Lando & Lorie's Banay-Banay Eatery

Located in the outskirts of San Jose, Batangas, Banay-Banay Eatery has become one of the most sought after resto in the province of Batangas. The food has a reasonable price and has a wide choices for pork, beef, vegetable and fish viands. 

We ordered several viands which includes: Bulalo, Grilled Tanigue, Daing na Biya, Crispy Lechon, Pork Sisig, Fried Calamares, Stuffed Calamares, Pork Bar-B-Que, Fried Tuna, Ensalada, Laing, Kare-Kare and Bilo Bilo all for 1320 pesos plus rice and softdrinks.

According to the locals, Banay-Banay Eatery started as a small carinderia until the business prospered and was renovated to a two-storey restaurant where the second floor serves as a function hall. Floor area is spacious that can handle even a long queue of customers.

The resto is not the usual restaurant with soft cushioned sofas, decorated tables, menu books and uniformed personnel. Like a traditional "Turo-Turo" (Filipino word which means "to point" where it derives its name), you just have to point the food of your choice from a long glass covered counter and enjoy your order. 

It is not difficult to figure out the eatery’s business model. It's success is based upon fast turnover of food  by keeping its prices low while likewise keeping the quality of the food decent, thus it draws huge crowds and loyal customers.

Rating:

8 out of 10

Revisiting Twin Falls of Kalayaan

It was my second time to visit Kalayaan Twin Falls which is a nice getaway hidden in the heart of Sierra Madre range in Laguna. But due to the recent aftermath of Typhoon Lawin, the water is murky so I've decided not to take a swim. I learned about the said falls from a fellow traveler whom I met in Bataan, and with much excitement over "waterfalls photography" I've decided to revisit the place together with my bridge camera which I rarely use.

There are 5 falls located in the "Twin Falls of Kalayaan" but the twin falls are the two distinct. In order to reach the twin falls one would need to do a short trek with a minimal ascent that passes through a forested area. After a 10 minutes trek, one will reach the first of the two waterfalls - it is a medium-sized falls that fed into a small but deep catch basin with smaller cascades that meandered through a large rocks scattered all over the stream bed. A further 10 minutes trek of 100 feet ascent throught a plight of stairs and cemented path will lead you to the second falls which is much beautiful than the first. Huge boulders stranded along the stream gave an indication of past floods that have sculptured the landscape of the place.

The resort is managed by the local barangay office of San, Juan, Kalayaan and the fee is now 40 pesos which is collected as an environmental fee. Nothing much has changed except that the cottages looks more dilapidated compared to my first visit.

How to Get There:

1.) Take a bus bound to Sta. Cruz (DLTB), they have terminals in Cubao and LRT Buendia
2.) Tell the conductor to drop you off in Pagsawitan.
3.) Once in Pagsawitan, you can then ride a jeep that will pass the town of  Kalayaan (Siniloan, Paete) alight at the St John the Evagelist Church, there is a signage beside and the hike is about 200mtrs.

Dingalan, Aurora - Hidden Paradise of the East

The province of Aurora is not just all about Baler, let me introduce Dingalan which has become the newest tourist destination and was dubbed as the "Batanes of the East". It is situated approximately 183 kilometers north-east of Manila. bounded on the north by San Luis (in Aurora province), on the west by Gabaldon and General Tinio (Nueva Ecija) and Doña Remedios Trinidad (Bulacan), on the south by General Nakar (Quezon) and on the east by the Benham Rise or Plateau and Pacific Ocean.

The town of Dingalan is a third class coastal municipality that boast of beaches, waterfalls and lush green vegetation of Sierra Madre which is composed of rolling hills and terrains that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The shoreline is composed of long stretch of beach with rock formations, blue water and a lighthouse that resembles that of Batanes which creates a paradise like setting. 

There are numerous places of interests that anyone can visit in Dingalan.

Dingalan View Deck & Lighthouse

There are two ways to reach the lighthouse which is located in White Beach peninsula. The first option is to hire a boat (One way is 500 pesos). The second option is to trek all your way from the feeder port to the White Beach peninsula which will take an hour to be reached. Upon reaching White Sand Beach (jump off), another fifteen to thirty minutes of trek with an ascend of 240 ft. will lead you to the Benham Plateau that passes through forested and grassy slopes. Upon reaching the plateau where the lighthouse is located, one will be rewarded with a 360 degree view of the Pacific Ocean, Rocky cliffs, Sierra Madre ranges and the town of Dingalan on the far side. (The lighthouse is no longer open for visitors due to some irresponsible tourists who stepped and destroyed the Solar panels.)

