A Taste of Ilocos: Finding Ilocos Empanada and Pansit Bagnet at Maysan, Valenzuela City

One Valenzuela has wonderful memories of Ilocos with her family way back in college. It was a long road trip that took about twelve hours of driving and several stop overs for food and rest. It was during one of those stops that she had her first taste of Ilocos empanada. A tired Ilocos bound traveler and a brown bag of empanada? A memorable relief, indeed! From that moment on, the desire to eat some Ilocos empanada would kick in from time to time. 

A foodie friend, LC Acharon, tagged One Valenzuela on his latest food find. Ilocos empanada in Maysan! It is but a fact that one has to go to other neighbor cities like Quezon City and Manila to grab a bite of the crunchy and savory Ilocos empanada. 

Fret no more. At the heart of Maysan Road, a humble dining place has recently opened up this December to serve Valenzuelanos with authentic Ilocos food fare. The place has no name yet according to its friendly owner, Mr. Arnel Antonio, whose wife hails from Ilocos. Sir Arnel said that the cooks also have Ilocano roots and the ingredients also come from Ilocos. 

The dining spot was once a house of a priest. It has several wooden tables where you can eat al fresco.

The Ilocos empanada was piping hot when it arrived on the table. Drizzled with sukang Iloko (Ilocos black vinegar), the empanada was consumed with gusto! One of the servers also suggested that it also goes well with catsup. The pansit bagnet was also satisfying, finding several pieces of meat on top of the noodles.

Ilocos empanada for Php45.00. There are generally two types of Ilocos empanada and this one is the Batac empanada. You may ask them to double the egg, double the longganisa, or have more veggies in it at an additional cost.

Pansit Bagnet at Php50.00. The cook said that even the noodles come from Ilocos. Other than the empanada and pansit, they also sell dinakdakan, bagnet, and longganisa. 

Noticeably, several diners would come in, eat, and buy several empanadas for take out. Bringing some empanada as pasalubong from Maysan to your family is like bringing home a piece of far flung Ilocos sans the lengthy travel time. So the next time you pass by Maysan Road, make sure to drop by the Antonio's place for their Ilocos empanada. 

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Where to Get Your Ilocos Empanada in Valenzuela City:
Open Hours: 10:00am to 8:00pm daily
Location Landmarks: Beside CUZ Nail Salon and Spa and at the back of the Angel's Burger. It is across Petron-Maysan Branch.
Contact Number: 0995-1320272

Along Maysan Road, you will see an Angel's Burger joint across the Petron Gas Station. You will find the dining place a few steps behind Angel's and just right beside CUZ Nail Salon and Spa.

A Day for All Mothers

Mothers are the wingless angels who are sent by the heavens to give light to humanity. We call them with different names- mama, mommy, nanay, inay, mum and so on. With all the work and love that they provide, it is then very vital to have a day to celebrate their existence. To all Valenzuelanos, give your moms a hug today. And to all Valenzuelana nanays, let One Valenzuela greet you a very happy mother's day. Keep shining!

It will always feel good to be remembered. Family is not always by blood. A sweet cupcake from Lemon Square Bakery Treats along Maysan Road, Valenzuela City and a red rose from student assistants. Thank you.

Happy Mother's Day!

Putong Pulo and Friends: a Valentine's Breakfast

Happenings at the Putong Pulo and Friends event held by the Rotary Club of Valenzuela. The Valentine's breakfast at Maricopa Restaurant ran from 8:00 to 10:00 in the morning. The funds garnered from the activity shall be used in the Rotary's various projects.

It's definitely a great event to start the day. Have a lovely Valentine's day, Valenzuelanos!

All Day Convenience Store Now Open in Brgy. Malinta, Valenzuela City

All Day Convenience Store in Brgy. Malinta, Valenzuela City

All Day's Pizza Bar at Php35.00. It comes with a free iced tea.

Having pizza cravings in the middle of the night? Problem solved!

People checking out the store line up in front of the cashier to pay 

An All Day personnel has informed One Valenzuela that they also have branches in Brgy. Paso de Blas and in Brgy. Bignay. Upon further inquiry, she also learned that the All Day Convenience Store chain belongs to the Villar group of companies. 

The store is open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m daily. It can be found at the back of Mercury Drug-Malinta Branch and is along Maysan Road.

UBE at Great Falls Resort, Brgy. Maysan, Valenzuela City

“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.

A Quick Visit to Great Falls Resort in Maysan, Valenzuela City

Flashback to November 2004: One Valenzuela plunges into the cool pool of Great Falls Resort early in the morning. She was trying her best to swim up to the other end of the pool but only managed to reach just one fourth of her goal. Yay!

