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FEATURE STORY

Starbucks Domicillo Design Hotel

"A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent." While there's a lot of Starbucks out there each offering the same coffee, as far as location and view are concerned, no one offers a view so panoramic, heavenly, dreamy and divine that is Starbucks Domicillo Hotel. Imagine sipping your favorite Chocolate Cream Chip Frappucino overlooking the ethereal Taal Volcano, how dope must that be? Today me and my friend decided to have a quick one-day-only getaway to escape stress in the nearby Tagaytay City. Adulting can be very tiring so we both needed to replenish before we get consumed by exhaustion. A friend of mine recommended this new Starbucks and upon seeing pictures online, I died. The superb view is something poets would draw inspiration! The exterior looks so mundane and quite appalling at some point. Inside is just another Starbucks with tables and chairs and couches and as go further, Taal is already waving at you and i...
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Rediscovering Tanay, Rizal: Daranak and Batlag Falls

       It was May 1, Labor Day, a day after I turned 24, when me and my officemates decided to have a quick weekend getaway and we decided to go to nearby Rizal Province. The province is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) east of Manila. The province is named after José Rizal. Rizal is bordered by Metro Manila to the west, the province of Bulacan to the north, Quezon to the east and Laguna province to the south. The province also lies on the northern shores of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country.

      We decided to see the famous Daranak and Batlag Falls. To be honest, I haven't seen a falls my whole life. So I'm so excited to finally see one. 

Welcome Sign
       Daranak Falls is open from 8:00AM-5:00PM. Below are the entrance and other fees. We went there on a Labor Day and the place is too crowded since it was, of course, a National holiday. We just paid the entrance fee and took photos of the falls.

Adults - PHP50.00
Children -PHP30.00
Picnic Shed- PHP300.00
Picnic Table - PHP200.00


       Although Daranak Falls is too crowded, its beauty can't be denied. Its turquoise waters will entice you  to swim. The waters cascading from the cliff will make your swimming experience so dramatic.


       I've noticed that most of the people who went here are families. With just a minimal entrance fee, you can now treat the whole family for an ultimate summer getaway.


       Just above the Daranak Falls lies an equally beautiful and less crowded Batlag Falls. Entrance fee is PHP100.00.


       There are cottages in the area but we decided not to avail one since we just want to try swimming in the waters for few minutes.


       The place is so peaceful. The rock formations and the cascading waters are a relaxing treat to your eyes.





How to get there?

     We've never been to Rizal so let me share how did we get there instead. Ride an FX at Starmall EDSA bound to Tanay, Rizal and drop off at either Jollibee or the Tanay Market. The fare is PHP70.00. Tricycles are all over the place and there are some drivers who will approach you as soon as you get off the van offering their service since they already have an idea where you want to go to. Then tell the driver to bring you to Daranak Falls and the fare is PHP50.00 each. We are a group of five so this rate may change.


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