A Visit to San Pablo, Laguna: A Three-Part Series - Part One - The Sala Nature Resort and Events Place

This is the sight that will welcome you upon ascending an 11-step grand stairway ending in Plata, following the oro, plata, mata superstition in Spanish-Filipino architectural design. Many of the items you see in the photo are part of an antique collection of the owner/s of the place.

The Sala Nature Resort and Events Place, is tucked away in a quiet and peaceful corner in the otherwise bustling City of San Pablo in the Province of Laguna some one-and-a-half hour car ride south of Manila. The recent construction of a  network of expressways that by-passes the old and busy highways have made the ride quicker and more comfortable. 

Among the features of the place is a small river that runs beside the property with a small man-made dam where guests can actually set-up a table and dine much like the one found in another San Pablo resort called Villa Escudero. * You can bring your pet dogs, too!

Within the small resort area are a handful of accommodations overlooking the waterfalls, that would be ideal for a family of four (or five via an extra bed). There's also a big room that can be shared commonly by a group of up to about 15 people ideal for a group of friends or for back-packer type travelers. The big room has three comfort rooms. NOTE: Bring your own toiletries, e.g. soap, towel, toothpaste/toothbrush.

Given that the place is naturally cool, there is no air-condition facility in the rooms but electric fans are provided upon request. The main water supply comes from a natural spring in the area. Drinking water is sourced from an outside supplier but is filtered to ensure further that unwanted impurities are eliminated. No need to bring your own water.

In the small river flows clear waters that's suitable for swimming even for children. Or you may simply want your feet wet and soak in a cool and soothing foot-bath. Bathing in this river is reminiscent of that nostalgic "batis" abundantly found in our rural hometowns.

Within the resort grounds can be found a collection of unique and interesting items that complement the feeling of antiquity and even spirituality of the place. There are stone art, wood carvings, ironworks, a meditation-pool, and other curious items - good subjects for photography, painting, sketching and contemplation.

The place is ideal for a small team-building, seminar, or simply a weekend family-bonding activity or just spending me-time and catching-up with your reading or writing. The very private ambiance of the resort is a good alternative for the other usually more crowded nature resorts in the Laguna area. It is also comparatively less expensive. The exclusive and private ambiance of the place is maintained by a guest policy of "By Invitation Only," i.e. guests must be referred by someone who is personally known to the owners of the place, the Barangay Jose Association, Inc. (who, by the  way, are actually residing there). The tranquility and quietude is a rare feature of the place. Visitors stay there to experience the relaxation and calmness one might experience in a real isolated forest hideaway. Therefore, loud noise such as music and other rowdy activities are actually discouraged.  

Here's a link to a short Youtube video I made and posted in my channel of the man-made waterfalls at the Sala Nature Resort and Events Place located in Purok Cuatro, Baranggay Sta. Cruz, San Pablo City, Laguna - https://youtu.be/C5cUftQ81fM

The roar of the waterfalls drowns out the sound pollution of the urban areas nearby and virtually isolates you from the hum of city life.

While the Sala Nature Resort and Events Place is a great place to stay, it can also be your base from which you can get to other places in San Pablo City. From there, you could do a visit to the San Pablo Cathedral, a sampling of some of the City's less known but great local food in the city center, a visit to the biggest of the 7-Lakes, the Sampaloc Lake, which is just a few minutes walk from the city center, or for lunch of inasal na tilapia, gulay na pako, inihaw na baboy, with the customary fresh buko, while onboard a bamboo raft floating in the Pandin Lake.  

 

**To make an arrangement for your stay at the Sala Nature Resort and Events Place, you may contact any of the following numbers: +639283776823; +639952666225 - look for Vilma. Or look for Noel at +639065208058; +639889874688

Part 2 will be about a visit to the San Pablo Cathedral and the city center, while Part 3 will be about that bamboo raft ride in Lake Pandin. Watch out for it.

Thanks for dropping by and will appreciate your feedback/comments.

Chito_I

06.27.2022

(Except for the photos of the big hall, all photos were taken by me and are copyrighted).