IRRI Rice World Museum

The IRRI Rice world Museum and Learning Center is located inside the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Riceworld showcase the historical, cultural and technological information of rice.

The exhibits highlight the old technology used in farming rice, the science behind the production of rice and the cultural aspect of rice as a crop for the rice farmers in the Philippines.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) also houses the International Rice Genebank and also the home of different agricultural research and science laboratories dedicated to rice and agriculture. IRRI is located in the UPLB Campus in Los Baños, Laguna. It also gives a great view of the ricefields and different mountains in Laguna.


After the tour of the museum, you can also enjoy sumptuous food inside the IRRI Main Cafeteria or enjoy snacks and coffee in IRRI Coffe Shop – BeanHub.

Famous Places in Los Baños, Laguna

Los Baños in Laguna is famous for UPLB Campus, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the dormant Mount Makiling and resorts and hot springs.

Mount Makiling

Mount Makiling is a dormant stratovolcano in the boundaries of Laguna and Batangas. It is a scenic view while driving on South Luzon Expressway. It is known as the first national park in the Philippines and was declared ASEAN Heritage Park in 2013 as Mount Makiling Forest Reserve. It also famous for mountain climbing having two trails, one is the UPLB trail and the other one is the Maktrav trail which starts in Santo Tomas, Batangas.

UPLB Campus

Aside from the different buildings for academic study and research and administration, the campus is famous for the UPLB Freedom Park, fertility tree, Jamboree and the Boyscout of the Philippines Camp Ground and the Makiling Forest Reserve with the famous Makiling spring.

Hot Springs and Laguna Lake

On the coast of Laguna lake are some private resorts and hot springs. I went to Splash Mountain resort for a group tour. I also stayed in the City of Springs in Brgay Baybayin and I enjoyed the view of Laguna Lake. Other famous spring resorts are Al Fresco, Laresio Lakeside Resort and 88 Hotspring.

Catholic Churches

There are three parishes in Los Baños that I have seen, first is the Roman Catholic Parish of San Antonio de Padua in Lopez Avenue towards the campus. Second is the Diocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus inside UPLB Campus near the main gate. Another one is in town which is the Immaculate of Concepcion Parish Church.

Restaurants in Los Baños

I stayed for almost 10 months in Los Baños for work and stayed at an apartment near the University of the Philippines Los Baños Campus. I enjoyed the different restaurants inside and outside the campus, especially near the vicinity of the campus.
My favorite restaurants are:
1. Bonito Bar and Restaurant
2. Venice Italian Restaurant/La Gondola Veneziana
3. Mio Cucina
4. Faustina’s
5. Gastronomeats
6. Infusion Gourmet Café and Deli
7. Joe’s
8. Auntie Pearls’ Pizza
9. Entablado
10. IC’s Bar and Grill

I also love the Ginhawa Craft Studio Cafe inside UPLB.

Lake Caliraya and Lumot Lake in Laguna

There are two lakes in the Lumban – Caliraya – Cavinti Road in Laguna. The lakes give a panoramic view of the mountains of Mount Banahaw and Mount San Cristobal which is in the boundary of Laguna – Quezon.

Lake Caliraya

Caliraya Lake is a man-made lake in the municipalities of Lumban, Cavinti and Kalayaan. It is served as a large water reservoir for generating hydroelectric power in Southern Luzon.

In early 2000, Lake Caliraya became famous for high-end vacation homes and resorts for the rich and famous. Different resorts surround the lake which offers different watersports activities.

Caliraya Recreation Center

It is the first Christian family resort in Asia which started in 1980s. The property is 7.6 hectares of landscapes and scenery with a 3-level hotel overlooking the lake. It is a good camping site and also a place for gatherings and events such as team building and wedding venues.

Lumot Lake

Lumot Lake or Lumot Mahipon Lake also called Sierra Lake is also a manmade lake in Cavinti, Laguna. It is separated from the much developed Caliraya Lake by penstocks or long channel pipes. It was an auxiliary water reservoir in Caliraya lake as part of the Kalayaan Hydroelectric Powerplant.
It has become a popular destination for watersports and glamping sites.

When we were younger, it was a destination for my cousins who loves to go fishing. My older cousins from Lucban would go there to fish and they also taught us how to fish using a fishing rod made of bamboo.

Restaurants in Tagaytay

After going to the popular destinations in Tagaytay, where should we eat in Tagaytay?  What are the best restaurants in Tagaytay? I’m not sure how many times I’d been to Tagaytay, but here’s the list of famous restaurants in Tagaytay.

1. Mahogany Market and Bulaluhan
2. Balinsasayaw in 7180 aguinaldo Highway
3. Breakfast at Antonio’s in Aguinaldo Highway, Bagong Tubig, Tagaytay City
4. Bag of Beans Summit Ridge 115 Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City
5. Bag of Beans Charito

6. Josephine’s Aguinaldo Highway
7. RSM Lutong Bahay
Aguinaldo Highway
8. Steaktown in The Lake District

9. Leslie’s
10. Carlo’s Pizza One Destination, Aguinaldo Highway

11. Diner’s Bulalo