Destinations – Chasing Dreams

So You Want to Climb Mt. Ulap? Go for it!

August 20, 2019July 9, 2024 Rhiza4 Comments

[Edit, July 2024]: Hello, I changed the title from “Don’t do it!” to “Go for it!” I’m happy to see that people are finding this post when researching about climbing Mt. Ulap! One of the comments below raised that this post seems to discourage people from doing it, which is not my intention. Quite the opposite! I say, you’d want to climb this mountain at least once in your life. ;)

Initial thoughts on choosing the Mt. Ulap Eco-trail as our first legit mountain climbing experience: what in the world were we thinking?!

Take this from someone who couldn’t even consider herself a “beginner” mountain climber. I was basically clueless, save for having read some blogs prior to the climb which, by the way, all raved about how awesome it is to climb this mountain.

For your 411, just because my domain name says “chasing dreams” doesn’t mean I’m your regular adventure-chasing type of blogger. :) Although I generally love to travel, I’m a city girl and a homebody through and through. My idea of “adventure” is exploring the world through the pages of a book, preferably tucked in the warmth of my blanket, with a cup of caffeinated drink within reach.

Climbing any mountain is way beyond my comfort zone, never really making it to my bucket list at any given point in my life.

But I climbed Mt. Ulap, anyway.

(Because I’d go anywhere with this guy.)

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Mt. Ulap beginner tip #1

Keep adventurous people in your inner circles. (Or marry one.)

This guy’s the only reason why I considered climbing this mountain. Had he not persisted in convincing me to do the Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail, I wouldn’t have known what I was missing. Kinda like his role in my life, really—constantly challenging me and stretching my capacity to believe, to “just go for it”, to climb higher, to dream bigger.

And that is what this Ulap experience was about for me: a romantic comedy, basically. ;)

Reluctant as I was, we came out on the other side alive, tired and breathless, sore muscles everywhere, nevertheless without regrets.

And now that that has been said, here’s my humble collection of photos, notes, and thoughts—and a fair share of warnings—from our Mount Ulap Eco-Trail experience.

There are many people climbing this mountain solo or with a group who ultimately have a meaningful and unforgettable experience. But in my case, I wouldn’t (and generally couldn’t) climb this mountain without David.

Whatever your circumstances and motivations are for wanting to climb this mountain, I hope you pick up a thing or two from this post.

Mt. Ulap beginner tip #2

If you’re a first-timer (meaning you’ve no experience climbing any mountain in the past), think twice about going for this mountain right off the gate. This guide specifically answers whether or not Mt. Ulap is for you. The gist is, it’s most ideal if you practice climbing easier mountains first.

Quick facts from PinoyMountaineer.com

Mount Ulap, Itogon, Benguet

Entry point: Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon
Exit point: Brgy. Sta. Fe, Itogon
LLA: 16.2904 N, 120.6312 E, 1846 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours ~ehem?
Difficulty: 3/9 ~uh, no.
Features: Grassland and pine ridges, scenic views of the Cordilleras, burial caves

Quick notes from ME, haha

Hours to summit

It’s no secret that the Pinoy mountaineers who made it to the Ulap summit in record 2-3 hours are people who’ve been climbing mountains forever.

As for us, a mixed group of beginner, intermediate, and experienced climbers (all of us, Ulap first-timers), it took us 10-11 hours from jump-off point to finish line. Take note that we rested for about an hour in one of the summits and slowed down a notch during descent because we were all tired.

Level of difficulty

Not gonna lie. Having read from blogs that the level of difficulty was only 3/9 gave me the impression that it was easy. This kind of underestimation is dangerous, so don’t be like me who read a few blog reviews and immediately assumed that Mt. Ulap was an easy mountain.

Even some of the more experienced climbers in our group thoughtfully assessed that Mt. Ulap seems more difficult than its equally famous Cordillera mountain sibling, Mt. Pulag, because even though Pulag is higher and requires longer walks, the inclines there are not steep and a lot more gradual than in Mt. Ulap.

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Mt. Ulap Beginner Tip #3

Don’t take the preparations lightly. Have some solid cardio workout and leg strengthening exercises weeks or months before the climb.

The first phase of the Mt. Ulap trail is characterized by steep ascents that had my lungs and legs shookt. 15 mins in and I already wanted to quit, if I’m being honest. :) As a disclaimer, I do live a pretty ~~sedentary~~ chill lifestyle, not having to leave the house to get to work, sitting in front of my home office day in and out, with my only workouts being afternoon walks to a nearby milk tea shop. I obviously downplayed preparing for this excursion.

Just the same, the idea that I’m climbing my first mountain ever, not to mention the unique beauty of the Cordilleras kept me going.

Between steep ascents and narrow trails we stopped to catch our breaths, basking in the beauty of the Cordilleras, and breathing in the smell of pine trees and cool breeze.

