JE(Joseph Estrada) Camp & Resort, Tanay: Bringing to Light Erap's Plenitude in Oblivion

This Tanay adventure gave us a startling revelation of one of the most controversial president in Philippine history.  Prior to our trip to Tanay, we were expecting a long weekend ahead so I did some research of places to visit in this mountain village.  My original itinerary included visits to Regina RICA, Daranak Falls, restaurants with scenic views and an overnight stay in the Sierra Madre Hotel.  Little did we know that we will end up staying in the mountain resort of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

The drive to Tanay was a very relaxing trip especially when taking the Marcos Highway route beginning from Masinag, Antipolo and passing thru the towns of Cogeo, Jala-Jala, Baras and finally Tanay and along the journey are winding roads hugging deep ravines and overlooking scenic landscapes of the Sierra Madre Range.  It was early in the morning and the clouds have settled in the valley floor which would gave one a feeling of walking in the clouds.  One can also reach Tanay via the coast of Laguna de Bay and start the ascent upon reaching the crossroads of Tanay townproper.    

When we finally arrived at the top, Tanay welcomed us with a spectacular view of countless mountain tops eternally covered by green carpets of vegetation amidst a mist of clouds that shrouds the landscape.  The view simply left us spell bounded in awe and wished that this place be left untouched for an undetermined period of time so future generations can still be able to enjoy its splendor.

Our first agenda was to visit Regina Rica, the biggest statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines.  Along the way we passed by Camp Capinpin, a military base of the rugged Army Rangers and the former prison home of the deposed President Joseph “Erap” Estrada who was imprisoned on charges of plunder.  After a kilometer or two, we passed by the JE Camp and Resort which, at first glance, doesn’t seem too much of  a camp but rather more like a simple farm or ranch when seen up front.  After our spiritual visit to Regina RICA, we passed by JE Camp again and this time it suddenly struck me that the JE actually stands for Joseph Estrada.  I suddenly hit on the brakes and made a u-turn towards the camp’s entrance.  

Since I was looking for a venue where the college can possibly hold its annual year-end culmination, I used it as my purpose to tour the place.  The security guard instructed us to proceed to the hotel.  So we drove off and tried to find the hotel.  

As we started to explore the place, we realized that it was a vast, sprawling landscape of forest blended with human edifices amidst the backdrop of water bodies and rolling terrain.  In short, the place was stunningly beautiful.  

From what I recall during Eraps’ incarceration in Camp Capinpin, a house prison was constructed exclusively for him and he negotiated a transfer from Camp Capinpin to this mountain retreat which he owns.  He offered the government  the opportunity to save on taxpayer’s money because he will be house arrested in his own prison resort and all expenses will be incurred by him.   Well, the conclusion of the story is that the government  agreed, Erap  was transferred to his prison resort owned by him and the rest is history.  The main point of the story shows how the justice system treats our high profile convicts.  As one of the millions of ordinary Filipinos that clamor for equality and justice for crimes committed against the people of the Philippines, many were oblivious of the plight of Erap during his incarceration in Tanay.  Many were not speaking out against the VIP treatment accorded to Erap because they thought that his living conditions in Tanay are far from being luxurious.  But after visiting this mountain retreat, I realized I was among the millions of Filipinos deceived by this not well-publicized arrangement.  Probably, the government of Pnoy realized the grandiosity experienced by Erap during his Tanay incarceration that Pnoy prevented the same arrangement to transpire again in the plunder case against Arroyo.  So the petite Kapampangan ex-President has to contend with her hospital prison in Veterans Memorial Hospital. 

Well, with the story all behind us now, let us share with you our experience during our stay in the camp.  When we entered the hotel, the interior was beautifully designed and adorned with many ornaments laid on top of a split-level structure where the rooms are located in the lower level but gave the guests a picturesque view of the Sierra Madre countryside in the luxury of their own balcony in their respective rooms. 

The hotel manager graciously accommodated us and was really proud of being under the Estrada management. Blind adherence to the actor-president  is really ingrained in her.  There was no hint of hesitation when she narrates stories about the happenings inside the resort whenever Pres. Erap or whenever Sen/Dr. Loi is around. 

 The hotel-resort which was off-limits to the public during Erap's incarceration but now open to the public was generally for the former president’s guests and a swimming pool is just adjacent to the hotel for the utmost convenience of its guests.  Having a dip in the cool water of the swimming pool is sure to refresh anyone returning from touring the entire camp or having arrived from touring the other attractions in that Tanay has to offer.

She then led us to the tour that started in the fishing area.  When we reached the spot, we were mesmerized by the natural beauty of the place. 

 I really thought of returning some day to fish in this place.  It was so serene and peaceful that even a whole day’s stay just loafing while fishing is enough to remove all the work-related stress you are carrying with you before coming to this place.  

After taking a couple of pictures in the fishpond , we were led to the dining atrium and the kitchen where cooking is done in large volume for close friends and guests.  

The kitchen really excited Malen because of the wooden pots that adorn the shelves.  

Next was the native-inspired kitchen sink and bathroom that complemented with the kitchen.  It was awesomely native! 

The manager said that when the Estradas need to entertain and celebrate with a large number of guests, this is where they hold the celebration.  Now it is also open for rent to the public. 

Next, we went to the executive house where the Estradas receive their personal friends and guests. 

 It has a splendid balcony which overlooks a beautiful fishpond and a living room that will make one envy of the opulence of the former president-senator-mayor-actor and family.  

The living room gives one the feeling of really being in the company of Erap because of the life size figure of the popular actor-president standing over you while watching tv.

The kitchen top tops them all with a huge granite top which to every housewife's eyes really symbolizes the Estradas life of grandeur and luxury.

Next, the manager briefly showed us the Estrada Mansion, which is a single-storey complex which perfectly suits the knee-condition of Pres. Erap.  A fishpond filled with colorful cois adorns the mansion and encircles the complex like a moat.   

The mansion is off-limits to unauthorized guests so we just took a snapshot of the lobby.  A horse ranch and stable located right across the mansion is also one of the attractions in the camp.   The former president also had a Maranaw village built inside the camp as an added attraction for guests and had been the site of many movie shootings in the past. There is also a site for camping in tents and most of all the Erap Museum that highlight the entire movie and political career of the most popular as well as controversial president in Philippine history.  The entrance of the museum is adorned with the most infamous photo of Erap – his criminal mugshot.

The culmination of our visit in this opulent mountain resort is when the hotel manager convinced us to check in for the night in one of the finest suites of the hotel for a discounted rate.  Thinking of the attractive offer and the chance to feel what Erap’s guests experienced while staying in the camp, we gladly accepted the offer and stayed for the night.  

The suite was splendid in its interior having cable tv and hot shower to start with.  The room was awesomely large and the floor was woodly shiny complemented by a crib that became my place of relaxation while watching movies on cable.  What really excited us both is the kingsize bed that served as the centerpiece as a painting gives life to the wall and a dresser with wide and tall glasses makes you really stare in delight.

The JE Camp has a lot to offer its guests and it surely will be worth the visit because not only do you get the a perfect vacation trip away from the city but you also get to have a taste of the lifestyle of the rich and famous or infamous whichever you prefer. 

Well, this ends another blog of the connubial explorers.  The visit to Erap's Camp and Resort is truly relaxing and educational experience. I myself feel a little guilty whether I am tolerating something that should not be patronized because of the history that comes with it, but like any other Christians imbued by the teachings of Jesus, every man deserves a chance to change for the better. Sad thing though, his son took the same path like him.