BEST TOURISM ESTABLISHMENTS AWARDED

The 2008 winners for the 11^th Search for the Best Tourism Establishments in the province of Laguna were once again recognized and given citations as the province celebrates the 5^th weeklong AniLag or Ani ng Laguna Festival which started formally last Monday, March 9, 2009 at the Provincial Capitol Compound in the capital town Sta. Cruz. The winners were conferred with the awards last Friday, March 13, 2009 during the fifth night of the festivity at the Festival Stage in front of the New Capitol along P. Guevarra Avenue in Sta. Cruz.

As a province known for its tourist and scenic spots, the Provincial Government headed by Gov. Teresita “Ningning” S. Lazaro thru the Provincial Tourism Office has conceptualized a search or competition among various tourism establishments in the whole province. Now on its 11^th year, the Search has become a barometer or benchmark for local establishments in drawing and attracting tourists traveling to Laguna and nearby areas.

Currently, there are four categories for the Search such as Best Resort, Best Hotel, Best Restaurant, and Best Gasoline Station. The winners for Best Resort are Splash Mountain Resort of Los Baños, 1^st place; Maria Paz Royale Garden Resort of San Pablo City, 2^nd place; and Montreal Garden Resort of Pila, 3^rd place. For Best Hotel, the winners are Techno-Park Hotel of Sta. Rosa City, 1^st place; Splash Mountain Oasis Hotel of Los Baños, 2^nd place; and Trace Suites, also of Los Baños, 3^rd place. The Best Restaurants are as follows; Palmera’s Garden Restaurant of San Pablo City, 1^st place; RSM Lutong Bahay Seafoods Garden Restaurant of Calamba City, 2^nd place; and Katrina & Grace Bulalo & Seafood Restaurant, also of Calamba, 3^rd place. For the Best Gasoline Station, the winners are; RLA Petron Service Station of Biñan, 1^st place; Exact Petroleum (Total) Service Station of San Pablo City , 2^nd place; and Chevron Services Philippines, Inc. of Sta. Rosa City, 3^rd place.

Hall of Famers on the other hand include Villa Gregoria Terrace Resort of Nagcarlan for the Resort Category, and Rose and Grace Restaurant of Sta. Rosa City for the Restaurant Catergory. (Cris Sanji)