Pinoy Mountaineer described it best: “The majestic mountains of the Philippines lie on its largest mountain range, the Cordilleras in Northern Luzon. It is home to highland peoples who have developed a fascinating mountain culture which is manifest in the world-famous Rice Terraces. Tourists are enchanted with the semi-temperate climate of the region, which is a refreshing change from the tropical lowlands. Pine trees, rolling slopes, and vegetable farms characterize much of the region’s landscapes.”

There’s much to see everywhere you look! And the semi-temperate climate is a bonus, for sure.

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3 kilometers in, we reached the first summit called Ambanaw Paoay.

Ambanao Paoay may be my favorite summit of the 3 summits in Mt. Ulap. Partly because our energy levels were still high at this point in the journey, mostly because this was where it all began—the vast rolling hills and grasslands and blue skies. All the things that made me glad we pushed through and showed up.

Literally all the photographs you take at this point are keepers, and you know that this is exactly what you came here for.

There’s the blend of grasslands and forest trees and fluffy clouds set on clear blue skies. There were mountain dogs and grazing cows here and there; and although there seemed to be no sightings of them, the sound of chirping birds and crickets accompanied us as we went.

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A quick shoutout to my brother, who was also on the trek with us. He’s done a few mountains before (including Mt. Pulag) so there’s that extra comfort in knowing that we have another set of hands to guide us.. and take our photos! It goes without saying that a lot of these photos were grabbed from his SD Card. Haha. *Thanks, Kuya Nate!*

Shout out to SBCC people on this journey with us: Kim, Jude, Bea, Mark, Jessa, Kokoy, Hazel, you guys! Where to next? :)

My husband and I were self-proclaimed sweepers, naturally. In this group, we’re on the higher end of the spectrum, age-wise, but we’re basically babies, mountain climbing experience-wise. ;) Let’s just say we let the younger people take the lead on this one.

There were parts in the trail that I just wanted to get over with, and there were parts that I wish lasted a little bit longer. Moments I wanted to just lie down on the grass and watch the clouds move. Moments I felt like bursting into a song (if you’re thinking “the hills are alive with the sound of music”, you bet!).

And moments when David and I trailed behind, the sound of nature surrounding us and, for one fleeting second, Mt. Ulap was all ours.

I understand now why those who’ve experienced climbing mountains only want to climb more. The experience is almost.. cathartic. There’s pain and pleasure to it, from start to finish, both at the same time, and I understand now why people are hooked.

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Mt. Ulap Beginner Tip #4

Skipping the token photo at Gungal Rock does not make your Mt. Ulap experience incomplete.

The second summit is all about the famous Gungal Rock. (Google it!) This, they say, is the ultimate Mt. Ulap photo op you have to do “for the ‘gram.”

Unfortunately, there were so many tourists at the time, all willing to line up to have their photos taken on the rock. Our group decided to skip it, move on, and we didn’t feel like we missed anything at all.

The rest of the second summit was a blur.

One foot after the other, we quietly followed the trail and looked up every few seconds or so to marvel at the beauty going on around us.

In between those moments of beauty were also quick moments of doubt. Will we make it unscathed? What are we doing here again? What is David thinking? (Lol.) Is this really worth it? I knew the answers to these questions but I asked them in my head anyway.

At 6km mark, we were told that the much-anticipated Mt. Ulap summit was just around the corner. One more stretch, one more 5-minute break, one more push, one more deep breath. Finally, at 1:15 PM, we made it to the top of the clouds.

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Brought this UP Maroon letterman jacket so I could properly and proudly caption this photo “Nowhere to go but UP!”, just a little nod to my dear alma mater because I’m *so extra* like that sometimes. >.<

Mt. Ulap Beginner Tip #5

To say that Ulap is tough for first-timers is an understatement, but don’t let blogs (like this one) discourage you from going anyway. With the right support group, the proper guidance, and a positive attitude (and preferably a lot of cardio and leg exercises pre-climb), it’s not impossible for beginners like us to conquer this mountain.

Take it from me, the least likely person in the world to make it to Mt. Ulap but made it anyway.

To be able to say “we’re on top of the clouds” and mean it literally and figuratively? Surreal.

There was zero visibility at one point while we were at the summit, which means we were right inside a huge ball of clouds. Ulap, in Tagalog, is “cloud“, and you bet this mountain lives up to its name.

Any feeling of exhaustion was gone during that one defining moment at the top of Mt. Ulap, 1,846 meters above sea level.

No photo can justify it, not even words. It’s like a secret that only Mt. Ulap survivors know, a shared experience that is singularly and forever ours.

I lifted a quiet praise to God, smiling at the thought that this is literally the closest I’ve come to the heavens, by foot! And to know that the Creator of this mountain, the God of the universe, our Reason for being—God in His majesty and massive glory—was with us and around us every step of the way? What a gift!

