Last Saturday a group of Batch63 diehards went for an excursion. The place is the Valdes resort estate immediately beside the famous Montemar Resort in Bagac, Bataan. And what a place it was! Starting from its decorative metal gate along the road, the estate stretched out over undulating landscaped areas of the grounds up to the cliff edge overlooking scenic Bagac Bay. The estate's road system impressively leads down to a clean sandy private beach below the cliff. That day, a gentle surf (good enough for amateur surfers I would say) lapped the shoreline. We were told that surf is usually calmer depending on the season.
Gabi and Pam Valdez played gracious host to the group. The scenic Mediterranean style villa in the estate (built by Gabi's dad long ago) is spacious, rustic and comfortable (airconditioned). Lunch was a sumptuous collection of different salads concocted by Pam and the family's Estate's resident cook. Fresh seafood of crabs, prawns and fish from Bataan ponds and tasty soup and kakanin from the region completed the satisfying fare. The Batch63 guys who visited were Jaki Arellano and Marilou, Lito Quiogue and Nene, Oni Mayo and Bili, Bambi Goco and Polding Arnaiz.
Particularly for its landscaping requirement, Gabi and Pam have done an impressive job in tending the estate. The clean paved roads, manicured lawns, clustered plants and healthy large original trees in the estate would put many a commercial resort to shame. It is evident that the Valdes's are now in the process of rehabilitating the few components of the house needing repair. The hearty lunch meal and the overall ambiance of the place was so relaxing that some of the guys feel that they wouldn't mind settling down for a nap - or shamelessly, even staying overnight.
Particularly for its landscaping requirement, Gabi and Pam have done an impressive job in tending the estate. The clean paved roads, manicured lawns, clustered plants and healthy large original trees in the estate would put many a commercial resort to shame. It is evident that the Valdes's are now in the process of rehabilitating the few components of the house needing repair. The hearty lunch meal and the overall ambiance of the place was so relaxing that some of the guys feel that they wouldn't mind settling down for a nap - or shamelessly, even staying overnight.
The early morning trip to Bagac had the group riding in Jaki's F150 van. Going there was ok. Coming home at peak hour 7pm traffic was something else. The log jam upon entering Metro Manila (that we hoped would not be as bad) was bad. Despite the usual bellyaching in the van regarding the traffic, it was a fun trip if only because of the company. Champion bellyacher was Polding who complained about the aircon draft on his head (Polding wore his parka hood for parts of the trip). For Polding, it was Jaki's fault for not having a more balanced aircon service in his van. And then the bad traffic experience, whose fault was it? Must be Gabi's fault for inviting us to Bagac.
The event was so successful that the group is now mulling a next one - a European river cruise maybe next year? For those interested sign up now. Before closing, thanks to Gabi and Pam for an awesome time once again and sorry na lang to those who backed out of the trip.
Onimayo
See slide show for more photos.
See slide show for more photos.
