Are you looking for a perfect place to chill out, loosen up and recharge from the negative vibes of life with the touch of nature’s caress while bonding with family or friends or even having a get – together from old colleagues or most probably looking for a nesting place where you and your partner can feel the moment of binding as one; or maybe soul searching to win your faith back again while being captivated on the amazing structure of the church or maybe just wanting to have a kabalikat get away where you and your friends want to experience the traditional way of drinking the coconut vodka or also known as lambanog? Well, you shouldn’t miss this place in Quezon called the City of Tayabas.
Tayabas is a municipality in the province of Quezon or Bayan ng Tayabas in Filipino. The town was once the capital of the province. The most prominent son of Quezon is the late President Manuel L. Quezon after whom the province was renamed. Tayabas is known for picturesque – nature bound place, for lambanog (coconut vodka), sweet delicacies and resorts.
Tayabas is lying at the foot of Mt. Banahaw – one of the famous and mysterious volcanoes in the Philippines. It is about 150 km away southeast of Manila. Tagalog is widely spoken in this area. You can even easily identify visitors from Tayabasinense because of their puntong “GA” like Sino-ga? Saan- ga? To reach Tayabas City from Manila, buses like JAM, JAC or Tritran liner plying regular routes to Lucena City and Bicol region from Pasay, EDSA the bus takes the south express way, exiting at Sto. Tomas Batangas passing the towns of Laguna and stops in Lucena central terminal.
For my first stop, St. Michael de Basilica is a great deal. St Michael de Basilica is known for its biggest and oldest church clock in Asia. The ancient clock measures one half meter tall and forty – two centimeters in circumferences and is located at the church belfry. The hour clock hand measures one half meter while the minute hand is sixty – two centimeters long. A great covenant for soul searching or even for religious repossession while being enthralled on the grand structure and adore on the church’s façade and ceiling.
The other attraction, which visitors and tourists like me can enjoy, is the amazing giant bronze bell located at the church belfry of the Basilica overlooking to the whole town of Tayabas and the nearby places. It is really incredible that at the back of the giant bronze bell is a Spanish lettering dated 16th century. To reach the giant bells, one has to climb of old abode; the church tower is tall as six storeys. Residents, visitors and tourists are puzzled on how the gigantic clock was brought up to the belfry. There is a story that another church is buried underneath the Basilica. Puzzled too? Why not visit and see it for yourself.
For my second stop, the famous of all hotels and resorts in Tayabas, the Nawawalang Paraiso Hotel and Resort. Nestled also in the fascinating town in Tayabas, about twenty minute ride away from Lucena city by car or jeepney.
Nawawalang Paraiso is a great tropical paradise. A place that refreshes and invigorates even your world-weary soul
Nawawalang Paraiso offers a place for lovers, family, company seminars or outing and others. For lovers the rate starts from P3, 400 per person inclusive of the meals and two night’s accommodation. For family, especially if not in peak season they offer special discounts depending on how many groups or persons are staying in. The minimum stay in low season is three nights and five nights for high season. For company seminars or outing the reservation fee is P1, 000 per head and is refundable if cancelled. It rates P3, 500 per person including the venue and the meals. Payments can be made in cash, check or postal money order.
Nawawalang Paraiso presents not just grand views and soothing ambience but also mouth – watering dishes. Visitors and tourists describe Nawawalang Paraiso as a perfect place to escape from loud noises, busy city and harsh pollution. The best place where you can give your family and loved ones an unforgettable and extraordinary treat For inquiries or reservation you may call (632) 322 – 3305 or drop by at address Brgy. Camayasan, Tayabas Quezon.
And for last stop is inuman session with kabalikat. The traditional way of drinking in Tayabas is with coconut vodka. Tayabasenense “ ay mahirap pataubin” when it comes to inuman. Lambanog is a famous drink among Filipinos. They say that you can find one of the best, richest and most flavorful beverages only in Tayabas.
Lambanog or coco vodka came from the nectar of coconut tree flower this is then distilled and made into lambanog.
The traditional way of “inuman” in Tayabas is simple but with art. It is usually accompanied by a guitar player and one glass or tagayan is placed in the table which is shared by everybody.
So if one of these days you’ll come by in this town, try visiting St. Michael de Basilica, drink lambanog with art and have a break and settle down your tired body in Nawawalang Paraiso Hotel and Resort.
The experience of the luxuriant loveliness of nature really helps to revive and recharge experience Tayabas like the way that I did and indulged on the earth’s paradise.
The long hours of going there is really stress free seeing the magnificent views, the trees, the mountains, the rivers and the people and looking forward again for another journey only here in Tayabas, my so called “earth’s paradise”.
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