JE Camp Hotel and Resort: Erap’s Tanay Rest House

Former President Joseph Estrada is the first Philippine President to be impeached in 2001 by the Senate because of the corruption charges and other controversies he was involved with during the time of his presidency. In 2007, he was sentenced to reclusion perpetua by the Sandiganbayan after finding him guilty of the plunder case filed against him. But he didn’t go to Bilibid because of an executive clemency signed by his successor on the same year. He didn’t go to prison either during his lengthy trial; instead he was put under house arrest in his private rest house in the mountainous Tanay, Rizal.

I’ve always been curious where the 13^th Philippine President was detained, so one day I decided to pay a visit.

The 25-hectare private rest house, which used to accept only family and close friends of the Estrada family, is now the JE Camp Hotel and Resort (named after the initials of the President) and open to the public with a minimum fee of P150.

Guests can tour the whole place via the resort’s electronic tram.

The serene Fishing Village has a freshwater lagoon where one could fish for tilapias or simply just meditate.

The museum, library and archives serve as the repository of his book collection, awards and memorabilia as an actor and politician.

The El Ray which looks like an authentic saloon from the Old West pays tribute to the special friendship of the President and the late FPJ. I love the colorful and positive vibe of this place.

The Maranaw Village showcases the art and culture of Mindanao.

The hotel has 14 rooms that could accommodate families and large groups. Just a stone’s throw away from it is a beautiful swimming pool surrounded by trees and with hypnotizing deep blue waters.

The Rancho Jota and mini zoo shows how the President loves animals, particularly horses and ostrich.

The Executive House has a sun deck and balcony overlooking a lovely pond. Ang sarap magmuni-muni dito.

The Estrada Mansion, which is off-limits to the public, served as the prison cell of the President.

I enjoyed spending a day inside JE Camp. It was a breath of fresh air literally, knowing the life of the President and exploring this once controversial place that is now part of Philippine history. And I realized, at some point, different people may live in the same kind of hell. Except that the President’s hell during his incarceration, has an aircon and a pool.

JE Camp Hotel and Resort

Marcos Highway, Brgy. Sampaloc

Tanay, Rizal

Tel. No.: 572-1640

The Curator, Makati

The less you care, the happier you’ll be.

Espresso with milk

Croque monsieur

Apple pie French toast

Burning green

The Curator

#134 Legazpi St. cor C. Palanca St.

Makati City

Tel. No.: 0917-5859005

Rapha Valley: Your Destiny to Healing

Those who believe that only time can heal a broken heart, have perhaps never eaten chocolates or been to Rapha Valley.

Inspired from the Hebrew term rapha which means “to heal”, Rapha Valley is a rolling seven-hectare organic vegetable farm and a rustic bed and breakfast place located in the highlands of Don Salvador Benedicto, the summer capital of Negros Occidental. It is a sanctuary offering wellness program, agricultural tours, and organic food for those who want to momentarily get away from the city and experience a simple and healthy lifestyle. One of the farm owners, Dr. Jo Albert is actually a medical doctor by profession but a chef, and health and wellness advocate at heart.   

Rapha Valley is special in many ways, promising three things: relaxation, rejuvenation and healing.

The Santol House, one of the earliest physical structures of the farm, was built from old santol trees that have outlived its fruit bearing days. Even its furniture and decors, including its ceiling and foundations were carved and designed from the tree.

The events hall or big tent, where the kitchen is also located, serves as the dining area for those who avail the agricultural tour. Food being served is cooked in clay pots, the old fashioned way, and never in aluminum pots and pans. There are studies showing that food is healthier and tastes better when cooked in earthenware.

Rapha Café, a farm to table restaurant, serves food directly from their vast farm and garden. They serve organic food, with no oil, msg, sugar and unhealthy additions.

Lemongrass juice, a good body cleanser

Herbed and flower salad with honey mustard dressing

Tofu cheese and ginger cookie

Penne in salsa verde or creamy sauce of lentils and herbs

The award winning guilt-free chicken adobo

Chocolate lava cake with stevia leaves as natural sweetener

Dr. Albert usually goes from table to table cheerfully providing mini lectures on healthy living and the health benefits of his food creation. He usually warns diners to stay away from French fries, sodas, beers and other processed and microwaved food; encourages them to eat raw fruits and vegetables as much as possible and to detoxify at least four times a year. He even shared the ingredients to his natural cleanser which should be drank three times a day for three days, without consuming anything – a mixture of 4 litres of water mixed with juice squeezed from 20 pcs. of calamansi, 2 tbsp. of black strap molasses and 1 tbsp. of cayenne powder or sili labuyo.

For those who intend to stay overnight and commune longer with nature, there are homey casitas or cuartos to choose from complete with the bed and breakfast service.

An expedition walk around Rapha Valley is invigorating and at the same time, educational.

There are so many things I discovered from my brief sojourn at Rapha Valley. But I guess one of the important lessons I learned from Dr. Albert is having the courage to fulfill your own dreams. He never really wanted to be a doctor. He just finished his medical degree to fulfill his parents’ wish. And after that, he pursued his life-long dream of being a chef and a health advocate by opening Negros’ very own Sweet Valley High.

Rapha Valley

Brgy. Kumaliskis, Don Salvador Benedicto

Negros Occidental

Tel Nos.: 0939-5029088, 0910-7042023