For so many years I have been planning to go to Lucban in order to witness the actual Pahiyas Festival. I have been wishing to come as I remembered our neighbour, Aling Marietta Saludes Gonzales, the godmother of my brother Glenn who is a Lucbanin used to give us colourful kipings whenever they got after the festival.
I took the Rizal route journey starting from Sta. Lucia Mall and proceeded to Tikling Junction and rode a jeepney going to Tanay. From there, I passed by Teresa, Morong, Baras and finally Tanay. From Tanay, I transferred jeepney going to Siniloan. Traversing Tanay, we soon passed by at the stretch of Pillilia and later on, Bugarin. Right after that we can see the welcome sign- Welcome to province of Laguna. It was already 20:00 then, We passed by Mabitac church and the flights of stairs were glittering with tivoli lights.
I arrived at Pagsanjan by midnight and bought an SD Memory Card as the other one I bought earlier in SM Megamall was not functioning well. I talked to the owner of the store re hotel accomodations and I was told that La Vista is pricey but clean. I was thinking that heavy traffic jams build around the town plaza whenever its fiesta. So, I decided to wait for a jeepney going to Lucban. I stayed at the Pagsanjan firestation located near the Pagsanjan church to wait for a jeepney bound to Lucban, I found a van earlier but a couple has rented it and they didnt accomodate me. It was sheer luck and after standing there and talking to two young tricycle drivers i saw a jeepney with the sign board LUCBAN, Oh my God, God is reallly good. So we headed for Lucban. It was too late for me to know that Luisiana is known as the Little Baguio of Laguna because of its zigzag roads It was kinda scary as it was raining hard and the road was slippery. All I can do was pray and talk to the other passengers who were two families who attended a birthday party in Pandi, Bulacan. They alighted in Cavinti and I was left with another passenger together with the driver and backride cum conductor.
I arrived half past one in the morning and the town plaza was full of people- young ones and old alike. They was a rock concert and it was Callalily band who was performing and its good to see Fafa Kean Edward-the vox once again. I noticed that Alden, Aaron and Lemuel gained some pounds. Alarming was to see Tatsi, he is thinner now...I hope he's not into the Dark Side. hehehe...
After the rock concert, a kaledeiscope of fireworks display adorned the ebony sky and lighted Patio Rizal.
Patio Rizal Hotel & Restaurant is located right at the heart of the town plaza of Lucban. It is within walking distance from the Rizal Park and Municipal Bldg., the Lucban church and other restaurants & Abcede's longganisa store and etc. It is just a few minutes drive/ride to Kamay ni Hesus and other tourist spots and the Palaisdaan and Kamay sa Palaisdaan Restaurants. They are located just facing each other along barangay Dapdap. Most importantly, it provides guests with a relaxed stay and magnificent view of Mt. Banahaw.
By the way, the weather was excellent then but clouds covered Mt. Banahaw's summit and I never had the chance to take pictures of the mystical mountain, Perhaps next time, I will be blessed to see and take pictures of it.
The hotel, with marble floors and huge picture glass windows, is clean and kept up. The bar at night has dancing and DJ sounds. For myself, I enjoyed their western style breakfast-bacon, egg and bread and a coffee nudge. Use to be that if you were in Lucban and had missed the last jeepney - you were stuck trying to find a bed in someone's house - Not so anymore. Yes folks there is curfew. Unfortunately, Patio Rizal is fully booked until next year. So better book and make your reservations early.
The hotel, with marble floors and huge picture glass windows, is clean and kept up. The bar at night has dancing and DJ sounds. For myself, I enjoyed their western style breakfast-bacon, egg and bread and a coffee nudge. Use to be that if you were in Lucban and had missed the last jeepney - you were stuck trying to find a bed in someone's house - Not so anymore. Yes folks there is curfew. Unfortunately, Patio Rizal is fully booked until next year. So better book and make your reservations early.
The Patio Rizal Hotel is an upscale hotel with classic architectural designs right next to the town center. Rooms, last I checked, went from 1800 to 3500 peso/night. Some rooms have bubble tubs. Obviousy and clearly, the owner understands the importance of upkeep and cleaning.
Published Hotel Rates (Subject to change w/o prior notice):Standard- P1,600Superior- P2,100Deluxe- P2,600Premier Suite- P3,100VIP Suite- 5,800Extra Person- P400During peak season (May), P500 is added.All rates are inclusive of 5% service charge and complimentary breakfast for 2 at the hotel restaurant.
I was trying my luck when it comes to accomodations. Even if Patio Rizal was fullly booked I still tried my luck that perhaps someone will back out from his/her earlier reservations but I was totally wrong, After I took a baked mac dinner cum midnight snack at seven eleven, I decided to go back to Patio Rizal but its fully booked. I tried to go to Summer Capital Inn but it was fullly booked too. I met a group of students and asked abour acommodations and they recommended Miramonte wherein dormitories abound as its near SLU- Southern Luzon University. But no one will admit me as its already in the wee hours of the night and its raining. It was like Mary and Joseph looking for a place to spend the night as Mary was heavy with Jesus Christ, knocking at every door looking for acommodation. But no one will provide me. I was cold and shaking and a staff told the manager of Patio Rizal and saw me. She offiered to give me her room in the hotel for Php 2,100.00. My eyes gleamed for relief. At last I slept like a log.
Published Hotel Rates (Subject to change w/o prior notice):Standard- P1,600Superior- P2,100Deluxe- P2,600Premier Suite- P3,100VIP Suite- 5,800Extra Person- P400During peak season (May), P500 is added.All rates are inclusive of 5% service charge and complimentary breakfast for 2 at the hotel restaurant.
I was trying my luck when it comes to accomodations. Even if Patio Rizal was fullly booked I still tried my luck that perhaps someone will back out from his/her earlier reservations but I was totally wrong, After I took a baked mac dinner cum midnight snack at seven eleven, I decided to go back to Patio Rizal but its fully booked. I tried to go to Summer Capital Inn but it was fullly booked too. I met a group of students and asked abour acommodations and they recommended Miramonte wherein dormitories abound as its near SLU- Southern Luzon University. But no one will admit me as its already in the wee hours of the night and its raining. It was like Mary and Joseph looking for a place to spend the night as Mary was heavy with Jesus Christ, knocking at every door looking for acommodation. But no one will provide me. I was cold and shaking and a staff told the manager of Patio Rizal and saw me. She offiered to give me her room in the hotel for Php 2,100.00. My eyes gleamed for relief. At last I slept like a log.
