Valerie Caulin

Ilawod Courtyard and Country Club

May 22nd, 2013

Iloilo is slowly reshaping itself, not just in the city center but even to neighboring towns. Take the town of Cabatuan, famous for its heritage and culture lead by its historic church, cemetery and other sights.

Cabatuan, which is 24 kilometers from Iloilo City center is also home to Iloilo’s world class airport. And now, another development will significantly change not just the town of Cabatuan but the whole region itself.

I admire their vision which is to uplift the lives of the locals by bringing more jobs. This project will create hundreds of jobs especially for the locals.

Last night, I attended the launching of ILAWOD COURTYARD and COUNTRY CLUB at Hotel del Rio. The term “Ilawod” is a Karay-a ( a dialect spoken in Panay Island) term used to divide a certain baranggay. “Ilawod” refers to the part close to the road side , southern part of a baranggay or going to the sea.

Ilawod Courtyard and Country Club will cover 10.1 hectares of Cabatuan. The only Tourism Economic Hub in Region 6.

The Tourism Economic Zone of Ilawod Courtyard and Country Club houses many structures like

Courtyard and Country Club

Convention Center

and the 235-room Zaragoza Courtyard Plaza Hotel and Resort

As a luxury lifestyle destination various facilities and amenities will be built and offered from the ground to the main building.

Members and guests will enjoy the fitness trail, wall climbing, man-made lake, museum and library, aviary and animal ground among others.

Ilawod Courtyard and Country Club will have a lake-type pool suited to the scenic and relaxing environment of Cabatuan.

The main building is where members and guests can find excellence with Ilawod’s cafe and restaurant, Members’ Bar-Lounge, Spa, Play Area for the kids, gym etc.

Take a look at this Member’s Lounge

Introductory membership fee is at 200,oooPhp for individual shares and 250,000Php for corporate shares ( 2 assignees).

For more information and inquiries, visit their site

www.ilawodcourtyard.com

* Photo Credits to Ilawod Courtyard and Country Club

Kawa Hot Bath in Tibiao, Antique

May 20th, 2013

One of the most unseen destinations in the Philippines is Antique with the town of Tibiao as a center for adventures from kayaking to trekking.

A very unique activity is the kawa hot bath.

The only place where you can experience it. My Facebook page’s cover photo was me enjoying my kawa hot bath and I got some questions namely from my brothers ( with a dash of cyberbullying) and a cousin so I decided to write this post first.

The kawa is used to make muscovado sugar, that’s why you often see these in Negros too.

It is filled with spring water and some leaves along with flowers and ginger slices.

Yes, there is fire but just enough to warm the water.

The kawa is very thick it will not scald your precious skin. Besides, you often do this after swimming in the river or in our case, after dipping in the nearby Bugtong Bato Falls ( separate post later) so a hot bath is really soothing.

The fun part of the Kawa Hot Bath in Tibiao, is the thought of cooking a person. Antique like other provinces in the country, believe in aswang ( witches).

Complete with a laddle. It was really fun..

It has been under the radar and some travel bloggers referred it as a “sauna” or a “jacuzzi” but I personally think it is like ofuro.

Ofuro in Japanese is hot bath and usually inside a rectangular wooden tub.

Because I lived in Japan as a language teacher, I enjoy ofuro pretty much. A nice way to end a stressful day just by soaking in a tub of hot water ( after shower). I still enjoy ofuro in hotel rooms with a tub. It’s my me time.

Kawa hot bath is the best way to temporarily soothe our battered bodies from trekking for two consecutive days.

The kawa hot bath can run up to an hour for 200Php per person. We had our kawa bath at Peter’s Lodge, just beside the Bugtong Bato Falls ( 0920-499-6903/0939-4928-554)

A nice view while soaking..

There are bigger kawas that can accommodate two.

But I don’t recommend having three people in one kawa unless you have the body of a child. You have to dip your whole body to get the full benefits.

Tips

- Slowly dip your body into the kawa so you will not shock your body and you can really feel the soothing effects.

- If you have facetowel, dip it and place on top of your head.

- Do not take a cold shower after the kawa hot bath.

- Like ofuro, it is nice to sleep right away. So stay in inns with a kawa hot bath like Kayak Inn and Peter’s Lodge

Would you like to try this distinctly different activity in Tibiao, Antique?