Lamao Caves

These are a series of underwater caves that are interconnected with each other. The caves are mysterious and inviting, if you are up for the challenge then it is a nice place to explore. However, our guide told us that some portions of the caves were destroyed due to an upsurge of a typhoon some time ago.

White Sand Beach

The coastline of the beach stretches several kilometers to form a peninsula with a  hilly portion in the eastern part that leads to the lighthouse. The shoreline ranges from fine grain sand to pebbled portions and rock formations with pristine water in which one can clearly see the bottom. The beach is still untapped but there are several cottages available for rent.

The beachfront is enveloped with Sierra Madre's White Beach peak at the backdraft giving it a paradise like setting similar to that of Sabtang Island in Batanes.

How to Get There:
1. Ride a bus bound to Cabanatuan City (Five Star)
2. Once in Cabanatuan, you can then ride FX/UV Express bound to Dingalan.
3. Upon reaching Dingalan, you can walk or ride a trike and tell the driver to drop you off in the feeder port.
4. You can hire a boat or trek all the way to the lighthouse.

***I joined a tour organized by Golden Peak Tours

Tanawan Falls

Located in the protected area of Sierra Madre ranges beside the foot of Mt. Mingan in Dingalan, Aurora. It is consists of more than a kilometer trek through a dirt road  with an approximate 300 feet ascent  where one can see the vastness of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding Sierra Madre on the way to Tanawan Falls, thus the place was called "Tanawan" - a place for viewing. 

Upon reaching the registration point, one will have to descent another 200 meters to a forested area and cross a make-shift bamboo bridge to reach the Tanawan Falls.

The falls has a single cascade which is approximately 15 feet drop that feeds to a deep catchbasin of about 10 feet in depth ideal for those who are interested in diving. It has a series of 2 catchbasins, separated by boulders and huge chunks of rocks. The first one has a deeper section while the second catchbasin is shallower ideals for kids.

The water is pristine, crystal clear and freezing cold similar to the waters of Taytay Falls in Laguna.

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus bound to Cabanatuan City (Five Star)

2. Once in Cabanatuan, you can then ride FX/UV Express bound to Dingalan.

3. Tell the driver to drop you off in Tanawan Falls (the jump off point is beside the national road)

Yakimix: Japanese & Asian Fusion Buffet

Yakimix is one of the most affordable eat all you can food buffet in the metro. The dining areas are divided into several sections which includes: Japenese, Korean, Italian, Filipino, Grilling Station, Desserts and Salads. They have almost 25 sushi selections and over 25 exquisitely prepared Asian culinary dishes to choose from. But unlike Vikings they only have a limited choices of drinks, ice cream, and cake selection.

As part of their buffet promo, you can also have your favorite food grilled at your own table with plenty of seasoning, dips and sauces to chose from . What I like mostly about Yakimix is the affordability which is actually the cheapest among the buffet promos and they also have several resto across the metro.

Rating:

9 out of 10

Bass Fishing at Sierra Lake (Lumot)

Sierra Lake, also known as Lumot Lake is a man-made water reservoir located in Brgy. Lumot in Cavinti, Laguna and lies in the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges. The lake was created when Lumot Dam, an embankment dam, was constructed damming the Lumot River, creating an auxiliary water reservoir for Lake Caliraya as part of the Kalayaan Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Plant

It is less known to the passersby who probably think it is still Caliraya Lake. In my opinion, it is more beautiful than Caliraya Lake. Like the latter, Sierra Lake is also surrounded by lush vegetation and tall trees. The water is also clearer and no trash can be found near the lake. 

The lake is a popular watersport and fishing competition spot. Every year the LGU team organizes the watersports tournament and also Bass fishing contest. The lake is rich with fresh water fish such as Tilapia and Large Mouth Bass.Thus, one would occasionally see a group of men fishing on banks of the lake.

The place has the same altitude as Tagaytay City, but with a much cooler breeze and stronger gush of wind making it my favorite getaway during weekend. Boats for rents are available if you want to tour the lake and the nearby islets. Islands (Sundang) with cottages can also be rented for a night.

How to Get There:

1. Ride a bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (alight in Pagsawitan).

2. Once in Pagsawitan you can ride jeepneys bound for Lumot.