SILANG: Not your ordinary Gateway

Balinsasayaw Restaurant

After a quick stop at Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Dasmarinas, Cavite, we took a passenger jeepeney bound for Silang (the town before Tagaytay, our ultimate destination).

Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church, Dasmarinas City, Cavite

We dined at Balinsasayaw Restaurant, which is a family favorite. It was a perfect choice for our budget and cravings. We had a small dinner of a serving of (my personal favorite) Balinsasayaw rice, bulalo and adobong pusit. And it was the best. I remembered hearing "ang sarap..." from every spoonful.

The price ranged from around 180 to 300 per serving, which is good for 3-4 person (it worked on us). The restaurant also offers bilao packages (a mix of grilled, fried, etc dishes with rice) which ranges from 1,200-1,800. Either ordering a set menu, singles or bilaos, I think the restaurant will offer a good value for one's money which it did in ours.

Bulalo.

Adding to the affordable and really delectable food is an ambiance of exclusive outdoor dining in a Filipino garden environment, which no doubt, attracts guests to take good photographs. I've done them several times myself during the many visits I made. But this was special and different...Balinsasayaw at night was a sight. It presented  another face of the restaurant - one where yellow artificial lights dominate the garden while darkness temporarily hides the natural reds and greens.

Balinsasayaw's most photographed area.

Another photographed area.

After dinner, we later found ourselves clamoring for the wide array of finds (and hopefully for keeps) in the souvenir shop. It has the most items I have seen in any other souvenir shops within a restaurant. From bags to accessories, food and sweets, home furnishings and decors, toys etc. it could perhaps provide whatever its guests would ask. They bought one bracelet for themselves: I bought six (for my sisters, brothers and nieces). It was just tempting. Bracelets, depending on make and design ranges from as low as Php15 to a reasonable, Php65. I don't know if there were higher prices, I just did not have interest to look. (laughs)

Balinsasayaw souvenir shop.

Items at the store includes bags and accessories, home decors, food, etc.

Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette

In the morning before we again went to Tagaytay, we dropped by La Salette. My sister and I have went to church here on several occasions already. We admire the church's simplicity and enjoy the fresh air every time. I have been used to the crowd in our parish church (Dasmarinas), so going to mass in La Salette which seem to have almost always enough mass goers that every body can be accommodated really gives me peace, quiet and relaxation.

Our Lady of La Salette altar

But little did I know, that on the far right of the church, opposite its parking which is already a common sight to us, there lies a wide garden with towering old trees, giving you just enough shade to protect you from the sun. We were particularly amazed by the autumn leaves along the narrow path in front of the church leading to the well. It was astonishing how oranges suddenly popped in the middle of greens! Nature really has its ways.

Lucky to have seen autumn leaves

Foreground

One of the many flowers in the garden

Bible study

Our quick stops in Silang was all worthwhile. Balinsasayaw in the evening and La Salette in the morning - both were perfect gateways which almost equaled the getaway we planned.