Villa Escudero

One fine Sunday in November, we took off for a family day trip to Villa Escudero, an enchanting resort in Quezon province, just 2 hours from Manila. The Robinson family - Liza, Paul and their 2 beautiful daughters – Ines and Francesca, the Infantes – Javy and kids (Gabi and Alfonso), and Josphine del Gallego Knox were the guests of TOUR FLAIR, with Dinty Keating. Villa Escudero was originally a coconut plantation and was the ancestral home of the very wealthy and influential Escudero family. The family had lived there for generations, but in the 1960s they decided to share the beauty and charm of the place with the people and opened it up to the public.

Upon arrival at the Villa, you are driven through a forest of coconut trees – once part of the original plantation. Carabao (water buffalo) carts are waiting to take you inside the Villa grounds. Our carabao was called MAGANDA – which means “beautiful” in Filipino. The slow and leisurely ride around the grounds was totally enjoyable – with a guitarist and singer crooning old traditional Filipino songs. The kids were absolutely thrilled and excited!

Our first stop was the restaurant, as everyone was hungry and thirsty and wanted a snack and some breakfast. The restaurant overlooks the picturesque and serene lake, where the cottages are located. Across the lake is Mt. Banahaw, a mystical mountain - according to folklore – and a forest where thousands of native birds abound. Birdwatching and mountain climbing are some of the very popular activities in the Villa.

Paul and Liza Robinson were brave enough to take the bamboo raft down the lake. The kids did a bit of fishing and we had to restrain them from jumping into the pool and water slides. They were that excited.

We all climbed back into our carabao cart and were whisked off to the museum.

This was the old ancestral home of the Escuderos which had been rebuilt to replicate the 16^th century church in the barrio (town). The old man Escudero was an avid collector and the museum showcases his varied and very interesting collection of artifacts and treasures that he had accumulated in all his travels. The first floor houses the religious items and “carruajes” or carriages with statues of Jesus Christ, Mary, and the saints in their elaborately designed robes.These carriages are still used in the parades during the feast days of the town. The chandeliers from the 17^th and 18^th centuries adorn the rafters of the church. Upstairs you can see everything from excavated chinese jars and vases to old armor and uniforms from the 2 world wars, diving gear from the 19^th century and even a shrunken head from the Amazons! Original correspondence from General MacArthur and Jose Rizal were also displayed. Parts of the original house depicted the lifestyle of the gentry in the 19^th century. Truly amazing and worth seeing.

Then it was off to lunch. This was truly the highlight of the day. As we approached the lunch area, we could hear the roar of the waterfalls splashing down the river. The long bamboo tables and chairs were set in the water beneath the waterfalls and a fabulous buffet was spread out on tables. The kids were beside themselves in excitement! They were going to have lunch with their feet in the water. What a treat! They splashed and jumped in the water and we were hard put to have them eat at all. Gabi was so awed that she said she wanted her house to be the same way. They all got happily soaked when Paul took them under the falls. None of them wanted to leave.

To cap the wonderful events of the day, we were treated to a Filipino native dance show, which depicted all the regions of the Philippines – from the mountains in the far north to the muslim regions down south.

Everyone was now truly tired – but happy. So, it was back on our carabao cart and off to the cars for the drive back to Manila. A truly wonderful experience – Filipino style!