06/03/2014
TRAVEL LIBRE VISITS SARIAYANAS AND ADA'S GARDEN SPA, HOTEL AND RESORT
By Eric J. Dedace
On the early evening of Tuesday, February 4, 2014, upon arrival in Sariaya from Dolores, the Travel Libre production crew accompanied by the Sariaya Tourism Council Board proceeded to the Ada’s Garden Spa, Hotel and Resort in Barangay Gibanga where they were welcomed by STC BOD Member Ms. Susan M. Caballes in the beautifully renovated reception area. After the necessary introductions and a few minutes of rest, they were invited to a hearty and delicious dinner which the eager host prepared herself, which was great treat for everyone. And through the ensuing conversations, it was learned that one of the group’s photographers, Mr. Jay Nava Ermitaño is a member and an Administrator of the FUNtastic Philippines FUNgroup of travel photographers who came to Sariaya in October 19 and 23, 2013 to document and photograph the town’s attractions for tourism promotion purposes. Likewise, and more interesting, the other photographer, Mr. Irvinne Redor is an invited choir member of the United Nations Singers of New York City, USA , who will be having a mini concert at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church in town on February 25th! As they say, this is a small world indeed! The rest of the team included writers Ms. Bopeep C. Espiritu and Ms. E.M. Tobias accompanied by the Quezon Provincial Tourism Office staff member Ms. Gillian P. Abadilla, and Ms. Allen Joy Saslayon, a St. Anne College BS Tourism student doing her on-the-job training with their office.
Right after dinner, the group proceeded to the SARIAYANAS Buri products showroom where they were given an introduction/ annotation on the DTI sponsored renaissance of the traditional buri industry in Sariaya by Ms. Caballes herself. They were then ushered into the igloo type, Mount Banahaw Red Soil dry sauna facility and were made to go inside it to have a feel of its therapeutic qualities. After that, the group crossed into the SARIAYANAS production area where two female workers gave them an impromptu demonstration on hand weaving and the sewing of the woven substrate into bags. With that, the production work was stopped and the group agreed to leave at 5 in the morning to catch upon the Tayabas Bay sunrise at Barangay Bignay 2. As the STC people left for Sariaya town proper, the Travel Libre crew braced themselves for a great wellness treat, a free massage care of the attendants of the spa.
