Bag-angan Farm Resort: Finding Serenity in Labo, Camarines Norte

It’s true that difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations, just what I’ve experienced going to Bag-angan Farm Resort in Labo, Camarines Norte.

From the main road of Barangay Guisican, we traveled for 4 kilometers via truck. All of us were on top of a truck while embarking on a bumpy ride towards the thick forest, with the view of the mountains.

You really have to hold on tight. During this kind of travels, you’ ll learn to appreciate the beauty of nature while letting go of everything, your fears and worries and just enjoy the moment.

After about 30 minutes of land travel, we arrived at this farm resort situated at the heart of the forest, surrounded by rice fields and with the awesome view of Mount Cadig.

This is Bag-angan Farm and Resort, one of the few farm resorts in the Bicol region. The property offers a back to basic lifestyle with no electricity and limited internet connection, perfect to unwind and disconnect from the stress of the city life.  The name Bag-angan comes from a type of grass that abounds in the area.

This is owned by Arnel Bacer, a former OFW and chef who decided to put up a farm instead of going back and working abroad. He’s a nice dude, always ready to serve with a smile when we first met him during our breakfast.

When I got a chance to talk to him, he said that the property started as a residence with a man-made pool for the family, until they realized that since there were a lot of people visiting their place, why don’t they transform it into a farm resort and open it to public?

Now the farm has 2 houses with two separate man-made pools with cottages and basketball court (not cemented). There’s a fish pond just beside the house, surrounded by rice field.

You have the choice to either relax while staying indoors or you can also experience outdoors, planting rice or trekking the nearby cave which we experienced after our breakfast.

The trek to Bag-angan Cave

Arnel and his team served us a delicious breakfast with vegetables and fish with some variety of meat. After that we just prepared our things and changed clothes for the trek.

The locals said that it would only take about 30 minutes.

But you know what we always experience as travelers, right? When the locals said that it’s just near or just a walk in the park kind of hiking, better not to believe them. LOL. I mean it’s not their fault if it’s just easy for them, but for us? It’s going to much harder. LOL. So it is important to always prepare for anything, to get down and dirty sometimes for adventure, which is also exciting.

We walked and walked passing through the rice field, thick forest and rivers. The river was the most challenging part because we had to balance ourselves by stepping onto slippery rocks.

At first, I thought we were just passing through some rivers, but at the latter part of the trek, I realized that we were actually following the river going to its farthest part into the forest.

I couldn’t remember the exact time it took us to arrive at the cave’s opening, but it was definitely not 30 minutes, much like an hour and a half perhaps. And another challenge for us, was after that tiring trek, we still need to explore the cave, right? LOL.

At that moment when Ms. Myrna of Provincial Tourism Office was giving us a background and briefing, I heard some of my fellow bloggers being disheartened to explore the cave. But after much conversations, convincing that “hey we’re already here. You can do it” kind of talk, we all decided to go inside.

I honestly thought it was going to be a chill one like what I’ve experienced in other places in the country a few years back, but I was wrong. There were parts that you really need to channel your inner balance and athleticism, that some of us have forgotten years ago. LOL. It was a fun adventure after all. I had to commend our guides, they were helpful and awesome.

inside the cave

Oh, shall I say that it was also my first experience be in a dark cave with hundreds (or maybe thousands) of bats flying around you, as if they will literally devour you at any moment. LOL. It was a nice first-time experience, a bucket list kind of achievement for me. LOL.

When we got out of the cave, we then rested for a while. Some of us couldn’t believe it, that after the exhaustion that they’ve experienced, we still need to trek going back which is another one hour or more of walking. Good thing that I used to climb mountains, so even though I am big, I can still manage this kind of trekking and adventure with nature.

The Bag-angan Resort Experience

When we got back at the resort, that’s the time that we’ve fully experienced all the resort has to offer.

First, we got to experience a sumptuous lunch prepared by Sir Arnel and his team. Then after that, we just talked, sharing our experiences from the trek as well as sharing about our lives. Remember that I might be easy to get along but it was actually the first time that I met most of them. It was like our own version of siesta but we did it while sharing life stories and experiences.

The dining area is just beside the main pool, and we saw our fellow bloggers there swimming and relaxing while we continue our conversation. The water from the pool comes from Mt. Cadig, so it’s cool and refreshing.

We stayed in a house with its own man-made pool. So while some freshened up, some were enjoying, killing time by the pool. The house can accommodate at least 6 persons. It has its own sala, kitchen and a nice bathroom.

On the second floor, that’s where the two beds can be found with extra bedding and mosquito nets. Since this is a farm in the middle of the forest and rice fields, there may be some insects and mosquitoes at night, so it is important to bring mosquito repellent and use mosquito nets while sleeping.

At night, the staff will also light the place with this called “sulo” to have that dramatic, rustic feel.  We had a quick drinking session that night before going to bed.

