Samantha Nature Farm Morong Bataan: Refreshing Accomodation with Natural Spring Water Pool and Jacuzzi

Looking back, there were many blessing that I have failed to appreciate and have taken for grandted in my life.  One of those are our regular out-of-town wellness retreats such as this wonderful staycation in Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan. 

In my previous work, whenever we feel overwhelmed physically, emotionally or mentally, my officemates would organize a wellness retreat to restore us back to full health. 

With full support of our superiors, we would find a potential place to rent and vote over which one to select.

Although we've seen photos of Samantha Nature Farm during our screening process, we were still awed upon arrival.

It was a whopping 5-hectares of land that was filled with greeneries.  

It even had a bird house.  

Natural Spring Water Pool 

Because my workmates are very considerate with my prevailing health condition (with sudden outburst of eczema), they always suggest places with beaches and natural springs so I can recuperate my skin condition.

My skin can't stand the harshness of chlorine so I really appreciate that Samantha Nature Farm offers a well-maintained natural spring water pool.

Natural Spring Water Jacuzzi

It also has a Natural Spring Water Jacuzzi which is even lit at night.

Aside from having a spacious dining area and kitchen near the pool, 

it can also accomodate up to 14 guests with its 4 bedrooms and 4 bath rooms.  I stayed in this room for 4 with 2 bunker beds.  The other rooms have queen-sized beds.

It has a spacious indoor and outdoor area.  During the day, we had cooked some barbecued meals by the grassy area by the pool.  By night time, we continued to devour our cooked food, cold drinks as we sang our hearts out.  We are so happy that they had a videooke machine available for rent.  

At the back, you can soak in the natural spring.  

I enjoyed a peaceful moment here, listening to the gentle flow of spring water and taking in the refreshing air. 

There's also a fish pond for those who are fond of fishing. 

Overall, we had a memorable time at Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan.  The staffs are also courteous and happy to be of service.  You can conveniently book via airbnb here.

Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan
Hotel Address	Gov. J.J. Linao National Road, Sitio Palayan Bayan, Brgy. Nagbalayong Morong, Bataan,  Philippines
Contact	maila@starlasercorp.com	Reservation Required	Yes
Payment Options	Cash	Public Transport	N/A
Room Types	Room Amenities		Price
4 Bed Rooms	• Good for 14 persons • Multiple Queen Beds • Multiple Bunker Beds • Hot/cold water shower • 24 hrs. cable TV / In-house movie channels • Air-conditioned • Free Wifi • Ref. • Barbecue grill • Kitche with cookwares • Toiletries (without towel)		15,000 php
General Amenities	•Natural Spring Water Pool  •Natural Spring Water Jacuzzi	Parking	Yes
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating		Samantha Nature Farm in Morong Bataan Map
Location	★★★
Room Comfort	★★★
Cleanliness	★★★
Service	★★★★
Price	★★★★★

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Bataan: Top 10 Food Pasalubong or Food Products

Bataan is a province very near Metro Manila.  Unlike Metro Manila, it has a coastal area making it rich in Marine Food Products.  It also has a lot of other gourmet food products that's great as food pasalubong. 

So what are the top food pasalubong to buy when you're in Bataan?

Top 10 Food Pasalubong or Food Products from Bataan
Let us share our top 10 food pasalubong or food products from Bataan.

1. Montey's Buko Pie

From the town of Morong Bataan is Montey's Buko Pie.  A whole pie costs only 150 php.   We found this cheaper than the more commercialize Buko Pie's from the south - Tagaytay and Laguna.

What we love about Montey's Buko Pie is that:

• it is not too sweet therefore, bringing out the natural young coconut flavor
• the custard has a soft creamy and gelatinous texture 
• the crisp of the crust is addictive to munch on
• there is a generous amount of young coconut flesh

2. Busilak's Cashew Prunes

Busilak makes use of the all cashew by-products by making the cashew apple into Cashew Prunes.  The Cashew Prunes have a nice chewy texture and not overly sweetened.  This is a great alternative to candies.  If we recall correctly, it is priced at 100 php per pack.

They also have wines which we didn't get to try...

3. Dennis Ube De Leche Halaya

What makes Dennis Ube De Leche Halaya different from other Ube Halaya in the market is its silky smooth creaminess.  Because they don't use preservatives, this spoils very quickly.  Each spoonful is a massage to the tongue with an explosion of purple yam flavor making it difficult to stop yourself from consuming this.

Dennis sells other gourmet bottle food products.  The Bagoong or shrimp paste is quite good too.

