Not quite sure if she'll be able to squeeze some time today and go to Manila for the festivities, One Valenzuela browsed through her folder of photos and clicked "Chinatown". Because of her aunt's request to visit Binondo, she and her family went there to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Here are some of the snapshots and videos of last year's festivities.
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Kindly jump to the article on Dong Bei Dumplings to know how to reach Chinatown from Valenzuela City.
Inspired to do a bit more effort in giving gifts to her dear siblings and friend, One Valenzuela tried her hand on making something crafty.
She got some stuffed toys, chocolate mixes, biscuits, stickers, ribbons, cellophane, and mugs. The idea was to come up with some pretty cute mug gifts. The receiver shall have some biscuits to chew on, a sachet of chocolate drink, and an adorable "company". Perfect for an afternoon break! All the materials here were bought from SM Center Valenzuela and South Supermarket Valenzuela.
Let's do it! Do-It-Yourself Mug Gifts
Stacking the bear, biscuits, and chocolate sachet
For a hardworking nurse: Put some nurse related stickers on the mug
Wrapped in clear cellophane and added a pink ribbon on top. A bit more practice on the wrapping part. Hehe.
Hope that these will make them happy. ------ South Supermarket Valenzuela
Address: MacArthur Highway, Brgy. Karuhatan, Valenzuela City (near Valenzuela City Hall)
SM Center Valenzuela
Address: MacArthur Highway, Brgy. Karuhatan, Valenzuela City (near Novo)
------ Made something special for a loved one lately?
Share your story here at the Comments Section!
“UBE na ‘to! UBE!”
Kaloy yelled as he chattered together with the group in the kubo (hut) while eating. One Valenzuela
was wondering what UBE means and so
Kaloy later explained that it is an acronym for “Ultimate Bonding Experience”.
Who wouldn't agree? The group has been planning to have an
outing for so looong. At last, the heavens now helped in synchronizing
everyone’s schedule! The group decided to have a swimming trip within the
city. They have considered the following factors in choosing where to go: (1)
nearest and most accessible to all of them and (2) the entrance fee should be
affordable. Great Falls Resort along Maysan Road garnered the highest vote.
Great Falls Resort is just a jeepney ride away from Valenzuela City Hall (Php8.00/person)
The group brought a lot of food to last for the whole day - pancit, hotdogs, kalamay, and chips. To complete the list, they also brought some fish and pork liempo for grilling. Since they arrived there early, they got the chance to choose the kubo nearest to the pools. Within minutes, they are already wading in the swimming pool!
Kiddie pool early in the morning
Smile everyone!
Thank you very much for the assistance, Great Falls Resort.
Salbabida (life buoys) can be rented at Php50.00 for a whole day of fun!
Sarap to the fish bones! Grilled fish and liempo are bestsellers.
Salamat po, Ma'am Doris!
Wi-Fi zone at Great Falls Resort
Taking a break from swimming at the main pool
Somebody's singing her heart out.
While everyone is busy doing their thing, One Valenzuela got
the chance to talk to Sir Gerry of Great Falls Resort. He eagerly told One
Valenzuela how the resort developed through the years. As with most businesses,
the path to success is definitely not easy. But with
perseverance, their family has managed to gradually develop the place. There
are already plans of adding more amenities in the resort.
Sir Gerry shared more about Great Falls
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy: Chillax!
More food! More food!
Thank you guys! Really had a lot of fun.
Dear, you're really consistent in doing "the moves".
One Valenzuela would like to thank Great Falls Resort for
accommodating her very merry group. And, yeah, it’s definitely an UBE.
-When friends meet, hearts warm.-
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To know how to reach Great Falls Resort, please click HERE for the article. Like Great Falls Resort on Facebook.
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Saan pa kaya dadalhin si One Valenzuela ng kanyang mga paa?
Feel free to suggest at the Comments Section below.
Guess many of us are already planning for a date together with the better half on Valentine's Day as early as now. But did you know that February 14 is also known as International Book Giving Day? The site linked here suggests everyone to (1) Give a book to a friend or a relative; (2) Leave a book in a waiting room or lobby; and/or (3) Donate a book.
