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.

The problem was, biglang napaaga yung outing, so we only had less than 12 hours to search for a resort. I suggested Villa Esmane Private Resort and informed them na marami pa resorts yung owner. Unfortunately, fully booked na rin sa date namin. 

Past 9PM, we still didn’t have a resort, so I slept na and told myself, madali naman magpack tomorrow if ever matuloy. I was shocked when I woke up kasi tuloy pala outing namin, my sister-in-law was able to book everything. She found Cayet’s Cabin Private Villa Resort and fortunately, may nagcancel ng reservation so she was able to book the resort. 

The day trip rate is PHP10,000, from 8AM to 5PM. This includes 2 Standard Aircon Rooms and use of facilities. The owner offered a 15% discount and only asked for PHP1,000 for the reservation via Gcash.

The resort is Balinese-inspired. The swimming pool water is hot spring water, no chemicals, and untreated. According to them, the water is drained and filled after every use. The Adult Pool is 5.5 feet in depth, and the Kiddie Pool is 3 feet in depth. 

Amenities: 

Basketball Area 

Foosball 

Wide Billiard 

Grand Videoke 

Dart 

Parking and wifi are available too. The bathroom has a hot and cold shower. 

My sister-in-law even managed to order our meals. I forgot to ask kung saan siya nag-order pero Laguna area din, so it was delivered at the resort. She ordered Chicken Curry, Lechon Kawali, Chopsuey, Pansit Overload, Buko Pandan, and Rice. I just brought fruits, drinks and snacks. 

Rosal St. Perpetual Help Subdivision, 

Pansol, Calamba City, 

Laguna Philippines

Laguna is known for hot spring resorts so there are so many resorts out there but there are two things we need to consider like time and budget. We were having difficulty finding an affordable private resort in Laguna. We don’t need a big resort naman since 14 pax lang naman kami. Also, paHoly Week na rin kasi so some resorts were already booked and some resorts naman don’t accept day trips, gusto nila 22 hours. 

Anyway, thanks sa pagpupuyat ng asawa ko, nakahanap din siya ng pasok sa budget namin. It just so happened na may 12AM meeting siya (following USA time kasi) so hindi siya pwede matulog kaya nagsearch na lang siya ng resort habang naghihintay ng telecon. Hehehe! 

Villa Esmane Private Resort was not our first choice pero fully booked na kasi yung first choice namin so ito yung sinuggest ng owner. Also we changed travel date na rin kasi wala talaga pag-asa sa Holy Week. 

What I like about this resort is, they have different rates, depending on the number of people. Here are the rates at the time of booking. 

Weekends/Holiday: (Friday to Sunday) 

• Daytime P 7,000.00 (9am to 5pm) 

• Overnight P 9,000.00 (7pm to 6am) 

• 1-Day P 14,000.00 (9am to 6am or 8pm to 5pm) 

• Daytime P 6,000.00 (9am to 5pm) 

• Overnight P 8,000.00 (Open time, 11 hours) 

• 1-Day P 10,000.00 (Open time, 21 hours) 

My husband called to inquire pero sa Viber app na lahat ng communication. To confirm the reservation, he paid a 50% downpayment and within the day, he received a confirmation email. The remaining balance is upon arrival at the resort. 

Adult swimming pool (natural hot spring water) 4 ft to 5 1/2 ft 

Kiddie pool “ 3 ft 

1-bed room, capacity of 2 to 3 pax 

4 Bedrooms with full air conditioning. 

Kitchen - Refrigerator + Cooking Utensils 

Complete Set of Bedding 

4 Comfort Rooms 

Barbeque grill 

Unlimited Videoke 

Tables and Chairs 

Pavilion Wifi 

If you plan to cook, there is an additional PHP500 for a gas stove but we did not avail this because we brought cooked food na and yung ibang ulam namin is grilled food like BBQ, hotdog, liempo, talong, bangus, tilapia and yung isang fish na parang lapu-lapu (hindi ko alam name, hehehe). 

* Do not forget to bring your own dishwashing stuff, toiletries, and towels. 

Sharing some pictures, Nagtake lang ako ng pictures ng rooms but my family did not stay here, so I cannot comment kung okay ba yung bed and yung aircon.

Since it was day trip naman, nasa pavillion lang talaga kami, busy sa paggrill and pagswim. Yung swimming pool temperature, hindi siya mainit like yung sa 88 Resort Spa, pero may parang falls so yun ang mainit. 