4. Beakris Tamarind Balls

Not too sweet, not too sour with a mild chewiness that doesn't need extra effort to bite into, Beakris Tamarind Balls is another popular sweet treat in the area.  A box costs around 90 php.  Beakris from Orani Bataan also has other famous products such as their chocolate coated polvoron.

5. Cashew Nuts

We have tried several brands of Cashew Nuts and all of them have nearly the same quality and pricing.

Thus, choosing the brand is only based on your own preference.  Good brands we tried are:

• Bagakeño Cashew Nuts
• Virgie's Cashew Nuts
• Gracielo's Cashew Nuts

 A pack costs around 200 php.

Bagakeño also has Cashew Cookies which we found to be a bit sweet.  And, it has a bit of a spongy texture like that of Batangas' Broas.

 6. Ina Gloria Dayap Cookies

Although Ina Gloria also has Cashew Cookies, it is Ina Gloria's Dayap Cookies with a mellow citrusy flavor that impressed our taste buds.  The texture of the cookies is crunchy with a powdery residue similar to Bataan's Arrow Root Cookies or Araro.  A small pack costs around 35 php.

7. Amanda's Smoked Bangus and Smoked Gigi

We bought Smoked Bangus and Smoked Gigi or Tinapa from Amanda's as well as two vendors in Balanga's Public Market for comparison.  The price difference is not much but Amanda's of Balanga Bataan is high price point is worth every peso with its superior quality.  Although we want to support the small-scale marine industry, we can't help but be disappointed with the food quality.  The first one we bought from Balanga Public Market was too salty.  And, the other one was already spoilt within 3 days despite being refrigerated like the other two.

8. Balanga Public Market Ube Suman
No need to dip your suman into chocolate or spread it with Ube Jam, as this Ube Suman is already a combination of suman and ube halaya.  For only 10 php, you get two pieces.  Manang makes them fresh daily and boasts that she has send all her kids and grandchildren through her famous suman and other kakanin.

9. Sam Roque's Mussel Chips 
An alternative to the usual chicharon or fried pork rind is Sam's Roque's Mussel Chips. You can taste the rich sea flavors in every crispy bite.

10.  Araro Cookies or Arrow Root Cookies
Bataan's Araro Cookies or Arrow Root Cookies is more on the crunchy and less powdery side as compared to the Uraro of Pampanga.  Each brand has its own distinguishable feature.  We also can't decide which is the best.  It's a tie between:

• Joyce Araro Cookies
• Herrera's  Special Araro Cookies with Cashew Nuts
• Manuel's Uraro (since 1955) - Update May 2021: Just discovered this one! So good!

Other Food Products We Tried
We also bought the Tabang Tuyo at 200 php per kilo from the Balanga Market.  But, it turned out to be very salty which was quite contrary to their promise of unsaltiness.

An old man in the market also loves and swear by the Nilupak in the Balanga Market.  Somehow this mashed cassava delicacy with margarine on top failed to make a lasting impression upon us.

Did we miss anything good?  Let us know!

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Bataan's 75th Araw ng Kagitingan Grandest Pyrotechnics at Pilar Bataan (Photo Blog)

This year is a special year for Bataan.  Not only is it special because it it the 75th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), it is also the first time ever that it will have the Grandest Pyrotechnics.

How fortunate of Bataan to have Japanese Kenji Mori sponsor a 25-minute long with75,000-shot of Dragon Fireworks into the night sky.

I was steaed on the VIP section by the stage with a huge LED screen that practically blocked most of the fireworks view.

For those lucky enough to watch the fireworks display entirely, there was a combination of fountains on the ground and more fireworks flew in the sky.

It was amazing!

This is actually my first time to watch a pyrotechnics. 

I was so amazed!!! I can't believe that I could watch something as extravagant for free.

I took the chance to try for the Firework Photography.

Though I have to admit that for such a long firework display, you can't really capture everything by photographs alone. 

Most of the spectators caught the show on video. 

But some who were eager to join the photography contest like me, opted to take fun shots.

I didn't win like my companions.  But, it was still tons of fun.

It was so beautiful that you won't realize that you've been staring up for almost 25-minutes already.

Congratulations Bataan for a well-executed event.

Although I think this can still be improved but for a first time and free event, not bad right?

Can't wait for next year!

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Las Casas De Azucar: Top 12 Things to Do (Bagac Bataan) (Part 2)

There's so many things to do in Las Casas De Azucar.  If you ask me, I think a day is not enough. So its best to just pick the activities you want to do with consideration to your time and budget. So here's my top 12 things to do for you. 

