ANVIL'S "SUMMER FUN AT CALATAGAN"

 Intrepid members of the Anvil Business Club (Association of Young Filipino-Chinese Entrepreneurs) decided to take a brief respite from the daily drudgery of work and exploited the scorching summer sun with a pre-Holy Week, two-day excursion at a private beach resort in Calatagan, Batangas.
Aptly christened "Summer Fun at Calatagan," thirty Club members and their friends trooped in three batches, with two Nissan NV passenger vans provided by Director for Internationalism Leoncio Lei Yee Jr., while others – such as Immediate Past President Ong Jov, Director for Outdoor Events Christopher Go, members Christopher Yae, Jac Licauco and Kel Li – brought their own private vehicles.
Sun, sand, and surf dominated the overnight expedition, where the young boys and girls of the Anvil Club exploited the unique opportunity to enjoy life’s simple pleasures – exploring the beautiful coastal Serenity Beach of Stilts Calatagan Resort, admiring the large variety of flora in the lush, flower-filled Garden Cabanas, discovering the complex life-cycle of starfishes and sea cucumbers, or simply basking in the gorgeous sunrises and breathtaking sunsets provided by the locale.
After a tiring but fun-filled day frolicking at the beach, the adventurous group hied off to a luxurious getaway – the famous White Mansion of the ElsaLicias, Calatagan's ideal vacation home for the Anvil vacationers. Boasting of three air-conditioned bedrooms, with a fully-furnished living room, pool, dining area and a fully-equipped kitchen, the sprawling hillside house has a magnificent view of the sea and perfect for a swim in-between breaks.
That evening, amid the sumptuous buffet dinner prepared by the staff of The House of Mantou (饅頭), the members spent the leisurely summer night at the White Mansion's veranda, sharing funny "horror" stories, belting out favorite karaoke numbers, and lazing around the warm light of a bonfire especially prepared for them. Thanks to Anvil member Rudy Ngo, an enviable assortment of distilled spirits – vodka, gin, tequila, rum, whisky, and beer, of course – were made available to those wishing to carelessly indulge. The members had so much fun that they didn't realize that it was only just an hour ahead of daybreak before deciding to call it a night.
But that didn't stop most of them from rising up early on a Sunday morning to embark on a ten-minute, narrow dirt-road trip to one of the town's historical landmarks: the century-old Cape Santiago Lighthouse. Also known as "Punta de Santiago" or "Faro de Punta Santiago," the must-see attraction is an imposing 51-foot tall white-and-red-brick lighthouse that was built in 1890 by Engineer Magin Pers y Pers, and later completed by Guillermo Brockman, to guide seafarers passing the Verde Island passage, San Bernardino Strait and the Manila Bay. Climbing the rusty, spiral staircase made of cast iron with 65 steps leading to the top of the lighthouse was no easy feat, but the breathtaking view from the top of the lighthouse was more than worth the exhausting ascent. The splendid view of the Calatagan coastline, the magnificent canvass of the South China Sea and its surrounding beaches, provided a perfectly tranquil backdrop for the young members to take photos, while the cool zephyr of the sea breeze added to the excitement. Indeed, the Cape Santiago Lighthouse stands witness to the rich history of the area, with over a century's worth of stories to tell.
The group's last stop before going home to Manila was an impromptu lunch trip to the well-known Balinsasayaw Restaurant in Tagaytay, Silang, Cavite. Named after a rare edible-nest swiftlet found only in El Nido, Palawan, the unique eatery truly lives up to its atypical bird's name. Instead of dining with other guests in the spacious main dining room, the group decided to nestle in one of the cabañas that provided a little bit more privacy. Surrounded by lush gardens, the restaurant – which serves delicious fusion Filipino culinary fare – satisfied the delegation's varied gustatory cravings and serves as a fitting denouement to spellbinding two-day journey with great friends.
Kudos to Director Chris Go and Project Chairperson Jessica Velasco for spearheading this worthwhile initiative. And to Co-Chair Johnny Uy for recommending the place. Till the next exciting adventure...