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Summer time is the usual
excuse for swimming, sunbathing, bar-hopping and partying in famous
white sand beaches. It is the accustomed schedule for family
out-of-town trips, company team-building opportunities and barkada
getaways. But the noise of thousands of other people in the typical
Boracay and Puerto Galera outing often defeats the purpose of having
a relaxing and fun bonding with whomever one is with.
At the heart of San Pablo, Laguna is a charming country inn that
captures the sentiment and passion of the people who visit the
place. An area which used to be a coconut site was turned into a
spot where unmatched pieces of furniture find their place. Eclectic
wood tables and benches are arranged to their flawless guise. Paying
homage to contemporary and folk art, avid art collector Boots
Alcantara, together with his wife An Mercado-Alcantara, manages the
site.
 Casa
San Pablo is a secret sanctuary of lush, sprawling lawns and pine
trees speckled with the dewy fresh air. The chirping of the birds
serenades guests as they enjoy the peace of the Casa. The serenity
of the Casa’s grounds is the perfect refuge for people who want to
get away from the busy and demanding city life. “Itong area na ’to
is called Sambat which means ‘a junction,’ a place where people’s
paths cross, where friends meet friends (and) where new journeys
begin,” Boots said.
Tracing its history, the seven-hectare land was transformed in 1937
into a rest house by Sinforosa Azores Gomez, Boots’ grandmother, as
a gift to her husband Pepe. Pepe, who was a lawyer, invites his
friends from Manila to their rest house almost everyday.
“Naka-ugalian na nila to really stay at this area. This place is
really known for entertaining people,” Boots explained.
Thirteen years ago, Sinforosa, Inay to her grandchildren, opened the
Kay Inay Resort to the locals of San Pablo. For five years, the
resort was a hit but only before the sun sets. In need of overnight
rooms for Boots’ friends visiting from Manila, he teamed up with
potter Ugu Bigyan and designed six rooms. Boots narrated, “Walang
architect; we just consulted an engineer. Walang drawing. Nilaro
lang namin.” However, Inay still decided to close the resort because
she did not want the place to get too noisy and rowdy.
Eventually, the Alcantaras developed the site as a bed and
breakfast. Visitors feel like guests in somebody else’s home and not
merely vacationers in the outskirts of Manila. The owners see to it
that they are the ones in contact with their guests. Paula, a guest
at the Casa said, “They were very accommodating. Okay ang service.”
Today, Casa San Pablo accepts reservations for couples, families,
barkadas, and corporate accounts. Room rates vary from Php1000 to
Php2500 depending on the number of people occupying the room, the
duration of their stay and the meals to be served to them.
 The
Alcantaras can now accommodate 130 people a day with the Casa’s 16
rooms. Each room is fashioned uniquely and inspired by the jovial
and artistic personality of the Alcantaras. Surrounding the quarters
are clay pots and jars, paintings of famous artists, collector’s
items and family mementos. Boots displayed photographs of doors and
windows taken from the different parts of the world because he
believes “that behind every window is a world a person may never
know.” From collector’s items to the most ordinary things like an
empty bottle of perfume or sheets of discarded newspapers molded to
imitate toy horses, or other pieces of junk turned into marvelous
snippets, artworks are placed in selected parts of the cottages to
perfection.
“Our facilities and amenities may not be five-star, but we outrank
any hotel in sincerity and good cheer.” Boots said.
A seamless dwelling for family, company and barkada trips, the Casa
provides a number of activities. The Casa can be a place for wedding
receptions, sports fests, and stargazing. Two swimming pools
following the shape of a lagoon are available for visitors to feel
refreshed. As a WiFi hot spot, the inn allows guests to surf the net
or send emails in the comfort of the Casa’s garden and verandah.
Guests can also unwind through sports like frisbee, badminton,
volleyball, basketball and billiards. Indoor action can be enjoyed
by playing board games. Trained staff can provide Swedish and
Shiatsu massages in the privacy of the guests’ rooms. A foot massage
in the garden may also be requested. Company team building
activities may also be pre-arranged.
Being in Casa San Pablo is so convenient that one can experience not
only the site, but also the neighboring destinations situated in
Laguna, Quezon Province and Batangas. Viaje Del Sol is a collective
name for the popular art and culture tour to different destinations.
Guests of the Casa can visit culinary destinations like Patis
Tesoro’s Kusina Salud or the artistic corners of the brassmaker
Carlito Ortega and the potter Ugu Bigyan.
A weekend at Casa San Pablo is a wonderful therapy for those in hunt
of a tranquil yet enjoyable place just outside the Metro with the
pleasure of delectable, homemade Laguna cooking just like what one’s
grandmother would cook.
Feel at home.
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