10 things to do in Los Baños in 24 hours

I was born in Manila and have lived most of my life in the big city. In the past, whenever I traveled outside Manila and to the so-called "province", I couldn’t seem to take it for more than two weeks. I was a full-time city girl, or so I thought. That is, before I went to study at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños. Four years ago, nature was just an inanimate object I did not really pay attention to. Leaves of grass were no different from little figurines. Walking for just a few meters was already tiring, and yes, even Manila air was already good enough for me. A year in Los Baños changed everything. Running around campus, playing in the Freedom Park, taking a walk between classes, and bathing in the hot springs made me realize the beauty of a laid-back lifestyle. Here’s how to fall in love with Los Baños in 24 hours. 1. National Arts Center

If one image could encapsulate Los Baños, it would be the view from the National Arts Center. Looking down from the circular open-air theater Tanghalang Maria Makiling on top of a plateau, you’ll see a panorama of the town right down to a small crater on the edge of Laguna de Bay, popularly known as “The Crocodile Lake." The sprawling government compound also boasts of St. Marc’s Chapel, designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin. It is the home of the Philippine High School for the Arts, an institution created for gifted young scholars from all over the country. 2. Mount Makiling 4 am. That’s the perfect time to head to Mt. Makiling, the legendary mother mountain of Laguna. The trail begins at the UPLB College of Forestry, past the lower campus. Climb up to one of Mt. Makiling’s two peaks, and get to know the endemic plant life. Among the popular destinations on the mountain are the Mud Springs and Flat Rocks. Words of advice to the adventure lover who doesn't want to get lost: Get a guide. 3. Boston Cafe If you like your snacks with a Los Baños flavor, head to one of the Caldi Group’s cafes. There’s Boston Grove, a homey brasserie beside LB square; One Caldi, a bistro near the UPLB Gate; and Boston Cafe, a coffee shop inside Robinson’s. Must try: ELBIccino. 4. Elbi Proven at Raymundo Gate Students, professors, and locals queue up for street food at Raymundo Gate. Dogs roam the area and the line can get long, but if you’re going to have street food in Los Baños, this is the place to go. A generation-old stall in Raymundo, Elbi Proven makes no compromise to finicky diners who are in a hurry, so be prepared to wait and fall in line. Don’t worry, every minute is worth it. If you have a hard time looking for it, just ask anyone around: The humble place is pretty popular. 5. Dal Cielo If you’re craving inspired cuisine from the colonial era, make sure to visit Dal Cielo. Must tries are their Cream Puffs and Paella. 6. IRRI Riceworld The place has the world’s most comprehensive collection of technical literature on rice in more than 80 languages, and the largest museum on rice artifacts. The problem is, hardly anyone goes inside. Just so you know, their resto even used to offer unlimited rice for 10 pesos. 7. LB Square With its candle-lit atmosphere and bare light bulbs, Los Baños is far from being an all-nighter. There is one area, however, that wakes up at 6 pm and stays awake until the wee hours of the morning: LB Square. It’s got international cuisine, affordable alcohol, and all-night karaoke. 8. The Orient Buko Pie You have to be patient with the long queues, but then again, what’s Los Baños without Buko Pie? 9. University of the Philippines Los Baños The largest university in the Philippines in land area gives proletarians the perfect relief from restricted, confined spaces through immersion in nature’s very own playground. Around the area are remarkable pieces of art, built and crafted by the nation’s finest. The grandeur of Leandro V. Locsin’s architectural vision can be seen at the DL Umali Auditorium, UPLB Main Library, Jose Rizal Carillon, and Student Union Building. It’s worth the walk. 10. Fertility Tree Before you leave, don’t forget to lie down under this famous tree. You never know -- you might just be bringing something else, other than an ‘instant’ baby. - YA/HS, GMA News