The Golden Beach of Antique

The Church of Anini-y

Tags: antique, kawa hot bath, tibiao
Posted in antique | 2 Comments »

Urban Inn Hotel: Budget-Friendly Hotel in Iloilo

May 17th, 2013

Traveling to Iloilo soon?

Most of us will search for cheap hotels in Iloilo that still have enough amenities and facilities to make our stay even for a short time, comfortable.

The best place to stay in Iloilo for budget-conscious travelers is Urban Inn. Located in La Paz, it located in the city center and very close to Gaisano Mall and even La Paz Market ( where you can enjoy Iloilo’s famous batchoy).

Guest Rooms

Not just a budget hotel in Iloilo, Urban Inn is proud to be the only wall-bed hotel in the Philippines. This room actually has two beds. Only one is pulled-down giving massive space.

There are 8 types of rooms namely,

Single (950Php),
Double (1,100Php for 2pax),
Deluxe (1,200Php for 2 pax)
Executive ( 1,450Php for 2 pax)
Family Room (1,550Php for 4pax and 2,000Php for 6pax) and
Flash Packer Rooms ( 800Php for aircon and 600Php for fan, both 2 pax)

* includes breakfasts for two

For just 600 pesos, you can stay in this room (shared CR).

The Executive Room

The Family Room

This hotel in iloilo has a total of 25 guest rooms, each room is individually styled. So you can stay in a room painted in cool lavender or decorated in Japanese, very similar to a boutique hotel.

All rooms are fully air-conditioned ( except for the flash packer fan room) with cable TV, as well as hot and cold shower.

Amenities and Facilities

Offering cheap rates to guests, you will be astounded to the long list of amenities. This include free breakfast, Wi-Fi, standby generator, mini-gym and a 24hour CCTV and Security.

One of Urban Inn’s sitting areas

The entertainment room

Coffee shop and lounge area

Smoking area where you can also observe Iloilo City’s everyday life

Family-run, it is one of the best hotels in Iloilo for those who want save while they are on vacation. Clean, safe and cozy, Urban Inn is one of the best hotels in Iloilo.

For reservations, booking and inquiries contact:

Urban Inn

Luna St. La Paz, Iloilo City

(033) 329-6724/ 0908-874-9976

urbaninniloilo@gmail.com

aiveeg@yahoo.com

Tags: hotels in Iloilo, Iloilo, urban inn
Posted in Iloilo | 3 Comments »

Megaworld Partners with Gettys for Richmonde Hotel Iloilo

May 16th, 2013

In a few years, expect to see a massive change in Iloilo with the completion of Iloilo Business Park, the 72-hectate township by Megaworld, Philippines’ biggest property developer.

One of key structures within the township is Richmonde Hotel Iloilo.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo will be the trailblazer for Iloilo’s luxury hotels. Housed in the 12-storey Richmonde Tower, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo will occupy a total of eight floors with a capacity of 151 guest rooms.

From well-appointed guest rooms, the hotel will have a deli and restaurant, business center, fitness gym, function rooms and a lap pool with a pool bar.

Together with amenities, location and service, the interior can affect the over-all appeal of a hotel. With this, Megaworld partners with no less than Gettys, a world-renowned designing firm with 800 projects under its belt throughout its 25 years in the industry.

: Megaworld Executives with Carmen Fernando (Prestige Hotels & Resorts Inc Managing Director) together with Ariane Steinbeck ( Gettys Managing Director and Principal)

“Megaworld is bringing the first world-class, luxury hotel in Iloilo City with our very own brand, the Richmonde Hotel Iloilo. Commissioning an international firm that designed some of the world’s five-star hotels and resorts is a testament of our commitment to provide a truly world-class development to the people of Iloilo and the entire region of Western Visayas”

- Jericho Go, first vice president Megaworld.

Gettys’ inspiration is the sugarcane, the crop that has shaped the socio-economic lives of the Ilonggos.

“History gave us one of the region’s most important agricultural crops, sugarcane. This is incorporated throughout the space via color, texture and finishes. The result is a dynamic yet relaxing environment for all, and a go-to place that will be enjoyed by both the hotel guests and the locals.”

- Ariane Steinbeck, Getty

Here’s a sneak peek to Richmonde Hotel Iloilo

The lobby that aims to be ” a living room for the community”. The textured panel at the back of the reception area mimics the leaves of the sugarcane.

Massive guest rooms. The distinct green chair also represents the sugarcane.

and the meeting room with intensive use of wood.

