcomed by the airy veranda, wide enough that there are tables and chairs set in front of every room so you can have your breakfast or dinner there while watching the sunrise or sunset, depending on which side of the building you're in. You can also easily see most of the courtyard from there.
So going back inside the room, you get a queen-sized bed, a closet (with a small safe in it)a mirror, a fridge, a wide and comfy couch, two pairs of complimentary rubber slippers that you can use to go to the pool, a desk with a couple of complimentary bottled water, a thermos and two glasses, a landline, and 2 bedside tables.
Lighting options, for me, is very important, especially if I need to read documents during my stay at a hotel.
La Traviesa's Villa rooms have enough lighting options that allow you to read even when you're in bed (I've been to other hotels where you have to stand up in one corner just to be able to see what you're reading).
The wall-mounted air conditioner works perfectly well and can keep the room cool even if it's directly exposed to the afternoon summer sun.
AND, I found out just now that their air conditioners are solar powered! How cool is that?
What else? Ah! You've got a 32-inch Toshiba or Sharp wall-mounted flat-screen TV with Cignal cable connection.
(There's no wi-fi, but you can access the internet in the lobby).
The bathroom has enough space to move around in, it's clean and has modern bathroom fixtures.
The shower set has a big shower head, hand shower, and a faucet.
A tinted glass divider separates the shower room from the toilet, but water does escape to the toilet once you open the shower door, so be careful not to slip! Oh, and the toilet has a hand-held bidet, too.
The sink is neither too high nor too low, there's also a readily accessible, wall-mounted hair dryer by the bathroom mirror.
Love it!!!
Let me share more photos with you:
Mirror and fridge. I wish they'd install bigger mirrors so you'd see how you look before you go outside.
Cabinet and mini safe.
TV and cable device
Water heater and two glasses on the desk.
I love the fact that they wrapped the glasses in tissue.
I'm not a fan of the dangling switch, but I'm thankful for their effort in installing more lighting options for their guests!
These slippers might not be fluffy like the ones you get from the Shangri-La, but they're practical.
You can use them when you go out for errands, take a stroll in the courtyard, or even in the bathroom, if you're the type who doesn't like going inside the bathroom barefoot.
Ah, the couch. I love this piece of furniture.
I barely sit on it when I stay here and mostly serves as the hamper but it adds to the relaxing mood.
Pardon my poor photography skills, but you should notice a lamp on the right side.
You can sit here and mull over floating thoughts, read the newspaper or a book, or let your kid sleep here. It's as wide as a single bed, if i'm not mistaken.
So I'm saying they're Villa guest rooms are perfect! Well, almost.
I really wish they'd provide more (about 4 pillows per room) and fluffier pillows. But I'd still give the guest rooms a 9.5!
The Pools
There are two pools: a 5-foot deep infinity pool for adults and a 3-foot deep kiddie pool with fountain for the young ones--or the not-so-young beings who are not so fond of water going above their waist.
In the days and nights that I decided to take a dip in the pool, I was always pleased by how clear the water was. I could see my feet and the tiles at the bottom of the pool, and I see their staff cleaning on early mornings.
Some leaves from the nearby plants and trees can't be avoided, but that's not a hassle and is actually a treat for those who can't swim. They can play with the floating leaves instead, which aren't a lot, maybe just two or three of them.
The pools are strategically surrounded by a nice footpath that doesn't hurt the feet, gazebos, the gardens, the bar and the restroom. This means you or the kids can easily rest and refuel or run to the restroom without much hassle.
The walkway around the pool are safe, not slippery, so the guests, most specifically the parents, are relaxed while chatting away. I've observed around the pool quite a few times and I've never seen a kid get into an accident.
The Management and Staff
These guys are the bomb! I've traveled quite a bit and stayed in a few resort hotels, but the La Traviesa staff can spoil you to death. In my opinion, they're on a par with the Shangri-La's Mactan Resort staff when it comes to giving excellent customer service.
They're very patient, accommodating, and they're always smiling even when they're all tired and busy, and despite the fact that I'm not a foreigner or a tourist!
Some of the requests they selflessly bestowed upon me during the several times I've stayed here: early (7am) check-in, late evening (9:30pm) check-in , late check-out (4pm), surprise dinner arrangement, lending a DVD player for free, room clean-up in the evening).