One of the best experiences in the resort happens in the morning, while sipping coffee with that cool weather and sunrise. We all prepared for another day of exploring more of Camarines Norte.

While some of my fellow travel bloggers were taking bath and all, I got the chance to roam around the place one last time and even had a nice chat with the owner Sir Arnel.

After talking about the usual topics about the resort like rates and amenities, he shared that he built the farm resort primarily because he wants to stay in Labo and he doesn’t want to leave again to work abroad. Arnel has worked as a chef of some hotels in Manila and abroad, and it just came to a point that he doesn’t want to leave Labo anymore, so he invested in building the farm. The farm makes him happy, and I think that’s the most important.

I realized that I enjoyed talking to people, who have the courage to take risk to achieve their dreams and the life that they want.

The gang. Photo Credit: HeyItsJacque

In a way his story resonates with me, I worked for years in the media, TV, radio and corporate world with a mindset that working your way up the corporate ladder in a reputable company is the ONLY way of life. Until that idea hit me hard, that getting old spending my time inside a cubicle is not really a life me. I pursued writing, blogging until taking the leap of faith by quitting my job to be a full-time travel writer.

We hopped on the same truck going back. We were filled with smiles as we took our last photo at the resort, and traveled to next destination which is Capalonga. Thank you Bag-angan Farm and Resort for that needed time to unwind, a chance for us a pause in the midst of our chaotic lives and reflect on what truly matters in life.

How to get to Bag-ngan Farm and Resort

Bag-angan Farm Resort is located in Labo, Camarines Norte.

From Manila

Ride a bus going from Manila to Daet (DLTB and Superlines etc.) and tell the bus driver to drop you off in front of Iglesia ni Cristo Church at Purok 5 Barangay Guisican in Labo, Camarines Norte.

Just across the road, there is a small karinderia or gotohan, that’s the waiting area for the visitors of the resort. You can ask around where’s the waiting area for the guests of Bag-angan Farm Resort. They know that. Usually Ate Aila, the sister of the resort’sowner Arnel Bacer, will accommodate you there.

A truck will pick you up going to the resort.

Note: Please be advised that you need to contact the resort beforehand if you wanted your group to be picked up by their truck. Below are the contact details.

Contact Number: 09165346351 (Arnel Bacer / Owner)
Get in touch with their Facebook Page here – Bag-angan Farm and Private Resort

From Daet

If you’re going there from Daet, the capital of Camarines Norte, just a ride a bus or van going to Sta. Elena. Advise the driver to drop you off at Purok 5, Barangay Guisican in Labo. The landmark is in front of Iglesia ni Cristo.

You can wait in the same waiting area as shared above and a truck will pick you up going to the resort. You also have the option to ride via the habal habal for 100 pesos.

Resort’s Rates

Day Tour Rate – Php 100 per person
Overnight Rate for Bahay Kubo – Php 3,000 good for 6 persons (Php 300 for additional person)
Food can be arranged for additional fee

Important Reminders:

1. This resort offers back to basics lifestyle so don’t expect any luxury that we have in the city. This is for those who wanted to relax and enjoy a simple life away from the stress of their city life. Bawal po maarte. Sorry na. LOL.
2. No electricity here. There are only gas lamps at night as well as the solar powered led light.
3. The resort is located at the foot of Mt. Cadig, where the fresh and clean water from the mountain can be experienced. In case you have a sensitive stomach, you can always bring your own bottled water. I can attest that the water flowing form the mountain is clean and fresh, I’ve tried drinking it, quenching my thirst and exhaustion while trekking going to the cave.
4. Limited Internet Connection. There are moments that I can see some signal from my phone but actually unable to receive and send messages. It is a perfect time to disconnect from social media for a while. Be sure that before going here, pleae advise your family that they won’t be able to contact you for a while. Okay?
5. Since there’s no electricity, don’t worry if they don’t have air-con. The cool breeze from the mountain and forest is more than enough.
6. The owner and the staff of the resort are very warm and accommodating, so please don’t try to abuse their kindness by demanding unreasonable requests. Remember, you’re in the middle of nowhere, so please wag maarte po. LOL
7. Always get in touch with the resort prior going there by calling Sir Arnel at 09165346351.

There you have it. I hope this blog post gave you the much needed information and experience to convince you to visit this place. If you’re exploring Camarines Norte, it is a must to experience Bag-angan Farm Resort.

Note: This trip was made possible through the Provincial Tourism Office of Camarines Norte in partnership with katooga.ph.

Thank you Sir Bong Palma (Provincial Tourism Officer of Camarines Norte), Ms. Myrna and Jovanie from Team Cam Norte Tourism and Sir Mike Zuniga of Katooga.ph

More Camarines Norte Blog Posts: 

• Calaguas Islad: The way to a paradise

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