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Road Trip
Casa Fantastica
The Top Gear staff discovers a quaint bed-and-breakfast resort in Laguna. We check into Casa San Pablo and let its calm surroundings induce the flow of our creative juices...
Words by Dinzo Tabamo; Photography by Charles Custodio
The best triumph of the movie Superbad is how it accurately depicts the way guys really talk to each other. When the lead characters, Seth and Evan, talk about porn and girls, it sounds exactly like a guy and his best bud talking—not a Hollywood script sanitized to boredom in order to appeal to a broader audience. (To the ladies reading this: We're sorry but yes, that's how we talk, and this isn't exactly a news flash either.)
The purity of this movie (and its faithfulness to its target audience) should be the goal of any media format, be it film, TV or, in our case, magazine. While last year was an amazing year for us—and we say this with all gratitude—it only set the bar higher for 2008. That means more creative features, better ideas, fresh sections and across-the-board improvements in writing and photography.
To chart the new roads Top Gear will traverse this year, we made our monthly road trip coincide with our editorial planning session as well. Someone referred us to Casa San Pablo, a charming bed-and-breakfast resort that is the brainchild of entrepreneur Boots Alcantara. Named one of the Ten Outstanding Entrepreneurs of 2007 by our sister magazine Entrepreneur, Boots developed his family's seven-hectare private rest grounds into a cozy haven for local artists, corporate executives and those looking for a fuss-free quiet weekend.
Located an hour and a half away from Makati, Casa San Pablo is far enough from the city to enjoy a change of pace—because the last thing you want in brainstorming is to be reminded of your daily routine—yet near enough for economical travel time.
Since we were traveling with a full staff, we needed a full-size van. We got that and more in the Grand Starex, the latest version of the vehicle that put Hyundai on the automotive map here in the Philippines. The Grand Starex was truly grand in its ability to transport twelve people in comfort and leisure. Comfort in the form of twelve cushy seats, with second-row business-class seats that recline and swivel. Leisure in the form of a DVD entertainment system, with a lovely audio head unit and an LCD monitor that folds down from the ceiling. Watching the hilarious Blades Of Glory made the short trip go even faster.
Upon arrival at Casa San Pablo, we seemed to be transported to Baguio, with pine trees and a sprawling lawn greeting our eyes. Associate editor and true-blue Baguio resident Paulo Subido felt like his head was in the clouds again: It was a "Shet, pare!" moment for him. Several hammocks were strewn across the lawn and they beckoned our sleepy bodies. As we soaked in the atmosphere of the Casa, the words 'pleasant', 'friendly', 'relaxed' and 'homey' came to mind. But the best word to describe the bed and breakfast is 'charming'. The look-and-feel of the place is personal—it's like stepping into someone's summer rest house.
Boots welcomed us at the patio of the main hall and gave us a rundown of his place. The main hall was where buffet-style meals were served, and various guest rooms were all within walking distance of each other. The feel was exactly like that of a family sala. There were knickknacks, books, furniture and paintings hung on the walls that gave the place what is called a 'shabby chic' feel. Boots told us the items were things he had personally bought over the years, while the paintings had been given by artists who had held art sessions there. The main hall could also be transformed into a function room accommodating up to 60 people.
The guest rooms were also not like that of your typical inn—no two rooms were alike. They had been designed in what Casa San Pablo described as 'modern nostalgia'—simple, rustic rooms with modern conveniences like air-conditioning and running hot water. The materials and items ranged from Laguna paper-mâché horses to handmade clay leaf tiles to old railway tracks. One room that we had to see for ourselves even had a Hot Wheels motif. On the walls were glass display cases containing Boots' miniature car collection.
He then showed us the house of his mother Vinya—a lovely brick cottage that was literally a stone's throw away from the main hall. It felt like visiting your grandmother's house: Framed family pictures were on display. His mother was in the dining area, entertaining her amigas. Boots even showed us his room, where more of his toy cars were neatly displayed.
The meals at the Casa followed no set menu. Like a typical home, they served what was fresh on the market that day. While we were enjoying Laguna-style recipes, Boots and his mother interacted with us and the other guests. This was a family business in the truest sense of the term.
Casa San Pablo is also a member of an alliance of the various arts and tourist destinations stretching from Laguna to Quezon called Viaje del Sol, which literally means "the way of the sun". Establishments that belong to Viaje del Sol include the famous Colette's Buko Pie main store; renowned fashion designer Patis Tesoro's restaurant Kusina Salud; and, of course, the renowned Villa Escudero. Boots explained that instead of them trying to compete with one another, they recommended each other's places, thus ensuring a steady supply of patrons.
After lunch, Boots showed us the function room we were to use for our editorial planning. It was a bedroom converted into a conference room with tables and chairs. On the walls were sketches of a nude woman done by famous local artists. We certainly liked the man's idea of art.
Everything was provided for; all that was needed was for the ideas to flow.
After years of working in a magazine, I've learned that one thing is certain: Ideas are among the most fickle things in the universe—almost as fickle as women. There are days when, to quote Lennon, "words are flying out like endless rain into a paper cup." These are the days when we feel we are supreme writers, true practitioners of the written word. Then there are the other days. Those when we stare at the blinking cursor with a blank expression on our faces. Have you ever imagined being on a date with Jessica Alba and not being able to say something witty? That's how it's like.
If we were a typical car magazine, it would be easy to chart an editorial course. We'd just list down all the cars we haven't driven, add in the cars to be released next year, assign a writer and a photographer for each, and—voilà—a run-of-the-mill car magazine is on the newsstands. If we did that, our lives would be so much easier. We'd be home in time for Marimar; Vernon would be sipping martinis with (insert any girl's name here) during happy hour; and Paulo might not be the only guy in our team with a lovelife.
If.
There had been car magazines before TG, and Vernon himself was involved in a couple of them. But we'd like to think we've managed to put together something that is more than just a car magazine. We're your car-obsessed best buds and we want to share every wonderful journey with you. It's more difficult this way—charting new courses and raising the bar—but it's also a lot more fun.
We won't bore you with the nitty-gritty details. Suffice it to say we can't wait to show you what's in store for TG readers in 2008.
Casa San Pablo: Gomez Compound, Bgy. San Roque, San Pablo, Laguna. Telephone: (0917) 812-6687. Website: www.casasanpablo.com
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Top Gear Philippines - January-February 2008
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