With world-class decor, way better facilities and unrivalled service, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo will definitely redefined Iloilo’s local tourism and economy.

Tags: hotels in Iloilo, Iloilo, megaworld, richmonde hotel iloilo, richmonde hotel in iloilo
Posted in Iloilo | 2 Comments »

Should I Be Writing an Ebook?

May 13th, 2013

In a month, I will be celebrating my 5th year as a freelance writer and just a few days ago, I finally listened to that inner voice ..write an ebook.

Yes, I think this is the right time. Five years into freelance writing, I sometimes think that I’m a little late when it comes to writing ebooks. So my days were spent reading and researching on how to write and successfully launch an ebook.

Why do I want to write an ebook?

Money? Of course but not really. Writing is my job. Of course I want to earn through ebooks.

However, the #1 reason why I want to write an ebook is to challenge myself beyond writing for I know, ebook success is not just about writing but a lot of marketing.

I want to claim that expert badge in my field. I am proud that I have positioned myself as a travel writer based on the number of travel magazine contributions I have along with guest blogging and featuring travel-related posts here in my blog.

Ebook writing, as I want to believe, will show readers that I know what I’m doing and I’m a reliable source to such information. There are plenty of things I want to share from travel guides, travel tips even how to become a travel writer. I am also interested in helping moms make a living while spending time with their children.

Lastly, I want to diversify my services as a freelance writer. I do online writing and contribute to travel magazines. Hence, ebook is another part of this industry that I want to participate in.

Still, it is inevitable not to entertain fears and anxiety…

Just like any business venture, my greatest fear is failure. What if it will flop? Will people read my ebooks? I’m honestly scared of losing income as I will be investing my time ( opportunity cost) and hire some people to help me out.

Thousands of ebooks are available. How will I make it special and unique? How will I present my information that is totally different from what readers will get from blogs?How can I present my ebook for people to buy just to read what I want to share?

Plenty of questions swirling on my head. Yes, I’m still asking myself if I should write an ebook.

What do you think? Should I write an ebook?

Tags: ebook writing, freelance writer, freelance writing, travel writer
Posted in writing | 2 Comments »

Pansit Malabon in Iloilo

May 7th, 2013

We love pansit (noodles) from pansit bihon to pansit palabok. And birthdays and fiestas will never be complete with our beloved noodles. One of the most popular pansit is Pansit Malabon.

What makes pansit Malabon different from other pansit?

First is the sauce giving the dish a strong resemblance to pansit palabok (palabok uses bihon while Pansit Malabon used a thicker noodle). Its yellow-orange sauce is made from patis (fish sauce) and alamang (crab fat). Other recipes call for shrimp paste and annato seeds to give that distinct color.

And Pansit Malabon is seafood-based with squid, shrimp topped with sliced boiled egg and some green veggies, reflecting Malabon as a coastal town.

Batchoy and pansit molo-loving Ilonggos can also taste pancit Malabon courtesy of Pansit Malabon Express. There are two stores in the city – Jalandoni Street (inside Misono Restaurant) and at Casa Plaza corner Gen.Luna and Iznart Sts.

Served in the traditional Bilao enough for 5-25 people. You can pick between Regular and Special which is great for pot lucks.

5 persons - 300Php (regular) and 400Php (special)

10 persons - 500Php (regular) and 650Php (special)

15 persons – 650Php (regular) and 800Php (special)

20 persons – 750Php (regular) and 1,000Php (special)

25 persons – 900Php (regular) and 1,150Php (special)

For deliveries : (033) 329-04-87

Tags: food, pansit malabon
Posted in Iloilo | No Comments »

Orchard Valley: Organic and Local

May 4th, 2013

Photo Credit: Mary Jane Cabrera-Nombre www.maryjanecabrera.com

My job as a travel writer exposes me to organic farming. It still fascinates and impresses me on how much labor it demands among those who push for this healthier way of providing food.

Yesterday, Bloggers of Iloilo Group (BIG) had a tour in Orchard Valley, Inc. , the only certified organic farm in Iloilo located in the municipality of Pavia, a few minutes from the city center of Iloilo.

Spanning more than 22 hectares, Orchard Valley supplies to Iloilo’s top restaurants like Bauhinia, Mojave, Nothing But Desserts among others as well as to Days Hotel Iloilo and Iloilo Supermart.

Experience is one of the best perks of being a travel writer. Witnessing for the first time how milk is pumped from mommy cow producing Orchard Valley’s organic cow’s milk.

