Villa Javierto: Ambiance of the Past

It was just only my second time at this place despite having been deployed, visited, and stayed in LUCENA CITY for almost 2 decades already. 

It was during my unending search for interesting places to go that I discovered that there is a place within LUCENA CITY that will not only satisfy food cravings but will also completely fulfill longing for refreshing ambiance and bring back the memories of experiences in rural areas and with old houses.

This is a proof that you don't need to travel far to discover amazing places. There is just a need to extensively explore, roam around, and be keen observant to rediscover places within reach.

Enjoy the pictures of another worthwhile journey...a glimpse of the past at VILLA JAVIERTO...

My first visit at CATALINO'S  RESTAURANT was just purposely to eat brunch (breakfast-lunch) with limited exploration and few pictures. But this second visit is aimed at extensive discovery of the serene place.

CATALINO'S RESTAURANT is just one of the interesting destinations inside VILLA JAVIERTO...

This is the main gate of the compound...

the gateway to a PARADISE in LUCENA CITY, the CAPITAL of QUEZON PROVINCE...

The towering trees, captivating plants, beautiful flowers, the fresh air, creative structures and old houses will completely transport you to the enchanting feel of the past...

VILLA JAVIERTO is an amazing venue for food, relaxation and going down memory lane...

This is infront of the ANTIQUE GALLERY within the compound...there is another gate infront of this facade...

inside the ANTIQUE GALLERY...furniture and other items are for sale...

still inside the ANTIQUE GALLERY...there are also available paintings...

The gateway to the CATALINO'S RESTAURANT within VILLA JAVIERTO...

At the CATALINO'S RESTAURANT...situated at the ravine of the ALITAOO RIVER...

The old materials used to build the restaurant are captivating!!!

The full view of the ALITAOO RIVER beside and below the CATALINO'S RESTAURANT...

During this visit, I just ordered special HALO-HALO with ICE CREAM for 90 pesos since I was not able to try it during my first visit...it was another break from the usual HALO-HALO and ICE CREAM.....

REFRESHINGLY DELICIOUS! 

SATISFACTION FULLY GUARANTEED! 

After consuming the HALO-HALO with ICE CREAM, I continued to explore the compound to savor more the exhilarating aura of the place...

There is a creatively designed mini fish pond at this area of the compound...

Various species of plants and trees are available for sale...
as shown in the following pictures...

The mixture of creative man-made structures and various plants reinforced the authenticity of the compound...

Different structures are crafted with passion and overflowing commitment to make the place worthwhile to visit...

Pictures of old houses inside the compound which are well-preserved for the guests to enjoy...

Extreme creativity and effort to preserve and present the place to visitors...

Pictures of rural areas extracting different emotions from visitors...

As I took more pictures, I was engulfed by tranquility of the environment and attained complete peaceful mind and joyful spirit even for few hours...

Creative signage near the entrance of the restaurant...

Old chairs are also available to be occupied by tired visitors after the exploration and taking pictures within the compound...

You can occupy this area if you are dining-in alone...

artistically designed pathways surrounded by towering trees...

Handwashing area near the RESTAURANT...

BIBLE VERSES are also abundantly posted within the compound...

Interestingly, the name of the place which is VILLA JAVIERTO was not just invented out of nothing. It is actually coined from the surnames in honor of a couple, the husband's name is CATALINO JAVIERTO while the wife's name is DIONESIA VILLA...

This signage is visible along the highway if you are coming from TAYABAS CITY going to the DIVERSION ROAD...

VILLA JAVIERTO is just one kilometer away from the busy main intersection in DIVERSION ROAD in LUCENA CITY...just ride a JEEPNEY with signage GULANG-GULANG and tell the driver to bring you to VILLA JAVIERTO or CATALINO'S...

the main intersection at DIVERSION ROAD in LUCENA CITY...

HOW TO REACH VILLA JAVIERTO and CATALINO'S RESTAURANT from METRO MANILA?

PUBLIC TRANSPORT 

1. Ride a BUS bound for LUCENA CITY, (220 pesos fare for air-conditioned bus from CUBAO). There are also buses (JAC liner, JAM liner, LUCENA lines, DLTB, among others) at the different parts of METRO MANILA bound for LUCENA CITY. Travel time is about 3 to 4 hours depending on the traffic flow. The best time to leave Manila is at dawn. 

2. Alight at LUCENA CITY DIVERSION ROAD (main intersection). LANDMARK - JOLLIBEE, CHOWKING, and DUNKIN' DONUTS. 

3. From DIVERSION ROAD, ride a JEEPNEY bound for GULANG GULANG infront of the JOLLIBEE, tell the driver that you will be going to VILLA JAVIERTO or CATALINO'S RETAURANT. The travel time is about 5 minutes or less for 8 pesos fare. The distance between the main intersection road to VILLA JAVIERTO is about 1 kilometer only.

4. You will find an old gate which is always open. The signage is clearly visible along the highway. CATALINO'S RESTAURANT and VILLA JAVIERTO. The restaurant is open from 9am to 9pm serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner.

5. To travel back to MANILA, ride a JEEPNEY infront of the CATALINO'S RESTAURANT/VILLA JAVIERTO bound for BAYAN (LUCENA CITY) and alight at the DIVERSION ROAD. At the DIVERSION ROAD, infront of DUNKIN DONUTS, wait for the bus with signage CUBAO or LRT BUENDIA.

PRIVATE CAR/VEHICLE:

1. Just follow the SLEX road, then exit at STO. TOMAS (BATANGAS).

2. Then upon reaching the intersection road near LIANA'S STO TOMAS, turn left towards the direction going to SAN PABLO CITY. The trip will be passing thru ALAMINOS and SAN PABLO CITY (LAGUNA) then TIAONG, CANDELARIA and SARIAYA (municipalities of QUEZON PROVINCE). 

3. After passing the town proper of SARIAYA, there is a T road at CALUMPANG (part of TAYABAS CITY). Turn left going to the direction of LUCENA CITY. 

4. After several minutes, there is a FORK ROAD. Take the road at the left going to the DIVERSION ROAD of LUCENA CITY. 

5. At the main intersection at DIVERSION ROAD (LANDMARKS are JOLLIBEE and CHOWKING), turn left towards the direction of TAYABAS CITY proper and LUCBAN. After one kilometer, the signage CATALINO'S RESTAURANT (in yellow background signage) can be seen at the left side of the road. There are available parking spaces infront of the place.

*Travel time is about 3 to 4 hours. LUCENA CITY is about 128 kilometers away from METRO MANILA.

Take a break from your busy life...discover interesting places within your town, city or province...you will be amazed that there is something like VILLA JAVIERTO or CATALINO'S RESTAURANT within your reach...

for priceless HAPPINESS at LIMITED COST...