Entablado Cafe

Whenever you are in Los Banos, Laguna then Entablado is one of the most recommended places to dine and have a sip of coffee. Though the place is a little bit small which can only accommodate between 20-25 people at a time, but then again it has a nice ambiance and still cozy at its own right.

The must-try among their menus are their "TinaPizza" and "TunaPasta", which is richly garnished with 'Tinapa" (smoke fish) and melted cheese something that you don't see every day. And of course, their other specialties include Coffee brews from Kalinga and Dark Choco Mint Frappe.

Prices are affordable, making it a favorite "meeting place" for some students to study and hang out while enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to acoustic performers. Sometimes it's none other than Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree who performs in the "Entablado" (center stage) and also owns the place. 

Tuna Pizza and Tuna Pasta

I had sore eyes that time

Kalinga Coffee

Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree

Location: Ground Floor, Vega Center Los Banos, Laguna (beside UP Gate)

Mt. 387 (Ghost Rock)

Situated in Caranglan, Nueva Ecija; Mt 387 is part of Talavera Watershed Forest Reserve along the Caraballo mountain ranges with a land area of 387.9 hectares, thus it is where it got its name. It is also known to the locals as "Batong Amat" in the local dialect which means "Ghost Rock" because the remains of those who died during World War 2 were buried most especially the Japanese soldiers. The whole place also served as a barracks and Japanese camp and there where instances that rusted armaments can still be dug up. 

To some, Mt 387 was also known as the "Chocolate Hills of North", well honestly I don't see any resemblance at all, it looks like more of an uneven "Chocolate Hills" and the numbers of slopes are quite few to compare. My apologies but I don't agree with some bloggers or these promotional ideas. For me, it is already beautiful and awesome in its own right, no need to compare it with another landmark just to get attention whatsoever. 

The 387 hectares of the mountain range was awarded to "Kalinga sa Kalikasan ng Puncan" (KAPUNCAN) headed by Sir Roy Manuzon. Their group have agreed with DENR to protect and preserve the land area, thus each visitors (hikers and travellers) alike are requested to plant a tree each time they hike Mt. 387 which is part of the reforestation initiatives.

The initial part of the trail is forested until reaching an open grassland until it leads to a huge pile of rocks known as the "Ghost Rock" where the remains of those who died during WW2 were buried. Then another 5 minutes of trekking will lead to the famous landmark known as the "Lover's Tree", it is the only tree in the vast open grassland. According to some local legend that circulated among the outdoor community "Whoever climbs the said tree will be lovers or they will find their lover". The summit is characterized by a ridge that offers a 360-view of the Caraballo Mountain Ranges.

Dubbed as the "Chocolate Hills of the North"

Team Una: Emer, JC & Michael

Batang Amat aka Ghost Rock

Team Una @ Ghost Rock

Tree Planting

Lover's Tree

Team Una Family

Team Una Family

How to Get There:

1. Ride any bus bound to Tuguegarao.

2. Alight in Km 175 Brgy Puncan in frfont of Iglesia Ni Cristo

3. Or ride a bus bound to San Jose, Nueva Ecija.

4. Once in San Jose, you can ride a trike to the jop.

Sir Roy Manuzon (09175712152)

***I joined an event organized by Team Una