If you have no more happiness to give, give me your pains

Antipolo Beehouse and Burrow Café

A burrow is a tunnel or hole that an animal (like rabbit or mole) digs for habitation or as a temporary refuge. This was the inspiration of Burrow Café, a quaint underground coffee shop and restaurant of couple Vitty and Marie Gutierrez (artisan builder and professional calligrapher, respectively). The hidden haven is accessible via 76 steps down from the main entrance.

The café is part of their beautiful and rustic Antipolo home (which is also a creative and event’s space) they christened “Beehouse”. They named it after the nesting bees they found within their vast and verdant property during the time they were settling in. Fascinatingly, the Beehouse was designed and built by Vitty with the help of Marie and their three lovely daughters. Vitty grew up in the mountains of Antipolo where his playgrounds consisted of forested hills and the Tungtong River. As a young boy, he already possess an extraordinary skill of creating and inventing toys and things using whatever materials are available. His passion to create brought him to Australia where he pursued a degree and profession in mechanical engineering. Despite a promising career, he decided to leave the corporate world behind, returned to his hometown and pursued what he loves the most – building structures that are unique and beautiful. To date, the Beehouse and Burrow Café are his magnum opus.

Burrow has been named by several online food magazines as one of the most romantic, secret dining places in Antipolo. I couldn’t agree more, as the interiors truly mirror the untouched beauty of its surroundings. One also needs to pre-book days ahead to secure their much coveted window-seat table (with lush greeneries as backdrop). It was Halloween during my first visit.  I had to wake up as early as 4 in the morning so I could be at the café by 7 am and momentarily enjoy the peace and quiet. Promise by 9 am, almost all the table seats are taken.

While waiting for food, diners could drop by their retail area filled with all-natural items (such as raw honey, homemade body soaps and lotions, homewares, art works and dresses), admire their decorative stuff, or read children’s story books.

It may take a while for food to arrive, but they are mouth-watering and nicely plated. I had watermelon and kesong puti salad, bacon sausage eggs, salmon crabfat emulsion barley, crunchy suman ala mode, and café mocha. I particularly love their refreshing and healthy fresh salad.

After dining, it would be perfect to rest and lounge in one of their indoor hammocks. Children adore this recreational area.

On another occasion, I returned to Beehouse to witness their annual bazaar for a cause. Once a year, the Beehouse opens its doors to the public thru Artis-Artisan Bazaar. It was my first time to attend the one-day intimate event and sort of a marketplace for the sosyal, artitos, artitas, plantitos and plantitas. Now on its 5th year, the bazaar brings together artists and “artis-artisans” - those who are longtime artists alongside those who are just beginning their craft. It features local sellers, art demos, nature experiences, music, and yummy food and drinks by Burrow. I joined a free woodcarving workshop by Vitty (without realizing that he is The Vitty).  

While the bazaar is swarming with people, there are still some peaceful areas within the Beehouse that one could explore like the outdoor garden and the river.   

I love the soothing-to-the-soul and feast-for-the-senses architecture and ambiance of the Beehouse and Burrow.  Vitty was right when he said that “a home is not just a box that shelters us from the harsh environment, but a structure that creates excitement, allows us to experience, and protects our physical and emotional being.”

From Cubao, take Antipolo-bound FX or jeepney. In Antipolo, take Tikling-bound jeepney (or tricycle)  and get off at Beverly Hills Subdivision main gate. Then take another tricycle going to the Beehouse.

Antipolo Beehouse and Burrow Café

#113 Beverly Hills Ave., Beverly Hills Subd.

Antipolo City, Rizal

Tel. No.: 0917-6229795

Mt. Mapalad, Tanay, Rizal

Mountain trails in Tanay, Rizal are sprouting like mushrooms. Good news is most are for beginners.  So when in need of good cardio exercise, there’s plenty to choose from, particularly in Brgy. San Andres. One of which (and has more appeal to the millennials) is Mt. Mapalad.

The mountain stands at about 750+ meters above sea level (MASL) with a trail class of 1-3 and a difficulty level of 3/9. In short, di sya ganun kahirap. Depending on one’s pace, the summit can be reached in 2 to 3 hours. Its peak has two man-made giant wooden hand (palm) structures, serving as view decks (and photo-op area) with the backdrop of verdant Sierra Madre mountain ranges. The mountain was not named after these palms but rather after the plant “mapalad” which looks like the palm of a hand, and could be found in the area.

Coming from Cubao, I reached the jump-off point by commute, in about two hours. It was an early Sunday morning, and surprisingly wala masyadong tao, kasi yung mga naunang grupo na umakyat, madaling araw sila nagsimula. 

After registering and paying the environmental fee in the registration area, I was assigned a tour guide – Kuya Roberto.

My hike commenced at 8 in the morning. Medyo mainit na.

We took the shortcut route (initially flat land and finally with 2 assault trails), passing by fields, local houses, river streams, falls, and some camping sites and resorts. Bamboo trees are also abundant in the area. There are also sari-stores along the way. Kahit malapit sa summit, meron makakainan.  Hindi naman ganun ka physically-draining ang trail. The challenging part lang is the ascent; meron pa nga konting rappelling, which I found exciting.

After two hours I reached the summit. Good thing is kabababa lang halos ng lahat ng mga naunang grupo na umakyat so wala masyadong queue sa photo-ops sa dalawang palad. My guide told me na minsan daw blockbuster ang pila during weekend or long holiday break. There were times daw na inaabot ng tatlong oras sa summit, just so makapag-picture lang sa mga palad. Guess, I was lucky that day.

There are also resting areas and swings para doon sa gusto mag-picnic or mag-recharge before descent.  

Mt. Mapalad is a beginner-friendly and budget-friendly mountain to conquer. 

While enjoying the panoramic view, I can’t help but think “God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.”

From Cubao, take a Cogeo-bound jeepney. At Cogeo Public Market, take Sampaloc-bound jeepney and get off in Brgy. San Andres crossing. Take a tricycle to Mt. Mapalad jump-off point.