A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121: 1-2

Everything was glorious until the final descent began.

With whatever’s left of our energy, we descended through a rocky, relentless, 80-degree cliff trail—the price we had to pay for this mountaintop experience. I thought we had it tough during ascent but the descent was even more intense. Energy levels were low, the adrenalin was quickly running out, and all the muscles (and bones!) were sore.

I focused on my feet and followed the trail, motivating myself with thoughts of Dawn and Rain waiting for us at home. Every once in a while, David would squeeze my hand as if to remind me, we got this.

9 kilometers later, we made it to finish line, washed up, got food, and basically slept through the entire trip from Baguio back to Manila.

Today, a few months later, I write this post and remember our Mt. Ulap experience with a tiny bit of pride (filed under “Stories to Tell The Grand Children” for sure) and a great amount of humility at the same time. Even now, looking at these photographs, I still can’t believe I made it in-and-out of that huge mountain without fainting or being brought home in a wheelchair or something haha.

Will we do the Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail again? Maybe not. (We’d love to try a different mountain next time!)

Do we regret climbing Mt. Ulap? Most definitely NOT.

Mt. Ulap “beginner tips” aside, there’s much to be learned about climbing mountains.

It’s impossible to climb a mountain (and to write about the experience) without processing everything in metaphors, really. On faith, love, marriage, success, creativity, pursuits, trials, heartbreaks, life, God.

The mountaintop experience is exhilarating, but it is in the upward and downward slopes that God shows us what He’s truly able to accomplish in us, and in the valleys that we actually grow.

It was a much-needed challenge both for myself as a person, and for me and David as a couple. It brought us to a higher level of trust for each other and reliance in God, a literal mountaintop experience (with all the uphill, downhill, and valley moments it came with), and a tangible illustration of all the mountains we climbed and have to climb in this life.

The trick, I learned, is to keep going, no matter how fast or how slow you go. Whether you’re pushing through an upward slope that seems to not end, or trekking through rough terrains, or walking with zero visibility and you can’t see what’s ahead—just keep going!

Take deep breaths, stop and rest when needed, pull yourself up and do it all over again. One step at a time, one hill, one camp, one summit.

There will be hesitations, there will be doubts. There will be parts where you feel like giving up and moments when you want to drop everything and quit. Keep climbing anyway.

You’ll reach the peak soon, but while you’re in the valley, look up, enjoy the view, worship, live.

And no, you don’t have to do it alone. ;)

This Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail experience was made possible through the Ohana Trekkers Group. Thanks, guys.

Seda Vertis North Staycation with Kids

July 31, 2019August 6, 2022 RhizaLeave a comment

When it comes to staycation places, I personally like being within the comforts of the familiar. Preferably somewhere near, with a supermarket close by (because I don’t know what to do if we suddenly ran out of.. snacks), and in a city we know like the back of our hands. Seda Vertis North definitely falls within my “comfort zone criteria” so we’re happy to finally—finally—have this opportunity to experience what it has to offer.

#WETHENORTH

(See what I did there. No? Ok.) Living in the north side of the metro my whole life, I consider Quezon City my turf. This is where I went to college, settled down as a young professional, and spent the precious first years of our marriage and family life. Trinoma and SM North were like an extension of our home, and the Tomas Morato / Kamuning / E. Rodriguez neighborhoods were basically where our life revolved.

It wasn’t until about 2 years ago when we decided to pack up and move (back) to my family’s ancestral home in Caloocan. Still in the north, but worlds away from the “city life” that we knew. While living in Caloocan comes with its own familiar charm and uniqueness, we do miss the hustle and bustle of our QC life. And so we’re happy to be back, even for just a weekend. :)

A luxury staycation place in the north side of town

Seda Vertis North and Ayala Vertis Mall are the new kids on the block. Specifically that block along North EDSA that’s becoming the fastest-growing hub in Quezon City.

We always wanted to book a weekend at Seda (any Seda Hotel, really!) so when we were planning for one last summer hurrah—slash belated birthday retreat slash mother’s day + father’s day celebrations slash basically any excuse to splurge on a staycation—we know we didn’t have to go too far.

Trivia: Did you know that Seda Vertis is a 5-Star Hotel?

I wasn’t aware of it until I was researching for this post. :)

But it was definitely a 5-star hotel experience for us so I was not surprised to confirm that Seda Vertis is indeed recognized as a 5-star hotel.

The largest Seda Hotel branch in the country, Seda Vertis North boasts of 438 rooms and modern facilities thoughtfully designed for local and international guests, businessmen, families, and staycationers alike.

I’ve always appreciated the way Ayala Land develops its properties, whether it’s a shopping center, a resort, a condominium, a hotel. You can expect each one to be thoughtfully designed with a touch of cozy, style, and Filipino vibe that’s distinctly Ayala Land. So much that you can easily identify an Ayala Land project when you see one.

