Kawayanan Grill Station In Coron, Palawan

Kawayanan Grill Station Bar and Restaurant

I’ve read quite a few good reviews about this restaurant during the planning stage for visiting Coron town. Moreso it  is highly recommended by most of the people I asked around, matanong kasi ako! Kawayanan Grill Station is a garden restaurant popular to Palawenos especially to that of Coron. Noticeable about the place is that customers do have an option to chill out on monobloc chairs or hang out on one of their nipa huts. And oh, the main bar is also made out of I think kawayan, nipa and driftwood pieces. This grill station is strategically located along Don Pedro Street just beside the Coron Sports Complex and it can get pretty loud and noisy at this bar especially when there are town events being celebrated, like what we had experienced. The place is the Calamian version of Gerry’s Grill, too bad I’m not much of a fan of seafoods (gives me the allergies).

Before our meals were served

Aside from being a restaurant, bar and grill they also offer videoke services on one of  their private air-conditioned rooms charged at an hourly rate. At the farther end of the station, they have a small stage set-up with light fixtures used especially by bands for their live performances and jamming sessions. We were quite fortunate to have witnessed a performance from the Tribu Calamianen (a local indie/culture band) at this bar, it was an awesome display of talent and culture of the Calamians. That was on October 23, 2009 (which is actually one of the highlights of the Oktoberfest in Coron). Beside the restaurant is a small souvenir shop most probably also owned by the Kawayanan proprietors. I was told  that the bar’s whole concept was the brain-child of 4 friends wanting to venture into a restaurant cum bar business. Not a bad idea, I should say.

Hand-made shell lanters at Kawayanan Grill Station

A shot of the hand-made shell lantern from below

Served by the pitcher

Enchanting

What I liked about this bar is its interior and the over-all feel of the place. The center of attraction for this restaurant is the hand-made shell lanterns that  hung all over the station which imbibes a mixture of homey/festive/native  ambiance to the place. Cool! Lights are dimmed to set the mood for chilling and relaxing. The choice of music has got that relaxing effect as well. Less, of course, the occasional sound from the private videoke room that they have.  As for the cocktails, the Kawayanan crew revs up a mean concoction of rhum, four seasons and generous helpings of fresh orange fruit which they proudly call as Coron Sling. It is served  at an affordable price of  Php380 per pitcher. Take note of the stirrer which also had hand made shell trinkets worthy of a souvenir of the place. Hmmm… Ramil was lucky enough to take home one of them actually! Aside from Coron Sling, they also can prep a good blow job for you. Guys, blow job, the cocktail! The crew prepared a nice warm blow job just for me hahahaha! Moreover, judging from their menu I noticed that they actually serve the cheapest San Mig Light from all the bars around Coron town.

The Coron Sling courtesy of eonphoto.org (thanks Rage!)

What I certainly loved most about the place is again the hospitality of the crew during our stay. We were treated with royalty for 3 nights in a row considering the place was flocked with customers at that time. We also had an opportunity to meet one of the 4 owners of the place, I think his name is John or Joseph, I forgot his name because the introduction was very brief.  He was quite busy entertaining other customers/friends and probably of brain-storming ideas with his wife (who is also a co-owner of the resto-bar). Nevertheless, the relaxing homey feel of the place combined with the warm hospitality of the people added to the already over-flowing positive experiences that I have had during my vacation in Coron, Palawan. Kawayanan Grill is also home to one of the most memorable experiences that I have had in my entire life.

Grilled fish with lato salad for Mona

Sizzling sisig and rice for Ian

Tapsilog for me

Kawayanan Grill Station is definitely a must-see and try while at Coron, Palawan. This is a place where the old can meet the new,  the convergence  of  people from all walks of life, and where all the nationalities speak of only one language that we all understand: HAVING FUN! Ambiance is perfect for night outs, music is soothing, food served is great, every serving is a value for money, nice crew; what more can you ask for? My verdict: Divine approved, all the possible thumbs up!!!!

Chillin' with friends at Kawayanan Grill Station

Welcome To The Pearl Of Nagcarlan

The Grandest Semi- private resort nestled in the lush Green of Natural Environment. An ideal place for total relaxation of mind and body amidst the cool climate and serene surroundings miraculously preserved against time. A modern resort located in Alibungbungan, Nagcarlan, Laguna. About 90 minutes drive from Manila, traversing from the scenic and natural wonders of Laguna. The resort caters to various family or group activities with its spacious open areas.

