Historical Memory Lane at the Aguinaldo Shrine

I cannot honestly remember when was the last time I've been here, and if it's not for the buzz created by the Metro Manila Film Festival entry "El Presidente", I, and probably most of us, wouldn't heard anything about this historic house in Cavite again that had and will always be a witness to the sovereignty of our country - the Aguinaldo Shrine.

When was the last time you visited the Aguinaldo Shrine?

Last week, as the first week of 2013 welcomed us in a really peaceful manner, I was invited to check out the house built by the former president General Emilio Famy Aguinldo for his family. Who would've known that this simple house built for his wife Hilaria del Rosario and their children Carmen, Emilio, Jr, Maria, Cristina and Suntay will be a historic landmark not only in their town in Kawit, Cavite, but also in the entire country?

I can't barely recall any memory of my first visit here, so it was actually like a first-time visit again for me last week. The whole place looked so taken cared of - thanks to National Historical Commission of the Philippines, because it made me feel that I've been the original house that didn't suffer during the colonization of Spaniards and Americans.

Poinsettia Hunting in Tagaytay City

When I visited Tagaytay some few weeks ago, aside from my goal of having a relaxing weekend there, another goal that I have in mind on my visit there is to bring Christmas to our home. It was 30 dasy til Christmas then, and  what better way to greet the upcoming Yuletide season than to bring Christmas at home!

Reaching the Rotunda or the Olivarez Circle in Tagaytay City is so easy. It is the most widely used thoroughfare in reaching the remaining municipalities of Cavite and the rest of Batangas. And though it is always traffic in this part of the province, there are really a lot of things to do, and I'm sure that you'll have a great time dining, shopping and having fun here.

Aside from the salivating line of well-known restaurants in the area, Olaivarez also holds the public transportation terminal that may take you to Tagaytay's top tourist spots, like the People's Park and the Picnic Grove.  You may opt to take a tricycle which will cost around Php60.00 to Php80.00 per ride, or a jeepney, which cost Php11.00 per ride, per person.

That weekend, I paid a visit to one of its most relaxing hotel, the CrossWinds Resort Suites. And since the whole experience there was so Christmas-y, one thing that pops into my mind when we went out to buy pasalubongs are Poinsettia.

Paradise + Zoo = Paradizoo

Seeing my most favorite zoo in the country will always be a pleasure to me. With its whole lot more picturesque and attractive to explore now, I'm simply speechless to be at this place again. Indeed, Paradizoo is a paradise and zoo in one that I will never get tired of visiting.

On my visit here again, I'm in a luck to see all of those flowers in bloom and all those plants bearing fruits and vegetables - something that is so amazing for a boy from Manila don't usually see. The breath of fresh air is what will welcome you once you stepped inside the wide receiving area of this place.

The well-maintained lawn and the wonderful division of the the animals to the plants in this paradise-zoo themed park is really what made me love this place. I admit it, I'm not a huge animal lover, mainly because of their smell, but every time that I'm here, the place made me like these domestic animals that I find well-taken cared off.

The Freshest Beef from Tagaytay's Mahogany Market

Any Tagaytay trip wouldn't be complete without a sip of their hottest and most delicious Bulalo soup, and I know you would agree with me on this one. But do you know where you can buy the best meat in town for you to take home and cook your own Bulalo soup? Let me take you to Tagaytay's Mahogany Market - the place to hunt for your meat hunting!

It was after our stay in Nurture Spa that my mom asked me to take her to Mahogany Market. Our family is a huge beef lover, so making a stopover here before heading home and buying some tender and fresh meat is really a must-do.

Mahogany Market is located along Mahogany Avenue, Tagaytay City. Most buses from Manila passes here, so it is really to spot.

Ilog Maria and the Wonders it Offers

This is not some hidden spring that you could find here in Silang, Cavite, but instead it is one stop-shop for alternative medicine and more that I'm sure you'll be astonished. Boys and girls, take a peek at Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm.

This may not be your ordinary travel destination since there's really nothing much to see here, but once you get to know the owner, Mr. Joel Magsaysay, who's been so knowledgeable about the things that surrounds him and on the things that surrounds his "dream house" - Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm, you'll be delighted that you've spent some time in this place.

Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm is nestled along Km.47 of Aguinaldo Highway in Silang, Cavite. Though, it may be visited via public transport, it is advisable that you ready your self for some walking since the main gate of this place is quite far from the national road, and I'm not really sure if tricycles would love to take you there. :-)

Owner Joel Magsaysay

Green, Green Leaves of Fun at Gourmet, Cavite!

If you are looking for some earthy, green getaway just a few minutes from Manila, there's this coffee shop-slash farm that you could hit just south of the metro. And with its lush greenery and breath-taking sights, I'm sure that you'll fall in love with Gourmet Farm too the way that I fell in love with it.

Nestling along Km52 of Aguinaldo Highway in Lalaan II, Silang, Cavite, this 11-hectare eco-tourism coffee shop-slash-farm is also an attraction open for groups of family and friends who are looking for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. Landscaped to give a stunning feel of organic farm, Gourmet Farm, offers a countryside experience that are perfect for day trips and "dates" with love ones.

On my first-ever visit here, I was immediately swept off of my feet by their Santorini-looking "dining room." Who doesn't like that kind of structure? This dining room is perfect for some organic food bingeing, which are fresh-picked from their farm. 

Paradizoo Opens 2012 with the Power of Three

My most favorite zoo-slash-themed park in the country once again welcomed the year of 2012 with a bang as they recently opened to the public three more addition to their growing and developing greenery. And since I'm so at peace with this place, I visited it last weekend to personally witness the breathtaking beauty of Paradizoo!

Reaching Paradizoo from Metro Manila will only take you an hour to two. Driving down to SLEX, then to Calamaba-Tagaytay Road, it'll be a breeze locating this lovely piece of heaven. Though, Paradizoo is actually located in Mendez, Cavite, you'll still feel the cool breeze coming from Tagaytay City, one reason why I'm so in love with this place.

When I visited this place last weekend, they have an ongoing celebration, the Agri Festival.