Here are some of my pictures of Pililla, Laguna when our photography club went to visit its wind mills a few years ago. I hope we could go back and visit this place and the surrounding towns as well.
We also visit Daranak Falls in Tanay as well as the church in Paete.
Buhayani 2015 is a celebration in the City of Calamba (Laguna) commemorating the 154th Birthday of National Hero Jose Rizal. The main event is the Buhayani 2015 Grand Parade on June 19, 2015 at the Parian City Plaza at 1:00 PM.
See you guys in Calamba!
It’s already Holy Tuesday and I still don’t know where to spend my Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. I want to take pictures during these days but I have no idea where.
This post on Facebook seems exciting. I hope some of my photography friends would let me hitch on their road trip. Here’s the schedule of activities at San Pablo, Laguna during Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
I haven’t been to Pakil, Laguna where the famous “Turumba sa Birhen” is located. I got this schedule on Facebook and I guess, they highlighted the most important events of the year.
I’ve seen the devotion of the residents of Pakil, Laguna a few times during the Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros. I admire how they show their devotion to the Virgin by their dancing and chanting. Hopefully, I’ll be able to visit Pakil, Laguna soon and pay homage to the famous “Turumba sa Birhen”.
After we attended the Pailah Festival in Pila, Laguna last March 22, we had dinner at Isdaan in Calauan, Laguna. I guess the owner of this restaurant is the same one who owns the Isdaan in Gerona, Tarlac.
Which comes first? Isdaan Calauan or Isdaan Gerona?
The place is cozy and really gives the atmosphere of a dining place – especially for those who are really hungry. Our group was composed of 13 photographers and we had Pancit Bukid, Kare-Kare, and Sinampalukang Manok. It only cost us P200 each and we were full. Not to mention that we’re all guys and came from a tiring day covering the Pailah Festival. The foods are delicious!
Aside from the delicious food, Isdaan is also a small theme park. It has a Balinese (or Javanese?) design to the place with all these statues of mermaids. It also has statues of popular characters from Disney and the Angry Birds for kids to enjoy. It also has facilities for a boat ride (similar to Manila Zoo).
One of the features of Isdaan is the Tacsiyapo wall wherein you could buy plates that you could smash to the wall to release your anger towards a person or situation. I first heard about this on Rated K a few years ago and it amazes me that there are a lot of broken plates already. I guess this anger management idea is a hit.
If you would pass by the National Road in Calauan, Laguna, on the way to Pila or Sta. Cruz, you might want to drop by at Isdaan. It’s a restaurant worth visiting.
I wasn’t expecting a mime artist here.
I adore this lamp!
Javanese? Balinese?
These birds are so famous.
Birds from Rio?
Smash all the plates you can at Tacsiyapo!
How many branches of Isdaan are here in the country? So far I’ve only seen the one in Gerona, Tarlac and this one at Calauan, Laguna.
Isdaan – a cozy restaurant for dinner with friends.
Wow! Cory and Erap under one roof.
I never knew that there is a town in Laguna called Pila until a month ago. One of my colleagues in the photography club invited us to the recent 3rd Pailah Festival in Pila, Laguna. He told us that Pila, Laguna is a heritage town similar to Vigan in Ilocos Sur. I went with them to Pila, Laguna last Friday to attend Day 2 of the 3rd Pailah Festival and I was amazed at how fascinating and beautiful the town is.
The town of Pila, Laguna as seen from the roof deck of Sleepy Knights Bed & Breakfast.
Aside from Vigan, I’ve never seen a town center that is well preserve like Pila, Laguna. Starting from the Parish Church, dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, to the Municipal Hall, 7-11 and restaurants, almost all the old houses in the town center were preserved.
Our generous host during the Pailah Festival was Cora Relova, one of the town’s prominent citizens. She told us the reason why there are so many heritage houses in Pila. According to her, some citizens of Pila believe that the town was miraculously saved by their patron, St. Anthony of Padua, during the bombing of Luzon in World War II (where Manila was the center of devastation). Others believe that it was just poor luck that the town is not on the list of specific towns to be bombed.
Whatever the reason, the town of Pila, Laguna should definitely be on every photographer’s list. It’s very accessible from Manila. It’s between the towns of Victoria and Sta. Cruz. I’m very thankful that I was able to see this magnificent town. Take a look at some of the houses in Pila, Laguna.
Another view of Pila, Laguna from Sleepy Knights Bed & Breakfast.
I love the design of this house, which I believe is in the 1900s.
I loved how 7-11 was incorporated in this house. It really maintained the old design of the house.
I love the color scheme of this old house.
I wish that other old houses in the country would be preserved as well.
The Church of Pila otherwise known as the Diocesan Shrine of San Antonio de Padua
The heritage house of Cora Relova. The Relovas are one of the most prominent families in Pila, Laguna.
The Municipal Hall of Pila, Laguna is all dressed up for the 3rd Pailah Festival.
This is where the judges for the 3rd Pailah Festival stayed and watched the street dancing competition.
Wide windows are prominent features of the Bahay-na-Bato.
Spectators lined up to watch the street dancing competition up close and personal.
Details of a century old house in Pila, Laguna.
One of the numerous heritage houses in Pila, Laguna.
Even stores adapt to the over-all character of the town center.
Other old houses in Pila, Laguna.
I heard Daniel Padilla’s latest tele-novela was shot in this house.
Church of Pila a.k.a. Diocesan Shrine of San Antonio de Padua
Even if the owner of this house decides to rebuild the house, they should still retain the original design of the house. I hope they’ll get a seminar on house preservation.
The house of Cora Relova, a prominent citizen of Pila, Laguna.
This modern home is a threat to the existing ambience of the town. The Municipal Government of Pila, Laguna should enact a law that would prohibit a modern house design at least in the area around the church.
