The Art Of Doing Nothing (Sonya's Garden, Tagaytay)

This can be found here

The Art Of Doing Nothing
By Paul John Caña

If doing nothing is an art, then I’m a Da Vinci or a Michelangelo. A blank space on my planner is pure bliss, and there’s nothing I look forward to more than a weekend filled only with spectacular possibilities to lay back and chill. So when I got the invite to engage in the artful pursuit of having absolutely nothing to do, you can bet I was up at the crack of dawn and driving up to Sonya’s Garden in Tagaytay faster than you could say “high gas prices be damned!”

I’ve made many trips to that little slice of botanical heaven, and as a city kid through and through, every time I’m there, I can’t help but draw my breath in at the sheer magnificence and beauty of it all: a garden straight out of a genuine English countryside, complete with butterflies dancing during the day and fireflies brightening up the night; the tantalizing smell of freshly baking bread as you pass by the panaderia; the quaint little white linen-draped nooks scattered around the garden that conjure images of carefree lovers whispering sweet nothings into each others ears. And the food! You come to Sonya’s to see her garden, and you stay for the gastronomic delights that emanate from her kitchen. From being a private paradise open only to friends and family, Sonya’s Garden had evolved into more than just a garden and a restaurant for those “in the know”. Now, Sonya’s secret can be experienced by visiting the spa for any of her signature treatments or staying in any of the charming cottages that make up her Bed and Breakfast.

“The Art of Doing Nothing” was a weekend package being offered by Sonya herself and on this trip I didn’t know what to expect. I’m a self-confessed slacker, but how exactly do you find the art in doing nothing? As it turned out, “nothing” can be a whole lot of different things.

Yoga was one of them. While my idea of relaxation is vegetating on the couch and fondling the remote control, to Sonya, apparently it meant twisting your body into all sorts of different shapes while remembering to watch out for your breathing as you try to find inner peace. The lady of the garden is a firm believer in the organic and the natural, and that includes rest and relaxation methods. It was just my luck (or maybe not) that my jeans and shirt getup didn’t exactly scream out “Relax!” so I had to sit that one out.

For any guy, arranging flowers sounds about as much fun as a trip to the dentist, but I gave it a go, because yes, it was yet another way to kill time. Sonya also led a session on sandwich making and hair conditioning using ingredients you find in the kitchen (egg yolks and olive oil), but as I wanted to stay true to the premise of this entire exercise, these were activities that I took no part in. Seeing a fellow nothin’ doer’s hair get smothered in that egg-oil concoction while munching on those succulent fresh tomato with basil and mayo sandwiches in a fantasy-garden setting was enough for me.

But the ultimate in lethargy and self-indulgence was to come next: if doing nothing really is an art, then getting a luxurious massage must be a grand masterpiece that could rival the Mona Lisa. For someone who’s only contribution to the activity was to lay face down on the bed while my masseuse kneaded and pressed my entire body, I thought I did a pretty good job.

In between all these instances of kicking back and doing, well, “nothing,” I did myself no favors by gorging on the exquisite cuisine Sonya and her crew offers her guests. Whether it was the decadent adobo flakes for breakfast, tempura-with-a-twist and sticky rice for lunch or her signature organic salad with the divine dressing and pasta with three different sauces for dinner, it was a nightmare for dieters but foodie heaven for everyone else. I was a sloth and a glutton – two deadly sins in a span of a few hours.

Although it was advertised as a weekend of indulging in your inner indolent self, the organizers saw it fit to include a workshop on travel writing conducted by eminent writer and former advertising exec Barbara “Tweetums” Gonzalez. It was a pleasure learning new tricks of the trade from the surprisingly delightful and engaging Miss Twee. In between workshops, she even regaled us with her stories of growing up as a great grandniece of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, her years in the cutthroat and maddening world of advertising and her personal and amusing views about romance and relationships.

