Lifestyle
Loreland Farm Resort, Antipolo Rizal
I was in Loreland Farm Resort last weekend, my first time to the place, for another company summer activity. The place is beautiful, it has quite a number of swimming pools in different depth and sizes, and different temperatures as well. It has lots of cottages and rooms to rest to, including the tables and huts all over the place. It also has sports facilities, spa services and adventure trek, that you may enjoy if swimming doesn’t complete your day. Loreland Farm Resort is surrounded by trees, which keep the place green and looking fresh.
Now I’m gonna share you my view of the place as I experienced.
Some Pictures
The Place
Loreland Farm Resort is located in upper Antipolo, few kilometers east of Manila. Antipolo is comprised by the province of Rizal. I never knew a lot about Antipolo back in the days, I only heard about it from a folk song. “Tayo na sa Antipolo, at doo’y maligo tayo. Kung sakaling kami’y perwisyo, pasensya na kayo’t kami’y namamasko”. That’s all it.
Anyway, going to the place took us about 45 minutes from Makati City. I recommend traveling in the morning when the street is not yet busy, and besides, the trees also glow greener when the sun is low. I’m sorry that I could never tell you how to get to the place because I was also lost. I’m totally not familiar of the path we took. But let me direct you to someone you need to know if there’s a place you got to go. It’s Mr. Map.
The Resort
Loreland Farm Resort is a beautiful place to be during summer or anytime you feel like swimming. It is open to the public so expect that the place is gonna be crowded. Perhaps, it’s because the place is good.
There are a lot of swimming pools all over from kiddie size, medium, deep, hot and cold, to anything you want except you’re looking for an olympic-sized pool. It also has sports facilities like basketball court, billiards, volleyball and of course, what I was there for, swimming.
There’s also a mini adventure trek down the resort, which I think could be very dangerous to anyone who’s not careful. The trek only has very low fence, like below the knee, and around it is a very deep ravine. I still managed to walk on the fence around the trek since I know where would I be if I fall… I’d be rolling down below and then straight to Medical City. Yeah, that’s how close Ortigas is from the top.
Along the trek are some religious images of Jesus Christ, Mary and more. I bet you don’t know who ‘more’ is. The end of the trek brings you back by the entrance. Are you tired of my messed-up write up yet? Ok. Upon finishing the trek is a Spa. I think there is. You may now relax, have a massage, take a nap while having a massage, then after that you’re suddenly wide awake because you have to pay for the service.
Now my views…
Loreland Farm Resort is a nice summer getaway. You don’t have to go very far from Manila, but experience the same hot summer. But of course it’s still different from being at the beach. I was satisfied by the facilities, except that the basketball court was converted to a parking lot. If only I had a chance to visit the Spa, I would be even more satisfied.
Well, I would still say it’s far from perfection. Maybe it’s because of too much crowd that goes to the place. This is a good sign, but people are all over the place. Yes, there are a lot of swimming pools but I swear it’s not enough for the number of people that were there. I wasn’t able to swim a lot because there’s no space. Rather I call it ‘standing’ pool, shall I?
The important thing is I find another option to go to when I feel like having a small vacation. I’d like to go back there someday, but maybe not during summer. Maybe some time when all the people don’t feel like swimming.
Final words, if you like having fun and adventure, Loreland would be perfect. But if you’re looking for some peaceful moment, then I can’t guarantee you’ll get it there. Or maybe come at night.
How to go to Anilao Batangas
Summer sits around the corner once more, and you might be probably thinking of your summer plans as well. I would recommend paying a visit to the Beach Resorts of Anilao Batangas, for a different kind of deep sea adventure. There are lots of diving sites in Anilao Batangas and before I talk about it, let me tell you first how to get there.