So, to Ms. Anne Dayrit and Ms. Len, who, I believe, both define what sincere customer service really is, please accept my sincerest thanks! To you and the rest of your team who have always tried your best to grant every request since day 1 no matter how silly they were, I wish you better health, more clients and less stress! You've made my stay enjoyable and a memory to treasure.
And to you, my few yet intelligent readers, include La Traviesa in your itinerary, or just when you're feeling an impulse to escape from all the stress. It'll be your home away from home.
Will I come back to La Traviesa? Of course! I've already booked a 2-night stay with them in August.
Things you can do here:
Anyways, forget Microtel Inns & Suites. When in Cavite, choose La Traviesa.
The Courtyard
I first visited La Traviesa to check where our Korean students were staying during their summer camp here. And when I stepped into the courtyard it was like visiting a small Mexican villa.
From the color of the Villa's roofs, walls and the capiz windows, the relaxing gardens and walkways, I couldn't help but think to myself "How could I have missed this place???" Probably because I haven't explored General Trias that much. Moving on...
They have a couple of gardens here, which can be used for al fresco dining, camping (they rent tents), playing or maybe even holding pictorials.
One of the things I love about this place is their walkway, which I call the "Lovers' Lane." It's wide enough for a couple to walk on, whether under the warm morning sun or the cool gaze of the lovers' moon at night. The Lovers' Lane has benches where you and your beloved can lounge while waiting for your breakfast or dinner to be served and talk about your future. I think it's even a great place to make a wedding proposal! ; )
Or, if you're alone, stay here and contemplate. Then we'll call it "Contemplators' Lane." It's a free country.
Bar & Restaurant
You can eat the usual resort food here like sandwiches, pasta, and rice toppings for about PhP150 per serving. They serve drinks, too, of course. Going back to the food, I recommend their beef caldereta and pesto chicken penne. The serving amount is just right and the flavors can satisfy a picky palate.
Function Rooms
La Traviesa has 2 of these which both have ample space for celebrations or seminars. Our company used one of the function rooms here for a despedida party and it was okay. They let us use a huge flat-screen TV and a portable videoke machine, free of charge, I believe. You can bring your own drinks but there's corkage of about PhP50.00 per bottle. Best to ask the staff before you bring anything.
Guest Rooms
The guest rooms are clean, elegantly designed, and have lots of space. I forgot to mention that they smell good, too! (I say "they" because I stayed several times here already). They're secured by a keycard, which you'll get from the staff upon check-in.
I highly suggest staying in the Villa, where you can choose to get a room that's either facing the sunrise or the sunset. For some hotels, this doesn't matter, because you can't open the window, or when you walk out the door, you''ll just see walls around you.
But this place is different. When you walk out the door, you're welcomed by the airy veranda, wide enough that there are tables and chairs set in front of every room so you can have your breakfast or dinner there while watching the sunrise or sunset, depending on which side of the building you're in. You can also easily see most of the courtyard from there.
So going back inside the room, you get a queen-sized bed, a closet (with a small safe in it)a mirror, a fridge, a wide and comfy couch, two pairs of complimentary rubber slippers that you can use to go to the pool, a desk with a couple of complimentary bottled water, a thermos and two glasses, a landline, and 2 bedside tables.
Lighting options, for me, is very important, especially if I need to read documents during my stay at a hotel.
La Traviesa's Villa rooms have enough lighting options that allow you to read even when you're in bed (I've been to other hotels where you have to stand up in one corner just to be able to see what you're reading).
The wall-mounted air conditioner works perfectly well and can keep the room cool even if it's directly exposed to the afternoon summer sun.
AND, I found out just now that their air conditioners are solar powered! How cool is that?
What else? Ah! You've got a 32-inch Toshiba or Sharp wall-mounted flat-screen TV with Cignal cable connection.
(There's no wi-fi, but you can access the internet in the lobby).
The bathroom has enough space to move around in, it's clean and has modern bathroom fixtures.
The shower set has a big shower head, hand shower, and a faucet.
A tinted glass divider separates the shower room from the toilet, but water does escape to the toilet once you open the shower door, so be careful not to slip! Oh, and the toilet has a hand-held bidet, too.