Romance is almost a forgone conclusion during a stay at Sonya’s. What with the heady mix of scented flowers, sweet herbs and pebbled pathways lit by colored lanterns in the silence of the night. But for those who manage to make the trip here without a companion, the hushed silence forces one into solitude one doesn’t realize one needs until it overtakes you. In the night, snuggled against crisp white sheets in each room’s unique and wonderfully eclectic décor, one is sure to wonder when it was that one last experienced true peace and quiet.

I also found time to pay Sonya herself a visit in her home in the middle of her magical garden. Amidst charming and rustic furniture that recalls a peaceful life in the country, and her pooch named Pupay constantly yelping for attention, Sonya explained that the concept of “doing nothing” involved extricating yourself from the madness of the daily grind and the quagmire of routine and immersing yourself in things that might be familiar or exciting and new. She might be whipping treats in her kitchen, pulling out weeds in her front yard or chatting with curious visitors and satisfied customers of her restaurant, but to her, it’s all the same: another day spent living her life and doing exactly what she pleases; and that, she says, is how life should be lived.

All told, it was the template for a perfect weekend. More than the actual, almost surreal experience of getting away from the harsh realities of life in the city, I feel most fortunate at having learned – from Sonya herself – that doing nothing really is an act unto itself; a choice to take on meaningful pursuits to discover the difference between what is essential and what is fluff. Between living and merely existing. Doing nothing is an act of rebellion – to challenge established practices and celebrate life in the process. It’s slowing down and stopping to smell the roses. And really, is there any place better where you can do that than in Sonya’s Garden?

How to Get There
From South Superhighway, exit at Santa Rosa and turn right towards Tagaytay. Upon reaching Aguinaldo highway, turn right toward Nasugbu, Batangas. Go past Tagaytay Rotonda and proceed for 10 kilometers more. After Splendido Golf Course and Sunrise Hill, make a right turn on Buck Estate. Drive for 2 kilometers and watch out for Sonya's on the left side. Use the first gate and drive towards the end of the driveway and make a right towards the parking lot.

Sonya’s Garden
Barangay Buck Estate
Alfonso, Cavite
(63 917) 532 9097 / (63 917) 533 5140
www.sonyasgarden.com

The Art Of Doing Nothing (Sonya's Garden, Tagaytay)

This can be found here

The Art Of Doing Nothing
By Paul John Caña

If doing nothing is an art, then I’m a Da Vinci or a Michelangelo. A blank space on my planner is pure bliss, and there’s nothing I look forward to more than a weekend filled only with spectacular possibilities to lay back and chill. So when I got the invite to engage in the artful pursuit of having absolutely nothing to do, you can bet I was up at the crack of dawn and driving up to Sonya’s Garden in Tagaytay faster than you could say “high gas prices be damned!”

I’ve made many trips to that little slice of botanical heaven, and as a city kid through and through, every time I’m there, I can’t help but draw my breath in at the sheer magnificence and beauty of it all: a garden straight out of a genuine English countryside, complete with butterflies dancing during the day and fireflies brightening up the night; the tantalizing smell of freshly baking bread as you pass by the panaderia; the quaint little white linen-draped nooks scattered around the garden that conjure images of carefree lovers whispering sweet nothings into each others ears. And the food! You come to Sonya’s to see her garden, and you stay for the gastronomic delights that emanate from her kitchen. From being a private paradise open only to friends and family, Sonya’s Garden had evolved into more than just a garden and a restaurant for those “in the know”. Now, Sonya’s secret can be experienced by visiting the spa for any of her signature treatments or staying in any of the charming cottages that make up her Bed and Breakfast.

“The Art of Doing Nothing” was a weekend package being offered by Sonya herself and on this trip I didn’t know what to expect. I’m a self-confessed slacker, but how exactly do you find the art in doing nothing? As it turned out, “nothing” can be a whole lot of different things.