Option A – How to go to Anilao Batangas
From the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), head towards the South Luzon Express Way (SLEX) via Sucat Parañaque or via EDSA, whichever is more comfortable. Drive along SLEX and take Lucena/Batangas Exit. Drive pass through Calamba Laguna and take the STAR Tollway in Sto. Tomas Batangas. The end of the STAR Tollway leads to Diversion road in Balagtas Batangas which leads to the International Port of Batangas if you take the flyover. DO NOT take the flyover, instead make a right turn to Bauan Batangas. Upon exiting Bauan proper, the road yields to a Y junction. Take the left of the Y and the long winding road will lead you to Mabini. You will pass through a zigzig road which leads you to another Y junction. This time take the right of the Y and it will take you to Anilao Batangas and to other places with beautiful beach resorts.
Option B
Just follow option A so you won’t get confused.
Now let’s talk about the options and places you might enjoy in Anilao Batangas. If you’re adventurous person, you would probably like to experience under the sea adventures and lots of SCUBA diving places in Anilao will satisfy you. And if you’re there just to relax and burn your smooth skin under the sun, there are even lots of it in Anilao. Why don’t you just take a peek at the below list?
Dive Resorts in Anilao
UPDATE: Most of the sites listed below have expired and somehow the webadmins forgot to renew them. So I apologize for the inconvenience cause it’s totally beyond my control.
- Monte Carlo Resort
- Blue Ocean
- Carfel Vistamar Inc.
- S.M. SCUBA Dive Resort
- Anilao Outrigger Resort
- Villa Ligaya Beach Resort
- Aquaventure Reef Club
- Dive 7000 Resort
- Eagle Point Resort
- Sunbeam Marine Sport Ent
- Aquagarden Resort
The list should go on and on but there are hundreds of them all in all and since they mostly lie side by side, you’ll surely discover more when you get there. Lots of private resorts are also available if you need some more privacy time with your loved ones.
Anilao is like the best tourism capital in Mabini Batangas, and we Mabinitos are proud of it. I made the term Mabinitos - copyrighted. 
If you wanna learn more, visit www.mabini.gov.ph
The way I am
In our world today, you’ll never survive if you don’t compete. BUT I DON’T BELIEVE IT!
Many people struggle. They compete with others to the best they can. They push themselves to their limit just to be at the top. But they only get the rank they deserve. But what if there’s a lot like you who desire the same thing? And you see that the path through it is very tight. Would you still play the game? Or would you rather stay behind?
I choose staying behind. And it don’t matter to me. I will sacrifice my desire. I will let you grab your chance to have what you want. Because I want you to be happy. Though I know you won’t. Because the moment you have what you desire, you’ll start dreaming higher and won’t stop. I’d rather not take the chance and let it come to me voluntarily. “Come what may…”
If others can, let them. Benefit from them and make life easy. As long as you are happy. Because if you pushed yourself to your limit, but still did not get the happy life you want, you might just end up being frustrated, disappointed at yourself. All of us should get what is deserved. Even if you desire something, but you do not deserve it, nothing will happen to your life. Again, make life easy and be happy.
Nurture Spa Tagaytay – a wonderful first impression
Finally! After the long wait, we are now enjoying our long-overdue vacation. Aldrin gave me Nurture Spa GCs for Christmas last year and now we are here. I am actually at the dining area and it is fabulous! The salad and the Nurture Spa signature Asian dressing are such a delight, even Aldrin was not able to resist the sesame oil’s aroma.
So far, I am enjoying it, we were greeted by friendly and courteous staff. The place is very serene, very relaxing. Oops, our main course is about to be served. Will give more updates later. 
A Journey to Tagaytay
Sometimes, things happen when it’s unplanned. Though, it’s more probably won’t be as successful as planned. -mrniceash
I’d say, it was a strange day. While we normally go somewhere during weekends to have lunch, today is somehow too different. We only usually hang out on some fastfood and restaurant inside malls where there usually is huge crowd and loud noise that you almost can’t hear what your mate is saying and you have to shout when you speak so you can be heard.
Read more…