Love it!!!
Let me share more photos with you:
Mirror and fridge. I wish they'd install bigger mirrors so you'd see how you look before you go outside.
Cabinet and mini safe.
TV and cable device
Water heater and two glasses on the desk.
I love the fact that they wrapped the glasses in tissue.
I'm not a fan of the dangling switch, but I'm thankful for their effort in installing more lighting options for their guests!
These slippers might not be fluffy like the ones you get from the Shangri-La, but they're practical.
You can use them when you go out for errands, take a stroll in the courtyard, or even in the bathroom, if you're the type who doesn't like going inside the bathroom barefoot.
I barely sit on it when I stay here and mostly serves as the hamper but it adds to the relaxing mood.
Pardon my poor photography skills, but you should notice a lamp on the right side.
You can sit here and mull over floating thoughts, read the newspaper or a book, or let your kid sleep here. It's as wide as a single bed, if i'm not mistaken.
Obviously, bathrooms are a big deal to me. Moving on...
So I'm saying they're Villa guest rooms are perfect! Well, almost.
I really wish they'd provide more (about 4 pillows per room) and fluffier pillows. But I'd still give the guest rooms a 9.5!
The Pools
There are two pools: a 5-foot deep infinity pool for adults and a 3-foot deep kiddie pool with fountain for the young ones--or the not-so-young beings who are not so fond of water going above their waist.
In the days and nights that I decided to take a dip in the pool, I was always pleased by how clear the water was. I could see my feet and the tiles at the bottom of the pool, and I see their staff cleaning on early mornings.
Some leaves from the nearby plants and trees can't be avoided, but that's not a hassle and is actually a treat for those who can't swim. They can play with the floating leaves instead, which aren't a lot, maybe just two or three of them.
The pools are strategically surrounded by a nice footpath that doesn't hurt the feet, gazebos, the gardens, the bar and the restroom. This means you or the kids can easily rest and refuel or run to the restroom without much hassle.
The walkway around the pool are safe, not slippery, so the guests, most specifically the parents, are relaxed while chatting away. I've observed around the pool quite a few times and I've never seen a kid get into an accident.
The Management and Staff
These guys are the bomb! I've traveled quite a bit and stayed in a few resort hotels, but the La Traviesa staff can spoil you to death. In my opinion, they're on a par with the Shangri-La's Mactan Resort staff when it comes to giving excellent customer service.
They're very patient, accommodating, and they're always smiling even when they're all tired and busy, and despite the fact that I'm not a foreigner or a tourist!
Some of the requests they selflessly bestowed upon me during the several times I've stayed here: early (7am) check-in, late evening (9:30pm) check-in , late check-out (4pm), surprise dinner arrangement, lending a DVD player for free, room clean-up in the evening).
So, to Ms. Anne Dayrit and Ms. Len, who, I believe, both define what sincere customer service really is, please accept my sincerest thanks! To you and the rest of your team who have always tried your best to grant every request since day 1 no matter how silly they were, I wish you better health, more clients and less stress! You've made my stay enjoyable and a memory to treasure.
And to you, my few yet intelligent readers, include La Traviesa in your itinerary, or just when you're feeling an impulse to escape from all the stress. It'll be your home away from home.
Will I come back to La Traviesa? Of course! I've already booked a 2-night stay with them in August.
Things you can do here:
- Read to your heart's content (the other wing faces a farm so you can enjoy the quiet while in the veranda. You can stay by the pool, too, or any of the gardens)
- Spend time with your other half
- Walk around and practice a speech
- Sit by the couch or the courtyard bench to write your wedding vow
- Compose a song
- Brainstorm
- Do yoga
- Dance
- Exercise
- Work out
- Camp out
- Swim, learn to swim or just take a dip in the pool
- Have a barbecue picnic
- Hold an al fresco dinner for your family, friends or co-workers
- Run around with friends or family
- Do somersaults
- Lounge on the wide, comfy couch
- Have a surprise romantic dinner
- Watch cable TV
- Take pictures. Lots of them.
- Celebrate or hold seminars
- Sing
- Stargaze
- Watch DVDs (you can borrow the player for free)
- Sleep
See? This is not your typical resort hotel because the last thing you want to do is sleep!
