"I'm in looove!" a good friend gushed one afternoon after a suitor of hers brought her to Caleruega (watch the Clipcast video here) I could only marvel at how much she softened towards him after that trip. The retreat haven must've really worked wonders, and the guy knew it. It helps to know some good places when wooing a woman, huh? But if its sense of serenity works on girls, the same is probably true for guys.

As we drove up to Caleruega that early morning for a weekend hiatus, the mist enfolded the greens like they always do. After peeling off from the Makati financial district, the tree-lined Southern Luzon Expressway itself gives travelers a visual treat. About half an hour into the drive, cars and vans filled with urbanites formed beelines into the Sta. Rosa tollgate. Weekenders out to recharge early with a dose of fresh air, I reckoned.

Waving hands of corn and fruit vendors on the roadside set against factories that line the highway remind travelers about the rustic, pastoral life in much of the country--as well as its push for modernization.

After about an hour of a leisurely drive came into view the breath-taking scenery from the mountain ridge surrounding Taal, the world’s smallest active volcano. The ridge is called Tagaytay, one signature charm of which is its being a splendid backdrop to many tourists’ haunts. But that’s not all there is to this mountain resort city. It’s actually a gateway to something more exotic--a spiritual haven with an abundance of fabulous food, a place to commune with nature and buy locally-grown fruits, honey, flowers and plants.

Any visitor taking a closer look would realize they literally stand over a lush tropical rainforest that surrounds the lake-within-volcano’s-crater-within-a-lake, and the mists from nearby provinces Laguna and Batangas. Nature’s wonders are a daily reality here.

The mountaintop view is just a bonus to something more sublime, a spiritual-cum-gastronomic retreat, although that may sound a little contradictory. But if we must know, the religious orders consider food preparation as a kind of prayer.

Speaking of which, one such order, the Dominicans, has built a home for pilgrimage just a few kilometers down from the Tagaytay proper, on the way to Nasugbu. Perched on top of a hill, it is called Caleruega, a “home amidst the beauty of nature where pilgrims are open to prayer, to creative transformation, to Gospel values.”

Those who have seen much of the world would find in it a real respite from the thousands of internal conversations going on inside their heads. It’s where pilgrims open themselves to prayer and reflection on the values that differentiate us from animals. But for regular weekend getaway seekers like us, the place is worth more than its entrance fee of twenty pesos.

As we approached a quiet green corner with a great view of the Batangas countryside, who should we see sitting by himself on a bench but Bo Sanchez! He is one of the Philippines’ most popular Catholic charismatic community leaders. We dared break his moment of introspection for a little chit-chat, to which he graciously obliged. We caught him during a break from a retreat he was giving in one of Caleruega’s conference halls (Veritas Hall or Gazekubo).

A walk through the complex showed rows of flower-decked pathways, brick-lined trails and magnificent vistas of farmlands beneath, which are nothing less than inspiring.

Caleruega has, besides conference rooms, the Refectory Hall, a 180-capacity dining hall; the Tuktok Snacks Bar and the Plaza de Aza, an elevated snack bar with view deck; dormitories called Catalina Hall and Tomasino Hall; cottages (twin occupancy, three in one, family rooms, hermitage cottages called Pahingalayan and Fra Angelico); and a campsite called Kampo Arriba. Also, you can’t go there and miss the 150-seater Transfiguration Chapel, which has been seen in many movies.

Interestingly, this family-friendly place encourages and supports organic farming, alternative medicine, sustainable development and use of our resources and everything good about the Filipino, values included. The Dominicans seem successful in providing “an atmosphere conducive to prayer, reflection, personal conversion, and faith sharing.”

It is one perfect hideaway for retreats, recollections, prayer and renewal workshops, study, research, youth camps, marriage and family encounters, and other activities like trainings, seminars and workshops. Or, just to fall in love--which is exactly what happened to that friend of mine, who gave her “yes” not long after their Caleruega visit. I read that many other lovers who set foot in that place have gone back to get married. As a matter of fact, it is already booked for weddings until early next year.

The rest of the world would certainly be privileged to set foot on this blessed piece of our side of the earth. For now, Caleruega remains tierra incognita (it is, after all, not so easy to get to and is some ways away from the highway) but surely it is right on the map of God’s divine landscape.

Caleruega is in Brgy. Kaylaway, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas. You may contact Ms. Jackie, Ms. Melda or Ms. Cristalle at (0921)270-9890 or (0916)718-5679 for inquiries.