A popular and multi-awarded hideaway of the rich and famous nestled on the slopes of Mt. Malarayat in Lipa City, Batangas, with it's relaxing spa offering massage and detoxification regimes centered on vegetarian cuisine of it's flagship restaurant, The Farm at San Benito is one of those places you normally don't expect to be featured on this blog specializing on budget travel, as it's really way out of Tutubi's penny-pinching ways and most budget travelers out there.

However, Tutubi was able to visit this serene hideout due to another company sponsored teambuilding activity involving his company's management committee for 3D/2N (in tour operator parlance but actually just about 2.5D/2N in reality) with barely little time to fully enjoy the various amenities the garden place has to offer due to the hectic teambuilding schedule facilitated by The Mentor Group.

Tutubi and officemates left Makati at 4pm, arrived in Lipa around 7pm due to heavy Friday traffic buildup in Turbina, took a quick food trip of the famous Batangas Lomi at LBN Lomi House, one of several lomihan along the national highway in Malvar town (beside Bee Gees Lomi House, in front of LBN Bar and Grill), partook of a hearty dinner at Hapag Filipino Restaurant in Lipa City before checking in at the groups final destination at The Farm at San Benito.

Facilities of The Farm include a clubhouse, restaurant, spa, two infinity pools, a man-made waterfalls, a man-made lagoon with a gazebo in the middle (featured on their official website and brochure with a model sporting a yoga pose), several walking trails, cottages for overnight accommodation and an organic farm raising vegetables and herbs e.g. lettuce, tarragon, parsely, sage, rosemary and thyme (ok, excuse the last four examples).

Some Pictures of The Farm at San Benito taken during meager breaks in between activities:


The large man-made lagoon of The Farm with the calm water providing a reflection of the blue sky

a yogi doing his "hobby" or posing for a picture?

a swimming pool near the restaurant. Tutubi wasn't able to swim here due to lack of time

the organic farm where they grow vegetables, herbs and spices used in their healthy food preparations

due to their being a true vegetarian restaurant, this is for display only, not for human consumption at the spa resort

the entrance of the spa where you get your whole body pampering by trained masseuse

one of the two infinity pools. this one's beside the spa where you can relax, enjoy your tea after an hour of relaxation massage therapy

the bath tub of the spa is an atrium i.e. open to the sky

Overnight accommodations include cottages like Anahaw Villa that has four single beds

inside Anahaw Villa are four beds with a "mezzanine" floor

The company teambuilding activity went well, except for one geriatric woman who single-handedly spoiled the last activity supposed to deepen relationships or build bridges but instead burned the bridge with some of her peers by writing unverified rumors and accusations. Left such a bitter aftertaste in the mouth and ruined the original intention of the costly event budgeted with half a million pesos.

Overall, the Farm at San Benito is highly recommended for people who wish to be disconnected from the world and flush out toxins (detox) by partaking healthy vegetarian food cooked at the restaurant with mostly organic ingredients.

Coming...the vegetarian menu of The Farm at San Benito is not for all people! :P

Other information on The Farm at San Benito:

Note that this is not for budget travelers as overnight room rates will cost you an arm and a leg. Day tour rates is pegged at around P4k (as you can see there's really no such thing as cheap The Farm at San Benito package tour). For updated information, room rate inquiries, events, retreats, and company activities, you may visit The Farm at San Benito official website or call their published contact numbers.

How to get to The Farm at San Benito:

commuting there is not recommended as it's really beyond reach of normal public transportation. Your best best is to get vans-for-hire or car rental companies if you don't have your own (and if you can afford to stay there, you can definitely afford to have your own vehicle)

Labels: Batangas, Calabarzon, Southern Tagalog, Spas

A garden resort cum wedding venue cum spa set in the rainforest of Antipolo City in Rizal Province, Callospa Resort has been heard of by Tutubi only in mainstream media sponsored write ups that you really won't fully believe and swallow "hook, line, and sinker." Tutubi was able to visit the resort spa in Antipolo for mere two hours to attend an organization's family day outing then rushed back to Quezon City to attend to a family event at Philam Homes Clubhouse.

Pictures of Callospa Resort:

the swimming pool beckons to wash away the summer heat
another view of Callospa Resort's swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzi with hanging millionaire's vine on the foreground

a "floating" over a man-made lagoon is a romatic place for dinner or the place where the groom and bride may sit during their wedding day

an al fresco picnic/reception area near the small man-made lagoon shaded by trees
indoor reception hall/events venue converted into a badminton court for the Family Day activity

Tutubi would have wanted so much to enjoy Callospa Resort's facilities, especially the swimming pool, restaurant food and probably at least 1 hour massage at the resort spa to relieve his chronic back pain but would have to do so in the future, probably next year if the next family day will also be held there again.

