Tahanan ni Aling Meding and Outdoor Lunch at Lake Pandin

 

 

We were out of the country only a week ago and I didn’t expect that we’d have plans for the Holy Week.  I was really thinking of staying in but was pleasantly surprised that Bubba had something up his sleeve for me.

 

Although it’s been on my Things to Do/Visit list for quite some time, it was Bubba who managed to pull off the Ugu Bigyan-Tahanan ni Aling Meding-Lake Pandin trip.  It was probably the best local trip he ever planned!

 

 

Casa San Pablo was Bubba’s first choice to reminisce our first trip together to San Pablo Laguna in early 2008.  However, I opened the idea of trying a new place –my choice in mind, Tahanan ni Aling Meding.

 

Wake up to the soothing view of Sampaloc Lake from the balcony of your room and relish the feeling of living at a mansion.  This house was built initially to be the rest/vacation house of the Borja family, whose whole family (11 siblings) is already based in the States.  The hotel serves as their own mansion for relaxation and family reunions and other events when they fly to the Philippines.

 

Tahanan ni Aling Meding opens up their big gates for folks who are visiting San Pablo City, it’s your secret hide-away residence in Laguna.

 

Type of Rooms:

 

1 Family Room PHP 5,500

(5 beds for 6 persons)

 

1 Honeymoon Room PHP 3,500

(1 queen-size bed)

 

This is the room Bubba got.

 

Closet

There’s computer desk for your laptops.

 

2 Superior Rooms PHP 3,500

(2 beds)

 

4 Executive Rooms PHP 3,000

(2 beds)

 

2 De Luxe Rooms PHP 2,500

(2 beds)

 

 

Amenities:

 

*Wi-fi Zone

*Aircon

*Cable TV

*Swimming Pool (7am-10pm only)

*Hot and Cold shower

*Refrigerator

*Telephone

 

 

 

At breakfast the next day, we noticed a table of foreign guests and a lot of families staying in Tahanan ni Aling Meding.  Two families enjoyed swimming at Tahanan’s pool.  We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Wilson Borja and sharing a breakfast conversation with him –reminiscing how the whole Mansion started.

 

 

Tahanan ni Aling Meding

Dagatan Blvd., Sampaloc Lake,

San Pablo City, Laguna

Manila Line: (632) 520 6089

Laguna Line: (049) 562 5951/ (049) 562 5855

Email: admin@tahanan.info

 

 

How to Get There:

(From Tahanan ni Aling Meding Brochure)

 

 

Coming from Manila, after San Pablo border, stay on the Maharlika Highway.  You will see a Caltex station to the left, immediately before a fork in the highway.  The right side of the fork leads straight to Lucena, the left leads to San Pablo City Proper.  Take the left road.  At the junction to Calauan, take the main avenue to your right.  This is Rizal Ave.  Turn left at the corner of San Pablo Central School.  Follow the road beyond the City Hall.  As soon as you see the lake, turn left on the perimeter road (actually more of a sharp U-turn).  Tahanan will be to your left.

  

 

Reminiscent: Jay’s Kinabuhayan.  Elusive: Kusina Salud.  Revisit: Palmera’s.

 

During this trip, we fought the urge to drop by at Jay’s Kinabuhayan Café to just say hello.  We remembered our fantastic time at Jay’s eating that delicious spiced chicken and greens/flower salad of his.  After that lunch in 2008, we also had some bonding time with Jay and his trustee aide and friend and some of his pet animals over some smooth lambanog –yes we were drinking at 3 in the afternoon!  After which, we had a short trip at Kubli Springs and took an energizing dip while playing some guitar music.  Good times, yeah.

 

We missed to try Kusina Salud last time we were in town.  Bubba has been trying to contact Kusina Salud since Tuesday that week to no avail.  Nobody seems to answer the phone or maybe we have the wrong or an old number.    It was included in the plans to have dinner there that evening.  Unfortunately, since we weren’t able to place our reservations, we hesitated to walk-in. 

 

 

Palmera’s restaurant was again recommended to us.  When it was being described, I felt that I knew the place.  And I was right.  We dined there in 2008.  We were supposed to go to Jay’s Kinabuhayan Café for dinner that day but ended up going to Palmera’s instead because of fear of getting lost and rebel attack (?).

