#balayko

“Diin ka?” “Ari ko sa BalayKo.”

Very creative isn’t it? The place’s name is also a major pun! This is the kind of vibe that BalayKo wants everyone to feel.

BalayKo is a family-owned private space constructed as a summer vacation go-to situated at Prk. Paglaum, Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, Philippines.

“At first, it was just a small bungalow with a small open kitchen. But over the past years, it has been renovated to cater the increasing number of family members and friends who want to visit and stay at the place.”

It is a perfect venue to spend an exclusive time for yourself, your family, and even with your friends. Also, it is strategically located near Kanlandog Mountain, Mambukal Resort, and Don Bosco Retreat Center which gives you plenty of options on what more you can do and where else you can go.

The scenic view, the tranquil ambiance, and the cozy temperature are just some of the reasons why the family has finally decided to open this hideaway to the public.

The BalayKo Experience

Day 1

Last August 27, 2016, my friends and I went to BalayKo to spend our two-day off from work. There were nine of us. We left Bacolod City at 9:30 in morning. Here are the ways on how to get there:

via private vehicle

From Bacolod City to Murcia – 25 mins.

From Murcia town proper to BalayKo – 30 mins.

via public transport 

Libertad Jeep Terminal, Bacolod City to Murcia via Bacolod-Mambucal Jeepney – around 1 hr. and 30 mins.

Base fare for the jeepney is P 30.00 but it may vary. You can also ask the driver to bring you directly to BalayKo; just add an extra payment.

Then we arrived at BalayKo just in time to prepare for our lunch; but the moment we stepped inside of the gate, we were so amazed as to how lush the plants and trees were – the reason why the air was so darn cold and fresh.

The whole place was built on a side of a hill and is divided into three sections:

The main house is a two-storey building which is made from bamboo trunks and nipa. 1st floor: living room, dining area, and small kitchen. Basement: stockroom, bedroom, and restroom.

A few steps away from the main house is the kitchen where you can use all the things that you will need to cook.

And a few steps down the stairs, you will see a pavilion where you can dine, drink, play music, have a good conversation, or even play cards or other games. There is also another comfort room near it.

So after appreciating the view and taking some pictures, we headed right away to cooking, eating lunch, and doing our regular siestas. It is without a doubt that this place is just too good to be true.

It was around 3 pm when we started our drinking session. As early as it may seem but I’m pretty sure it’s 6:00 pm somewhere around the Earth. *laughs* Most of my friends are good in music so they took out their guitars… played music… and just sang their hearts out while enjoying nature at its best.

Here are more photos I compiled in a video for you to check out.

“Paradise is not a place, it’s a state of mind.”

But before all that drinking began, we decided to head to the Don Bosco Retreat Center first to check it out. It’s a 10-minute walk from the house. It is a Renewal Center for individual, family, groups, schools and corporate institutions. This is being run by the Salesians of Don Bosco - South (FIS). 

While going inside, here’s what you will see:

A whole lot of birds you have never seen in the city and gigantic trees covered in thick fog. Going there would take approximately 10 minutes from BalayKo.

And inside the Retreat Center, there is a small football field, a fountain, and of course the center itself where we got to meet some of the priests and other people who work there.

Then there’s also an area where you can see the beautiful view of the mountains which then will be eventually covered with fog during the afternoon.

We were in awe as to how the fog devours the whole area. It’s a full whiteout! So much for the picture-taking and the long conversations… let’s go back.

“Many happy dinners… happened here.”

We’re back at BalayKo to have dinner and do all the drinking and cheering! Aside from our two-day off from work, this trip also happens to be a post-birthday celebration of one of our friends, Ping – who btw, prepared all the sumptuous meals that we ate throughout our whole stay.

“I will no longer post pictures and tell stories of what we did and what happened during that night but all I can remember is that we did crazy things. Crazy!”

Day 2

August 28, 2016

We all woke up late.

We surely kept it going that night and the morning after – hangover.

While most were still sleeping, others were cleaning up and preparing the meals for the day. But I, together with Fran and Emee, decided to do something spontaneous. The inner adventure-seeker in us finally came out of the spotlight, hence, Kanlandog Mountain.

We didn’t really climb up to the mountain or go to its peak but there’s this one area where you can see the mountain’s picturesque attraction. The trail going there is kind of muddy and steep and may be challenging for beginners but it will be all worth it once you are there.

“Well as for me, it was a slippery 20-minute hike just to see its beauty. Like what I have said, it was all worth it after seeing the scenery on top of an unfinished house turned into a viewing deck ruins. I hope I can go back there to sun bathe.”

Going down the trail was easier. It took us a lesser amount of time to head back home.

Back at BalayKo – to eat, clean, and pack up as we are on our way back to the City of Smiles. That’s it!

Time surely flies fast when you’re having fun. What we had at BalayKo will surely be remembered as it brought as closer as a group. I think what made it special is that the place has a homey feel in it. Plus nature, of course.

The interaction among us was immense! Now that’s what made it fun! I am sure that you’ll have your own memory once you get to have an overnight stay in this amazing place.

If you’d also like to experience what we did – what I personally did, you can contact this number 0936 300 138 and look for Ms. Jiji. The place has just been opened to the public and it’s new and improved. I am sure that you will have a whole lot of happy memories with your family and friends here.

Here’s our 3:00 pm session snap at the pavilion.