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Callospa rates:
Swimming: P120.00 (up to 4pm)
Night Swimming: P150.00
Resort Day rate: P10000.00
Night rate: P12500.00

(rates much cheaper than comparable garden wedding venues in Manila but you need to travel farther to reach it. Cheapest massaage/spa therapy package is P650.00)

How to get to Callospa Resort, Antipolo, Rizal:

Driving Directions: Callospa is accessible via Ortigas Avenue extension past Tikling junction but Tutubi decided to get there via Marcos Highway and Sumulong highway to avoid heavy traffic on Ortigas Avenue.

From Marcos Highway, turn right to Sumulong at Masinag Market junction. Drive ahead until you reach and turn right to Sumulong Circle (the road that leads to Vieux Chalet and Hinulugang Taktak then turn right again when you see a hospital (Unciano Medical Center) then follow direction signs leading to the resort. Travel time from Trinoma mall is about 45 minutes via this route on a Saturday morning.

Commute to Callospa: board a jeepney or shuttle service to Antipolo City then request the driver to drop you off at Unciano Medical Center. Transfer to a waiting tricycle to take you to Callospa.


For inquiries, swimming pool rates, entrance fees, nigh swimming, overnight accommodations room rates, wedding reception venue and other parties (debut, birthdays et al), please call Callospa Resort's published contact numbers or via their official website.

Related Posts on Antipolo City:
Hinulugang Taktak
Overlook Resort
Antipolo Church
You may also be looking for Callo's Spa or Callo Spa Resort :P

Labels: Antipolo City, Hotels and Resorts, Rizal, Rizal Resorts, Southern Tagalog, Spas

Fish spas have become the latest fad in Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand and Turkey. There are currently three fish spas in the Philippines: one in Boracay, another in Manila Ocean Park and the third and cheapest one in the town of Tibiao in Antique Province.

Fish spas work using fishes that swarm guests feet to nibble off dead skin, calluses and cuticles, creating a ticklish, soothing feeling.

The fish, usually Gara Ruffa fish species (expensive one that costs P150 to P300 each), feed only on dead skin layer, leaving the healthy ones untouched to heal and rebuild after fish exfoliating effect.

List of Fish Spas in the Philippines:

Tibiao Fish Spa,
National Highway, Barangay Poblacion,
Tibiao, Antique
Tibiao Fesh Spa costs P10 per 10 minutes and P1 for every succeeding minute (now ain't that a cheap price indeed)

Remarks: two hour ride from Caticlan jetty port. Uses a native fish species found in Tibiao (unindentified as the business needs to patent the technology first). About 25 people can enjoy the fish spa service simultaneously in the U-shaped pool.

The Tibiao Fish Spa dreams of becoming the biggest fish spa in Asia someday.

Boracay Fish Spa

If you're vacationing on Boracay Island, you can also try out Footzee's Boracay Foot Spa for 30 minutes at a cost of P550.00 (a package of Dr. fish and foot scrub costs P1,200.00)

Footzee’s Boracay Foot Spa
Boat Station 2, D’Mall
Boracay Island
Telephone No.: +63.36.288.4264

The fish spa in Manila can be found at the Manila Ocean Park whose fish spa service can be had at a price of P120 (in addition to Manila Ocean park entrance fee)

Note:
Please call published contact numbers for the latest price and promos.

Labels: Antique, Boracay, Manila, Spas

I chose a different path this weekend after complaining of the lack of electricity at home, after showing remorse to lives lost due to Milenyo and offering an elegy to the fallen trees. I decided to indulge and go shopping and treat my usually stressed out and abused body on a lazy Saturday afternoon when the rest of big city is bored due to lack of electricity

It’s been quite a while since I visited this place called Human Essence Spa at the 3rd floor of Pacific Corporate Center on West Avenue near corner EDSA in Quezon City. The place offers you hot shower and 15 minute steam bath prior to the 1-hour long whole body massage using a combination of Swedish and Shiatsu for just P350.

After sweating out in the steam shower where I got to inhale therapeutic steam coming from seething cauldron of aromatic herbs, I waited for the masseuse to apply pressure to predetermined points of my body as well as rubbing oil to rid me of my somatic and corporal imbalances. It’s not an easy job to do even with my horizontally-challenged build. I was bended, stretched and flip-flopped by the expertly trained masseuse. The entire hour is completely relaxing and relieved me of the recurring pain in my spine typical of guys spending to much time in front of the computer.

A cup of coffee afterwards while watching the UAAP championship games between UST and Ateneo where the Growling Tigers clawed the Blue Eagles to force the match into game three.

Earlier this day, our hedonistic splurge continued by availing ourselves of foot spa services of Ate Fe at 50% off. “twas actually the first time I had my soles scrubbed incessantly for an hour using footscrub and warm water and got compliments from the "scrub" lady for having such nice feet and not much callouses --even if I do trek and walk barefoot at times! :)

Labels: Spas