Look how big these creatures are! Sorry, I am used to the “local” species. Like most organic animals here from chicken to goats, they are housed in a free-range environment.

Definitely an Ilonggo goat. Very malambing (sweet). Marcos of www.ambot-ah.com petting the animal. To join Marcos’ DIY tours, click here.

A quick look at their nursery. Italian basil.

Iceberg lettuce

Vermiculture, a must in every organic farm

Native chillies. Tiny but mighty.

Honey, are you there?

Orchard Valley also opens for the public on rare occasions. Students of PAREF Ridgefield School of Iloilo also had their field trip here.

Photo courtesy of PAREF Ridgefield School of Iloilo

We ended up our tour in Orchard Valley with a light snack of sweet potato, cassava, kamunsil and yes, fresh buko. Jan Rae beating the heat with every sip. Read his blog on Ilonggo lifestyle here.

Thank you Orchard Valley!

More on Organic farms

Guimaras Wonder’s Farm

Rapha Valley

Tags: orchard valley, organic farm, organic farm in iloilo
Posted in eco-tourism, Iloilo | No Comments »

Where Gretchen and Claudine Barretto Can Go on a Bonding Trip

April 28th, 2013

Photo credit: ww.showbiznet.com

..if they do reconcile.

So let’s assume they will eventually bury the hatchet even if that means the end of the best source of entertainment among those following their teleseryish family drama. Nothing beats bonding with your sister than traveling together.

Let’s limit our vacation ideas within the country and be do our part in promoting Philippines. So here are some of the places the Barretto sisters can pack their Louis Vuitton bags onboard a private plane or a Porsche.

Iloilo

Iloilo may remind Gretchen of a sad chapter of their family life but it can be a great trip down to memory lane for Claudine. She can revisit her own school bringing back some childhood memories. And why not visit their relatives? Mending mother-daughter feud can be extended to the titas and cousins.

Would you love to see the Barretto sisters enjoying a bowl of batchoy or pancit molo? They can visit old houses and mansions and relive the lives of the femme du monde of the past. With Iloilo’s main attractions reflecting long history and unrivaled architectural style, the Barretto sisters can definetely go for a Visitia Iglesia ( church visit).

Zambales

The sisters can stay within Luzon and travel up north to their paternal side of the family. They can enjoy some R&R at Subic Yacht Club and enjoy a luxurious sailing getaway in and around the bay sipping champagne.

The girls can also go glamping ( glamorous camping) in any of the coves of Zambales. Girly talks over bonfires. Crying moments guaranteed.

Dedon Island, Siargao

: Photo Credit: Dedon Island

If you follow Gretchen Barretto on Instagram, you know that she spent a relaxing time with her friends in this private island. And why not bring the little sister in one of the most luxurious resorts in the Philippines?

They can spend the days doing nothing but lounging and just talk. Lots of talking. Do some paddle boarding or learn surfing together. Enjoy the privacy away while updating their fans with the help of IG.

Palawan

Why Palawan? Remember Claudine Barretto’s Whisper ad? “Sa Palawan, I got my period..for the first time! “. I can’t forget it because my sister impersonated Claudine in one of her school programs in high school. Hence, Palawan is a significant place for the younger Barretto.

For travelers like Gretchen and Claudine, they will never have second thoughts staying at deluxe accommodations in El Nido or in Amanpulo. Private tours can be arranged for the famous sisters. Water sports and enjoying a well-protected nature will be very relaxing for both of the girls after a never-ending family saga.

The Farm

: Photo Credit: The Farm

The Farm in San Benito is not just luxurious, it so far the country’s prime wellness destination. A place for healing and the Barretto sisters definitely need that. Detox with their raw and vegan cuisine. No booze, just natural juice. Sign up for their wellness activities. They can have partner yoga then end up with a tandem massage.

Do you have other destinations that Gretchen and Claudine can go to?

Tags: claudine barretto, dedon, gretchen barretto, Iloilo, palawan, sister bonding, the farm, zambales
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Healthy Drinks at Rapha Valley

April 22nd, 2013

Technically, this is the second installment about our trip in Rapha Valley, one of Negros Occidental’s wellness destinations. Click here to read the previous post.

Join me as I enjoy one of the perks of being a travel writer tasting something new creating great experiences.

Carrot-Langka Juice

Carrot is the most common vegetables for juicing and it is very rich in vitamins in minerals. At Rapha Valley, Dr. Jo mixed langka or jackfruit to suit the Filipino taste. Honestly, most of us are not fond of carrots. Plus, he noted that jackfruit is widely available.