 

Bubba couldn’t remember that we ate there until we walked inside the place.  Palmeras’ has its own appeal as a grill-resto-bar that offers live music on certain nights.  Bubba ordered Crispy Tilapia slightly recalling that he liked it the first time we were there.  My order was grilled liempo and hot calamansi juice.

 

Before Shot

He massacred the tilapia

A sweet smug smile.

Whatta really large snake!!!

 

 

He in fact did like it and finished the three tilapias.  We drove back to Tahanan ni Aling Meding to retire for the night.  Bubba’s plan didn’t end there.  The next day after checking out, we headed straight to this “secret” place Bubba has been keeping under wraps.

 

I was very much in the know about the Ugu Bigyan and Tahanan ni Aling Meding plans but he cooked up something special for me –a simple outdoor lunch at Lake Pandin.

 

Lake Pandin

 

Lake Pandin is one of the seven lakes, called Pitong Lawa, in San Pablo, Laguna.  We reached the gateway point and parked our car.  Aling Siona, the wife of Mang Tano, who Bubba corresponded with regarding our reservation that day, welcomed us and guided us in the trail. 

 

 

It was a 10-15 minute trail walk to Lake Pandin.  Bubba asked me if the trek feels like the Kabigan Falls trek we did in Ilocos Norte.  I said it was a bit the same but there were more scenery in the previous trek I think.  He knows I have my qualms on trekking but I like it better than hiking.  I’ve never hiked in my entire life.

 

 

Mang Tano and wife are part of the group (“samahan” in Filipino) who escorts the visitors –they are the same group that live nearby the lake and make a living out of fishing and the Pandin Lake tours.  Nowadays, it’s all ladies who paddle the raft because the “men” felt a bit awkward in the past when foreign guests wear only their skimpiest.

 

 

The idea is they serve your lunch on the bamboo raft and the lady paddlers will take you across the lake at a quiet corner with shade.  Enjoy nature’s breeze in Pandin Lake while eating your lunch made by the locals. 

 

 

I was taken by the calming beauty of Pandin Lake.  The sun was out but we didn’t feel the heat –just the cool wind whispering softly in our ears.  We had the view of the lush greens at every corner. 

 

 

Lunch was simple but tastes good.  We loved the little shrimps in coconut milk (gata).  And despite having tilapia the night before, Bubba was able to finish the 3 tilapias on the table again -this time grilled instead of deep fried. 🙂

 

 

After lunch, Bubba and I relished the calmness of the scenery and stillness of time.  We look out at the “docking port” where we came from and felt so on our own.  Our minds were very relaxed… while my body was such in a tranquil moment. 

 

 

 

Our Fun Rapid Shots (Neoprint style photo sesh haha)

*WARNING*

Might be too cheesy for those with strong gag reflexes.

 

Our “Pose Ode” to Madz *salute*

 

More Photos:

In his own time.

Bubba with the pink paddle.

Thought-bubble: “This is just so nice.”

Yea, I have a tummy. 

I tried to exercise but with my eating habits…

there will always be a happy bump there in the mid-section.

Sexy ain’t in my dictionary.

Never mind, I’m happy.

The lady paddlers resting as we were resting.

A coconut suddenly fell, almost on the head of Marlyn.  We all laughed.

Out of relief.

Bubba and Boozie-la

At peace with nature.

Back to the roots.

“Initiation?”

“Baptism of Fire?”

Oh no!

I wasn’t trained for this. 😀

 

———–

 

After a couple of hours in this peaceful setting, we decided to head back.  If only I didn’t promise “Moms” that I’d be in Manila for dinner-out, we’d be staying until past 5PM.  Bubba helped in paddling back to shore. 

 

The Baranggay Tanod who makes us feel safe.

 

It was a short 20-minute paddle, where we bonded with our raft paddlers, Marlyn, Malou and Nik. 

 

Ate Marlyn, Ate Malou and Nik

The Other Lady Paddlers

The Baranggay Tanod who protectively watched us from afar and helped us trek back to the parking lot.

 

You can opt to take the ride at PHP 180 and with lunch, an additional PHP 180.  We enjoyed the afternoon so much that Bubba gave PHP 500 as extra.  If you plan to visit and you enjoy it tremendously, please feel free to leave an extra for the community locals.  They earn here through integrity and hard work that it’s so easy to give from the heart.

