Travel Sto. Tomas Batangas: Rose and Grace Restaurant

My husband who used to work in the Sto. Tomas, Batangas, remembered his former office mates inviting him to this place after office hours whenever there's an occasion.  He said it seems to be the go-to restaurant of the locals. So when we saw their banner on our way to  Lake Pandin, San Pablo, I didn't hesitate to stop and try their special Bulalo (stewed beef marrow and ox tail with vegetable broth).

Special Bulalo - Rose and Grace restaurant

Batangas - Nasugbu - Kainan sa Dalampasigan

On our way back from our Calatagan trip, we decided to proceed first to Nasugbu town to eat dinner before heading back to Manila. Not wanting to eat in another fast food store and want to try something more local, we went ahead and followed the sign we saw along the road pointing us to "Kainan sa Dalampasigan" restaurant. Unlike it's name though, this restaurant isn't located near any shore so don't expect any seaside views while you eat ^_^.  I've read later on that the restaurant has actually been there for quite a while and many many moons ago has actually been near the shores. It turned out, the town has grown so much that some parts of the shores has been extended as a residential area. 

Batangas - Calatagan beach resort - Caisip Compound

We have traveled to Calatagan to visit one of oldest Spanish Lighthouses in the Philippines, the Punta de Santiago Lighthouse. We were feeling spontaneous at the time so when we saw the pristine waters from afar, we were really tempted to go for a quick swim and if we can, spend a night in a nearby beach somewhere. We asked Mang Jun, the lighthouse keeper, if he knows a good & affordable place where we could stay. He pointed us out to Caisip compound.  A beach resort not far from the lighthouse and seems to be the "go to" place of the locals.

Batangas travel: Calatagan Lighthouse

Its geological location allows Batangas to be an efficient receiving port that can cater to hundreds of ships and ferries a day. But, unknown to many, these ferries and ships are constantly being guided to safety by the two light houses built at Batangas by the Spaniards more than one hundred years ago. One, is located at Cape Malabrigo Lobo, Batangas and the other one is located at Cape Santiago in Calatagan, Batangas.

It has been part of my to-do lists to visit lighthouses around the Philippines. I think they are important part of our history and every single one of them should be considered a National Treasure. So one Saturday morning, I woke my husband up and asked him if he wants to go to on a road trip to see a 120 year old lighthouse at Calatagan, Batangas.

Our reward below: The Punta de Santiago lighthouse