Sampling some Ilonggo fare at Mr. T's Inasal, Brgy. Marulas, Valenzuela City

Craving for some Ilonggo fare? Then Mr. T's Inasal is the place to be when in Valenzuela City. It has been serving hungry Valenzuelanos for a number of years now and can be easily spotted along Mac Arthur Highway in Barangay Marulas. It is owned by Mr. Philip Encarnacion, once a chief of staff to Mayor Rex and Cong. Win Gatchalian and a long time practitioner of human resource management. After retiring early as an HR Director of a major airline company, he went full time with the business. One Valenzuela asked a few more questions to Sir Philip which he gladly answered back:

Mr. T's Inasal has this warm ambiance at night.

Can you tell us more about the restaurant?  Well, Mr. T's Inasal means Mister Toppings' Inasal. We started in malls as a fast food server and stand alone restaurants near universities doing rice toppings only. We ventured recently to a fusion of Tagalog and Ilonggo food, given our heritage. We grew up in Marulas but spent part of our childhood in Iloilo, hence the fusion. Mr. T's Inasal first opened in November 2008 but Mister Toppings has been in business for almost ten years. 

Al fresco dining area of the restaurant

Air conditioned dining area of Mang T's Inasal

Guess who ate here? 

If a Valenzuelano will be entering your restaurant for the first time, what should s/he try on your menu? Our inasal is priceless, we use no less than real tuba vinegar. We ship out from Iloilo, giving it an authentic Bisaya taste. Almost all Ilonggo food is staple and popular. Our kare-kare, sinigang series, and all grilled items are bestsellers from our Tagalog menu.

And the Parokya ni Edgar band also ate here. That is so cool!

One Valenzuela ate a plate of Chicken Inasal and Pancit Efuven when they went there. Can you tell us more about those two dishes? Mr. T's Chicken Inasal is marinated in real tuba vinegar and the atchara is authentic. All dips are in real tuba vinegar, a little expensive for us but we don't mind as long as we are closest to the real manukan country in Bacolod. 

Pancit Efuven is called the Ilonggo Pasta. The noodles are shipped in straight from Iloilo (can't buy them anywhere in Metro Manila).

Mr. T's Chicken Inasal is best eaten with tuba vinegar.

Pancit Efuven of Mr. T's Inasal with yummy fried egg strips on top.

What are the services that you offer? We are actually a full service catering company offering mid size priced catering via "The Catering by Mister Toppings" and our premium catering brand which is now very popular, "Richgold Weddings". Talk about Valenzuela pride, modesty aside. 

Did your establishment gain any media coverage and/or awards/recognition in the past years? Every now and then Mr. T’s Inasal and Mister Toppings cater and get advertised in ASAP Channel 2. And also, please go through our Facebook page, website, and press releases. 

See you at Mr. T's Inasal, people. Namit gid!
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Mr. T's Inasal
Address: #34 Mac Arthur Highway, Brgy. Marulas, Valenzuela City
Dining Hours: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
Accepts deliveries. Call 291-1111.
Visit Mr. T's Inasal's Facebook page here.

A Quick Peep at Malabon Grand

Because of the cool afternoon breeze, One Valenzuela and her family walked their way towards BBB from Araneta. A few moments more and then they saw Malabon Grand. Since it is already open, they decided to ask for some details at the Information Desk. The staff at the counter were really warm and accommodating, that they even allowed the group to check out one of the ten rooms.

Malabon Grand flashes a photo of their rooms at the big screen.

This is Room 6. You get what you see. Looks good, smells good too.

As of this writing, Malabon Grand has a casino. One Valenzuela hopes that it will have a swimming pool to cater to families in the future as well as a function room to celebrate various occasions. This place definitely got a lot of potential.

Malabon Grand
Address: 110 MacArthur Highway, Brgy. Potrero, Malabon City
Room Rate (as of February 13, 2014): Php3,195.00
Check In Time: 2:00 p.m.
Check Out Time: 12:00 p.m.
Inclusive of breakfast for two
Telephone Number: 294-1066 to 67
(Information taken from the flyer given)

Valenzuelanos, you will easily spot Malabon Grand which is just along MacArthur Highway and is across Victoria Court.

Golden Crown Food Center at Marulas, Valenzuela City

Hubby and One Valenzuela usually go on quick dates. This time, they went out for some good old favorites at Golden Crown.

Golden Crown at Marulas, Valenzuela City

Golden Crown's Main Dining Area

Can't wait to chow on this! 

BBQ Chicken with Fried Rice (Php100)

Fresh calamansi (Php20)

When One Valenzuela goes to Golden Crown, Camaron Rellenado (Php90) is always included in her order.