My only concern is the bathroom, need ng konting maintenance especially sa door knobs and doors. But overall, we had a good time here. 

It was my Father-in-law's birthday celebration so I also made this cake topper. This design is available on Cricut Design Space.

Lake Wood Subd, Lalakay 

Los Baňos Laguna

Modern Shang is formerly known as Modern Shanghai. I have no idea kung gaano na katagal yung restaurant sa Pilipinas pero bago-bago pa yung branch nila sa SM Sta Rosa. It just opened last July 202,3 but I only saw this restaurant when we ate at Texas Roadhouse. 

Modern Shang’s mission is to provide quality and innovative cuisine in Beijing, Sichuan, and Shanghai. I have never been to China, so I can’t compare, but after eating at Modern Shang, I finally appreciate Chinese cuisine, so feeling ko hindi lang masasarap yung nakainan ko dati. Hehehe! 

Prior to our visit, I checked Modern Shang’s menu online, so I already had an idea of what to order. We ordered some of their best-sellers like Deep-Fried Squid with Spicy Salt and Pepper PHP418, Yang Chow Fried Rice PHP228 (per cup) and Signature Xiao Long Bao PHP198 (4 pcs). My husband also added Steamed Tofu in Shallot Oil PHP248. 

After ordering our meal, they immediately served water, hot tea, and crackers and they even refilled the tea and crackers nung nakita nila na naubos agad namin, hehehe! Gutom na talaga kasi kami. After 15 minutes, they already served our food. 

We were so happy with our order, so I knew that we would go back again, siguro sa next check-up ko ulit.

I seldom go out of the house but when I do, ginagawa ko na yung dapat gawin para isang pagod na lang. Hehehe! First, I had breakfast with my friends at Ambos Panederia + Cocina, and then we went to Pag-ibig office because we planned to continue our contribution as voluntary members. Next, we went to SM Sta Rosa because my friend needed to buy something, and we had a late lunch at Modern Shang.

This has been my go-to restaurant na kapag napapadpad sa SM Sta Rosa. My friend ordered from Shanghai Wok Bowls, the Orange Chicken Bowl, but she could not finish this dish because it was too spicy for her. My son ordered this before during our last visit, but did not mention that it was spicy, or maybe because he loves spicy food.

I ordered Porkchop Egg Fried Rice PHP498. It looks like a small meal pero nahirapan na ako ubusin ito. And because of that, take out ko na lang yung supposed to be dessert namin na Deep-Fried Glutinous Dumplings. PHP208.

I went to the hospital for my routine check-up, but the staff informed me na 1PM pa daw darating yung doctor, so I was contemplating kung uuwi pa ba ko or maghihintay na lang. My husband and I decided na maghintay na lang so we went to SM Sta Rosa to kill time.

I went to SM Customer Service to claim our PSA Birth Certificates. I was crossing my fingers na hindi sayang yung pinila ko. Naexperience ko na kasi yung hindi pa available yung order ko. Fortunately, naclaim ko lahat. 

Then we went to Modern Shang to eat our lunch, we wanted to avail of the 50% off promo sana, but unfortunately, hindi pala every day. Toink. So ito lang naorder namin, Shrimp with Preserved Egg Yolk Paste PHP528, Steamed Tofu in Shallot Oil 248, Yang Chow Fried Rice PHP498, and Deep-fried Glutinous Dumplings PHP208.

50% off the Bistro Group was back, so after groceries, we went to EVIA for early lunch. I asked my son kung Italian or Chinese cuisine, and he chose Chinese, so we ate at Modern Shang. 

We ordered our favorites and some new dishes: Xiao Long Bao (6 pcs) PHP268, Pan Fried Mantou PHP98, Sweet and Sour Pork (S) PHP468, Roast Crispy Pork (S) PHP528, Shrimp with Preserved Egg Yolk Paste PHP528, Deep Fried Squid (S) PHP418, Yang Chow Fried Rice PHP498, and Deep-fried Glutinous Dumplings PHP208. 

We almost finished our order, yung Roast Crispy Pork lang ang may natira, pero kahit konti, take-out pa rin namin. Hehehe! We liked the Pan-Fried Mantou with condensed milk so I recreated this meal at home. Good thing, I always buy mantou and condensed milk. I always steamed our mantou pero mas masarap pala yung fried. Parang donut.