1. Take a Heritage Tour

• Unless you rent a ride, the Heritage Tour is generally a walking tour.  

Pros	Cons
Opportunity to take good photographs (see posts on tips here)   Time-worthy with an approximate duration of 1 hour and half   Affordable packages in contrast to renting a Private Casa	Be prepared to sweat if your tour is around sun time

2. Ride the Balsa 

• Ride the Balsa (500 php/person) along the Umagol River from 8 am to 4pm. 

Pros	Cons
Opportunity to take good photographs (see posts on tips here)   Unique Experience	The slow ride without covers means total exposure under the sun.  (Try to minimize that as much as you can!)

3. Take a Ride

• Free Ride
• You can choose to ride the Tramvia or  Jeepney for free.  Pick up is usually in front of Casa Unisan and drops off in Casa Binan (Italian Restaurant) and Estero de Binondo (Beach front).  These are available from 6 am to 10 pm.  

• Rent Your Ride
• You can also rent a Golf Cart from 6 am to 5 pm (650 php or 850 php with tour guide), Bicycle is from 6 am to 5 pm (150 php/hour), Kalesa from 6 am to 5 pm (75 php/person)

Pros	Cons
Spare yourself from the heat and energy wastage	You can't control the pick u time for free rides and you have to spend if you want to rent

4. Take a Swim

 The beach front is just infront of Estero de Binondo.

There are no gates so you can just enter at any point.  There is a lifeguard on duty from 6 am to 6 pm so that's also the allowed period.  They have a line to the boundary.  I've heard smoking is allowed there but glass containers are prohibited.
 

• Just beside Casa Cagayan, they have this beautiful Batis inspired pool.  After the beach closes at 6pm, you can spend your time at the pool until 9 pm.  

Pros	Cons
Great  way to cool down after an exhausting stroll	Consumes your time to do other activities

5. Go on n Island Hopping Boat Ride
The beach area is also where you can get an Island Hopping from 6 am to 2 pm.

Pros	Cons
Great adventure	You won't maximize your time at Las Casas and you spent more

6. Enjoy the Water Activities

• Water activities are available from 7 am to 2pm include: 
• Banana Boat
• Flying Fish,
• Wakeboarding (w/ Guide)
• Jetpack
• UFO Couch
• Band Wagon

Pros	Cons
Fun activities	Added costs

7.  Take a stroll on the beautiful gardens

Pros	Cons
Great relaxation Free to do

8. Stay for the night at one of the Private Casas

Each Casa is unique. 

The capacity varies.

A typical bed room includes a Flat LCD television with cable channels, air conditioning, WiFi access and a safe.

Some bathrooms comes with a bath tub.

While some only have a shower.

Only a few have a swimming pool.

But, most houses have their own living and dining room.

Check out how much detail they put in with each private casa.

If you want to splurge, you can get their suite private casa.

So you can have an elegant bed room.

or this grand bathroom.

Hermes Toiletries

It even comes with Hermes Toiletries.

Pros	Cons
Lots of time to enjoy Las Casas Unique staycation experience	Expensive

9.  Visit the periodic museum

• They showcase a different theme on a monthly basis at the Casa Candaba. 

Pros	Cons
Educational  Free

10. Take the Special Tour to Hotel De Oriente

This place offers a great refuge away from the heat of the sun.

You can take your time to admire the great designs.

Pros	Cons
Cool temperature  Lots of interesting photography spots

11. Hang Out at the Game Room

• At the game room in Casa Lubao, billiards, table tennis, darts, sungka and other board games are available free of charge.

Pros	Cons
Free Great group bonding activities	Not as exciting as other activities

12. Have a Massage at the Napiya Spa

• The Napiya Spa is open from 10 am to 9 pm.

Pros	Cons
Relieving and relaxing Convenient	Pricey

Bonus: Chill by the La Parilla

• The La Parilla is open from 10 am to 6pm.  I highly recommend the Taro and Ube Ice Cream (35 php/scoop and 100 php/3 scoops)  For drinks, the Buko Juice (90 php) and Sago't Gulaman (90 php) is great too.

Pros	Cons
Fun and relaxing	Drinks may seem overpriced

Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar
Address	Brgy. Ibaba, Bagac, Bataan, 2107, Philippines
Budget Per Person for Heritage Tour	1,500-3,000 php	Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday: (even holidays) 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Reservation Required	No (Encouraged)
Contact	(632) 332-5286 / 877-4501 / 332-5338 / 355-3032 | (63917) 872-9361

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