Service and Facilities:

• 2 storey clubhouse w/ 500 person capacity for all occasion parties, seminars and events, with standby electric generators ( so no brown outs)
• large swimming pool and a separate kiddie pool of natural spring water from Mt. Banahaw
• bamboo picnic huts, bamboo cottages, or choose from among their concrete rooms
• leisure rafting, skiny dipping or nature swimming at our exotically crafted running water lagoon by our native brothers of Ifugao
• convenient camp site surrounded by stone crafted fence and winding stairs hand made by the natives of Mountain Province, great for Bivouacs and Retreats
• horse-back riding
• billiards and darts
• videoke
• affordable catering services

The climate is very cool similar to the breeze of Tagaytay. Only 30mins from San Pablo City and Santa Cruz, Laguna. You can buy your meals at their mini- bar, avail our catering services, or just simply cook your own food in our kitchen facilities. Drinking water is from the natural springs of Mt. Banahaw. Nagcarlan has cell sites for GLOBE, SMART and SUN. Nagcarlan has the only existing catacomb (underground cemetery) in the Philippines. The nearby Church of St. Bartholomew was the setting of the block buster hit telenovela, KAMPANERANG KUBA.The next town of Liliw, about 3kms away, is where you can go shopping for beautiful and elegant bags as well as locally made fashionable footwear at very reasonable prices.The entrance fee is at P50/ head and room rates vary from P1,000 to P2500 depending on the size. All these rates are overnight rates. For further inquiries, please feel free to contact the following numbers: (02) 7943471, (049) 5631-063, (049) 5265339 [Main Office], 0917-9789141, 0915 -8383928, casadetobiasmountainresort@yahoo.com.

the small kubo house

the concrete bedrooms

inside the small kubo

inside the big kubo, one of the double decks

billiards anyone?

main pool area

the swimming pool lounge area

the clubhouse

inside the concrete bedrooms at Php1000 overnight

from the clubhouse

the big kubo house where some of us stayed

the main swimming pool area

Puerto Galera: An Alternative to Boracay

Planning The Trip To Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

This coastal town is well known among tourists for its numerous pocket beaches and many snorkeling and Scuba diving spots. The area was designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 1973 and has some of the most diverse coral reef diving in Asia. The marine environment has benefited in recent years from the influx of tourist dollars. This has seen a huge reduction in the number of fishermen in the area, as they gain higher revenue from tourists.

Puerto Galera is a listed by the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays In The World, and is the only bay in the Philippines to be listed there.

White Beach, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Among the famous beaches in Puerto Galera, I have always liked going to White Beach.  Many say that this is the alternative to Boracay because of its white sands but of course incomparable to that of Boracay. Aside from having an active nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants, White Beach boasts of also having an array of first-class and economy-class accommodations. One can find an air conditioned accommodation during off season for as low as Php700 per room per night and can house a maximum of 8 persons. Very cheap indeed! But brace yourselves when it’s peak season. The same room rates to about Php3000 to 5000 per room per night! The other beaches that you can go though are as follows:

• Alibatan Island. This island beach is not far off from Puerto Galera, and it will definitely be worth the trip. The first time that you step on the beach among the first things you will notice are its fine sands, which are among the whitest and purest you will see. Another added highlight for visitors are the assorted wildlife; at various times you’ll be able to see sea turtles and lots of seagulls. A dive into the waters will offer you a view of an array of corals and shells.
• Sabang Beach. This is definitely one of the most popular and widely visited beaches in the island province, and for all the other resorts in the area, Sabang Beach Puerto Galera is still a top draw.Aside from the sands, clear blue skies and the soothing waters,another thing that you can look out are the various bancas idling by. Not only are they a pleasant sight, but they also provide you with a chance to view and experience a little of Puerto Galera culture.With plenty of resorts, restaurants and bars nearby, Sabang Beach will also appeal to those people who would like to party the night away.
• Big La Laguna Beach. The Big La Laguna bay provides a breezy experience of enjoying the cool crystal waters along the Puerto Galera beach at La Laguna where the sands are white and its marine life are full of corals and reef. If one wants to explore a diving holiday along the Puerto Galera beach the La Laguna beach has a beach club that provides a holiday or vacation diving adventure.One gets a perfect diving point along the Big La Laguna beach where one gets to enjoy different water activities such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking, jet skiing and many other fantastic water sports to enjoy in this Puerto Galera beach.
• Small La Laguna Beach. This part of Puerto Galera beach is a tropical paradise with fringing palm trees lining the beach shores. One can find quite a few diving centers and beach resorts and restaurants operating at the Small La Laguna beach which is not far from the Big La Laguna beach (5 minute walk) where both Puerto Galera beaches are separated by the Sabang beach at midpoint.The Small La Laguna beach offers a tranquil place to stay owing to its being a small beach but is ideally located for tourists who want to enjoy a relaxed vacation far from the bustling beaches in Sabang and Big La Laguna yet fairly close enough to enjoy sun bathing and enjoying the night life at Sabang and La Laguna beaches.Sto. Nino Beach. Although there are major Puerto Galera beaches there are smaller beaches which remain to be underdeveloped and not commercialized owing to its less ideal location. One of these Puerto Galera beaches is the Sto. Nino beach situated at Barangay Sto. Nino in Puerto Galera. Only the locals there enjoy the cool waters of the Sto. Nino beach which remains to be less populated and underdeveloped to date.

