Villa Escudero Plantations is 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of working coconut plantation and hacienda located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of the city of San Pablo, Laguna province on the border with Quezon province in the Philippines.[1] Since 1981, the plantation has opened its doors as a resort offering village tours, museum tour, food and accommodations. It has developed a worldwide reputation as a focal point to experience Philippine culture and history in a beautiful rural setting.[2]
Location
The plantation encompasses three municipalities in two provinces: San Pablo City in Laguna and the towns of Tiaong, and Dolores in Quezon province. The entrance to the resort is located just a few feet from the Laguna and Quezon boundary arch.[3]
History
Villa Escudero Plantations was founded in 1872 by Don Plácido Escudero and his wife Doña Claudia Marasigan. Originally a sugar cane plantation, the crop was converted to coconut by their son, Don Arsenio Escudero in the early 1900s. A pioneering agriculture industrialist, he built the country’s first working hydroelectric plant - Labasin Dam - to supply his desiccated coconut factory and the Escudero Plantation house, which he and his wife Doña Rosario Adap built in 1929.[4]
The plantation was opened to the public in 1981 as a tourist attraction, offering glimpses of plantation life. The family's eclectic private collection was presented as a Museum tour. Carabao cart ride takes visitors to the resort area, surrounded by park-like setting while being serenaded by locals. Dining is offered in a unique al fresco restaurant where the dining tables are situated below the spillway of the hydroelectric dam (or the 'Labasin waterfalls') while diners enjoy their lunch dipped in the flowing calf-deep water.[2] Later attractions include an authentic live cultural dance show choreographed by National Artist Ramon Obusan, performed with live music.[5] The resort has since expanded offering accommodations, more restaurants, sports facilities, and a conference center.
In 2008, 415 hectares (1,030 acres), more than half of the estate, was converted into an exclusive residential development called Hacienda Escudero.[3]
Museum
The Escuderos are a well-known family in Quezon since the late 1800s. The museum contains the private collections of the family from their local travels and around the world. It was started by Arsenio and Rosario Escudero and passed on to the living generations of the family. The assorted collections include, among others, religious artifacts, Chinese porcelain, antique furniture, ethnic clothing, relics from Second World War, clothes of Philippine presidents, butterfly collections, up to Jose Rizal's letters in his slumbook.[1] In 1987, the extensive collection was moved and showcased in the church of the plantation.[6] A trip of the museum is a must to Philippine history enthusiasts and is included with the admission.[7]
Labasin Lake
Labasin Lake is the narrow lake or reservoir created by the Labasin hydroelectric dam. One of the amenities provided by the resort to visitors is rafting and native bamboo rafts are available and is included with the day tour.[8] Some accommodations made with native materials are beautifully set protruding by the lake.
For some great pictures go to:
Sunrise
This means no lane change
The big road on top is called the "Skyway"
Really!?!?
Love this sign - it means a reststop
At the Lay-By
tag. As a joke, we wore each other's tags all day,
and no one noticed.
Tractor with a disk on the way to do...
San Pablo
We arrived safe and sound with Edward's excellent driving.
fruit you peel like an orange, but it has the
taste and texture of peach Jello.
to one. They feel like a pig: kind of bristly, and
this one snorted at me!
The carabao ride to the falls.
Watch Out!
To the Falls
The first look was breath-taking!
We're going to climb down there to eat? Really!!!
After our meal, while climbing out of the
water, Edward lost his shoe and a cute,
young girl retrieved it for him.
Not! We asked for utensils and got
a spoon and fork - no knife, because
they don't use them here.
While waiting for the Cultural Show, I walk around
with the camera taking in the sights:
The Lake
The edge where it goes over to make the Falls
Flat boats which are strips of bamboo with a box to sit on.
Some of the many cabins for rent.
Not a happy camper since he didn't bring his dry sandals with him!
Orchids - Edward bought one for me
Our new hats....
This is more like my "happy camper."
Poinsettia Tree
Waling waling - is a flower
This tree is like the ones at the temple other than
it has white flowers instead of pink.
Halo halo - yum yum
Halo-halo (Tagalog: [haˈlo-haˈlo], "mixed together") is a popular Filipino dessert with mixtures of shaved ice and evaporated milk to which are added various boiled sweet beans, jello and fruits. It is served in a tall glass or bowl.
Ingredients include boiled kidney beans, garbanzos, sugar palm fruit (kaong), coconut sport (macapuno), and plantains caramelized in sugar, jackfruit (langkâ), gulaman, tapioca, nata de coco, sweet potato(kamote), cheese, pounded crushed young rice (pinipig). In terms of arrangement, most of the ingredients (fruits, beans, and other sweets) are first placed inside the tall glass, followed by the shaved ice. This is then sprinkled with sugar, and topped with either (or a combination of) leche flan, purple yam (ubeng pula), or ice cream. Evaporated milk is poured into the mixture upon serving.
Finally - time for the Cultural Show
Musical instruments
Musical instruments
Musical instruments
These two were show-stoppers as they played their
guitars and flipped from front to back all while on their heads!
This was a marvelous day and we were glad we made
the journey, even though it was a two hour drive to
Escudero and a three and 1/2 hour drive
home. You got to love traffic here in the Philippines!
Parting thoughts:
"Decisions are constantly before us which can determine our destiny. In order for us to make the correct decisions, courage is needed—the courage to say no when we should, the courage to say yes when that is appropriate, the courage to do the right thing because it is right."
—Thomas S. Monson, "Be Strong and of a Good Courage
Time flies on wings of lightening, you cannot call
it back. It comes then passes forward along its onward track.
And if we are not mindful, the chance will fade away,
For life is quick in passing. 'Tis as a single day.
Improve the Shining Moments, Hymns 226
We have just experienced a wonderful General Conference. As in old, taught in the scriptures, the people were led by a prophet of God. We are literally and truthfully led by a living prophet of God today. Life can be its fullest by following the words of Thomas S. Monson and others who taught us. May we evaluate where we are on our spiritual journeys and live our lives according to what we have been taught. We love and miss you all! RWYA & KoKo
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