So there. I'll update this blog when I have more photos. Hopefully, I can capture a photo of the staff on my next visit.
Sugbutel's P99 Early Bird Promo
Just make sure you book and pay for your reservation at least 30 days before your check-in date and voila!
Want to know more? Check out these guidelines:
- P99/bed for Business Class upper beds and P149/bed for Business Class lower beds
- Promo rates don't include linen provision and other amenities
- Cannot be used with government-mandated discounts or existing Sugbutel Bed & Bath promos
- Non-transferable, non-refundable, non-convertible and cannot be rescheduled
Promo runs from February 1 to May 1, 2012.
VIsit www.sugbutel.com or contact them through:
- Landline: +63322328888
- Globe: +639176299961 and +639177251447
- reservations@sugbutel.com
DOT-Accredited Hotels In Manila
PIF gives you hotels in Metro Manila that are accredited by the Department of Tourism, based on the latter's official website.
Each of the details below have been double-checked by PIF to make sure that they're up to date!
Have fun!
Click here to download the PDF/printable version
Click here to view as webpage
Click here to view as Google Docs spreadsheet
Each of the details below have been double-checked by PIF to make sure that they're up to date!
Have fun!
Click here to download the PDF/printable version
Click here to view as webpage
Click here to view as Google Docs spreadsheet
150+ Places to Stay in Cebu City
You might just chance upon a hotel, pension house, or resort that suits your budget:
Click here to download the PDF/printable version
Click here to view as webpage
Click here to view as Google Docs spreadsheet
You may also want to check out:
280 Places to Stay in Cebu!
Places to Stay In Moalboal,Cebu
Department of Tourism-Accredited Hotels In Manila
Sugbutel’s PhP99.00 Promo!!!
Going to Cebu this year?
If you’re not picky with travel accommodation, I suggest taking advantage of the new Sugbutel’s Early Bird Promo!
Just make sure to make the reservation more than 30 days prior to your check-in date and enjoy a PhP99.00/night stay at Sugbutel!
Promo is for reservations until December 31, 2010 and applicable for Business Class lodging only.
You may pay via bank deposits for your reservations. Make the deposit to either:
- BPI
- Account Name: Carlos A. Gothong Holdings, Inc.
- Account Number: 9121-0044-34
- Branch: Cebu NRA
- BDO
- Account Name: Sugbutel Bed And Shower
- Account Number: 002928007917
- Branch: Cebu NRA
Discount rate is exclusive of linen and toiletry costs, which are as follows:
- Blanket - PhP25.00
- Towel - PhP15.00
- Fitted Sheet/Bed Sheet - PhP20.00
- Shampoo - PhP5.00
- Soap - PhP5.00
- Toothbrush/toothpaste - PhP15.00
- Laundry services - PhP27.00/kilo + PhP50.00 pick-up and delivery charge (outsourced services)
Not bad at all, in my humble opinion.
How about food? There's a canteen and some food stalls where you can get meals for as low as PhP68.00 - PhP80.00, barbeque for only PhP25.00!
Can I check-in early?
Their check-in time is 2:00PM, but based on a reply I got from Sugbutel, you can check in as early as 6:00AM! (As long as there's a bunk available, of course)
How much is their regular rate?
There's Business Class only PhP250.00 and First Class for PhP350.00.
What's the difference between the two?
Business Class doesn't include linen, while First Class does plus free wi-fi access and piped in music.
What do I get for the cheap rate?
You get these bed features, which I haven't heard of in our country for this very low cost:
- Overhead light - something to help you while going through your itinerary, reviewing your roadtrip map, calculating the costs of extending your stay, or simply reading a love letter, if you happen to have one with you.
- Small safety box under the pillow - something we all need when falling into deep slumber after a tiring trip. No more need to worry if it'll fall off the bed or end up getting caught in the pillowcase and leaving it there when you check out!
- Shoe ledge - so as not to trip the other lodgers, I think.
- 220v electric outlet - hopefully not located in the bed itself. I'm not sure how many outlets they have there, but this ideal for recharging your gadgets before your next trip!
Anything else?
Indeed! Check these out!