Seda Hotel branches are no different. You immediately feel the unique Seda vibe the moment you step inside and soak in the details of the place.

Disclosure: This post may have affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Seda Vertis Lobby & Elounge. Photos grabbed from Sedahotels.com.

The cozy vibe of the lobby immediately makes you feel welcome; there’s an iMac station to while away time; the interiors are designed with both modern and traditional Filipino elements.

Once checked-in, you find that

Seda Vertis North is truly a staycation heaven!

It’s impossible to not compare Seda to more established 5-stars like Sofitel, Shangri-la, or The Peninsula. Seda definitely feels more modern and hip, kinda like being the youngest, more stylish, millennial sibling in the 5-star family. And unlike its 5-star counterparts, you’ll also find Seda Vertis rates more friendly and affordable. Not to mention, very proudly Filipino.

Book your Seda Vertis Staycation via Agoda

Seda Vertis Rooms

We stayed in one of the Club Rooms, perfect for our family of four. Naturally, a photo session was the first order of business. These kids grow so fast and we want to remember these little years forever! (Look at how small they were in this Sofitel staycation!)

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There’s so much to do at Seda Vertis—from recreation and relaxation to good food and nightlife, all within its massive 24-storey complex. But none of these amenities matter to our daughters who only had their eyes set on the swimming pool.

We were checked-in on the 5th floor just 2 floors above the sun deck area. Our room had a nice view of the pool, and you bet, the whole time we were taking these photos, all we could hear the girls say was,

“Are we done here? Can we swim now?”

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The Sun Deck and Swimming Pool

Seda Vertis roof deck pool and food park. Photos grabbed from Sedahotels.com.

The 3rd level sun deck is the ultimate bonding place for the whole family. There’s an adult pool and a kiddie pool, a playground, and a pool bar. Recently they also added a mini food park that I believe only opens on weekends. They started serving food at around 5 PM when we were there. You can order from a variety of street food and fast food, from squid balls and nachos, to burgers and pasta.

But the highlight of it all, according to Dawn and Rain: Pool time!

I don’t mind sharing this guy with the little women but, excuse me girls, gotta have some QT for myself too! >.<

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Swim-friendly earrings from Signetura and swimsuit from Kats Clothing. Thank you! #supportlocal

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The other side of the pool bar is where the playground and food park are. There was so much space to run around and play! With picnic tables within sight of the play area, parents can take a breather and relax while the kids freely enjoy themselves.

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As the sun sets, the deck transforms into a completely different place, almost magical with all the string lights lit up. We initially thought of checking out Straight Up, the more formal roof deck bar at the top floor, maybe when the kids had fallen asleep or something.

Alas, we were too tired to get out of the room (story of our life). And so this quick takas-moment by the pool bar, while my brother and nephew, who were visiting, watched over the twins—was all the “Seda nightlife” we got. Parental life, what can I say.

Then again, I’d take any moment with this one!

This picture though. See the two kids watching from the window, two floors up? Yep, that’s Dawn and Rain right there. :)

Overall, considering that we even managed to capture some token couple-photos while enjoying 45 minutes of quiet—and one round of drinks, thank you—all to ourselves, guys, we shall consider this an absolute win.

Seda Vertis Booking Tips

Check-in early. Take note that Seda Vertis has 438 rooms, which means, LOTS of guests. Checking in early is welcome and leaving your bags with the concierge is a breeze. With Ayala Vertis Mall just right next door, you can while away time, maybe even have lunch, until the standard 2 pm check-in.
Stay on a weekday. Although the hotel staff is well-trained to accommodate hundreds of guests at a time, it’s safe to assume that Seda Vertis gets crowded on weekends. Book on a weekday for a quieter experience if you can, although, to be honest, the weekend crowd was not bad at all too! (We enjoyed our family-oriented crowd when we were there. The twins made a handful of friends while in the pool.)
Best rates. You can wait for periodical promos through their website Sedahotels.com or get the best rates via Agoda. If you’re a regular Agoda user, definitely book through Agoda to collect those points! ;)

Lastly, although we didn’t take photos anymore after the first day, here are a few more thoughts to add:

The breakfast buffet was a feast. Aside from brekky food, there was also a variety of Filipino, Asian, American, Continental spread to choose from. In classic pinoy fashion, we intentionally waited for the last hour to have our breakfast so we can eat enough to cover lunch. :D
Try booking at Seda without kids too. We wish we tried the spa (only Php 1000 per hour) and the Straight Up bar. They also have a business lounge that looks like a good place to get some work and writing done. Which is why we look forward to possibly going back without the kids—but they don’t have to know that ok?
Scout’s Honor. There’s a great cookie place across the Seda vicinity called Scout’s Honor. If you’re still full from eating too much brekky food, go take out some Scout’s Honor cookies before you go home. I always drop by Scout’s Honor whenever we’re in Vertis because, well, cookie is life.

