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Rediscovering Tagaytay: A 'Biyahe ni Drew' itinerary
Professional biyahero Drew Arellano has been all over the world, but one of his favorite destinations is not far from home. We’re talking about Tagaytay!
“Lumaki akong dumadalaw sa Tagaytay at nakita kong nag-progress at dumami ang mga establishments,” says Drew. Aside from being close to Manila, Tagaytay is a popular weekend destination because of its cool climate. If it feels like you’re melting under Manila’s summer heat, Tagaytay is the place to be.
Drew tells us: “Hanap niyo ba ang sulit na bakasyon para sa pamilya? Hindi niyo na kailangang lumayo pa. Tagaytay is just waiting for you, biyahero!”
How to get there
Private car. If you’re traveling as a family or a barkada, you can drive to Tagaytay via the South Luzon Expressway or SLEX.
Bus. From Manila, look for buses that are labeled “Mendez-Tagaytay-Nasugbu.” Just hop on, and a one-way ticket will cost around P120. The ride takes just under 2 hours.
Bike. As an experienced triathlete, Drew’s choice of transport is the bicycle. “Libre na, may exercise pa. Tapos pagdating mo sa tuktok, naku, ready ka nang kumain,” he says. “Rain or shine, I’ll ride my bike to Tagaytay!” Just make sure you’re wearing the right gear for safety, biyaheros.
How to get around
If you aren’t bringing a car, you can get around Tagaytay via jeepney for P15 per ride.
Where to eat
Bulalo Belt
Mahogany Avenue, Tagaytay City
Cool weather plus hot bulalo equals comfort food. In Tagaytay, the Bulalo Belt is a strip of restaurants where you can try steaming bowls of bone marrow soup. “Wala pa akong nalasahang hindi masarap dito,” says Drew.
Drew tried a resto called Bulalo Point, where most dishes are good for sharing between two to three people. A bowl of rich bulalo costs P300. Not in the mood for bulalo? An order of sizzling sisig is P210, while daing na bangus goes for P250.
Another restaurant worth a visit on the Bulalo Belt is Mer-Ben Tapsilog sa Tagaytay. Aside from their traditional bulalo, they serve crispy bulalo for P400.
Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City (Beside Boutique Hotel, near the Tagaytay Rotunda)
From the makers of Barrio Fiesta comes this vintage-themes Filipino restaurant. Old photos and antique cameras serve as decor in this restaurant which resembles an old family home. “Parang Sunday brunch sa bahay ni Lola,” says Drew.
As with other Tagaytay restos, the specialty here is nilagang bulalo, which goes for P500. The menu says it can serve five to six people, but Drew bets the large bowl can serve up to eight people. The lumpiang trio (P250) are deep-fried bundles of longganisa, kesong puti and tinapa; this is served with spicy vinegar. For dessert, try the Pinoy fondue (P265, good for four people) where you can dip suman, puto, kutsinta and espasol in melted chocolate.
Drew’s favorite? Tinuktok (P280, good for three to four people), or bundles of gabi leaves stuffed with ubod and cooked in coconut milk. “Wow. I’m a fan of gata, sili … ito, may texture. I love it,” he says. “Order niyo na lang lahat.”
LZM Restaurant
Magallanes Square, Maharlika East, Tagaytay City
There’s something for everyone at this family-style resto. The house specialty is bangus.
Where to go
Tagaytay Picnic Grove
Brgy. Sungay East-End, Cavite
This picnic grove is a wide park with a view of the Taal volcano. Families can sit back, relax, and fly kites. Horseback riding and zip line rides are also available for a fee.
Sky Ranch, Tagaytay, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City
One of the newest attractions in Tagay is the Sky Fun Park. There’s a carousel and a Super Viking ride (think Anchors Away in Enchanted Kingdom), but the main attraction here is the Sky Eye, a ferris wheel standing 63 meters tall. It’s the tallest ferris wheel in the Philippines! Take a ride inside one of their 32 air-conditioned gondolas for P150 per person.
“Ten minutes lang ang ride na ito pero sulit na sulit sa ganda ng view,” says Drew. “Wala pa ngang ferris wheel, ang ganda na ng view sa Tagaytay. What more kung may ferris wheel pa?”
T House Bed and Breakfast
3195 Calamba Road, Tagaytay City
Tagaytay is chill—literally. At T House, you can walk in to try their relaxing massage and spa services. Ask for the outdoor body massage, which costs P750 for an hour of relaxation.
Banahaw Heals Spa
Crossing-Silang, Tagaytay City
Budget travelers can indulge, too. For the budget biyahero, there’s the P250 indoor body massage at Banahaw Heals.
Where to stay
Zone II Brgy. San Jose, Tagaytay City
How about a visit to Greece? Estancia Hotel, with its blocky architecture and white-and-blue color scheme, is patterned after Greek seaside towns. A twin room costs P6,000 per night and is good for four people if you don’t mind sharing the two beds. This comes with a private bathroom and a balcony view.
Famous Inn
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City
On a budget? A one-bed room good for two people costs P1,000 a night. For a family or barkada, they have a room good for four to six people for P2,400 per night, including a private bathroom.
5R Hotel Tagaytay
Brgy. Sungay West, Tagaytay City
This one’s another family-oriented hotel. For P4,000 a night, you get a family room that includes a queen-sized bed for the parents, a bunk bed for the kids, a living room, a refrigerator and access to the hotel swimming pool. This comes with a private bathroom. Rooms good for one to two people are also available for P1,200 per night.
Where to buy pasalubong
Drew never leaves Tagaytay without buying bread at Sonya’s Garden. Whether you’re into pan de coco, cheese hopia, or coffee buns with cream cheese, you’ll find something to love here. The bread here is a favorite of Drew’s girlfriend, Iya Villania, as well. During the “Biyahe ni Drew” shoot, he bought her a big bag of bread as pasalubong. Two pieces of bread will cost between P80 and P130, depending on what you pick.
Cuadra Street, Brgy. Asisan, Tagaytay City
The Puzzle Mansion is a popular destination for those traveling with kids and hobbyists. After all, owner Gina Gil-Lacuna is the Guinness record holder for the largest puzzle collection in the world. And these aren’t simple one’s either—her “Retablo de Santa Columba” puzzle is made up of over 18,000 pieces.
But the surprise here is the coconut cream pie perfect for pasalubong. Imagine a cookie crust topped with coconut filling and cream topping. Perfection! “Pwede bang magmura?” jokes Drew. “I expected it would be like a creamier buko pie, but no. Masarap talaga at babalik-balikan mo.”
Try a slice for P50 or take a whole pie home for just P320.
Ready-made travel packages
If building itineraries isn’t your thing, there are several tour packages you can purchase. Leisure 28 Tours (www.leisure28tours.com.ph) offers overnight tour packages for groups of 10 at an easy P1,600 per person price tag. This tour includes Tagaytay Picnic Grove, Paradizoo and People’s Park in the Sky, as well as accommodations, round trip van transfers and all entrance fees.
Budget
Transportation P285
Accommodations P1,000
Food P600
Activities P4,600
Pasalubong P300
Total P6,385
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Photos by Deanna Bibat, 'Biyahe ni Drew' segment producer