Artwork by Mariann Maray, a Hungarian designer and illustrator. It is free to download at the site.
Got some used books at home? The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela Library is running a regular book drive every February. The books gathered from the said activity will be placed in the Open Shelves section of the Library. A part of the donations will also be shared with the public library. Pre-loved books and new ones are very welcome in the book drive.
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela Library Book Drive poster inspired by the game 4 Pics 1 Word.
This poster dates back in 2014.
Feel free to share this post on Facebook, e-mail, etc. Let us support the said cause by spreading the word! This is your chance to say "I LIB you too".
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You may contact the Librarian at (02)709-6684 or send One Valenzuela an e-mail through onevalenzuelano@gmail.com.
The month of love is almost here. One Valenzuela can feel it in the air! For many, it is also a time for spreading happiness. Grabbing the moment, One
Valenzuela shall be giving away two SM movie tickets and a big bag of chips. It's her way of saying, "Thank you po! Love you!" to those who have visited the blog.
Why do you love Valenzuela City?
This activity is open to all Valenzuelanos. To join the
giveaway, kindly (1) leave your name at the Comments Section below as well as
(2) a sentence or two on why you love Valenzuela City. Very easy! The winner
shall be announced by the evening of February 8, 2014, Saturday.
Thank you for all your support ka-Valenzuelano! <3
------ Want to check out various places in Valenzuela City?
Scroll down for the list below.
2013 has been an awesome year. As
with most Filipinos, One Valenzuela ended it with an abundance of happiness and
food from the holiday season. Going back to the usual work routine this January
is quite difficult since you can still feel the cold breeze in the morning. Who
wouldn’t want to curl up in bed until the sun rises past 6 a.m.? Oh, bed
weather!
Yet, since getting fitter and
healthier is among One Valenzuela’s goals this year, she is now trying to wake up
early every weekend to walk and run. She has been busy at work recently that
she is putting off exercise at the very far end of her to-do list. Gee, what a lame
excuse! Tsk, tsk. Inspired with a handy-dandy book written by Rachel Newcombe
entitled “Running”, she hopes to (and will) get back into shape. Newcombe aptly
begins with the following lines:
“Of all sports and forms of
exercise, running is one of the easiest and most accessible. It doesn’t involve
a wide array of expensive equipment, you don’t need to spend excessive amounts
of time or money learning from how to do it, and you don’t need to travel to a
specially designed location. Anyone, anywhere, who is willing to have a go, can
try running.”
Puregold Valenzuela parking lot. The "best" shots that One Valenzuela's camera phone can do at 5 a.m. Apologies.
Together with the very
enthusiastic furball of energy, Bell, One Valenzuela went to Puregold
Valenzuela at Brgy. Dalandanan along McArthur Highway. They brought along a
bottle of water, a small towel, and a plastic bag (just in case Bell gets into
an “emergency”). As early as 5 a.m. in the morning, there were already a lot of
people at Puregold’s parking lot though it was still dark. Most came in groups
and a few went solo. Some rode their bikes. Some played badminton. Most of them
went around in circles to jog and walk.
Shadow play with the furball
Bell saw puppies brought along by their owners.
Front of Puregold Valenzuela with some of the runners
At last, the sun is up! Other than biking around, a few kids are also playing ball.
By 7 a.m., many are already done with their exercise routine.
Sugar rush! You can also have a cup of taho here.
After ten rounds of mixed walk and run at the parking lot, One Valenzuela was very happy
that she was able to stretch out her lazy muscles . As she started her way back home, she felt the cold breeze on her cheeks. Bell looked at One Valenzuela right after. Yeah, 2014 is going to
be a great year. Definitely.
Thank you, Puregold, for
accommodating Valenzuelanos who want to exercise in the morning. Clap, Clap!
------ Puregold Valenzuela
Address: 419 McArthur Highway, Brgy. Dalandanan, Km. 14, Valenzuela City
Business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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Some Valenzuelanos have queries on where to safely jog in
the morning. Do you know of a place in the city? Share it in the Comments
Section below. Salamat!