FINAL VERDICT: Seda Vertis is officially our favorite hotel in all of Quezon City, and maybe all of the north. And now with this lovely experience and all the new memories we gained within its walls, I would not hesitate booking Seda again, not only the one in QC but also if we ever find ourselves in any of its locations.

Highly recommended! ♥

About Seda Hotels

Seda is the Filipino word for silk. It is the symbol of our commitment to weave together seamless service, exceptional value, and exciting destination, for a remarkable hospitality experience. Seda Hotels provide comfort and convenience blended with Filipino talent and creativity — all uniquely Seda.

Seda Vertis is the largest hotel in the north. A 5-star hotel located in the economic hub of Quezon City, the 438-room hotel offers stylish accommodations, exquisite flavors, and grand banquet and meeting venues. It is a few steps to Vertis North and Trinoma Malls with their range of international fashion brands and home-grown dining outlets.

Contact and Location details

Seda Vertis North

Astra cor. Lux Drives, Vertis North, Quezon City, 1105 Philippines
+632 739 8888 | +632 739 8891 | vertis@sedahotels.com
Instagram | Facebook

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Disclosure: This post comes with Agoda referral links, which means I may get points or commission if you ever book through these links, at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting ChasingDreams.net by using my affiliate links to purchase. :) Read my full disclosure policy here.

Redefining What it Means to Chase Your Dreams, Year 10

June 20, 2019June 20, 2019 Rhiza2 Comments

The actual “dream chasing” has been going on longer than 10 years, but right now I’m referring to this blog which is officially 10 years old this month! (Cue the confetti!) But first things first, if you landed on this page because you were scouring the web for inspiration re: dream chasing, I thought I’d disclose the fact that I was just sifting through Google the other day searching for the same thing!

High five, dream chaser! We’re already more similar than you think.

I also thought I’d let you know that when I registered this domain name 10 years ago, I was totally clueless what I was swiping my card for. I just wanted a space to blog and a catchy name to go with it, if I’m being honest. It wasn’t until several years later that I started to feel the responsibility of it all—of being an (accidental) advocate of this actual chase of dreams.

In other words, it was all fun and games until emails and comments started pouring in from people seeking advice (or a listening ear) as they chase their own dreams. And if you know me, I take these types of interactions quite seriously.

The first couple of years were alright. I got answers ready for every FAQ. After all, I reached the peak of my career at a young age, left my corporate job to travel and to work remotely, launched several passion projects, married the guy of my dreams, and enjoyed the freedom of chasing the next big thing whenever I felt like it.

Textbook dream-chasing stuff, pretty much.

But then I became a mother and everything sort of became.. messy. I had to #konmari the heck out of my dreams to make room for two little humans, and it was only then that I realized that I barely scratched the surface of what it truly takes to chase dreams.

Don’t get me wrong, being a mother now is everything to me and quite possibly the best dream I never knew I had. It’s just that everything I knew about chasing my own dreams was challenged, even shattered.

And so I wondered over and over if “chasing dreams” still applies to me in this season of my life.

What does chasing dreams look like for us anyway, mid-30 creative women with little humans to feed and raise?

This question floats around like a dark cloud above my head, especially when anxiety hits. There were times when I struggled to balance it all and I was almost sure that I was so done here.

And yet somehow, year after year, whenever I thread my way through this seemingly dead-end road, I find myself having a stronger resolve and a deeper grasp of the purpose of this blog, what it can grow into, and why I should keep going and trying.

And now I stand on this 10-year mark knowing full well that I was forever changed by God in this journey, simply because I kept finding the courage to show up and to allow this space to evolve and grow as it should.

More so, because I learned to (albeit reluctantly) acknowledge the seasons and honor the process.

Chasing dreams is the intentional pursuit of the big, audacious dreams that God has placed in our hearts. But more often than not, the chase looks more like planting and growing a tree than running and winning a race.

It means being willing to take both the big leaps of faith as well as the small and unseen everyday steps.

It means going through seasons of both hustling and healing, of both stretching and slowing down.

And sometimes it means letting God hide you like a seed because that’s the only way to grow your roots.

All this to say, if you’re here hoping to find inspiration from someone who already “made it”, I hope you won’t be disappointed to know that I’m actually writing this from the trenches of my own glorious and messy chase.

The ducks are far from being in a row. The bags are unpacked indefinitely. The dreams have yet to come true. But I do know that the best lessons are learned from the messy and hidden parts of the story, and that’s what I hope to continue to share in this space on this 10th year.

Thank you for staying around for it all, and may you find on these pages the inspiration you need to—quietly, slowly, steadily—keep going too.

Love, Riz

Photos by Sheila Catilo. <3

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Club Balai Isabel Weekend with the Whole Family

June 5, 2019August 6, 2022 RhizaLeave a comment

This Club Balai Isabel review is based on our experience in April 2019.

