After two days of feasting at SM Telabastagan, a visit to the hot springs is in order. Puning Hot Spring and Restaurant is  in Sapang Bato, Angeles City, near the foot of Mt. Pinatubo.

To get to the actual hot spring, guests first settle down at their base camp, itself an expansive resort, with massage huts, events hall and a dining area.

At base camp, guests take a shower, change into clean clothes provided by the resort and hop on to one of their numerous 4×4 off road trucks.

The path to the foot of Mt. Pinatubo is rough but it has its beauties like shallow riverbeds, streams and looming cliffs.

First stop is the Volcanic Sand Spa. Guests are ritually buried into hot sand and then massaged by trained therapists who step on them.

It is altogether a very unique experience and sensation, a must-try for first timers. Therapeutic mineral mud is also placed on to complete the spa experience. After the Volcanic Sand Spa guests proceed by 4×4 to the second station, the Hot Spring.

Local guides claim that the natural hot spring came alive after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The resort consists of 12 wading pools, and the hot water is directly pumped into the baths from Sacobia river. The river, according to our guides, directly runs through the path of the mountain’s arteries, and has temperatures ranging from 40°C-70°C.

The sand and water spa treatment was a relaxing experience. This was followed by lunch at base camp which consisted of kimchi, fried chicken, rice, sisig and other Pinoy dishes.

After our tiring but fun Pampanga trip, we return to Manila with full tummies and great memories. With a new generation of foodies flourishing in the province, we can’t wait to explore more of Pampanga’s new foodie stops.—FELICIANO RODRIGUEZ III, CONTRIBUTED