Yoga was one of them. While my idea of relaxation is vegetating on the couch and fondling the remote control, to Sonya, apparently it meant twisting your body into all sorts of different shapes while remembering to watch out for your breathing as you try to find inner peace. The lady of the garden is a firm believer in the organic and the natural, and that includes rest and relaxation methods. It was just my luck (or maybe not) that my jeans and shirt getup didn’t exactly scream out “Relax!” so I had to sit that one out.

For any guy, arranging flowers sounds about as much fun as a trip to the dentist, but I gave it a go, because yes, it was yet another way to kill time. Sonya also led a session on sandwich making and hair conditioning using ingredients you find in the kitchen (egg yolks and olive oil), but as I wanted to stay true to the premise of this entire exercise, these were activities that I took no part in. Seeing a fellow nothin’ doer’s hair get smothered in that egg-oil concoction while munching on those succulent fresh tomato with basil and mayo sandwiches in a fantasy-garden setting was enough for me.

But the ultimate in lethargy and self-indulgence was to come next: if doing nothing really is an art, then getting a luxurious massage must be a grand masterpiece that could rival the Mona Lisa. For someone who’s only contribution to the activity was to lay face down on the bed while my masseuse kneaded and pressed my entire body, I thought I did a pretty good job.

In between all these instances of kicking back and doing, well, “nothing,” I did myself no favors by gorging on the exquisite cuisine Sonya and her crew offers her guests. Whether it was the decadent adobo flakes for breakfast, tempura-with-a-twist and sticky rice for lunch or her signature organic salad with the divine dressing and pasta with three different sauces for dinner, it was a nightmare for dieters but foodie heaven for everyone else. I was a sloth and a glutton – two deadly sins in a span of a few hours.

Although it was advertised as a weekend of indulging in your inner indolent self, the organizers saw it fit to include a workshop on travel writing conducted by eminent writer and former advertising exec Barbara “Tweetums” Gonzalez. It was a pleasure learning new tricks of the trade from the surprisingly delightful and engaging Miss Twee. In between workshops, she even regaled us with her stories of growing up as a great grandniece of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, her years in the cutthroat and maddening world of advertising and her personal and amusing views about romance and relationships.

Romance is almost a forgone conclusion during a stay at Sonya’s. What with the heady mix of scented flowers, sweet herbs and pebbled pathways lit by colored lanterns in the silence of the night. But for those who manage to make the trip here without a companion, the hushed silence forces one into solitude one doesn’t realize one needs until it overtakes you. In the night, snuggled against crisp white sheets in each room’s unique and wonderfully eclectic décor, one is sure to wonder when it was that one last experienced true peace and quiet.

I also found time to pay Sonya herself a visit in her home in the middle of her magical garden. Amidst charming and rustic furniture that recalls a peaceful life in the country, and her pooch named Pupay constantly yelping for attention, Sonya explained that the concept of “doing nothing” involved extricating yourself from the madness of the daily grind and the quagmire of routine and immersing yourself in things that might be familiar or exciting and new. She might be whipping treats in her kitchen, pulling out weeds in her front yard or chatting with curious visitors and satisfied customers of her restaurant, but to her, it’s all the same: another day spent living her life and doing exactly what she pleases; and that, she says, is how life should be lived.

All told, it was the template for a perfect weekend. More than the actual, almost surreal experience of getting away from the harsh realities of life in the city, I feel most fortunate at having learned – from Sonya herself – that doing nothing really is an act unto itself; a choice to take on meaningful pursuits to discover the difference between what is essential and what is fluff. Between living and merely existing. Doing nothing is an act of rebellion – to challenge established practices and celebrate life in the process. It’s slowing down and stopping to smell the roses. And really, is there any place better where you can do that than in Sonya’s Garden?

How to Get There
From South Superhighway, exit at Santa Rosa and turn right towards Tagaytay. Upon reaching Aguinaldo highway, turn right toward Nasugbu, Batangas. Go past Tagaytay Rotonda and proceed for 10 kilometers more. After Splendido Golf Course and Sunrise Hill, make a right turn on Buck Estate. Drive for 2 kilometers and watch out for Sonya's on the left side. Use the first gate and drive towards the end of the driveway and make a right towards the parking lot.

