By Alex Amansec
Photos by Ritche Amansec

REVPAL RIDE Motorists Ritche Amansec and JF Lopez pose for a selfie along the Revpal route to Tagaytay

Halina’t lalarga na (Come! We’re going!) Whether you own a big bike or a scooter, there’s so much more to feel beyond the winding dashes along major expressway traffic and the urban crawls in your local community. Experience freedom riding on two wheels and enjoy the mountainous terrain as we tour you down a route and a few stopovers for a food trip in places south of the capital, one free of tolls and can be explored in under a day by any rider with wanderlust for a motorcycle adventure.

Starting point: Nuvali Boulevard
Every journey has to begin somewhere. Solo riders or a group of them can consider the Nuvali Boulevard in Santa Rosa, Laguna as the starting line. In the morning (we recommend around 6 or 6:30 a.m.), as it’s always best to have the leisure of the whole day to complete the planned route.

First stop: Revpal
The Revpal route, short for reverse palace, may offer a bit of a challenge right off the bat as you face an inclined road that cuts through Silang, Cavite. Still, with no tolls to pay, you can expect to enjoy the nice, cold breeze on your way up and, if you are lucky, catch the billowing fog to mystify any ride at dawn. With the famous Palace in the Sky at the top as the end point, you’re sure to be rewarded with a fantastic view of Tagaytay’s scenery and another uncommon view being atop Tagaytay Highlands, but only if you know where to look.

Second stop: RM Bulaluhan
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and you can’t go wrong with bulalo any time of day! After a bit of picture-taking and selfies at Revpal, RM Bulaluhan is the best place to stop over to grab some grub. The restaurant has outdoor tables sheltered in traditional Filipino kubos where you can dig into a hearty, steaming bowl of Bulalo in the cool hillside air. Other must-trys include the tapsilog and breaded tawilis. Be ready to shell out around ₱200 to ₱250 per meal.

Third stop: Embrace Café Tagaytay
Just 25 minutes further along the Tagaytay-Calamba Road is a quiet café that is definitely worth checking out. Away from the commonly-visited Tagaytay cafés, Embrace Café is a well-kept place that has both a fancy and peaceful feel. It even has PWD servers, a chance for you to support a business that gives career opportunities to the PWD community. Besides good coffee and pastry, the café also offers full meals, pizza, and pasta. Food prices range from ₱250 to ₱500. After eating, you can take a quick detour down to Talisay for some quick pics by the shore of Taal lake!

Fourth stop: Kuya’s Lomi Haus and Binalot
A little farther away now is Kuya’s Lomi Haus and Binalot, a small karinderiya that sells great-tasting roadside food for cheap. With meals that start at only ₱65, we recommend for you to try out their pork sisig, beef pares, and wash it down with a chilled soft drink, all for less than ₱300! This place is a good point to relax and gear up before traversing the newly-built roads up next.

ROADSIDE MEAL Sisig and Beef Pares, served with a cool bottle of Mountain Dew at Kuya's Lomi Haus and Binalot

Fifth stop: Cavite to Nasugbu Mountain Ranges
With a route that has a total distance of 30 kilometers, there are many stops you can make here to appreciate the magnificence of the multiple mountains you will pass, among which are Mount Marami, Mount Mataas na Gulod, and Mount Pico de Loro. The new roads traverse from Cavite to Nasugbu that offer lots of points for amazing views and unmissable opportunities for picture-taking. Just know that there are no gas stations on the route from Maragondon to Nasugbu, so make sure your gas tank is filled up. Some stops you can make are at the BSFCAI NGP Campground, the East-West Road View Deck, and the well-known Kaybiang Tunnel.

Last Stop: Mountain Brew Coffee Shop
On your way down from the mountains is the Mountain Brew Coffee Shop. It’s a good place to wind down and end the journey in the afternoon. It gives you access to not just good brews, but great views! Fill up your energy tank again with some good iced coffee for only ₱165 along with sandwiches or a full breakfast meal that ranges from ₱160 to ₱250. As you head back to your daily routine, keep with you the thrill of the open road, the high of the mountains, and the free spirit of your adventure—until the next one!