One Valenzuela thinks that the restaurant has a lot of space for improvement, like refurnishing the interiors and a change of dishware. Good thing, they already placed back a signage outside to mark the place.

To sum up, Golden Crown offers cheap yet pretty tasty Chinese food. A wide variety of food specialties are on the menu which will definitely make one try various viands on different occasions.

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Here are some information about Golden Crown that One Valenzuela got from their menu:

"We serve Chinese dishes at reasonable prices. Accepts reservations for weddings, birthdays, baptismal (celebrations), and parties. (Plus) take home orders."

Address: #51 McArthur Hiway, Marulas, Valenzuela City

Golden Crown Contact Numbers: (02)291-6652 

Golden Crown can be easily seen at BBB along McArthur Hiway (beside Honda). 

Buenas Diaz Resort in Marulas, Valenzuela City

Summer vacation is still far from being over! This prompted One Valenzuela to go to Brgy. Marulas and visit two resorts there. Posted here are some photos and the rates of Buenas Diaz.

Gate of Buenas Diaz Resort

Buenas Diaz Resort Rates:

Day time: Adult and Child-Php100 per head

Night time: Adult-Php120; Child-Php100

Range of cottages is from Php200 to Php3500 (function hall)

Rates as of March 2013. One Valenzuela hopes that this article be of help to Valenzuelanos' summer swimming plans. Resort amenities are not included since she is still waiting for the owner's permission. 

Have a great summer ahead, Valenzuelanos!
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How to get there:

When coming from Monumento, ride a jeepney or bus bound to Malinta/Malanday. Ask the driver to drop you off at BBB. Walk along the street near 7-Eleven. You will eventually see a tricycle terminal (blue). Ride a tricycle and ask the driver to bring you to Buenas Diaz. Estimated travel time: 30-40 minutes.

Tel. No.: (02)444-7274 (from Facebook)
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Thank you for reading this article! 

Saan pa kaya dadalhin si One Valenzuela ng kanyang mga paa? 

Kindly leave a comment or suggestion below. Every comment is deeply appreciated.

Ville Martha Resort at Marulas, Valenzuela City

It is hot, it is indeed summer! This prompted One Valenzuela to go to Brgy. Marulas and visit two resorts there. Posted here are some photos and the rates of Ville Martha.

Front of Ville Martha Resort

Ville Martha Resort Rates: Adult-Php100; Child-Php60. 
Big Table- Php250; Small Table-150

Rates as of March 2013. One Valenzuela hopes that this article be of help to Valenzuelanos' summer swimming plans. Resort amenities are not included since she is still waiting for the owner's permission. 

Have a great summer ahead, Valenzuelanos!

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How to get there:

Coming from Monumento, ride a jeepney or bus bound to Malinta/Malanday. Ask the driver to drop you off at BBB. Walk along the street near 7-Eleven. You will eventually see a tricycle terminal (blue). Ride a tricycle and ask the driver to bring you to Ville Martha. Estimated travel time: 30-40 minutes.

Tel. No. (02) 443-7934, look for Emy. (From Facebook)

Healot House at Marulas, Valenzuela City

From Brgy. Malinta, One Valenzuela went to BBB located in Brgy. Marulas to visit some resorts in the vicinity (It is almost summer!). But before riding a tricycle at Marulas Public Market, One Valenzuela passed by Healot House which she regularly sees on bus rides bound to Quezon City.

One Valenzuela's “Happy Feet” instinct led her in front of Healot House where she asked for a fifteen minute foot reflex (Php55.00). One Valenzuela was lead to a long sitting area and there she was asked to remove her shoes to begin the dry foot massage. The quick massage soothed her tired feet. The massage therapist advised One Valenzuela to soak her feet in warm water with salt when she goes home.

Feet pampering at Healot House

One Valenzuela went out and took some photos of Healot House. She later pursued her original plan of visiting the resorts in Marulas.

You won't miss Healot House's signage along BBB, McArthur Hiway.

After going to Buenos Diaz and Villa Martha, One Valenzuela headed back to Marulas Public Market to meet hubby. She told him that Healot House’s Php55.00 massage is relaxing. She encouraged him to try it out. Satisfied, he also wanted to have a full massage after!

“Are you sure?” One Valenzuela asked. “What do you think of me, poor?”, hubby said jokingly as we proceeded to the massage beds in front of us.

One Valenzuela and her hubby had Healot House's Signature massage with olive oil (Php350/person). Tea is served after the massage.

The couple were also given brochures after: Swedish and Shiatsu are at Php250 (1hr.), Hilot Wellness and Traditional Hilot are at Php280 (1hr.), and the Signature Massage is at Php350 (1 and 1/2 hr.). You can have your massage at home by adding Php50 to the said rates (Valenzuela Area; ask for more information at Healot House regarding this service).

