When Guimaras became a full-fledged province in 1992 ( it used to be part of Iloilo), two municipalities were added and one of these is the Municipality of San Lorenzo. Guimaras has been seen as one of the country’s untouched beauties and San Lorenzo is one of its living secrets. Just imagine what I’m saying.
It lies in the eastern part of the island facing Negros Occidental. In fact, a RoRo pier is built in San Lorenzo for those who want to travel to Negros. Great for me, we have another option when we travel to Cebu via Negros.
Going back to the main topic of this post, we were all appreciative of the hospitality that San Lorenzo gave us. Your travel writer visited the town along with my travel buddies for Guimaras while working on a travel feature. From Guimaras Wonder’s Farm, we took a tricycle to Brgy. Gaban in San Lorenzo.
Ms. Jennifer Laloy, San Lorenzo Development Officer whom I’ve been talking to along for days along with Manong driver, Elba Galve ( Municipal Agriculturist), April Rose Galfo (Tourism Staff) and a barangay kagawad waited for us. Seeing them even from afar in their San Lorenzo Tourism shirts plus a transportation was very heart warming.
So let me share with you our one-day tour in San Lorenzo, Guimaras
Our first stop was An-An’s Farm owned by Mr. Danilo Gaylan named after his eldest daughter.
His farm covers 5 hectares dividing it into a calamansi and mango farm. His calamansi is very lucrative supplying branches of Mang Inasal ( a famous local fastfood). During our visit, he shared that one company wished to get his products but he can no longer reach the demand. I suggested that he should expand his farm.
After a quick chat, photo op, we went to their house and had a snack. Remember we already had a full meal at Guimaras Wonder’s Farm. Still, the corn, buko juice and banana were irresistible. Just look at Junalie’s face. haha!
Shared some laughs, I thank my college friends for this. They are so jolly and made the whole group enjoy each other’s company.
Of course, freshly-squeezed calamansi. So good it tasted like Calamansi-Pineapple. Swear! They also told us that calamansi and buko juice are great combination. Will try!
After some thank yous and take homes of calamansi, saba ( plantain) and corn, off we went to our next destination.
This farm is owned by the Mendiola family who hails from Bulacan just like the owner of Guimaras Wonder’s Farm.
They now reside in Iloilo City. Over 600 mango trees are planted here. I love the farm, it’s your dream farm. Pierra and Junalie reminiscing childhood.
It was already past one o’clock so Ms. Jen instructed the driver to take us to Sebario for lunch. Brgy, Sebario is also where you can find their salt farms.
The best lunch we had at Sea Bar owned by their SB member.
It was a simple meal with home-cooked dishes but gosh, it was a feast. Like a buffet with all of us filling our plates twice. Love the laswa (vegetable soup) with bamboo shoots and coconut milk, the stir fried shrimps, crablets and chicken adobo. And the rice, the best. yum! yum! According to Ma’am Elba, San Lorenzo is the Rice Granary of Guimaras.
Fully satisfied with our lunch, we went to the salt farm. Typhoon Ferdie was blasting in northern Luzon and a day before our trip, Ms. Jen already told me that it might be impossible to visit the farm. The salt farm is converted into a fish pond during rainy season.
And it was a rainy day indeed. It was very obvious that they prepared for our visit. Here is their windmill which is used to draw salt water to the basin. They tried to have a demo and we get the whole picture. I will visit Sebario this summer so I can witness their salt-making and share it with you guys.
And then, Brgy Captain, invited us for a simple panyaga or snack. Oh my! hahaha! Thanks to Ms. Jen, she politely declined because we just had our lunch less than an hour ago. So another dogie bag for us. Suman!Which we ate with beer later that night at Zemkmaps Chalet who hosted our stay.
We stopped for a few minutes to their beaches.
Another reason to come back this summer. Untouched shore. I already envisioned some cold drinks and picnic food. Simple luxury.
And for our final stopped, we went to their Municipal Hall which was situated on a hill.
We went to their viewing deck with a panoramic view of San Lorenzo. It was strategically placed because right in front of you is Negros’ Mt. Kanlaon. Too bad the clouds hid its peak.
To Ms. Jen and April as well as to Ma’am Elba and all the local officials of San Lorenzo, we have no words other than appreciation and gratitude for your hospitality. We do hope to visit your quaint town in the future!
9 Comments
My warmest appreciation for appreciating the modest hospitality afforded to you by the people of San Lorenzo especially Ms. Jen, Elba and April and perhaps the locals who were with you during your visit. May you will invite more visitors to visit our Province – Guimaras and enjoy its rustic rural setting.
See you again . . .
Hi Ma’am Angie!
Thank you for your time to leave a comment here. The locals and officials of San Lorenzo are the best. Guimaras will be featured in Mabuhay Magazine’s September issue – it will be a great exposure for the province. Heard another magazine will feature Guimaras too. Will keep you posted.
Thank you again..have a wonderful day!
ka qizz bee ko yang si miss jen noong elementary student pa ko noon,,,si april rose naman ay second degree cousin ko,,,taas na pala ng naabot nila,,,by the way,,thanks for featuring our lovely municipality and the heart-warming hospitality of our people,,,feel free to come back again and bring more friends with you when you visit again,,,try to visit also and may you feature too,,,the municipality`s high school,,,,the san lorenzo national high school(catalino nava memorial high school,,,as known today),,,the people are also great in there,,,once again thank you and may God bless you always,,,
Wow! Small world. Glad you were able to read about them here. It’s my pleasure to be the first to feature your hometown, San Lorenzo. Yes, I do hope to come back again..