Villa Escudero may have been around since the 1980s, but the resort continues to attract a regular stream of tourists even today. From its humble beginnings as a coconut plantation, it’s now considered a prime destination for balikbayans, foreign and local tourists who want a taste of the rustic country life.

Prior to my visit, I only knew that the place had a restaurant beside a waterfall. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Villa Escudero has so much more to offer in terms of natural scenery, history, culture and cuisine. Here are just a few activities you can do in Villa Escudero on a day trip or weekend getaway.

Photo by Kara Santos

1. Eat at a restaurant by the waterfall

Villa Escudero’s main draw is its unique restaurant, where guests get to dine picnic-style at the foot of a waterfall. At the Labasin Waterfalls Restaurant, guests get to enjoy a traditional Filipino buffet lunch on tables set up right next to the spillway of the first working hydroelectric plant in the country.

No long hike is needed to reach the site, making it accessible even for those traveling with seniors and kids. Lunch is composed of Pinoy picnic staples like grilled liempo, adobo, kaldereta, inihaw na isda, ensalada with bagoong, banana cue and fresh fruits, which you’ll have to dig into with your bare hands.

While you can enjoy the same type of food in any Filipino restaurant, the unique setting and experience is highly recommended for first-time visitors.

Photo by Kara Santos

2. Go bamboo-rafting

Right above the waterall, you can find Labasin Lake, a narrow reservoir created by the hydroelectric dam. All-day tour guests can try rafting on native bamboo rafts along this scenic lake which gives a great view of Mt. Banahaw and Mt. San Cristobal in the distance.

Fishing is another activity you can do in the lake, which is 30-feet deep. For safety reasons, swimming is not allowed, but you can always take a dip after in any of the three modern swimming pools, including an infinity pool and Jacuzzi. There’s even a mini waterpark with slides and fountains for kids.

For those staying overnight, try to book a lakeside villa so you can get nice views from the veranda. Each villa has a hammock and small dining area, which is great for groups.

Photo by Kara Santos

3. Bike around

Most tourists opt to ride hydraulic-powered carabao carts where you get serenaded by folk singers or the colorful e-jeepneys to get around the resort. However, the most sustainable form of transport is really the bicycle.

If you want to get some exercise while going around, bicycle rentals are available at Villa Escudero for only P100/hour. You can bike around the vast plantation or use it to visit the different spots including the private museum, and heritage houses in the property.

In keeping with the theme, most of the units available are vintage bikes, though there are also folding bikes, mountain bikes and pedicabs with sidecars for parents who want to take kids around. You can also opt to bring your own bicycles.

Photo by Kara Santos

4. Get cultured

During weekends and peak seasons, guests can watch the cultural shows featuring tribal and traditional dances choreographed by National Artist Ramon Obusan, along with live music and costumes.

In celebration of Buwan ng Wika and 27th anniversary of the Villa Escudero Folkloric Group, a longer performance was recently held featuring different dance numbers and performances from Luzon to Mindanao.

History buffs will also want to stop by the Escudero Private Museum, one of the largest museums in the country, which contains an extensive collection of various artifacts from all all over the world.

Photo by Kara Santos

5. Feast on local delicacies

A major highlight of staying overnight in Villa Escudero is getting to enjoy more meals at the resort’s other restaurants including the Coco Pavilion and Indigo Cafe.

Since Villa Escudero is located within a coconut plantation, lots of dishes make use of coconut and coconut milk. Executive chef Cocoy Ventura cooks up mouthwatering delights like Adobong Batangan (pork belly braised in vinegar, garlic and annatto), Kulawong Talong (grilled eggplant with burnt coconut cream), Ginataang Manok (chicken stewed in coconut milk) and Pancit Buco (with noodles using fresh strips of young coconut meat).

Ingredients are sourced locally and the menu rotates to highlight regional specialties. For breakfast, try the local longganisa, kesong puti and fresh carabao’s milk to pair with your Tsokolate-ah and local coffee. For merienda, there’s turon, dinuguan, puto and ginuimis, to name a few.

Want a sweet treat? Be sure to try their Mantecado (butter) and Sampinit Ice Cream and sorbet, made from wild local raspberies harvested mostly in the Quezon and Laguna area.

Villa Escudero is located in Km 91, Tiaong, Quezon. For more information and rates, visit http://villaescudero.com/