Sonya’s Garden
Barangay Buck Estate
Alfonso, Cavite
(63 917) 532 9097 / (63 917) 533 5140
www.sonyasgarden.com

Rediscovering Antipolo (Rizal)

This can be found here

Rediscovering Antipolo
By Paul John Caña

According to a recent study, the province of Rizal, mad Manila’s next-door neighbor to the east is, believe it or not, the least poor province in the country. With a poverty incidence rate of 3.4%, even lower than the nation’s capital, Rizal is fast becoming a playground of the rich and richer. Of course, residents of the Metro will all have our Antipolo stories: genuflecting inside the Church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage along with several thousand other pilgrims during visita iglesia, getting smashed in one of the countless watering holes that line the road going up to the city proper, or getting wet in the fabled falls called Hinulugang Taktak. If you haven’t traversed the long and winding (Sumulong) Road up to Antipolo in a while, fill up your gas tank and spend a day exploring the abundant treasures in this province named after our beloved national hero.

If you decide to go up on a Sunday, it’s a good idea to start your trip by hearing mass or at least praying in one of the churches there. While the cathedral in Antipolo City proper is an obvious choice, the church located in Sitio Boso Boso (said to be the oldest church in the city) is a quaint and refreshing alternative. Marvel at the old stone façade and feel a sense of history as you quietly reflect on your own thoughts inside the chapel.

For lunch, if you’re up for something different, make your way to Crescent Moon Café. Tucked away in a secluded spot in Barangay Dalig, the restaurant offers Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine that teases the palate as much as it satisfies the stomach. But before you sink your teeth into their delectable treats, you can wander around in the property, where there are ponds with fat koi fish, exotic plants and the stoneware studio of renowned potter Lanelle Abueva Fernando. When you’re ready to sit down and eat, the courteous waitstaff will gladly call out to you. The appetizer alone of stuff-your-own alagao leaves (with chopped ginger, onions, shrimp, coconut flakes, etc. in a cashew honey sauce) is a guaranteed winner. A full set meal at Crescent Moon, which includes pumpkin soup, chicken curry, Asian noodles, native vegetables, fried fish and the oh-so-yummy special suman, costs around P400 per head. Definitely worth every single penny.

A relaxing siesta sounds perfect after that heavenly meal. But how about something better? At the Spa of Callos Farm Resort, a luxurious pampering awaits those seeking the ultimate in hedonistic thrills. For just P650, surrender to the sheer comfort and bliss of a hydromassage, sauna bath, and a combination Swedish-reflex and Thai massage. Relaxation, thy name is Callos.

However, if you’re looking for some more sightseeing, ditch the spa treatment and head off instead to the PACEM Eco-Park located inside Assumption Antipolo along Sumulong Highway. Butterfly enthusiasts will love this sanctuary for the winged insects, while those with a preference for other wildlife can check out the mini-zoo that houses eagles, doves, deer and various other animals.

If you have some time before the sun sinks below the horizon, a visit to the Casa Santa Museum is highly recommended. Located in Jardin De Miramar, which houses the art of such big names as Michael Cancio and Eduardo Castrillo, the museum contains a spectacular collection of over 2,000 images and sculptures of Jolly Old St. Nick. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, or simply have a hankering for something Christmas-y in the middle of June, Casa Santa is just the place to visit.

Of course, no visit to Antipolo would be complete without admiring the stunning view of the city and its constellation of artificial lights at nighttime, with a cold drink in hand. If you’re with a special someone, dinner at Vieux Chalet, the well-known Swiss-Pinoy restaurant is guaranteed to re-ignite the fires of romance between you two. But if you’re with your barkada or family of six, including the driver and the help, pick any of the bars that line the Sumulong Highway and ask for a table with the best view. You can toast the day and wonder where all that time went. Adventure-seekers may whine that Antipolo’s too close to the city to offer any real thrills, but that’s exactly why it’s the perfect place to discover new things and “get away from it all” but still have enough time to drive back to the unequalled comforts of home at the end of a very long day.


