Maintaining regional biodiversity, improving environmental quality, offering economic resilience opportunities will become the ‘New Normal’ of tourism as the Department of Tourism (DOT) Calabarzon continues its Calibrated Tourism Circuit Validation in Rizal province. 

As part of its Phase 2 tourism circuit validation, the Calabarzon Tourism Circuit included an impressive list of food establishments and restaurants under their flagship program for tourism recovery and response, The Green Corridor Initiative (GCI): 

Mangantila Cafe and Restaurant

JP Rizal St., Barangay Evangelista, Baras, Rizal

Literally translated as ‘Kain tayo’ or let’s eat, Mangantila Cafe and Restaurant is a farm to table restaurant that offers an inviting and relaxing ambiance that is perfect for a weekend getaway with family and friends. 

Since its establishment in October 2021, Mangantila provides job opportunities to locals as it prioritizes the residents of Baras in its employment scheme. 

Not only that, 90 percent of its suppliers–from vegetables to condiments—all come from Baras to ensure fresh ingredients everydays. 

It features a long list for must-try meals, including chocolate cheesecake gising-gising, and turon with ube ice cream dip. 

Lutong Pugon Wood Fired Pizza

Sitio Masanting, Barangay Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal

Homecooked pizza is the name of the game for Lutong Pugon. As the name suggests, it offers a mouthwatering 13-pizza with various toppings ranging from chorizo, smoked ham, salmon, and pepperoni baked in a pugon, or traditional clay oven. 

Aside from its breathtaking sights, Lutong Pugon also has an art gallery where visitors can wander as they wait for their ordered meal to arrive. It features local artists as well as the owner’s personal collection. 

DOT Calabarzon Regional Director Maritess Castro said the Calibrated Tourism Circuit Validation takes into account the holistic readiness of tourism sites and activities in the region. 

The validation team also included local social media content creators and influencers to help promote these establishments as accessible and tourist-friendly sites near Metro Manila and other key cities. 

Together with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Health (DOH), representatives from Rizal Travel and Tours, Provincial and Municipal Tourism Officers, also assess the health protocols each tourism site and establishment adopts. 

Promoting Rizal province as a go-to destination for adventure seekers and food lovers, the DOT and the DOH also assessed the safety features in the food establishments that underwent the circuit validation. 

Filipino social media content creators also joined the 2-day assessment to help promote the local tourism destination in their own platforms. (PB)