 

 

The Afternoon at Lake Pandin

 

It’s one of those afternoons I will long remember.  Tranquil.  Serene.  Rural.  This was the part where we most felt recluse from the world.

 

 

Bubba and I shared varying moments here.  There were moments we talked.  Moments we took photos.  Moments we look out to the world… …even moments where we each had our own thoughts, devoid of the other’s presence. 

 

Being enclosed in the rural surroundings is a humble reminder that life started out simple.  And in simplicity, we are in touch more with our inner selves.

 

 

 

Lake Pandin

Baranggay Santo Angel

San Pablo, Laguna

 

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Comments

  1. Once again, beautiful pictures, Jane! I would really love to visit this place with The BF. How long did the lake cruise take?

    On a side note, what tummy are you talking about? Can you share your exercise routine and some tips on maintaining your slender physique?:-P No, seriously! 🙂

  2. Lovely shots Jane 🙂 I want to visit the lake too!

  3. Hey R!

    Thanks!!! It wasn’t hard to take nice photos because the place was simple but really nice. You and BF should try to visit. The Lake cruise depends on how soon you want it finished -there’s no time limit so super affordable for P180/irde (plus P180 with food). From the dock to the quiet corner of the lake is maybe 15-20 minutes, leisure paddle.

    You are too kind haha, I have a bulge and it’s so obvious when you see me in person 😀

    When I find the time to exercise, I do a lot of cardio: running, skip rope and/or boxing 🙂 I’m too lazy to do abs but I try to. I also do some shoulder and chest exercises with the machines.

    I hope to go back to the gym this April.

    Bulgy Bulge,
    Janey

  4. I’m sure you’d enjoy the quiet time Kate! 🙂

    Love by the Lake,
    Janey

  5. I’m a big fan of your site. I came across your site a few months back.Since then, I’ve always been excited to see your recent posts, to know more about the restaurants and places you’ve been to. It’s not only entertaining but I learn so much from just reading your site. You have so much passion for life, food and almost everything. You have a good heart and I admire you for being able to experience the things that most girls, ladies and women won’t even dare to try. I admire your courage to stand for what you believe in, to learn and experience more but most importantly to be able to share it to the world.

    Also, one more thing that noticeable about you is your skin.I used to have flawless skin. Now,I have pimple breakouts all over my face.I tried all sorts of creams, treatments, nothing works.I’m in dire need of an advice. Hope you won’t mind sharing your secret to having such clear skin.

    Thanks Jane. Hope you’ll continue to experience more out of life. God Bless!

  6. For Lake Pandin, you can contact Mang Tano or Aling Siona at +63-929-9789565

  7. Thank you so much for this. Very informative and educational. Helped me a great deal in planning my own trip to Lake Pandin with family. Keep it up !!!

  8. I’ll do exactly this, including the lake thing. Hope it turns out as beautiful as your shots. Booked at Aling Meding for next weekend. Great blog!

  9. @ Rai Pat:

    Hello! How did you like Lake Pandin? It’s very simple and quiet and I hope you also got good shots as well.

    Thank you for visiting Between Bites.

  10. Hi Jane! How did you reserve for Lake Pandin? 🙂

  11. how much is your budget for that romantic date?….if im from cavite…how much will it cost?…all of it with transportation fees…tnx… 🙂

  12. Do you have any contacts there so if we might be lost going there, we can ask for help, and to accompany us to the lake? Great blog po.

  13. Hi …

    I would like to ask if it is allowed to go on fishing at Lake Pandin?

    Regards,

    Edcel

  14. I just wanna say thank you for this information Jane. 🙂

    at first me and my Girlfriend were afraid of getting there because we don’t have a car, but when we inquired to Aling Meding, it seems that they are very helpful for us to find the place so we then proceed and booked. 🙂 and it was the perfect choice to spend our 2nd year anniversary together. We’re looking forward to go back there in the future and hoping to go to Lake Padin by then. 🙂

    Thanks for sharing this Jane. Hope to see more! Godbless! 🙂

  15. mico lopez says

    Do they have showers? Where did you shower after?

    Thanks! 🙂

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