Lost in the Calm of Mangantila

Hey, Hive friends! Hope you’re all having a good day. I just wanted to share our visit to Mangantila.

Sometimes, you don’t have to travel far to feel like you’ve gone somewhere a little special. That’s exactly how it felt when we visited Mangantila in Baras, Rizal — a quiet spot where time seems to slow down for a bit.

When we entered, the first thing that caught my attention was the long road lined with tall mahogany trees. They stood on both sides, their branches forming this natural tunnel of green. It’s the kind of road that makes you want to slow down, breathe deeply, and take a few photos because everything just looks so calm and fresh.

Following the path inside, it leads to their lovely garden filled with colorful blooms and native huts where you can sit and dine instead of the café or restaurant. The huts are simple, made of bamboo and nipa, surrounded by plants that make the whole place feel cozy and close to nature.

We also found another spot near the garden — a circular wooden frame made of twigs and vines that’s great for picture taking. It fits perfectly with the natural surroundings and makes a lovely photo backdrop.

If you keep walking a little more and you’ll see bamboo paths and small bridges. Once you’re on the bridge, you can see the beauty of Laguna Lake and the mountains in the distance.

Along the bridge, there’s also a cute heart-shaped spot made of bamboo and flowers where you can sit and pose for pictures. It’s a nice touch that adds a bit of charm to the place — perfect for capturing memories with the lake in the background.

We chose to eat at the restaurant café, the one overlooking the lake. The place had this open space, wooden tables, woven lights hanging from the ceiling, and a nice view of the water and mountains in the background.

We ordered a mix of Filipino favorites — Pancit Canton, Gising-gising, Sizzling Sisig, crispy fried fish, and lemonade. Everything came out hot and freshly cooked. The flavors were just good, especially when shared with family.

You can also ask the restaurant where you’ll be eating to validate your receipt so your parking fee will be waived. Otherwise, if you’re just there to look around or take photos, there’s an entrance fee of ₱30 per person.

They also have a floating restaurant that heads out at certain times of the day, depending on how many diners they can take. We saw, just floating calmly while anchored on the water.

As the day got darker, the lights around the place started coming on. The ‘Mangantila’ sign by the garden lit up and reflected on the bamboo bridge. It looked nice and simple.

By the time we left, I realized this place isn’t just about the view or the food. It just makes you slow down and notice the simple things. Mangantila is one of those spots where you don’t feel the need to rush.

Thanks for reading and hanging out with me.