Marilaque, the Highway to the East: A Biyahe ni Drew Itinerary

 

Marilaque at a glance.

Marilaque or Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon for short,  is a highway that starts in Marikina and goes all the way to the Sierra Madre Ranges of Rizal, the mountaintops of Laguna, and, finally, to Infanta, Quezon.

With a road stretching to 110-kilometers, this highway is famous for motorcycle and sports car riders because of its scenic views.

How to get there

The highway starts in Marikina City. It traverses the Marikina Valley and passes through Antipolo City, where it intersects the Sumulong Highway at Barangay Masinag. After Masinag, the road starts its ascent towards the Sierra Madre, where a series of winding roads meet the motorists and finally to Infanta, Quezon.

Buckle-up, biyaheros! You are in for a Southern road trip sans the toll fee and traffic!

Where to go

Tanay Jungle Base
#1 Jungle Base Brgy. Daraitan Tanay, Rizal, Tanay

This 4X4 ride is not for the faint hearted.

Formerly a training ground for the troopers of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, the site now offers exciting activities for families and adventure sports for outdoor enthusiasts.

As they say, anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing. Let go of your fears and try their off–road 4X4 driving. For only P 3,000 per head, be prepared to hit the Tanay trail for the ride of your life and experience its rugged beauty.

Fire away, Drew!

Feeling fierce but not in the mood for some heart-pumping action? Don’t worry, you can always try their Firing Range and fire away at their steel plates for only P200! P.S. You have to bring your own gun.

TIP: Make sure to book in advance as Tanay Jungle Base gets crowded on weekends. For reservations you may contact: 09176156557

Marvel at the Woodcarvings in Paete, Laguna
JV Quesada Street, Poblacion, Paete, Laguna

Meet Mang Chris, one of the Master Carvers of Paete, Laguna, who has been practicing the art of wood-carving for more than three decades

Dubbed as the “Woodcarving Capital of the Philippines,” skilled craftsmen and artisans have practiced woodcarving in Paete since the Spanish times. Most of their masterpieces have primarily religious themes however woodcraft with modern subjects can also be found in Paete such as cartoon characters carvings.

Explore Caliraya Lake                                                                                                                       Caliraya Springs, Brgy. East Talaongan, Cavinti, Laguna

Drew riding the bicycle on a whole new level, literally!

Caliraya Lake Resort is undeniably the haven of adventure and heart-pumping activities for adrenaline junkies like you and me.  Nestled atop mountains of Caliraya in Lumban, Laguna, this resort boasts of its new and thrilling attractions such as the Sky Bicycle wherein your bike is tied on a cable suspended 80-feet above the ground.

550-feet? No problem! Drew got this!

But if that is not scary enough for you, then you might want to try the resort’s 550-feet long gigantic slide!

Other outdoor activities also include wall climbing, rappelling, zipline, Slide Pinoy, mud slide, zorb ball, and water sports like kayaking!

Take a dip at Dalitiwan Resort

Brgy. Ilayang, Majayjay, Laguna

Wish you were here, Iya!

It may not be summer yet but who says you can’t take a dip in a cold spring pool?

Dalitiwan Resort has a man-made pool but the water in it comes from the cold springs of Mt. Banahaw so expect that you’d be taking a dip in all natural goodness!

Aside from the man-made swimming pool, Dalitiwan Resort also has a natural attraction - the mini-falls where you can take Instagram worthy selfies!

The best part here is that you could enjoy all of this for a cheap entrance fee of P80! How cool is that?

What and where to eat:

Isdaan Floating Restaurant
Calauan, Laguna

What is a road trip without some food trip, you guys!

Looking for a blockbuster lunch? Isdaan Floating Restaurant is the place to be. However tourists do not come here for its mouth-watering seafoods alone, but also for the restaurant’s one-of-a-kind ambience that will make you think that you are actually dining in Thailand because of the impressive structures and giant buddhas all over the place.

TIP: Nursing a broken heart? Instead of eating your feelings out, this restaurant actually has a spot where you can vent out your frustrations and anger in life by throwing plates, mugs, or even a TV set onto their Tacsiyapo (tacsiyapo is an Ilocano term for annoying or buwisit)  wall. Whoever thought of this idea probably has too much #feels!

This restaurant actually has another branch in Paniqui, Tarlac, if you're travelling north.

Café Katerina

Sitio Mayagay Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay

For riders and road trippers clocking in the miles, this is a favorite food stop. Located on the peak of a mountain, you are sure treated to a spectacular view while dining at Café Katerina. You can order their bulalo or the crowd’s favorite- Tapsilog for only a cheap price of P75! How cool is that?

Hardenerang Ubod

Ubod ng sarap!

Ubod or the heart of a coconut palm tree, is one of the favorite dishes in Laguna. Locals have a hundred and one ways to cook this but you should never miss out on their hardenerang ubod.  This dish is basically meat-loaf encapsulated in a llanera but made better with ubod. We tell you, it is ubod ng sarap!

Minanok

Sorry to disappoint you, but minanok is not a chicken recipe, but a beef soup dish that is quite popular in Quezon province. Simply, it’s very much similar to tinolang manok, only that you have beef as the meat.

They say traveling is about the journey and not the destination. Give Marilaque a chance, and you will be glad that you took the road less travelled, literally! Happy road trip!-- Kimberlie Refuerzo/BMS, GMA Public Affairs

"Biyahe ni Drew" airs every Friday, 8:00 PM, on GMA News TV. For more information, follow the show on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For updates on your favorite documentaries, follow also the official Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram account of GMA Public Affairs.