Useful information if you’re planning a trip to Antipolo:

The Crescent Moon Café
Ascension Road, Brgy. Dalig, Antipolo City
(63 2) 630 5854 / 636 3866
(63 917) 523 2356

PACEM Eco Park
Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City
(63 2) 696 3274 / 697 2354

Callos Spa
Marigman St. Nazarene Ville, Antipolo City
(63 2) 650 7889

Vieux Chalet
Taktak Road, Antipolo City
Tel: (63 2) 697 0396
Mobile: (63 917) 856 5175
Email: vieuxchalet@yahoo.com

Casa Santa
276 San Jose Extension, Brgy. San Isidro, Antipolo City
(63 2) 817 1591/ (63 917) 792 3915 / (63 922) 892 3917
miramar@globenet.com.ph
www.miramar.com.ph

Closer to the sky (Parasailing in Boracay)

This can be found here
Closer to the Sky

by Paul John Caña

I suppose it was partly because of boredom that I found myself wanting to try out parasailing. I’ve been to Boracay more than a few times and always, I’d fall into the same routine: lounge by the beach, have a few shakes at Jonah’s, get a massage, take advantage of happy hour and party all night. I was never the type to try out all those water sports: banana boats, Flying Fish, jetskis, etc. From my spot on the front beach, a cool banana-papaya shake in one hand and a stick of hotdog in the other, I’d gaze out to the horizon and see those colorful parasails hovering in the distance and never imagined I’d be on one myself.

But boredom really does make you do crazy things.

It was a couple of years back when I was in that hotbed of hedonism (yet again) with a couple of friends. Boracay has it all: the best beach in the world, countless food choices that can satiate every kind of appetite, and a kickin’ party scene. On that particular trip though, the objective was just to kick back and relax. We didn’t have a set itinerary and there weren’t any concrete plans to do anything specific. My friends and I simply decided to let the island winds take us wherever it wanted to go. I had no idea how literal that statement was going to be.

If you’ve ever been to Boracay, you’d know about those “salesmen” that line the beach offering various seaside activities to passing tourists and passersby. “Mam banana boat po kayo?” “Sir island-hopping?” “Mam snorkeling?” If you were like us who just wanted to be left alone, the correct thing to do, of course, is to smile politely and just walk away. But for some reason, I got to talking with one particular “salesman,” who wanted us to try parasailing. Like I said, we hadn’t planned on doing anything else beyond working on our tans while drinking fruit shakes and/or beer by the beach, but chalk it up to the whims of fate, and before I knew it, we had made arrangements with the guy to take us out on this unique adventure.

We had questions for him, of course: was it safe? How long would we be up on air? Has anybody ever fallen off to his or her death? And most importantly, how much? He answered them all: yes, it was perfectly safe. We’d be strapped in to a harness that was securely attached to the parasail. We’d be up there flying for approximately 15 minutes. And no, they’ve never known anybody to fall off while they were airborne. As for the price, we were initially quoted P2,000 each for the 15-minute ride, but a friend of mine was a master at haggling, and she managed to bring the price down to P1,500 each. It was now or never.

We boarded a small, motorized banca that then took us to a much bigger, much faster speedboat. It was going to be my friend and I who’d be going up in tandem, while another friend would stay on the boat and take pictures. We zoomed off about a kilometer out to sea, presumably so we wouldn’t get in the way of all those vacationers swimming by the water’s edge and interrupt all those other people in their banana boats and Flying Fishes.