Healot House also has promos.

Add-on services include: Indian Head with Mask, Indian Head with Candle, Foot Reflexology, Banana Leaf (sometimes they use Tuba-tuba leaves if available), and Ventosa. There are also various creams and oils to choose from.

One of the staff said that Healot House wants to create jobs for the community as well as take care of their clients. He also added that they train their massage therapists so that the massage one will experience is not “mechanical” but more of the caring and soothing kind. Astig.

The place is not that grand but One Valenzuela can attest that the whole massage experience is indeed calming and affordable. As of this writing, hubby is already thinking of a future massage session at home.

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Healot House Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12noon to 12 midnight

Contact Numbers: (02)3483597 / (0922)8440204

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HEALOTHOUSE

Healot House can easily be spotted at BBB along McArthur Hiway (near Binalot and the footbridge). 

Tiktilaok! Toy Roosters at Marulas Public Market

While mindlessly walking along the sidewalk of Marulas Public Market, One Valenzuela saw handcrafted toys which reminded her of childhood days. She saw two boxes of roosters made from foam. The toys have thin threads on top which one should pull so that they will “walk”. One Valenzuela had a very similar toy when she was younger but it took the form of a turtle made out of paper instead of foam.

Mang Fred is peddling the toy roosters which he call “manuk-manukan” at Php10.00 a piece.

Mang Fred demonstrates how to use the toy rooster. [See video below]

“Ung puti, Zamboanga White yun. Yung dilaw, Talisain. Yung pula…” (The white rooster is known as Zamboanga White. The yellow one is Talisain. The red rooster…) Mang Fred discussed as he showed how to play with the foam rooster. Mang Fred claimed that the simple toy is known among cock fighters (also known as sabungero in Filipino).

Mang Fred does not regularly sell his roosters at Marulas Public Market so One Valenzuela guessed it is just plain luck that she has seen him there. She later bought one Talisain for Little One Valenzuela.

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You might just see Mang Fred along Marulas Public Market. From Monumento, ride a jeepney going to Malinta/Malanday. Ask the driver to drop you at BBB then traverse the road near 7-Eleven. Marulas Public Market is just a few steps away.

Visiting Museo Valenzuela

The forum on Mga Kwento ng Kabayanihan, a Heroes Day Forum just this afternoon (August 27, 2012), gave me the chance to visit the main gallery of Museo Valenzuela. I have been wanting to see the place and, well, this is it.

The forum was well attended. I have learned a lot about Narcisa Rizal (from Amy Yulo), Paciano Rizal (from Ester Azurin), Pio Valenzuela ( from Arch. Arturo Valenzuela), and Teresa Magbanua (from Dr. Sonia Zaide). The forum featured descendants sharing anecdotes and stories about these heroes. If my memory serves me right, here are a few stuff I learned:

• Sisa from Rizal's famous novel was taken after Narcisa's name. He even asked for Narcisa's permission before naming the character.  
• Paciano does not want to have his photo taken. He only has two existing images: (1) side shot photo and (2) when he was already in the coffin. He reasons out that it is for security purposes. 
• Pio has to sell part of his land to pay a lawyer to prove that he won as Gobernador of Bulacan. 
• Teresa, or Nay Isa (Isa, instead of Esa, because of the way it is uttered by Ilonggos), is a school teacher. She is the Joan of Arc of the Visayas. 

Other than that I got to reminisce on the qualities that these individuals have: doing something out of duty, not expecting anything in return, matipid (frugality), hard working, honest, and living in simplicity. Qualities that we should all be working at.

A short reading of poems from Rizalfabeto, a book collaboration of the poet Vim Nadera and artist Elmer Borlongan, was done afterwards.

Many thanks to the curator, Jonathan Balsamo, for the invite.  

Valenzuelanos must go to Museo Valenzuela to know our roots. The museum is located at Marulas, Valenzuela which is a few minutes away from Monumento Circle via MacArthur Highway. It is adjacent to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (Dambana). Here are some photos I took while inside the gallery:

Tarpaulin at the community board

Front entrance of Museo Valenzuela

Old photo of San Miguel Beer Brewery. BBB is short for Balintawak Beer Brewery.  Coming from Monumento, you will definitely pass by BBB on your way to Museo.

Some of Pio's belongings

The forum is full of people. 

From L to R: Jonathan Balsamo, Vim Nadera, Ester Azurin, Amy Yulo,  Arturo Valenzuela, Dr. Sonia Zaide, a relative of Ester, and a relative of Arturo.