It was a last minute trip, just like Baguio. Two days before Holy Week, we still didn’t have anything planned. In retrospect, we didn’t really mind just being within Metro Manila because have you experienced Manila traffic during Holy Week?? (It’s nonexistent.) Sometimes you’d really rather stay within the city when everyone else is out there!

Just the same, in between Viber messages with my brother, I aimlessly browsed my Agoda and AirBnb apps to see if there’s anything worth snagging without really expecting anything. Everywhere else was booked, naturally, so what were the chances that I’d find a room big enough for a family of 10, in a place such as Club Balai Isabel, at a discount, during the busiest time of the summer? Slim!

To think Balai Isabel is booked out months ahead, let’s just call this impromptu trip meant to be.

Let’s call it #familytravelhacks too. Because I was definitely surprised to know that there are Club Balai Isabel loft rooms at AirBnb. And now you know it too. You’re welcome. ;)

Anyway, photos!

Lunch & coffee stopover

I don’t know about you but this family enjoys the road trip (and the stopovers) as much as the destination.

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Stopping for a quick lunch at an SLEX stopover and some coffee to go, we made it to Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas in less than 2 hours. No traffic, hooray for us!

Usually, when you’ve booked through Airbnb, you have to deal with meeting up with your host to get the room keys and to check in. Seems not the case at Balai Isabel. I only had to show up at the lobby with my ID and was checked in quite easily.

Exploring the place

The entire club was booked out but thankfully, our loft was located in the less crowded and the farthest area of the club, with a nice view of the Taal Lake and the Aqua Park.

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Events Place

Our loft had a really nice view of this new event place they’re opening soon. It’s sooo pretty and overlooking the Taal lake, we just had to take a lot of photos in front of it. I’d get married here again in a heartbeat!

Aqua Park

We were also very close to the Aqua Park and although it looks very tempting, I don’t think the facility is very inviting to younger kids. The kids were more than happy to just lounge in the pool.

Swimming Pools

There are 3 swimming pools at Balai Isabel. We were able to use two of them. Although we enjoyed the big pool, it was also very crowded at the time. We mostly stayed in the smaller pool, the one that’s a bit hidden behind the trees (cozy!!), which we pretty much had to ourselves.

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The highlight of the trip, according to the kids

They can literally swim all day.

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How do kids grow so fast again?

Crew

6 adults, 3 kids, all comfy in this loft type room, thanks to our kind AirBnb host.

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A shoutout to my crew, who I’ll never get tired going places with! [/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””][/su_column][/su_row]

I can’t believe we almost spent the entire Holy Week at home flicking through Netflix. What a better way to spend a holiday for sure. This one’s for the books!

Club Balai Isabel, Talisay Batangas

For years, Tagaytay has been made famous by its view of Taal Lake and its volcano. However, the lakeside towns never became tourist destinations due to the lack of resort facilities, until Club Balai Isabel was developed. Today Balai Isabel’s amenities and facilities make it an excellent choice for holidays, corporate events, and special occasions. With lots of water activities such as kayaking, sailing, banana boat ride, and a tour to get a closer look at Taal Volcano’s crater on horseback or on foot.

Website: www.balaiisabel.com

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When in Baguio with Kids for 36 Hours

February 26, 2018August 6, 2022 RhizaLeave a comment

Sometimes, you just have to go for it. Even when the idea crossed your mind just 24 hours ago and you didn’t have a clear plan or Baguio itinerary.

In fact (as we all have proven time and time again), the trips that usually push through are the ones we didn’t overthink.

This was the story of our quick Baguio trip and our loosely planned itinerary.

My brother, who was celebrating his birthday (coincidentally a day before his wife’s birthday), blurted out while we were chatting about something totally unrelated, “we want sana to celebrate our birthdays in Baguio.” Without much thinking, I replied, “So why not? Sama kame! Let’s go!”

The next 24 hours looked like this: An excited approval from my husband. Hitting my Agoda and Airbnb apps to find and book accommodation. Quick trip to the nearby supermarket to buy some snacks and toiletries. Rummaging our closets for long-sleeved shirts, scarves, and knits. Getting the girls all hyped up for the trip, and then forcing them to sleep early. Packing up clothes for 4 people. Alarm clock at 3am. Up and running just before sunrise.

We would figure out where to go and what to do when we get there, but I’d really like to accomplish a few simple things:

Eat strawberry taho
Have some strawberry cake at Vizco’s
Maybe get some strawberry ice cream too, if there’s time
Take home some fresh strawberries

Spoiler alert: I got everything in my simple strawberry bucket list checked!

