52 Weekends of Family Fun: Part 7

July 6: Bencab Museum

There are a lot of reasons to go to Baguio for a quick weekender. The Bencab Museum should definitely be on your list. Founded by national artist Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera, this place is a shrine to local artistic creativity in the visual arts.

Why go there: Simply put, the Bencab Museum is at par with other international museums such as the Fundacio Joan Miro and the Salvador Dali in Barcelona, in terms of aesthetics, quality, maintenance and (dare we say it) skill. If you want to take the family to see what a world-class museum looks like, take them to Bencab.

Family-friendly factor: Café Sabel at the basement area offers sandwiches and refreshments, and the gardens outside are a joy to behold for kids and adults alike.

May cost you: P100 for the entrance fee

Fun factoid: Bencab’s has a prominent series of paintings inspired by a destitute scavenger only known as Sabel, the same person the café is named after. Bencab initially photographed, and later painted her in Tondo in 1965.

Contact details:
Bencab Museum
Address: Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet, Philippines
Landline / Mobile: (+6374) 4427165
Website: www.bencabmuseum.org

Image from msbolin.wordpress.com

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July 13: The Manor

This former turn of the century American base camp in Baguio City is now a manicured golf course, recreational center and hotel complex. The Manor is one of the best places to take a load off without being too far away from civilization.

Why go there: Dad can play golf while the rest of the family explores Camp John Hay’s vast grounds full of forests and picnic grounds. The whole family can also explore the nearby camp museums or check out Tree Top Adventure Camp John Hay.  

Family-friendly factor: The weekend breakfast and lunch buffets are excellent and the family can go to the Commissary and the nearby diners for alternative eats.
The rooms are sumptuous and comfy and there’s free wi-fi for techie kids. Most of the TVs have DVD players and the cable channels are pretty comprehensive.

May cost you: anywhere between P5500 – P8000 and up for an overnight stay.

Fun factoid: The Le Chef Delicatessen at The Manor has incredible pastries. You cannot leave without bringing home a peanut butter and chocolate loaf, literally a loaf of bread generously stuffed with both goodies. Their almond loaf is also a delight, with lots of almond chips on the top and swirls of almonds inside.

Contact details:
The Manor
Address: The Manor at Camp John Hay Loakan Road, Baguio City
Philippines 2600
Landline / Mobile: (+63)(74) 4240931 to 43, (+63)(74) 4240945 to 47, (+63)(74) 4240950 to 53 local 1003/1004
Website: You can visit http://www.campjohnhay.ph/index.php

Image from ourmissiontothephilippines.blogspot.com

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July 20: Fort Ilocandia

Touted as Ilocos Norte’s only five-star hotel, this sprawling oasis of the far north is a favored playground for various local and Asian tourists.

Why go there:  If you end up in the Ilocos region, this is a good place for the family to wind up in. With a plethora of different themed rooms, three restaurants and two lounges, there’s plenty to see, do and eat here.

Family-friendly factor: There are dozens of reasons not to hang around your hotel room – archery, paintball, a shooting range. Fort Ilocandia will definitely keep the whole family busy!

May cost you: anywhere from P5,600-P9,600 for an overnight stay.

Fun factoid: Fort Ilocandia has a golf course, casino, live entertainment and even its own shopping arcade, so you don’t even need to leave the resort complex for family enjoyment.

Contact details:
Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel
Address: Barangay 37, Calayab, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte 2900 Philippines
Landline / Mobile: (632) 4786506, (632) 4785315 or (632) 8224493
Website: Check out http://www.fortilocandia.com.ph/

Image from beachanatic.blogspot.com

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July 27: Banaue Hotel

Everyone goes to Banaue to see the mindblowing vastness of the Banaue Rice Terraces. If you’re looking for a place to cool your heels after that brutal fourteen-hour drive from Manila, make a reservation at the Banaue Hotel.

Why go there: This is the nicest hotel you can find in Banaue. The rooms are quaint and the whole place has that log cabin motif going for it. Each of the rooms has a stunning view of the valley and of course, the aforementioned rice terraces.

Family-friendly factor: There’s a swimming pool, wifi is available, and the restaurant offers a number of old favorites.

May cost you: around P2,300 – P3,000 for an overnight stay

Fun factoid: At the bottom of the Banaue Hotel is an access way with several hundred steps leading to a tribal village below where many of the people live in traditional huts and practice the crafts of their forefathers, all yours to photograph and experience for a reasonable fee.

Contact details:
Banaue Hotel
Address: Banaue, Ifugao, 3601 Banaue, Ifugao
Landline / Mobile: (+632) 5242513, (+632) 5242495, (+632) 5235697, (+639) 084007596
Website: search for Banaue Hotel on Facebook and Google for online reservations.

Image from riceterracesbanaue.com

See the rest of the 52 Weekends list: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6