And then it was time. After sitting on the edge of the speedboat and getting strapped on, the attendants slowly let the line loose. The wind caught the parasail and gave it a mighty tug that suddenly yanked us out of the boat. I let out an involuntary gasp. The boat attendant fed the line and I felt us going up, higher and higher. It was at that point, I think, that the enormity of what we were doing dawned on me: we were tied to a gigantic modified parachute and launched 100 feet into the air, with what seemed like flimsy straps attached to steel hooks the only things keeping us from hurtling down into the blue water below. I was terrified. I felt my breath catch in my throat and saw my knuckles turn nearly white, hanging on for dear life at the thin strip of metal overhead. My hands got all cold and clammy, too, and you can bet the wind had nothing to do with it. I turned over to my friend and he was speechless; he was obviously petrified too.

I closed my eyes for a minute and tried to calm down. I remembered the words of the guy who led us here in the first place: parasailing was perfectly safe and nobody ever fell off into the sea (as far as he knew anyway). When I opened my peepers again, I started to relax. I looked around and started to take in the sights: the front beach way out in the distance, the sun starting its descent in the horizon, bancas near the shoreline that looked like tiny toy boats. I looked over at my friend and he was beginning to loosen up, too. It was surprisingly quiet and peaceful up there; the wind, which I thought would be howling, was gentle and soothing. I still couldn’t let go of the piece of metal over our heads, but I started to really enjoy the experience. The P1,500 was so worth it, I thought to myself while we were gliding over the waters.

Suddenly, and all too soon, the 15 minutes were up and we slowly started to go down. Some people get their kicks out of motor racing, bungee jumping or skydiving, and these are all pursuits that I have yet to experience. But personally I’m glad I got to scratch parasailing off my list. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, and next time, my eyes are gonna be wide open the whole way through.


Travel Notes
Parasailing is fast becoming one of the more popular seaside attractions in many of the major beaches around the country. The next time you’re in Boracay, it won’t be too hard to find operators who offer parasailing services. It’s a good idea to inquire with your hotel front desk for reputable boat operators so you don’t get scammed. You can also try negotiating with the numerous beachside “salesmen” who try to talk you into various watersports activities. If you don’t feel comfortable with the person you’re talking to, it’s perfectly okay to refuse and simply walk away.

Expect to shell out between P1800 to P2500 for your 15 minutes up in the air. If you’re lucky though and a champion haggler, some operators may charge less, especially during the off-peak season. For further inquiries, and a list of reputable watersports operators, call the Department of Tourism Office at +63 36 2883669 or the Boracay Tourist Information Center at +63 36 2883704.

If you are planning on vacationing in other islands apart from Boracay, ask your resort if they can arrange a parasailing adventure for you. Cebu, Bohol, Palawan and Negros are also great parasailing destinations.

Where Art is a Way of Life (Angono, Rizal)

This one can be found here
Where Art is a Way of Life

by Paul John Cana

Anyone with an appreciation for the arts will no doubt find a trip to Angono, Rizal worth his or her paintbrush and easel. The municipality, which lies just 30 kilometers east of the bustling metropolis, is famous for bearing the moniker “Art Capital of the Philippines,” and for good reason. At least two acclaimed National Artists called this place home: painter and muralist Carlos “Botong” Francisco and composer Lucio San Pedro. Numerous art galleries, breathtaking natural wonders and eating places that serve exotic and exquisite cuisine all make Angono an ideal destination for a relatively quick daytime excursion.

November is the best month to visit Angono; the 23rd to be precise. This is when the entire town comes alive with the annual Higantes Festival, the world-renowned fiesta held in honor of their patron saint San Clemente. But if you can’t make the trip on that exact date, don’t fret. Any day is a good day to visit Angono (especially since it’s so near Metro Manila).

Because it is a flourishing art town, no visit would be complete without checking out the numerous galleries and museums that feature works of contemporary local artists. Start your tour with the Nemiranda Arthouse and Museum (located at Doña Justa Subdivision), owned by painter and champion of the Angono arts scene, Nemi Miranda. The Museum houses his own private collection of paintings and artworks, as well as serving as a venue for exhibits and other art-related activities. Sip a cup of coffee at the coffee shop and, if you’re lucky, you just might bump into Nemiranda himself and get to chat with him about local art history, his affinity with the town and hear his stories about the great Botong Francisco.

