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VILLA ESCUDERO PLANTATION & RESORT

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An interesting two hour drive South from Metro Manila brings you to one of the Philippines most popular get aways, Villa Escudero, where Philippine culture and history comes to life.

Take a guided tour of the most famous "Escudero Private Museum" Housing one of the largest collections in the country, its unmatched in its diversity. Eclectic by design, the collection is made up of religious artifacts, silver alters, carrozas, Spanish galleon trade items, ceramics and Philippine dioramas.

Native bamboo rafts are available for guests to explore the scenic lake and better enjoy the views of Mount Banahaw and Cristobal. 

                           

Villa Escudero is a working coconut plantation founded in 1872. In 1980 the Escudero family opened the plantation to the general public. Since then Villa Escudero has developed a worldwide reputation as a focal point to experience Philippine culture and history in a beautiful rural setting.

A favorite of visitors and a most memorable experience is to enjoy a lunch featuring special Escudero family recipes at the Labasin Waterfall. Delight in the sparkling waterfall and lush tropical vegetation. Most diners opt to sit at tables placed directly in the stream and enjoy the cooling spring water flowing over their bare feet. 

The Escudero family mentors one of the Philippines most renowned ethnic dance troupes, string and maranao percussion bands.

Halina pasyal tayo!

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KAWASAN FALLS, BADIAN CEBU

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"One of the Cleanest and Most Beautiful Inland Bodies of Water (Multi awardee river catergory) in the Philippines". On the island Cebu there is on the south-west side of the island close to Matutinao inside the mountains surrounded with tropical vegetation the freshening, cool and crystal clear Kawasan Falls. I?m sure these are the most beautiful and attractive waterfalls from Cebu. The natural pools are on three terraces connected by waterfalls. Inside the pools you can take a real good swim. There are also Cottages beside the falls which can be rented. The ones who want to stay directly at the Kawasan falls should stay first in Moalboal and make a day trip to the falls, because it could be that the cottages are full. From Moalboal to Matutinao there are Jeepneys or buses. The way alone is worth seeing, it goes through the mountains and under beautiful trees. To wear good shoes is a good suggestion, because it could be slippery on the way.

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TAYTAY FALLS

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 Taytay Falls was formerly known as Imelda Falls. It was renamed Taytay Falls since the name of the Barangay w/c occupies the place is Barangay Taytay of Majayjay, Laguna. The falls is actually located along the lower slope of Mt. Lukban de Banahaw at the side of Majayjay Laguna. In fact there is a trail from Lukban that goes to Majayjay?s Taytay Falls. Likewise, you can trek to Lucban de Banahaw via Taytay Falls. Taytay Falls is very convenient to hike. The locals have been active in developing and protecting this treasure. There are cemented pathways to the campsite. Canals that redirect the route of the water is also located along trail where clear and clean water flows. It is also just a 15-minute walk from the nearest settlement where you can buy food and supplies. The campsite is also big which can accommodate around 20 tents. The falls itself is a series of several basins with the final big waterfalls flowing to a big catch basin, which is ideal for swimming.

PAGSANJAN FALLS

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Do you know that the world-famous Pagsanjan Falls is actually not in Pagsanjan? This famous tourist destination is located in Brgy. Anglas, Cavinti, Laguna. A big "WELCOME TO CAVINTI" sign erected on top of a big rock on the river on the way to the falls will let the tourists know that they are no longer in Pagsanjan - I do not know if foreigners care about this fact. Enclosed in parenthesis in that sign is the name Magdapio Falls which is the preferred name by Cavinti folks. From this point facing upstream, the left bank is belongs to Lumban and the right bank belongs to Cavinti. In fact, Pagsanjan Falls drops water from Cavinti River. If you have been to Cavinti, this is the river crossed by the overflow spillway on the road going to Lumot.

Another waterfalls, Talahib Falls, situated about 900 meters downstream of Magdapio Falls serves a first stop for the upstream boat ride. Talahib is a sitio of Brgy. Caliraya, hence, the town of Lumban hosts this waterfalls. This waterfalls is also called First Falls while the Magdapio Falls is called Main Falls. The Talahib Falls area has a souvenir shop, barbeque stand and most important, a pay-toilet for PhP10 per pee.

At the Main Falls (or Magdapio Falls or Pagsanjan Falls), the main attraction aside from a view of the falls itself is the raft ride. For PhP70, skilled raftmen will bring tourists aboard bamboo rafts by pulling on ropes laid across the lagoon. They will bring you to the far end to have a glimpse of another cascade on top of the Main Falls. Another rope guides the raft behind and underneath the falls to the Devil's Cave. At the cave, visitors enjoy playing with their echo by shouting to their lung's desire.

The raft crew has established a trail for their own use. It includes a series of ropes for the vertical portion. Even skilled mountaineers would not be allowed to use this trail for safety reasons - one wrong step will send down a small stone deadly for the people at the bottom.