Tiaong: Home of Augusto "Ugu" Bigyan

The town of TIAONG in Quezon Province is famous for interesting destinations with large signages and unlimited advertisement promotions. But it was only a few months ago when I have known a place with NO SIGNAGE. You read it right, NO SIGNAGE in any part of Quezon Province, in Tiaong and even at its very location. INTERESTING? For me, absolutely YES!

It was one weekend when I scheduled another out of town trip to discover this interesting place.

For this travel adventure, I took the public transport:

From SOUTH STATION in ALABANG, I boarded a bus bound for LUCENA then alighted at the TOTAL GASOLINE STATION in Tiaong (situated at the corner of the main highway and the TIAONG by-pass road). Then I took a jeepney bound for TIAONG town proper. During the trip, I told the driver to take me to either MUNICIPAL HALL or the Catholic church. According to him, the municipal hall is situated along the highway but the church is not. So I just alighted infront of the municipal hall. In the previous places that I visited, majority of the catholic churches are usually situated beside the municipal hall. So I was thinking, maybe the church is just behind the building. However, there was no sight of church in the vicinity near the municipal hall. So I just first visited the municipal hall to discover something new.

After visiting the municipal hall, I explored the town proper to look for the catholic church. It was after about 10 minutes walk from the municipal hall when I finally reached the ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.

It was almost 12 noon. The time reminded me of my main objective of why I was in Tiaong. That is to uncover the secret of the place and obviously to try the food at UGU BIGYAN SECRET RESTAURANT. But just like my previous trips, the church is my first destination thanking the Lord for protecting me from any harm during my JOURNEY and for providing me a healthy body to be able to travel.

After praying for noble intentions, I headed towards my destination. I boarded a JEEPNEY bound for CANDELARIA, I alighted at infront of the ANDOK'S in Barangay Lusacan, still part of the municipality of TIAONG. Across the street beside the MINISTOP convenience store, I boarded a tricycle and told the driver to bring me to UGU'S HOUSE. After only about 5 minutes of travel, the tricycle stopped and the driver pointed me to the house of UGU. Amazingly, there was NO SIGNAGE! It was just like an ordinary house. There was no sign that it is a RESTAURANT.

After several steps, this house made of bricks welcomed my sight. An amazing structure. I hope that there would be no stray dogs to greet and meet me. There was no security guard or even a gate. There were some parked vehicles, signs that there were people inside.

I entered the compound with intense feeling of fulfillment in every step since the totality of an alluring paradise was unfolding. It was another amazing discovery for me. I will never forget the day and the remarkable moments.

Upon reaching the dining area, I asked for the menu from a very accommodating personnel. But he told me, there was no MENU provided. Then he continued that it was a RESERVATION ONLY RESTAURANT. That reservation should be done at least a day before coming to the restaurant. The minimum order per reservation is good for 10 persons. There is no option to choose your food. Just reserve and the management will take care of what food to serve. Just like a surprise treat! For the drinks, they only serve BUKO JUICE (my favorite!).

Certainly, it was another amazing discovery for me. The system instilled in me something. The owner of the place is indeed an artist. He is unique. He doesn't want to put any signage. Word of mouth will certainly promote the place. It will essentially compensate for the absence of any signage. The owner of the place is the celebrated pottery artist AUGUSTO "UGU" BIGYAN.

I continuously explored the place after asking permission to take pictures. The captivating place, the passion embedded in every masterpiece and the superb artistry were more than enough to compensate for my hunger and thirst. My senses, my heart and my mind were filled with so much emotions and admiration for that remarkable venue to celebrate life.

There is no doubt why the place landed in several elite choices for awesome restaurants. The place is crafted with PASSION and built with LOVE. 

When I go back, I will surely make a reservation first to satisfy my other needs, hunger. 

After the almost total exploration of the UGU'S PLACE, I proceeded back to the town proper to explore more and to look for a place to fill my stomach after satisfying other senses especially my eyes. 

At the town propser, I saw some structures honoring local heroes and famous personalities.

The town just recently held the second MAIS FESTIVAL in June. I will surely schedule a visit during the festival next year for another remarkable JOURNEY to fill my senses and to continuously enrich my existence.

How to go to UGU BIGYAN'S HOUSE and SECRET RESTAURANT by PUBLIC TRANSPORT from MANILA

Take a bus bound for LUCENA CITY. The bus will be passing the whole stretch of SLEX, then exit at TURBINA (part of CALAMBA CITY), then will passed by STO.TOMAS (town of BATANGAS), then ALAMINOS (town of LAGUNA), then SAN PABLO CITY (another part of LAGUNA), then comes Quezon Province. The bus usually utilizes the TIAONG BY-PASS ROAD (landmark is TOTAL GASOLINE STATION). After passing the whole stretch of the BY-PASS road, the bus will again take the main highway. Just tell the driver that you will alight at LUSACAN (part of TIAONG). Look for the MINISTOP convenience store at the left side of the highway. Another reference point is ANDOK'S at the right side of the main highway. After alighting from the bus, cross the highway. Then at the left side of the MINISTOP, take a tricycle. Tell the driver to bring you to the house of UGU. The trip from MANILA to LUSACAN (TIAONG) is about 2 and a half  to 3 hours. Then about 5 minutes ride at the tricycle.