I love jackfruit and the drink was amazing. The sweetness of the jackfruit was more dominant. We had this as our welcome drink while having our black puto ( rice cake) and wiping our summer sweat with their cold towels treated with citronella.

Those who are observing healthy lifestyles are fully aware of the benefits of juicing. Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables maximize their nutritional powers while eliminating sugar found in most drinks like fruit juices.

Dr. Jo mentioned that they make their organic juice very fresh. Not more than 2 hours. This concoction is a great idea for those into juicing. Start adding jackfruit now for a new taste!

Gumamela Lemonade

Yes, you read it right. And it is no crazy idea. We had this for lunch.

Gumamela juice is made from pink and red flowers. Mixed with calamansi and sweetened with honey. The taste? Like a sugar-free iced tea. Nothing different in the taste. I want to recreate this but I’m just scared I might get into trouble.

Tarragon Tea

Saving the best for last. Never tasted this kind of tea before. Good for digestion, tarragon tea tasted like root beer. This herb is also noted for its aroma. I had more than one serving, almost the whole pot. Hope to see organic tarragon tea in the market. If you see one, buy it.

All ingredients used in Rapha Valley recipes are 100% organic, locally produced from their own farm. This is just a part of the tour that Rapha Valley offers to guests.

For more information, contact Rapha Valley www.raphavalley.com

Tags: Negros Occidental, organic, rapha valley
Posted in Negros Occidental | 1 Comment »

5 Foods I Ate (For the Fist Time) in Rapha Valley

April 18th, 2013

Negros Occidental is one of my favorite destinations. When I attended the Panaad sa Negros Festival 2013, your travel writer had a chance to visit a wellness destination that is more than just an organic farm.

Owned by the Jo family, Rapha Valley is located in Don Salvador, more than an hour from Bacolod City. Nice scenery, cool weather and most of all – something new for my tastebuds. I love to eat like most freelance writers but I’m not an adventurous type (read: no exotic foods like frog porridge or crickets on stick,etc).

1. Black Puto

Rapha Valley’s appetizer. Black puto ( rice cake) from fermented unpolished rice (hence to color) with coconut milk and honey with two kinds of dips. The typical pair for puto is dinuguan ( blood pudding) made healthier with their bloodless and meatless dinuguan and non-diary cheese pâté made from cashew nuts, Himalayan salt and herbs.

After some enlightening talk ( no more Maling luncheon meat!) with Dr. Albert Jo who looks very young for his age ( in white shirt and hat) with DTI’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), we head for lunch instead of the usual route of touring the organic farm.

2. Rapha Green Flowered salad

I feel so healthy with this salad with aragula, iceberg lettuce and other greenies. It was so fresh and cute at the same time watching and eventually eating some flowers like torch ginger flower ( the purple petal) and narotium flowers. Dressing are also healthy like the vinaigrette made from olive oil, honey and local vinegar.

3. Pasta with Mushroom and Tomato Herb Sauce

Linguine pasta made from durom wheat. There are two sauces, the Tomato Herb Sauce and the Mushroom Sauce. Must be real good, my husband who is not into pasta (but loves mushroom) had a happy tummy during the feast.

Rapha Valley aside from using organic ingredients cooks using clay pots. I just learned the scientific basis on why food cooked in clay pots we call in Cebu as “kolon” are far more sumptuous from Dr. Jo.

4. Squash Carrot Cake

I don’t know if we have squash recipes other than the soup and “gulay”. It is very healthy to create desserts made from a vegetable like our own squash variety which is very healthy. In Japan, I love their kabucha ( pumpkin) ice cream.

Only few Filipinos love carrot cake. Amazingly, this recipe combines two vegetables known for their vitamin A and beta carotene content. And here in Rapha Valley, dessert is really guilt-free.

And my favorite ( sweet tooth yes!)

5. Turmeric Creme Brûlée

The usual cream and milk dessert is replaced with coconut milk and local crops. It was good, I ate my husband’s. Haha. There was some yam, I think, and I love it. Enough said .

Of course, the drinks deserve a separate post so please stay tune.

Many thanks to Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism for bringing us here. Happy bellies!

If you are interested to visit Rapha Valley when visiting Bacolod or Negros contact:

Albert Jo

+63 0939-502-9088

www.raphavalley.com

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