Villa Escudero, Tiaong, Quezon

Villa Escudero was founded in 1981, but the estate dates back to the early 1900s as a working coconut plantation. It spans 800 hectares, originally established by Don Placido Escudero and his wife Doña Claudia Marasigan.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is a descendant of this lineage. His father, Salvador Escudero III, was a former Agriculture Secretary and Congressman from Sorsogon, and part of the same prominent Escudero clan that owns Villa Escudero.

Located about 2 hours south of Manila, the park is a popular weekend escape. Here are some signature experiences of the park:

Waterfalls Restaurant: Dine barefoot at the foot of the Labasin Falls, with water flowing over your feet as you enjoy a traditional Filipino buffet. Carabao Cart Ride- A slow, scenic ride pulled by a carabao, often accompanied by live folk music. Museum Tour- Housed in a replica of a Spanish-era church, the museum showcases eclectic artifacts—from religious relics to WWII memorabilia.

NOTE: All images were shot on a Nikon D810 a while back.

Labasin Falls: The park’s main feature is a man-made waterfall that gently cascades over a stone wall, curved both at the top and bottom. The water flows across partially submerged dining tables and settling into a wide pond. I said “swim” because my dad laid his back under the rushing water—and of course, I followed. That’s probably why I still suffer from mild insanity today.

When I find the photo, I’ll post it

Carabao Carts

The edifice housing the museum.

Riverside Lodgings

Removed people in and hanging out of the bus.