- Entertainment lounge with home theater system
- 24-hour back-up generator
- Parking spaces
- Baggage deposit counter
- 24-hour security
- Convenience Store
- Laundry Shop
- Internet Shop - based on their website, this is opening soon. Not sure when that would be, though.
- Pasalubong Center
- Canteen and Food Stalls
I haven't tried Sugbutel yet, but I'm already making a reservation for my October trip. And yes, I'll let you guys know what the real thing is like.
But looking at their website, I think Sugbutel is a must-have in a frugal traveler's itinerary.
It's close to the pier and SM. That's good enough for me, when it comes to island-hopping.
You may make a reservation via Sugbutel's official website, or call their hotline via (632) 232-8888 or (63) 917 - 725 - 1447.
Places to Stay in Moalboal, Cebu
Planing to do some diving at Moalboal?
Here are some Moalboal resorts you can check out! Make sure to scroll to the right to see the rest of the details!
Click here to download the PDF/printable version
Click here to view as webpage Click here to view as Google Docs spreadsheet
Note: These were either pulled out from the resorts' respective web pages or from online directories. PIF strongly suggests giving them a call to double-check their updated addresses and rates.
If you wish to have your resort or one that you know of to be added to this post, feel free to drop us a message and we'll update the directory right away. : )
280 Places to Stay in Cebu!
From the cheapest pension house rooms to the most expensive and luxurious hotels, Pinoy Itchy Feet brings you 280 places to stay in the Queen of the South!
Make sure to scroll to the right, and check out their cheapest rates either in PhP or USD!
Click here to download the PDF/printable version
Click here to view as a webpage
Click here to view as a via Google Docs spreadsheet
The rates quoted on this post are pulled out either directly from the respective company's website/page, or from an online directory.
PIF strongly suggests checking out their respective websites for updates, or giving them a call just to make sure.
Most of the time, the published rates are still negotiable, specially during off-peak seasons and if you're staying for more than a night or two.
The data above are mostly from these websites:
For comments and suggestions, email PIF at pinoihub@gmail.com
Ingat!
Lubuagan, Kalinga - Part III: Things To See and Do
You won’t find loud tourists in Lubuagan. Probably because this place is not made for tours, but rather for learning and rediscovering what humanity is about.
What you are about.
What you are about.
Things to bring: Nothing.
Just bring yourself - even with just a pair of slippers on.
There’s no need for fancy gears or gadgets. Don’t bother with expensive clothing or make-up.
You’ll do just fine with only fare money, a camera and identification cards.
Alright, and a few change of clothes.
Lubuagan would remind you that despite all the stress, life can be good.
Life can be simple.
People can still be trusted.
A thing called hospitality still exists.
Money isn’t everything.
Plain food can be fulfilling.
I suggest staying here for at least three days to not only see, but to fulfill your senses and to give life back to your soul.
Take time in walking.
Walk wherever your feet lead you. You won't get lost in Lubuagan.
You’d always find someone who’d tell you how to get back.
Join the locals for lunch.
Istorya or chat about their life in Lubuagan.
Watch the men work on the roads and fields; or while the women pound rice or coffee.
Play with the children. Join them in catching tiny froggies at the Pudpud rice terraces.
Or just watch their innocent eyes and live in that moment.
Sit and watch. Breathe.
Be with yourself.
There are so many other things you can do in Lubuagan. The folks here would be more than happy guide or chat with you.
Just try your best to get rid of your arrogance that you use at work and in the city.
Indigenous music and dances – most Lubuagan folks, especially those in the barrios still embrace their indigenous music and dances.
A land of talented artists and highly skilled people, Lubuagan instrumentalists make percussion, stringed, and wind instruments out of bamboo.
From the ullibiw or bamboo jaws harp, the patteteg, tongatong, and saggay-pu, to the pattang-ug, among others.
Left: A young boy playing the ullibiw with much pride and gusto
Right: A Lubuagan folk participating at a get-together by playing the toppaya.
Rituals and chants – The Lubuagan folks have chants just about for anything, and they can definitely pull you towards another dimension – to another time, when life was simpler. A time where every phase in one’s life is celebrated with the whole community.
Rice terraces – they’re not as grandiose as those in Banaue, but they’re more accessible from the road and barely tread on by tourists.
Depending on the season, you can ask the host/hostess to show you how to plant rice or plow the field with your feet.