Here’s our loosely planned, anything-goes Baguio itinerary

DAY ONE

4:30 AM – Start trip from Manila. We drove a private vehicle so we had the luxury of time, leisurely taking pit stops whenever we need.
10:00 AM – Arrive at Baguio. First stop, Camp John Hay.
10:30 AM – Brunch at Pizza Volante at Techno Hub.
11:00 AM – Drive around Camp John Hay, get coffee.
12:00 PM – Check-in at Azalea Residences, drop off bags.
2:00 PM – Botanical Garden, find strawberry taho and take photos (annnnd we stop taking photos at this point).
3:30 PM – Off to SM Baguio for snacks, and the first round of pasalubong shopping. (We lost so much time waiting for parking space, tsssk!)
5:00 PM – Early dinner.
6:00 PM – Coffee and dessert at Pamana.
7:00 PM – Back at Azalea to rest for a bit.
8:30 PM – Leave the kids at the hotel with their Lola so that the adults *ehem* can double-date. Off to Session Road to buy some drinks and take home some strawberry cake from Vizco’s.
10:00 PM – Take out some Korean beef and noodles from Samgyeoppocha for midnight snack.
11:00 PM – Back at Azalea in time for birthday eve celebration.
12:30 AM – Lights Off.

DAY TWO

9:30 AM – Late breakfast buffet.
11:00 AM – Pack-up and early checkout.
12:00 NN – Bike at Burnham Park and pasalubong shopping at the Baguio City Market.
1:30 PM – Late lunch at SM Baguio.
2:30 PM – Back at Camp John Hay for one last round of photo sessions, plus a visit to the old picturesque Starbucks.
4:30 PM – One last drive around Baguio to hunt for strawberry taho, and strawberry ice cream.
6:00 PM – Drive back to Manila, stopover at NLEX for dinner.

It’s been more than a decade since the last time I’ve been to Baguio but, other than the massive existence of SM City on top of Session Road, Baguio doesn’t really feel different all that much.

When we were kids, our parents took us to Baguio frequently. To them, Baguio trips were part of church ministry; to us siblings, those were some of our most treasured childhood memories. So it made me happy to have Dawn and Rain experience some of the things we loved about Baguio growing up.

First stop, Camp John Hay (of course)

Our first stop was Camp John Hay Techno Hub, had brunch at Pizza Volante, dropped by Vizco’s for some pastries-to-go, and then some coffee-to-go from Starbucks. We also stopped by the butterfly sanctuary for the kids. Needless to say, we drove around Camp John Hay with our windows down so we could feel the cool Baguio breeze.

We know there are a lot of things to do in Baguio but we kept it chill and familiar for this trip. :)

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Off to find those stawberries.

Found strawberry taho at Botanical Garden.

There are a lot of taho vendors on the streets of Baguio, but that’s the challenge right there—they’re on the streets, roaming around. We didn’t know specific spots. They say there’s a hub of taho vendors near the strawberry farm in La Trinidad so we had that in our list. But as we drove past Botanical Garden (which wasn’t really part of our itinerary), we spotted a taho vendor by its entrance. Score! We didn’t need to go to La Trinidad after all.

Happy camper. ;) Strawberry taho, check!

And since we were already at the Botanical Garden, might as well take photos. Of course.

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We thought of going to Ben Cab Museum to get a bit of Baguio art and culture. But obviously the strawberry taho could not wait, hence the Botanical Garden became the closest thing we got to some Baguio history. It was also very close to Azalea Residences—our homebase for the duration of our stay.

Stayed at Azalea Residences, Baguio

It wasn’t the most affordable choice you’ll find in Agoda, but we didn’t want to risk on budget accommodations in such short notice. You do get what you pay for with this one. We were very happy with our 2-bedroom unit at the Azalea Residences! :)

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Plus points for having a 24-hour Korean restaurant just outside the Azalea compound! We went to get some takeout Samgyeopsal and Ramen for midnight birthday salubong snacks—just what the birthday celebrants ordered. ;)

Earlier we also got some strawberry cake from Vizco’s because that’s just what you do if you’re celebrating your birthday in Baguio. (Strawberry shortcake, check!)

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Happy birthday Kuya Nikos and Ate Kaye!

We loved waking up to pine trees and mountains by our window, and the natural Baguio cold inside our aircon-less room. Also, a big breakfast!

Thank you, Azalea Residences for that memorable stay!

Loved this quaint Starbucks at Camp John Hay

Ahh, one of the cutest Starbucks I’ve seen! I love how Starbucks—with its hundreds of branches around the world—preserves a city’s unique culture and tradition through the architectural and interior design of select shops (like this one in Kyoto).

I mean, even the electrical wires are very telling of its location! (Only in the Pilipins haha.)

Kidding (and electrical wires) aside, this Starbucks branch maybe a little worn out around the edges but still very charming and picturesque. If you’re in Baguio for the quiet, or you’re in a reflective mood, the old Starbucks at Camp John Hay is worth the trip!

