Laguna has long established its reputation as a popular tourist haunt for Manila’s urbanites, long before Boracay, Palawan, Bohol and Cebu earned their place in the tourism industry. Located south of Manila as a next door neighbor, this quaint and rustic province served as the favorite summer destination of filipino families, next to Baguio. There were only two choices then for those who want to take a summer excursion that is closest to the metropolis: swimming in Laguna or sightseeing and horseback-riding in the cool mountain breeze of Baguio.
For our family and I guess for many others as well, the choice, especially among the kids, is Laguna because of its proximity to Manila and its main offering: swimming in the hot springs!
I remember every summer while I was growing up. My cousins and I would look forward to that escapade in the hot spring resorts of Pansol or Los Banos. So eager and excited, we would already wear our swimwear beneath our summer clothes, raring to jump on the water as soon as we reached the resort, without even taking a shower. Back then, time was so precious and nothing couldn’t stop us from taking that much-awaited summer splash.
My family also shares one funny experience during those days which never fails to give us a good laugh until now. While swimming in the hot, therapeutic waters at one of the public hot spring resorts in Pansol, my then five-year-old cousin secretly “made pupu.” It was of course, an accident and she didn’t mean to do “number two” but for some reason, she didn’t have the time to go to the bathroom.
Soon enough, the foul smell reached everyone else in the swimming pool including me, my other cousins and our relatives. We all hurriedly scampered out of the water, disgusted at whoever was that culprit who defecated in the pool and spoil our swimming fun.
We eventually found out who it was, after all the other people left the pool and my cute adorable cousin was the only one left. She was a pitiful sight, looking so afraid but clueless on how she could hide her “little sin.” To this day, at 26, we still chide her and remind her of that awful but hilarious day and that eeky remembrance she left in a hot spring resort in Laguna. And until now, she still denies it.
Our generation grew up having a sentimental attachment to Laguna’s hot springs. But even before way back in the late 1500′s, people who were ill would flock to a settlement in Los Banos called Mainit (Tagalog word for “hot”) and bathe in the baths and spas that boast of thermal springs coming from the volcanic Mount Makiling. The medicinal hot springs was believed to have cured the people’s ailments. Until now, many still seek cure in the thermal springs’ therapeutic powers.
A visit to this hot spring capital today presents a variety of resorts, both public and private, which have mushroomed all over the place. During summer, it would be hard to get a private resort while public ones are so cramped that you may end up bumping into another per the crowded pool.
The best plan is to book ahead. There are a lot of public resorts but the old players: Montevista, Hidden Valley and Villa Escudero in San Pablo, continue to attract vacationers until now. If you’re with a large family or big group, it is wise to opt for a private resort which has two to three bedrooms, cooking and dining areas, and of course, a private swimming pool for your exclusive use.
Other semi-private resorts meanwhile offer both advantages of a public and private resort. R&R Resort has a large swimming pool for public use, but their villas also feature a smaller, private pool which can accommodate up to eight people and is discreetly hidden by lush plants.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for high-end resorts, there are many newly-constructed private resort houses to choose from within Los Banos. For hotel-like amenities, travel farther and go to The One Algon Place Resort in Brgy. Mamatid, Cabuyao. The 130-bed resort also has a sauna, gym, pools, conference halls, chapel, and a lagoon for boating and fishing.
More than hot springs
But now that there’s Boracay, Palawan, Bohol and Cebu, why would you still opt for a summer vacation in Laguna? Well, apart from the hot springs, Laguna still remains on top of the list because of its varied attractions, all within close proximity to each one. Actually, a traveler can enjoy different tourist activities in the province, such as a swimming vacation, a mountain retreat, a historic tour and a even food trip.
If you’re tired of swimming, try to go nature-tripping and hie-off to the mystical Mt. Maki ling or Mt. Banahaw. See the seven lakes of San Pablo. Have lunch by the waterfalls at Villa Escudero. Take the legendary boat ride
to Pagsanjan Falls. Tour historic attractions such as UP Los Banos and the Rizal Shrine in Calamba. Shop for sculptures of Paete woodcarvers. Do a Visita Iglesia of Laguna’s magnificent churches. Go on a Viaje del Sol gastronomic tour of the popular restaurants in several towns. Some even offer bed and breakfast aside from organic food and local fare. Indulge in the mouth-watering buko pie.
Indeed, these are the reasons why we still can’t forget Laguna despite the many new and exciting places across the country. Apart from being closer to home and easy on the budget, you simply will not run out of fun things to do. And this is what vacation is all about!
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Tags: public hot spring, summer excursion, therapeutic waters