• Tabinay. Tabinay is a part of Puerto Galera Island which is near to many resorts, restaurants and clubs that bring visiting tourists closer both to sea and the mountains. One gets the chance to enjoy a relaxing recuperation from a stressful environment by enjoying the beauty and sparkling beach waters of Puerto Galera beach. Just located about 3 kilometers away southeast from Puerto Galera, the Tabinay beach lacks developed infrastructures to make it a more commercialized Puerto Galera beach but it does provide a tranquility and relaxed beach environment that many tourists love to sun bathing in this remote beach in Puerto Galera.

• Aninuan Beach Resort. The Aninuan beach resort is known for the beautiful view of sunset along the tropical island of Oriental Mindoro. The resort is located fronting the South China Sea and is considered to be one of the finest resort in Puerto Galera beach overlooking the beautiful sunset known to be popular among honeymooners, tourists and nature lovers.The Aninuan beach resort is one among the Puerto Galera’a beaches where sunset weddings are held. The captivating combination of the lush palms and studded dwellings with unique décor of native origins makes Aninuan beach resort as one of the best among all the resorts in Puerto Galera beaches.
• Balatero Beach. The Balatero beach is one among the favorite place to visit among the Puerto Galera beaches. It is lined with different resorts with pool facilities and near diving centers where one can enjoy visiting the world renowned diving sites in Puerto Galera.Along the breathtaking views to enjoy one can indulge with the remarkable tranquility of walking along the beach with the views of crystal clear waters that Puerto Galera beaches are known of.
• Dalaruan. One can find from Dalaruan beach the different luxury villas which are located along the pristine coastal area of Puerto Galera beach with plunging pools overlooking the exceptional views of the Unesco that are voted as man and biosphere protected area located in Puerto Galera bay.Found at Dalaruan beach is the only resort that offers a spa along the breathtaking views of the mountain making Dalaruan beach as one of the most famous Puerto Galera beaches.
• Dulangan. If one is seeking a tranquil place to stay to spend a relaxing vacation along the Puerto Galera’s beach, one can find several beautiful resorts along Dulangan beach that offer a serene place to stay. The ambience is also romantic and suitable for tourists looking to spend time bonding with nature.
• Minolo. A Puerto Galera beach located just five minutes walk from the White Beach is a quieter place to enjoy a glimpse of the Minolo Bay of Puerto Galera Island just along the coasts of Minolo Beach. The Minolo beach offers a more relaxing place to visit if one prefers a more subtle ambience of a beach relaxation. Minolo beach is near the Tourist Center and the National Road.
• Palangan. Along the Puerto Galera beach is Palangan beach where one can indulge with the natural beauty of Puerto Galera Island. There are numerous elegant and luxury hotels that give visitors a haven vacation in tropical paradise.
• Poblacion. Poblacion is Puerto Galera beach tagged as Mindoro’s tourist center. The Poblacion used to be the Puerto Galera beach known to be a fishing village and has become a starting point in going to all interesting places in Puerto Galera Island. The pier is located at Poblacion and numerous shopping centers are found in this Puerto Galera beach and all shopping in this place can excitingly be done on foot.
• Sinandigan. A Puerto Galera beach which is considered to a place where one can find the most diverse and abundant beautiful slug species is the Sinandigan beach. It is in this area where the Sinandigan Wall is located, a famous dive site to get a glimpse of the beautiful nudibranches, corals and abundant marine life and different kinds of fishes. Sinandigan Wall is famous for being the richest dive site in Puerto Galera.

Behind the beaches are the huge and generally unexplored mountain ranges of central Mindoro. A particular local attraction is the nine hole golf course perched on the hillside above White Beach which commands spectacular views over Puerto Galera’s natural harbor and the Verde Island Passage. Mangyan tribes are scattered over the mountains sides – some of the more remote tribes have no contact with the outside world. Of the eight tribes on Mindoro, the Iraya are the largest. They are based in the Puerto Galera area.