Looking for a place to unwind, or relieve stress?
A place in Orani, Bataan is a perfect one!
SINAGTALA • "Sinag" means light and "Tala" means star. Sinagtala is Starlight. It is a Mountain resort located in the periphery of Mt. Natib, Orani, Bataan. It's a perfect place to unwind because of it's cool and relaxing environment.
After our Baguio Trip last year, me and my college friends decided to have our summer trip this year at Sinagtala Farm Resort. Aside from the reason that it's near Pampanga, we are captivated with the pictures we saw on the internet (Hahaha) and we heard a lot from people that it's a great place to relax and indeed, it is! 😊
So, after we agreed on the date, and after some hitches, we booked a room for 4 at the Tampay Residence. (We had hard time reaching their contacts, maybe because the signal there is weak.) The room rate is Php 2, 500 for 2 person and additional Php 700 for every additional person. The room can accommmodate 4 persons,
What happened before we reach our destination:
We met at Dau, ate breakfast, and then rode a jeep to SM Pampanga (We thought that the terminal of buses going to Bataan is in SM Pampanga.) But when we reached SM, we can't see any bus there. So we asked someone. He said the buses are passing at the main gate, so we went there. Then we saw that many buses are passing at Robinson's Starmill, we decided to go there instead of waiting at SM. Then we asked a guard if where can we ride a bus going to Bataan, he said the terminal is at the back of the mall. So we went there. We waited for a bus and then there came a bus going to Balanga. We asked the conductor if it will pass Orani, he said no. (I was like, what?! Where are they passing?! Now I was confused!) Then there comes a bus going to Mariveles, I told my friend "Ayan Mariveles", the conductor said "Hindi rin yan dadaan ng orani". (HUH?!) To make sure, we asked the conductor of the bus going to Mariveles, then he said yes. So we went inside the bus. There are seats but we're not sitting next to each other. So we decided to look for seats at the bus going to Balanga and we there is. We asked the driver if they will pass Orani, he said yes. (Now it's clear. The conductor is just making things complicated. Hahaha) Then finally, we're settled! 😊 We asked the conductor to drop us at the Orani Crossing or the street going to Sinagtala. We're expecting that the travel time is 2 hours but it's only an hour.
The conductor dropped us off at the Orani Crossing. I was sleeping when the conductor said "Miss miss, Orani". At first, I can't believe that we're finally there. 😂 But then, we immediately carried our bags and get out of that bus. And made fun of the "Miss, Miss Orani". Hahaha.
Upon reaching Orani, we rode a tricycle going to Sinagtala. The fare costs Php10/head but you should be 4 in a tricycle.
After 30 minutes, we reached Sinagtala. We were there at 1 PM. The check in time is 2PM so we waited for an hour. (They do not allow early check in 😭) We took pictures first and connected to their wifi.
When it's already 2PM, we already went to our room. The accommodations in Sinagtala is not a hotel, but a house instead. We booked a room in Tampay Residence. The rooms are very comfortable although it's not air conditioned. It has a stand fan and a ceiling fan. 2 single beds, 1 sofa bed and they provided us 1 extra mattress since we are 4. And you'll enjoy the view on it's veranda.
 |
| Here's the room rates in Tampay Residence |
So when we reached our room, we took a rest; watched TV and took a nap. We decided to go site seeing at 4PM. We first had a buko juice at the IceBuCo (Ice cream, Buko, Cofee) Store.
Then we went to it's cafe to buy rice for our dinner.
And it's chapel to thank God for our safe trip going there and to ask guidance throughout the whole trip.
At 5 PM, we decided to go swimming in the infinity pool. Watched the sunset. And decided to get out of the pool at 7:30 PM.
We took a bath, and had our dinner after. Since we are on "tag-tipid" moments, we decided to bring our own food instead of eating in their restaurant. (Yes, they allow packed-up foods. No corkage fee 😊)
And because the night is still young, we had chill time while having "chikkas" we missed for a year 😁
The next day, we woke up at 5 AM. And then enjoyed the pool again at 7 AM then get up at 8:30. Had our breakfast prepared by ate Monique (The house care taker)
After having breakfast, we already packed up. And went to it's adventure park to have picture taking 😊
Supposedly, we will have trekking but we are too tired so we decided no to go. Trekking is Php 100/head and a minimum of 5 person per group. There are also other activities in it's adventure park. They have the sky bridge, and sky bike. Both cost Php200/head.
It was a lovely trip with my lovely girlfriends plus a lovely place. Everything was all worth it. 😊 Sinagtala is indeed a great place to unwind, relax, relieve from stress, enjoy, to have soul searching.
How to get there:
For Commuters:
If you are from Tarlac, take a bus to Dau. Fare costs Php 61. From Dau, walk along to the terminal of the jeep going to Robinson's Starmill (near shakey's/KFC) take a ride for Php 30. Drop off at Robinson's Starmill. At the back of the mall, is a bus terminal. Ride on a bus going to Bataan (Balanga/Mariveles are the usual trips). Tell the conductor to drop you off at Orani Crossing. The fare is Php 75 from Pampanga to Orani. From the Orani Crossing, at the right side of the road is the way to Sinagtala. You will see signage "SINAGTALA 8 KM". You will see line of tricycles waiting there. Take a ride because that's the only transportation you can have. The trip is Php50/head for 4 person.
For private vehicles:
Take SCTEX then exit at Dinalupihan. Turn right, take the road leading Roman Super Highway. Just a few meters away, you'll reach Orani Crossing. You'll see signage of Sinagtala on the right side of the road. Turn right, then go straight following the signage.
Breakdown of expenses:
Php 975 - Accommodation (payment for each of us)
(the total rate is Php 3,900 divided by 4)
Php 61 - Tarlac to Dau bus fare (one way)
Php 30 - Dau to Robinson's Pampanga jeepney fare (one way)
Php 75 - Robinson's Pampanga to Orani bus fare (one way)
Php 50 - Orani Crossing to Sinagtala tricycle fare (one way)
Total: Php 1, 407
Optional Add-ons:
Trekking - Php 100/head
Sky Bike - Php 200/head
Sky Bridge - Php 200/head
Additional infos:
You can contact them to these numbers.
09178512150/09209017584 - Duyan Residence
09152559661/09988561664 - Tampay Residence
(this is only what I have. Hope it can help!)
My advice is to be patient in reaching them. It's really hard to contact them. Maybe because the signal in Sinagtala is weak. Try and try to call them every minute or you can even text them.
My advice is to be patient in reaching them. It's really hard to contact them. Maybe because the signal in Sinagtala is weak. Try and try to call them every minute or you can even text them.
