There are two
things in this world that you can hardly mix - the modern and historical feel. An
activity that has been taking its hype in the Philippines right now – the wake boarding.
It’s has its own X-factor in it. We can go to Camsur to enjoy this kind of activity but traveling to CamSur is very
time consuming, so we search for another enjoying yet easy-to-visit
wake boarding places near the metro and we found Pradera Water Park and another
is in Nuvali. Nuvali waterpark is also taking a lead to the nearest
wake boarding near the Metro and the fear of piling a long line before your turn
made us to take Pradera Water Park instead. Our initial plan is to get to the
Lubao and enjoy Pradera Water Park activity (wake boarding) and stay there
overnight but the villa rent is expensive. We were given a quote of Php. 6000.
Luckily Mel of Pradera informed us about Prado Farm. Without any clue how near
it is in the place, we took our time to research and as well as check it out in
Facebook. Good thing I did our research. Prado don’t accept walk-ins so I’ve
called up their number – 09209030964 and was happily assisted by their Events
Marketing Consultant, Ms. Susan Arcega. By luck we got a confirmation and sad I
have not forwarded my request for dinner and breakfast 24 hours before our
arrival.
Prado Farm – as you
think about the name it was like Nipa house that were made like villas to stay
with farm set up and those kind of sort but wait until what you will see in
pictures. Doing my research, Prado Farm was managed by siblings of the
Gutierrez family. It is known by the local as “Star Flame”. So if you will take
buses which just ask them to drop you at “Star Flame”. Why Star Flame? Because
this farm converted to hotel place is actually an old LPG tank bodega or
factory. As Mrs. Amada Gutierrez wrote on her “Salangi Quo Po!” letter to their
guests (try to find where you can read this) the farm has evolved and is still evolving,
actually “under renovation” quoted from the letter, from the help of their
guest. This touched my heart as it was like thank you letter from a dear friend
whom you lend money to help them make their farm a better place.
How
to get to Pradera and Prado Farm?
Doing
a Commute: You
can take Genesis bus to Mariveles, Balanga, or Olongapo and the fare from Cubao
to Lubao is Php. 150 – 156 only. If you can’t get any of three destinations,
you can ask the conductors of the San Fernando if they will allow you to
transfer once you reached SM/Robinsons San Fernando. Just an FYI, the conductor
and the driver was the one who offered the transfer.
Travel
Time: It should
take 1 hour to 1 ½ hour travel time to San Fernando and another hour or hour
and a half to Lubao. They will drop you exactly at Star Flame or Prado Farm.
There is no traffic we went there so it took as only 2 hours to get to Prado
Farm. Expect delays if there are slow traffic movement around NLEX.
See Schedule for
Genesis Transport below:
What
to expect at Pradera?
Nothing more to
expect but FUN and extreme activity. Expect your armpits and joints to get hurt
after a long day of wake boarding. So prepare yourself with stretching and trip
poses to show on cam.
Kuya Arthur who was
our coach and the operator of the mini lake who gave us instructions on how to
wake board.
What
to expect in Prado Farm?
There are more
things to expect in Prado. You can have your Hispanic Summer feel in the area
as our of the Gutierrez siblings, their Architect, designed the farm taking all
old houses and structures both vintage and old woods built into a Spanish Era
feel. They have the yellow house, red house, and blue house which are all styled in a Spanish Harlem.
You will also find their gate amazing as it was made out of old empty gas
tanks. On the receiving area you will find their guard asking you to fill in a
paper. Try to look up! You will find your missing scooter which your mom forget
where she had it placed including your shoes and your black suite case together
with your chairs hanged above you. The Azotea’s are exquisitely flavoured with Spanish
touch as you like wearing your Barong and Maria Clara’s to pretend you’re in a
Noli Me Tangere or El Felibusterismo scene.
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| My shot of Prado Farm's front view and gate. |
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| My shot from below of a red staircase . |
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| My shot of the red hall which you will pass along before you can get to Kera-kera hotel. |
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| Feeling Hespanic |
Not only arts but
you will find culture in the area. You don’t need to go to Baguio to find a
town hall and Ifugao house-like structures. As one of the gates allows you to
get a chance to feel the breeze with the Cordillera inspired setup. You will
find spa beds which will allow you to lay lazy and let the time pass. You will
find a tree house too but for me it’s like Tarzan’s house with a terrace.
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| Igorot's town hall set up. |
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| Ifugao house-like structures to complement the town hall. |
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| Me enjoying the setup. |
Kera-kera hotel is
also like a museum with all of those candelabras, sculptures, old TV cabinets,
and rattan chairs all over the place. The rooms don’t have TV’s but are comfy
and very olden times.
There is an
infinity pool in Prado which overlooks at the farm with a barn and you will
find yourself amazed at a carabao (water buffalo) soaking himself/herself in
mud and some ducks in the platform.
Sir Arthur also
told us that if we have kids with us because it’s dry season in the Philippines
around this time we can have them fly kites in the fields which I like trying again
for the very long time. He also said that during the Anihan or Harvest Session
they allow their guest to also go and check out the good harvest.
Expect your food to
be expensive yet delicious. Mostly of the produce used in their cooking are
from the farm and/or other farms in Bataan which are all ORGANIC.
For everyone’s
knowledge Prado Farm promotes Bio-Dynamics which is also the reason why our
soap was made out of oatmeal and charcoal and the shampoo is a little different
it smells like mint or lemon grass. Also, the swimming pool was with flowing
water and it does not smell like chlorine at all. You will smell farm with you
are there every once in a while; or as the wind blows.
Because it is a
farm, there is a lovely barn with tables and chairs in it. I love the intricate
capiz windows that were used as ceiling. The ornate chariot on the side that is
pulled by a four legged farm animal, a cow or a water buffalo. As you walk
towards east, you will find sweet basil and Thai basil growing. At the rear
part you will find a big fence which is not more a pigpen which black pigs run
freely. We also saw a mommy pig breast feeding 1 big black pig with a black
piglet, a brown piglet, a black dotted brown piglet, a white and black piglet,
and a white one.
And the thing I
love about Prado is the chapel where you will find straw mats on the floor with
big pillows covered with old ornamented pillow sheets. On the altar was a
ground to roof glass overlooking the greens behind the church where a big black
wood cross stands – so picturesque and solemnly imaginative for a simply and
sacred wedding played with the music of nature, the birds and the rustling of
leaves made by the wind.
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| My shot of the Chapel from the door. |
Rates:
Pradera’s 2 hours
of Wake boarding – Php. 475.00 per head (I would suggest you do a whole day for
Php. 1000 and do it on Sundays or Weekdays as long as not a holiday)
Pradera’s Villa
rent – Php. 6000.00
Prado Farm’s Hotel –
Php. 900 per head (Php 1750.00 for 2)
Prado Farm’s Meals:
Breakfast - Php. 250
AM Snack – Php. 200
LUNCH – Php. 450
PM Snack – Php. 200
DINNER – Php. 450
Note that for Prado all rates are
subjected to 10% service charge.
Again, if you book your reservation
include the meal at least 24 hours before the check especially if your company
is less than 10 people because on Sundays they ask their staff to have their
time off. Which I would let you know on the next article the whole experience
of staying the in the hotel by yourself. For more inquiries check this link:
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