For the family album

Lastly, a quick photo session by the pine trees. These are the photos that will make it to the family photo album, for sure. ;)

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Photographs by the pine trees, check.

On our final stretch, we went for a quick bike ride at Burnham Park (because, as my brother says, every child needs to experience biking at Burnham Park), dropped by the public playground, and did pasalubong shopping at the Baguio market. This is also the part where we stopped taking photos, haha.

On the way home, we kept our eyes open for strawberry ice cream vendors. It was already getting dark and the chances were very slim but just before we made it to Kennon Road, we got the final item on our list checked!

One for the road! Strawberry ice cream, check.

I’m fully aware that my Baguio bucket list mostly involved strawberries, but where else can you find an abundance of strawberries in this country??!

The Quest for Strawberries

Just to review my strawberry bucket list (because there isn’t enough info about strawberries on travel blogs):

Strawberry taho. There is a stall in SM City Baguio that sells all sorts of taho, and we tried that too. HOWEVER, there’s nothing compared to the ones being sold in the streets. We found a taho vendor at the entrance of Botanical Garden. We hear there are some taho vendors also in Ben Cab Museum. Of course, if you don’t mind making the trip to La Trinidad, the strawberry farm is a sure hub for all things strawberry, so I’m certain there are taho vendors there also.
Strawberry shortcake. Vizco’s Restaurant and Cake Shop is the only place in Baguio I would buy Strawberry Shortcake from. They have a branch at Ayala TechnoHub, Camp John Hay. We got ours from their branch along Session Road.
Strawberry ice cream. Sorry I couldn’t say an exact spot for this one. Keep your eyes open for manong sorbetero!
Fresh strawberries. Again, if you don’t mind going to La Trinidad, that’s the place to be for all your strawberry needs. :) But the Baguio Public Market is also complete with every pasalubong you can think of, including fresh strawberries. That’s where we got our stash.

Hope this helps!

Today as I was looking at these photos, I couldn’t be more grateful for strawberries, family, and childhood memories we can share with our kids. Til now, Dawn and Rain still thank Jesus for taking them “to the mountains” in their bedtime prayers and tell us “we should go back to the mountains!” every now and then. We really should. :)

Baguio 2018, in the books!

Our First Airbnb Tagaytay Experience

November 26, 2017July 26, 2019 RhizaLeave a comment

I’m a late bloomer when it comes to AirBnb. It was 2016 when I downloaded the app out of curiousity, but it wasn’t until 2017 when I started actually using it.

I’ve read articles about how using AirBnb isn’t fun anymore, and how the whole concept of apartment-sharing has lost its appeal. I wouldn’t really know the difference to be honest. As someone who’s only started using AirBnb recently, I’m happy with all of our AirBnb experiences so far and will keep on using it for sure!

We recently stayed at this AirBnb Tagaytay 3BR Penthouse Suite with a nice view of the Taal Lake, which would have been so nice if we were able to take photos of the view. Lol. Saving the photo sessions for last, we couldn’t have predicted how much fog there would be in the morning of our last day!

Still, the feeling of being on top of the clouds (no visibility whatsoever) was an otherworldly experience we will never forget too. All is well. 😉

We sure love the hotel-like amenities of our AirBnb—the crisp sheets, the coffee (French press and freshly ground coffee ftw!), the board games. The space was big enough to accommodate all of us, 7 adults and 3 kids. Three bedrooms, 2 baths, and a kitchen with basic utensils and equipment.

Don, our host, responds pretty quickly and knows well how to take care of his guests. (Thanks, Don!)

Although Don’s place is located within the vicinity of everything Tagaytay has to offer—the tourist spots, restaurants, nightlife, etc—you wouldn’t really mind staying in on this one if staycationing is your thing.

A quick guide at booking an AirBnb

Photos matter! When choosing an AirBnb, I like choosing interiors that fit my aesthetics. Just keeping it real guys. I’m most definitely going to take photos after all. If I don’t like how the place looks like in photos, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t like it all that much in person.
Take time to read the fine print. Because of AirBnb’s apartment-sharing nature, every host has his own house rules that you’d want to be aware of beforehand. Be responsible enough to read through everything before booking.
Past customer reviews are there for a reason. Let actual customer reviews be the judge!

Get up to 2,200 PHP discount on your first AirBnb stay using this link! 🙂

And now, some photographs with my favorite people!

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Bag of Beans, Tagaytay.

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Disclosure: This post might include affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

One for the road! Stop over at Bag of Beans to take out some barako and raisin bread because that’s just what you do #whenintagaytay

It sure was a lovely weekend spent with my favorite people.. which reminds me. I could use some staycation just about now!

Get P2,200 off your first AirBnb Tagaytay stay

This is the exact room we stayed in.

If you haven’t tried AirBnb yet, sign up using this link to get 2,200 Php discount on your first trip! 🙂

Save $40 on your first AirBnb Stay