Traffic in Manila is getting intolerable so whenever I discover a place for a quick getaway I make sure to grab it. This time, I found a place where I was able to have a unique experience, one that I’ve been longing to try for quite some time now. It’s on a farm in Lucban, Quezon called Linang ni LK, which is approximately 3-4hrs drive from the capital.
The name comes from this rarely used Tagalog word, “linang” which means bukid or farm in English. LK, on the other hand, is an acronym for Lakwatserong Kusinero (traveling chef), two words that describe its owner and manager, Chef Francis Christian Ocoma. Chef Ocoma is a seasoned traveler, in fact, he is near completion of visiting the 81 provinces in the Philippines. He is also a chef consultant and worked as a former executive chef in some resorts and restaurants.
Chef Francis Christian Ocoma
I arrived before sunrise in Lucban, a municipality in Quezon best known for its Pahiyas Festival. Lucban is also the art capital of the province and the home of delicious lucban longganisa.
The farm has a beautiful view of Mt. Banahaw, the highest mountain in Calabarzon. The place enjoys cool weather like Tagaytay. You can even sleep comfortably in a their bahay-kubo accommodation without a fan.
The place is just starting to be developed, there are some native cottages that have a dual purpose, a long table for guests who visit for lunch, and upstairs there’s a small room where guests can sleep if they wish to stay overnight.
Each morning I enjoyed the feel of cool air and the scent of moist soil. The view from my small window was so different from the one that I have in my apartment in the city. There are a few small nipa huts next to each other, the soft green grasses look wet from the last night’s rain. There are tall coconut trees, the clouds are gray, and the air is thick with the smell of coffee. It’s the best way to start a stress-free day.
What to do during your stay at Linang ni LK?
I never thought that living on a farm could be this fun. I usually started my day harvesting dalandan, a citrus fruit native to the Philippines. Using a pole with a hook, I picked as many fresh dalandan fruits that I could, which we, later on, squeeze for some fresh dalandan juice.
Before lunchtime, I joined the farmers during their harvesting of some vegetables like eggplant, chili, beans, and snow cabbage. These veggies go straight to the kitchen where they are used for the dishes that Chef Janjie likes to prepare for his guests.
Guests visiting Linang ni LK for a day tour can avail of their package set lunch for only 300php per head. Meals are usually prepared with fish, chicken, pork, vegetables, rice, and drinks.
The lunch experience is one of the highlights of a tour at Linang ni LK. Chef Janjie has a good reputation for serving really delicious meals. You can eat your food while enjoying the view of Mt. Banahaw.
Most of the guests are balikbayans who are excited to eat some Filipino food with a twist. Food being served are simple but tasteful and some of my favorites are Kare-Kare Vegetables, Daing na Bangus, and Crispy Mushroom sisig. Meals are topped with edible flowers.
You may also harvest their vegetables and buy them. Linang ni LK Chef Janjie guarantees that their farm produce is fresh and organic. This ensures that they only serve delicious and healthy food to their guests. Most of the ingredients from the meals served are sourced from this farm.
Guests can enjoy and experience a simple farm living – plant and harvest vegetables, catch fish from the pond, play with their dogs and even feed pigs. You can also sleep on their basic nipa hut for only 1,000php per head with dinner and breakfast.
How to get to Linang ni LK?
Via Public Transportation, you can take the Manila-Lucena-Lucban route. From Manila, take a bus that is bound for Lucena from bus terminals along EDSA-Kamuning, Buendia-Taft, Pasay-EDSA, and Araneta Cubao.
Upon reaching Lucena Grand Terminal, take a jeep or a minibus going to Lucban. From Lucban Town Proper, get a tricycle and ask the driver to take you to Linang ni LK.
Linang ni LK is located along Lucban-Luisiana Road, Lucban, Quezon (in front of Hermano Pule Shrine).
For booking and inquiries, you can call them at 0995-866-1926 and for more updates, follow them on Facebook.
