A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Truly an artists’ haven, Casa San Pablo may be one of Laguna’s best-kept secrets.
By Aubrey Glaiza S. Sangalang
Published in TOTAL WOMAN MAGAZINE
Going to Casa San Pablo in Laguna for a fashion editorial shoot was, to be honest, not our first choice; but at the end of the day, I found out why we were led here. Casa San Pablo is, like most bed and breakfast inns, a place where you can stay overnight and get to know the owners. But when we were gathered round at mealtimes, it felt like we were home, sharing good food and stories with an extended family. And that’s no wonder, since this 6-hectare plot used to be the family compound of the Gomez clan. It was opened to the locals of San Pablo 17 years ago, and patrons flocked to swim and spend time away from city life. It was then converted to a day resort called Kay Inay, named after Sinforosa “Inay” Azores Gomez, but that didn’t last long – Boots Alcantara, one of the grandsons of the original owner and an avid art collector and hobby enthusiast, decided to put up his own country inn inside the compound. That was the beginning of Casa San Pablo.
He wanted it to be cozy, earth-owned, eclectic, and at the same time have a vintage Filipino ambience. Out of his natural artistic skills and resourcefulness, Boots made use of paper mache figures called taka, which are famous in Laguna, as décor on tabletops and all around the compound. He and his friends also bought an old house in Quezon and dismantled it piece by piece, and used the antique items – doors, windows, wooden beams, old flat irons – to give character to the bedrooms in Casa San Pablo. Also in the rooms are Boots’ painting collection from different artists, his toy car collection, and ‘junk art’ pieces. “Aside from trying to make the guests feel at home, we also want to give them a unique experience here at Casa San Pablo…it’s a place that’s just full of creativity,” shares Boots.
Looking around Casa San Pablo’s sprawling green lawns, I couldn’t help but admire the pine trees that looked like they came straight from Baguio. The wide-open spaces are great for picnics or just laying a mat at night and stargazing. They also have a tennis and basketball court, a billiard hall, and two lagoon-shaped swimming pools surrounded by hundred-year-old trees. You can also have hiking and trekking activities at Mt. Banahaw and a tour to Sampaloc Lake arranged. A meeting hall for company team building or brainstorming sessions is also available for rent. And at the edge of the compound, within walking distance from Casa San Pablo, is San Roque Church, which could be perfect for weddings. Boots also organizes acoustic concerts here from time to time. As for the food, it is served buffet style at the dining hall. We’re talking traditional, delicious home-cooked meals here, and would you believe it if I said that Boots is the one who cooks them?
But what moved me during our stay at Casa San Pablo were the hammocks. Once you lie there, you won’t even notice yourself falling asleep until someone wakes you up. And that’s exactly what happened to me. Maybe it was because of the fresh air, peaceful green surroundings, wonderful art creations, and the especially warm welcome of the people at Casa San Pablo.
Well, I’ll simply say, ‘I found a nice place here…a home away from home.’
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Casa San Pablo is located at Gomez Compound, Barangay San Roque, San Pablo City, Laguna
For reservations, contact Boots Alcantara at (0917) 8126687 / (0920) 9624083, or at casasanpablo@pldtdsl.net. Also visit their website at www.casasanpablo.com. Note: It is necessary to make prior reservations.