Otherwise, you can just sit there and meditate.
Hiking – Lubuagan folks, especially those from the barrios, do this every single day. For beginners, try Pon-e for the basics of hiking. If you’re ready for some limb-and-back stretching climbs, ask to be taken to the Gapis rice terraces.
Otherwise, you can just sit there and meditate.
Hiking – Lubuagan folks, especially those from the barrios, do this every single day. For beginners, try Pon-e for the basics of hiking. If you’re ready for some limb-and-back stretching climbs, ask to be taken to the Gapis rice terraces.
Warm-up hike to Dugnak
For some endurance hike that run for about an hour or two, ask around on how to get to Dugnak, Tanglag or Mabongtot.
For some endurance hike that run for about an hour or two, ask around on how to get to Dugnak, Tanglag or Mabongtot.
Meditation and relaxation – you can do this almost anywhere in Lubuagan. Sit in the middle of the rice terraces, sit by the road – which is rarely visited by vehicles, or walk just about anywhere as if time doesn’t exist.
Inside Manong Sapi's hut
Heaven, based on my experience though, is Pon-e.
Ask around for Manong Sapi and check how you can get accommodations on his traditional hut that’s sitting in the middle of the Pon-e Rice Terraces.
Food, food, food! – This is a place to rest your taste buds from the artificially flavored offerings in the city and indulge in organic food.
In Lubuagan, you can taste the real flavor of the ingredients since they don’t use artificial flavoring.
They just use a bit of salt to taste and it's amazingly delicious!
Heaven, based on my experience though, is Pon-e.
Ask around for Manong Sapi and check how you can get accommodations on his traditional hut that’s sitting in the middle of the Pon-e Rice Terraces.
Food, food, food! – This is a place to rest your taste buds from the artificially flavored offerings in the city and indulge in organic food.
In Lubuagan, you can taste the real flavor of the ingredients since they don’t use artificial flavoring.
They just use a bit of salt to taste and it's amazingly delicious!
The coffee you sip - or gulp - was pounded just a few days ago. So was the rice on your plate. For the non-vegetarians, chicken is always freshly butchered, too.
Bartering – Yes, it still exists. At stores and houses. You’ll most likely come across farmers bartering their produce for soap, instant noodles, school supplies, fish and meat, and even clothes.
If you have something of value to the Lubuagan folks, you can give it a try, too.
Lubuagan Products - The locals here are mostly farmers and handicraft artists. Once they're done planting rice and crops, most of them use their time in working on handicrafts while waiting for the time for harvest.
They take their time with their crafts - whether it be handwoven fabrics, hand-made indigenous bamboo musical instruments, walis tambo (soft brooms) or hand-woven rattan; you'll never go wrong with the quality of the Lubuagan handicrafts.
Help - you can join medical missions, buy their products, donate school supplies or better yet, send someone to school.
Medical Missions - The Lubuagan Rural Health Unit (RHU) runs monthly medical missions to the different barrios which almost always involves hiking. You don't have to be a nursing or medicine graduate to get involved.
If you know how to use a sphygmomanometer, the RHU folks would be more than happy to let you tag along. You get to hike, help, and have fun with the locals.
In Lubuagan, Medical Missions are always fun. Can you imagine yourself taking a patient's BP at one time and dancing the salip or playing the gangsa at another?
Education - any form of help is appreciated here. You can donate a few school supplies or books, give an inspirational talk to the students or sponsor a scholarship program.
Your efforts will not go to waste. Based on a GMA 7 documentary: "Don't English Me," the documentary team finds the Lubuagan elementary students to score higher than those in Manila.
Lubuagan Handicrafts - Local families heavily rely on selling their handicrafts after harvest - that is, if they harvest any.
There are hand-woven fabrics readily available at Mabilong, soft brooms from Uma, and plastic beaded necklaces from Dangoy.
Tiwod Fertility Spring – nothing majestic or mystic looking, there’s a water pipe said to bless couples with children.
Couples from here and abroad have come to drink from this spring, hoping to be blessed with children.
If you’re not into having children soon, you can try bathing with the other folks who gather here to take a bath, wash their dishes and clothes in the morning.
Further readings about Lubuagan:
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