Weekend escape in Antipolo - Balai Tawhay

I just wanted to share some photos from a weekend escape as we belatedly celebrated the 9th birthday of our daughter. We rented Balai Tawhay in Grand Heights Subdivision in Antipolo City. It is practically a stone's throw away from Pinto Art Museum. It is actually across from our home at the other side of the narrow valley split by a creek. Balai translates to house or home while Tawhay translates to tranquility, peace or relaxation depending on the language or dialect. I know though that the 'tawhay' here is from the Hiligaynon or Ilonggo as many refer to the language. It is the mother tongue of my father though Tatay speaks the dialect that is Kiniray-a.

An image of Our Lady looking towards the splendid view of the trees outside

Outdoors is a pool and jacuzzi. The jacuzzi is heated so it's perfect if you just want a relaxing dip.

The living, dining and kitchen area is open and spacious. We hosted 30 people yesterday, including family and friends from our daughter's school.

There's a garden with a fire pit where people can gather or children can play around the area.

There's a common area between the rooms where people can hang out to chill. I like the old chairs and the vintage decor and accents our friends placed here.

The solihiya chairs are comfy.

Waiting for spring - while the surrounding areas are still lush with evergreen trees and other flora, the larger trees like this fire tree are still in hibernation.

We can see the Balai Tawhay from our home and during the springtime, it is part of what seems to be a mountain on fire with the fire trees in full bloom. For now they seem to be asleep though I could see the young leaves starting to come out. Various birds fly around and perch on the trees. While there, we saw kingfishers, sparrows and crows. The wife said she spotted an eagle on one of the fire trees. You can also see squirrels scampering about and jumping from tree to tree.

Balai Tawhay's owners are friends from way back. They are my kababata or childhood friends in Cainta. Their parents are long time friends of my parents (our Tatays are both from Iloilo and played tennis on weekends when we were younger). I'm looking forward to just go there again maybe for a more relaxed time with family.

-