Running away from the threats of a storm that would possibly hit Manila anytime that weekend of August 7 and 8, me and my Rated_PG barkada boldly braved the roads leading to our first out of town destination: Laiya, San Juan, Batangas.
Beach on a stormy season? Maybe ridiculous for some but not for my gang. And we tried to go and experience everything on a budget, an added thrill to our latest road trip.
With our bags packed, we started to take off from Caloocan at around 8:30a.m. in a van we rented for PhP 5,000.00. Expensive? Nah, the fee includes diesel, toll fee (SLEX and Star Toll). Also, since our designated driver is of the same age and wavelength, it ended up as the barkada outing we really wanted.
Our first stop was at Boni, where we fetched a friend who just got off from work. To get to San Juan, we cruised EDSA then headed to South Luzon Expressway were we exited at Batangas Exit. We went straight ahead to the roads leading to Sto. Tomas, Batangas and entered the Star Toll Plaza. We took Lipa Exit then followed the signs to San Juan. After almost 3 hours, we were already cruising San Juan.
At San Juan, we stopped by at Per-Sons where my bestfriend Rae got us a bilao of pancit good for 10 for 300 pesos then headed on to Naranja Orange Grill. For PhP500 we got ourselves a hearty lunch of Sizzling Pork Sirloin, Sizzling Beef Teryaki, Sizzling Beef Tenderloin Steak and the house's specialty, Sizzling Orange Chicken. The verdict: Yum! Yum! Yum!
Then we divided the gang to do the groceries and invade the market for our dinner and breakfast at the resort. The challenge, a complete dinner and breakfast plus alcoholic drinks and pulutan for PhP 2000.
At around 4 p.m., we reached our destination, Lola's Resort in Balacbacan, Laiya, San Juan Batangas. The house we rented consists of 2 fan rooms good for 4 to 5 persons each, a comfort room, kitchen with free use of stove and poso where you can do your laundry. The cost: PhP 2,000.
Metro Manila's weather situation however that weekend has taken its toll on the seas of San Juan. Though it was sun shiny throughout the day, tides were humongous. But that didn't stopped us from enjoying the beach.
During dinner, we have proven to surpass our PhP2000 challenge and even have some change to keep (thanks to 'tawad' system). Our menu: Steaming hot rice, Kilawing Maskara ng Baboy, Tinolang Manok, Inihaw na Liempo, Talong at Tilapia with Enseladang Pipino. We also got ourselves 3 liters of lambanog to chug down. While the others are cooking, some of the fellas provided entertainment c/o the trusty PhP5.00 powered videoke machine. However, we have to follow the machine's curfew of until 10:00p.m.
On our way home the next day, we stopped by at San Juan's public market to buy, you guessed it right, pasalubongs for our loved ones. The market boasts of wide array of balisongs or butterfly knives in different sizes and shapes. There are also pen knives, which can really function as a writing tool and deadly weapon at the same time, and balisong key chains. Kapeng barako, fresh beef, fish and seafood were also some of our "bit-bits."
For meryenda, we stopped by at Cafeno still in San Juan. It is situated in an old house that happens to be a gasoline station before. Cafeno boasts of Kapeng Barako Float (kapeng barako frappe with vanilla ice cream), Mocha Float, their signature Chocolate Cake, Kapeng Barako Sundae (2 scoops of Kapeng Barako ice cream with pinipig, marshmallow and tamales) and Churros with Spanish chocolate. Prices range from Php 65.00 to Php100. What a way to get barako-loaded!
A few meters away from Cafeno was San Juan's Pasalubong Center were we got ourselves lambanog (coconut wine) infused with apples, pears and lychees. A 1.75 liter jug of class A lambanog costs PhP250.00 for flavored and PhP 180.00 for the unflavored one. And we got an extra treat, a glass of lambanog for us to share and taste. ;)
Finally, upon reaching Calamba, my friends got a box of a famous Laguna treat, buko pie!
On our way home, we already felt the storm that we left behind in Manila that weekend. Our drive along C5 was showered with hard rain. But overall, that short out of town trip was indeed fruitful and definitely fun. And we have proven that on-the-budget trips can still be fun filled. Till the next journey...
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