Your next stop is the Blanco Family Museum (312 Ibañez St., Brgy. Sto. Niño). If there is any place in the entire town where you could witness firsthand the vibrant artistry and sheer creativity of its people, it is this place, which houses the artworks of the celebrated Blanco family of painters. Even if you’re only a casual admirer of paintings, the sight of those splendid images, lifelike and almost all depicted in the school of Realism, will make you catch your breath and appreciate the sheer genius that runs in this family of artists, and by extension, the people of Angono. One cannot help but wonder what it is in the air of this Rizal town that breeds an artistic eye. At least in Angono, the artist gene seems to be as hereditary as the color of one’s hair and skin.

For lunch, one cannot afford to miss the dining experience offered by the Balaw-Balaw Restaurant. Named after a local sauce made out of fermented shrimp, gruel and red rice, the restaurant has been featured in countless magazines, newspapers and TV programs, so much so that it is practically an institution in the Angono cultural scene. For the foodie with an iron stomach, a serving of snake, bayawak, frogs’ legs and deer meat shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, for those with more modest fancies, Balaw-Balaw also serves your regular Pinoy food fare, like kare-kare, sinigang and fried tilapia. Enjoy the food, the atmosphere and the relaxing strains of a guitar trio as they serenade you with contemporary love songs.

After all that chow, try to work off the excess calories by walking to the adjacent Ang Nuno museum. Marvel at the Higantes staring at you from their home the rest of the 364 days of the year, waiting for that one day when they would be let out once again to become the stars of the annual fiesta. If you’re not suffering from art exhaustion yet, check out the works of the artist and founder of the restaurant, Perdigon Vocalan, who, needless to say, was heavily influenced by Botong Francisco. Besides his paintings, many of which depict women in all their glory and beauty, Vocalan was also an accomplished sculptor, and many of his works are also displayed in a hall of the museum.

You’re gonna need all that extra fuel for a short hike inside the Eastridge Golf Club for a look-see of the ancient Angono Petroglyphs. Discovered by – yet again – Botong Francisco, these amazing human and animal figures are said to date as far back as 3000 BC, which would make them the oldest works of art in the Philippines. (No surprise then that they’re found in the art capital of the country). Although not currently recognized by the National Historical Institute, these inscriptions have been declared a national cultural treasure by the government, and its preservation and development are overseen by the National Museum of the Philippines, The Department of Tourism, World Monuments Fund and various other civic and community organizations.

After the requisite picture-taking to post on your social networking site and show-off to your friends, you can motor off to one more artists’ space before calling it a day. The Tiamson Art Gallery is owned by Orville DR Tiamson, a respected painter, musician and multimedia artist. As a painter, he is a student of the cubist’s style popularized by Vicente Manansala. He has also experimented on various other styles and media, including drawings on paper, installations and performances.

On your way back home, try to pass by the cemetery to pay tribute to the town’s two National Artists. It won’t take you very long because the tombs of Francisco and San Pedro lie next to each other. Try to walk down the length of Doña Aurora Street going to San Clemente church, where you can appreciate the murals that line the street, the final, most striking testament to the town’s rich artistic heritage. And if you’re in the mood for pasalubong, pass by the munisipyo and buy fried itik (but be sure to reheat it in oil when you get home; it’s just not that good when it’s not hot and steaming).

Travel Notes
How to Get There:
The municipality of Angono is located at the northeast tip of Laguna de Bay. Just ask the taxi to take you there. FX services and jeepneys also have regular routes to Angono.

Balaw-Balaw Restaurant
16 Dona Justa St.,
Dona Justa Subdivision, Angono, Rizal
(63 2) 651 0110