Pililla, Rizal Adventures at Bulawan Floating Restaurant and the Scenic Wind Farm
Our plan for the day was to visit Pililla, Rizal, starting with lunch at one of its popular restaurants, Bulawan, and then head to the Wind Farm. However, even before our meal arrived, we realized our schedule might change. Bulawan not only serves great food but also offers a variety of activities that kept us entertained and hooked. Despite this, we still managed to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Wind Farm later that day.
Bulawan Floating Restaurant
Bulawan in the Visayan dialect means “gold” and that is where the name of the restaurant came from. The concept was born out of the idea of Joey and Nora Virrey who were both OFWs before they opened Bulawan in the late 1990’s. Since then, it has become one of the top restaurants in the province.
The place has a huge and secured parking area, and on the gate just before you enter the premises, you’ll see a big signage that makes the place so easy to find.
Bulawan restaurant have an indoor dining area and outdoor cottages surrounded by fish ponds. In there, they raise some fresh water fish like Tilapia and Catfish. The way they designed and built everything gives off the impression that you are on floating cottages and huts.
You can fish in their ponds and have them grill or cook whatever you catch. More about the activity below. Their menu has good sets of Filipino cuisine. We especially love their fresh seafood and mixed inihaw.
Activities at Bulawan
Fishing
Fishing rods made of bamboo are available to rent for free! There is no limit to the hours of use but you will have to pay for the bait (worms or feeds) for Php100. Frequent visitors of Bulawan bring their own fishing rods and spend their afternoons fishing. The place is peaceful and quiet, although the cottages where people dine in can get too busy, there are fishing spots far away from it where fish are undisturbed.
For first-timers we found the experience of fishing to be very relaxing. Fishing requires a lot of patience, but there is always excitement in it once you realize that you caught a fish and have to reel it in.
For parents, always keep an eye on your kids when they go fishing. The fish ponds are about 5 feet deep. There are no emergency staff monitoring the guests in the pond as we have observed, most of their staff are busy in the kitchen and serving at the restaurant.
Once you are done fishing, you have the option to purchase and take your catch home or you can have it cooked there too. Our catch which were mostly Tilapia cost Php180/kilo. Others were lucky to catch Guramis, Catfish and Carp.
Boating
From what we gather, boating is one of their recent additions to the activities in Bulawan. For Php100 you can rent their boats for an hour. It requires you to paddle though but if you are experienced and know how to swim, then it should be no problem for you. We didn’t try it because for non-swimmers it kind of looked unsafe.
How to Get There
Bulawan Floating Restaurant.
Address: Km. 59, Manila East Road, National Highway, Halayhayin, 1910 Pililla, Rizal
Restaurant hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 AM to 9 PM
Coming from Manila, you can take the bus going to Tanay or Antipolo. There are UV Express vans or FX with routes going to Tanay in SM Megamall, Starmall Mandaluyong, Araneta Center, and Alabang. Drop off at Tanay Public Market then from there you can take a tricycle going to Bulawan. Estimated fare is Php 300.
The restaurant is quite easy to locate. They have a big signage right out front and they are quite popular in the area.
Related: Cabangan, Zambales: Hidden Beach Gem for a Relaxing Getaway
Other Tips
- Bring cash. Bulawan does not yet have the facility for cashless transactions. You might be used to restaurants in Manila that are accepting credit/debit cards but here they still don’t. According to the staff, the nearest ATM is in the next town, in Tanay, which is about 4 kilometers away.
- Try their best sellers. One of the crowd favorites is their own version of the famous Halo-Halo, called the Knickerbocker. Their crabs cooked in gata is good too.
- Wear light, comfortable clothes. Bulawan restaurant is an open area. There are no air-conditioning in the cottages but there are electric fans available.
Pililla Wind Farm
Otherwise known as the Rizal Wind Farm in Pililla, it’s a popular eco-tourism destination, offering not just a scenic view of towering wind turbines but also a refreshing countryside experience. At the gates and on the actual wind mills you will see the word Alternergy, the operator. The wind farm consists of 27 wind turbines, each standing about 125 meters tall.
These turbines generate clean energy for nearby communities and help reduce the carbon footprint. Visitors are welcomed to take pictures with the majestic turbines and enjoy panoramic views of Laguna Lake and the surrounding landscapes.
They have visitor center that offers information about renewable energy and the wind farm’s operations. It has become a great spot for families, cyclists, and photography enthusiasts to spend their weekends at. The breezy environment makes it ideal for a peaceful stroll while marveling at the impressive clean energy technology.
Other Things to do around Pililla, Rizal
Regina Rica
Regina RICA is a pilgrimage site and a spiritual sanctuary located in Tanay, Rizal, just a short drive from Pililla. It’s known for the 71-foot tall statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which stands atop a hill, offering a tranquil environment for meditation and reflection. The expansive sanctuary also includes a chapel, a columbarium, a prayer sanctuary, and well-maintained gardens perfect for a serene day of spiritual retreat.
Aside from religious activities, visitors can enjoy the scenic walks and learn more about the Dominican sisters who maintain the facility. Regina RICA encourages eco-spirituality with its focus on nurturing both spiritual and ecological well-being.
Daranak Falls
Also located in Tanay, a neighboring town of Pililla, Daranak Falls is one of Rizal’s most popular natural attractions. The falls cascade from a height of 14 meters into a large, cool basin where visitors can swim and enjoy the natural beauty of the place. Surrounded by lush greenery and rocky landscapes, it’s an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Daranak Falls is a great spot for picnics, as there are tables and cottages available for rent. The entrance fee is affordable, and the place is well-maintained. It’s also close to Batlag Falls, another picturesque spot often visited by tourists looking for a more secluded experience.
