Michi Photostory

This trip was extra special because it marked my youngest sister's and her boyfriend’s first visit to the Philippines. We wanted to welcome them with something simple yet memorable, a genuine Filipino experience surrounded by family.

As early as January, I started searching for a private resort in Laguna and gave my mom three choices. Among them, we chose California Beach, Pansol, because it has a room with a private bathroom, which was perfect for my sister and her boyfriend. Plus, they also have a restaurant, so food was no longer a problem; we could just order.

I reserved Villa 1 for PHP 25,000, which is good for 20 people. To reserve, a 50% down payment is required, which is non-refundable, along with a signed copy of the Memorandum Agreement and a valid ID. A week before the scheduled trip, the remaining balance and a copy of the guest list must be submitted. 

For the food, I also ordered a Boodle Fight for PHP 11,000 (for 20 people), which also required a 50% down payment to confirm. This included 2 meat dishes, 2 seafood dishes, 2 vegetable dishes, and 2 fruits. 

Fast forward to our summer trip: we packed our bags and headed to Pansol, Laguna, a place known for its relaxing hot springs and cheerful atmosphere. Check-in time is 1 PM. We arrived 8 minutes early, and before we even got out of the car, the staff said, “Ang aga niyo po.” I wondered if check-in was strictly after 1 PM, so we stayed in the car. But the staff returned and said we could already check in.

Four minutes before 1 PM, we were able to enter our villa, and I managed to take some pictures before the rest of our family arrived. 

Private pool (natural spring water, no chlorine) 

1-hour use of Jacuzzi 

3 patented California Beach Pansol waterfalls (free use for 5 hours) 

2 public showers 

3 common comfort rooms 

1 billiard set (free use from 4 PM - 6 PM) – we did not avail 

Mini bar and kitchen area

Parking for 3 cars only 

After a few minutes, the staff arrived so I could settle the remaining 50% balance for the Boodle Fight plus PHP 2,000 for the security deposit. I also ordered a gallon of water for PHP 80 and PHP 200 for ice. The staff said, “Sige po, padala ko sa dinner.” I was surprised, I thought glasses and dinnerware would be provided since we booked the place from 1 PM to 11 AM. I told the staff to bring the glasses first so we could use them. 

According to their terms and conditions: 

“Dinnerware set is available in each villa. We will provide the exact number of pax declared. We prohibit the use of disposables (cups/spoons/forks/plates) as we strictly support the reuse-reduce-recycle of trash. We highly discourage bringing in any form of glasses as they may break and cause serious injuries during your stay.” 

I decided not to bring our own. My family had our own tumblers, but I wasn’t sure if the others did. If you plan to book this place, it’s safer to bring your own just to be sure. 

Fortunately, there’s a convenience store near the resort, so we were able to buy snacks, drinks, and any disposables we needed during our stay. 

I ordered pizza for merienda: one 18” Four Cheese Pizza for PHP 799, one 18” Hawaiian Pizza for PHP 799, and one 9” Hawaiian Pizza for PHP 329. We ate while playing UNO cards and answering icebreaker questions. 

As the sun began to set, we gathered for dinner by the poolside while waiting for the staff to finish setting up our Boodle Fight. Although we usually eat at 6 PM, I scheduled dinner for around 6:30 PM. For our meals, I ordered Grilled Liempo, Chicken Adobo, Fried Bangus, Buttered Shrimp, Grilled Corn, Steamed Okra, Talong, and Salted Egg. Our group was only 16 people, and many of us are light eaters, so we had plenty of leftovers. 

After dinner, we enjoyed different games, including bingo, shared stories from the past, and created new ones to carry forward. We had to stop before 10 PM to comply with the City of Calamba ordinance regarding noise. 

The following day, some of us ate the leftover Boodle Fight and pizza, while others ordered breakfast. They had Longsilog for PHP 119, Tapsilog for PHP 145, and Bangsilog for PHP 130.

After breakfast, we spent our remaining time in the swimming pool. Check-out time is 11 AM, but we left around 10 AM so we could have lunch somewhere before heading home. I paid the remaining balance (for water, ice, pizza, drinks, and breakfast) and claimed my security deposit. Only cash payments are accepted, so make sure to bring enough. 

As we packed up, I realized that trips like these remind us of what truly matters. It’s not the destination or the luxury of the place, but the connection, laughter, and love we share. It wasn’t a grand vacation, but it was filled with genuine joy; proof that the best memories often come from the simplest moments. Our weekend at California Beach, Pansol was more than just a family outing; it was a beautiful reminder of home, belonging, and the joy of being together.