On her last semester in college, instead of just settling down with her grueling thesis writing days, she still enrolled in a swimming class because of two reasons: (1) the P.E. class was free (required number of P.E. classes was just 4, she was already on her 6^th; thank you College of Human Kinetics!), and (2) she does not know how to swim. (-_-)

“Swim-ins” (sit-in) in the next swimming classes were not enough for One Valenzuela to pass the final examination of 5 minute threading, laps of breast stroke, free style, and backstroke. That is when the nearby pool along Maysan came to help as her secondary pool practicing area.

Great Falls Resort is located at #205 Maysan Road, Valenzuela City

Great Falls Resort: A Quick Visit on a Ber-month morning

“Praktis ka?” (Translation: Are you going to practice [swimming]?) a familiar voice said. It is that kuya way back in 2004! Though One Valenzuela cannot really remember his name (apologies), he is still as helpful and hospitable as before.

"Hindi, Kuya. Kukuha lang po ako ng pictures para sa blog." (Translation: No. I'll just take photos for the blog.) But how One Valenzuela wish that she could take a dip in the pool again! Haist, need to go back to the office right after this 7 a.m. visit. 

Front of Great Falls Resort

"Sige, libot ka lang." (Go ahead and look around.) he said. After quite a number of years, so much has changed! Swimming here is still affordable though, especially for those groups working on a budget.

Swimming rates and Cottage Price List

Great Falls Resort Swimming Rates and Cottage Price List (as of October 2013):

Day time swimming (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.): Php80.00 (adults) and Php50.00 (kids)

Night swimming: 7:00 p.m. to 12 m.n. - Php100.00 (adults) and Php80.00 (kids), min. of 15 adults

                         7:00 p.m. to 3 a.m. - Php150.00 (adults) and Php100.00 (kids), min. of 20 adults

Cottages range from Php500.00 to Php300.00.

Reminders for swimmers

One of the cottages

Children's pool

Main pool where One Valenzuela learned to swim laps

One of the pools inside the private area

Swimplus Philippines: Learn 2 Swim

The children's pool is a new addition to the place as well as several big cottages which can accommodate big groups. One Valenzuela believes that the place will be offering Valenzuelanos more in the years to come. Going back here reminds One Valenzuela of her swimming bloopers and, of course, good old memories with her family and friends. 

Thank you Great Falls Resort!  

(What was One Valenzuela's grade for her swimming class? Aced it! Hihihi.)

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How to reach Great Falls Resort:

Great Falls Resort can be easily seen along Maysan Road. It is just one jeepney ride away from the city hall (Jeepney signages: Novaliches Bayan, Tollgate, Bagbaguin) at Php8.00. In about 15 minutes, you will reach Maysan Bridge and see Great Falls Resort.

Telephone Number: (02)383-2752

Right after Maysan Bridge

Like Great Falls Resort on Facebook to know more about the place and their latest promos.
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UPDATE: Check out One Valenzuela's most recent Great Falls Resort experience here: 

UBE at Great Falls Resort, Brgy. Maysan, Valenzuela City

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Thank you for dropping by this post! 
Kung nakapag-swimming ka na sa Great Falls Resort, may makulit ka bang kwento? Pa-share naman, ka-Valenzuelano!
Please feel free to leave your message below, especially if you would like to suggest a place to visit here in our city. 

Bacon Fix at Resonance Cafe, Maysan Road, Valenzuela City

A charming little café lies to be discovered along Maysan Road, Valenzuela City. One Valenzuela have seen it frequented by students from surrounding schools. She has also eaten here quite a number of times since it opened.

Resonance Cafe at Maysan Road, Valenzuela City.
It is just across Landbank Valenzuela.

What’s on the menu? Resonance offers grilled barbecue (Php15.00) and pork liempo (Php75.00). They also have silogs which include  tapsilog, longsilog, tocilog, hotsilog, baconsilog, chixsilog, tuyosilog, barsilog, liempsilog, and adobosilog (Php35.00 to 60.00). 

For a quick hunger fix, they also offer sandwiches (tuna, egg, ham, bacon; Php25.00 to Php30.00) which are best paired with coffee/ softdrink floats (Php25-35.00) or their milkshakes (comes in strawberry, chocolate, vanilla; Php48.00). For those with a sweet tooth, Resonance Café also has cakes and ice creams.

The wood decorations give Resonance Cafe a warm appeal to diners.

Take your pick from their menu

 What to try? One Valenzuela would go here when she craves for bacon (Baconsilog at Phpp55.00). Their strawberry milkshake is also a must try since it is very creamy. Their chocolate cake is bittersweet, not too sugary.  She would love to try their blueberry cheesecake one of these days. Haist!

One Valenzuela's bacon fix.
On the upper right is a chocolate cake slice that she will take home.

One Valenzuela googled the definition of the café’s name and among the hits is “Resonance (n). It is the ability to evoke emotions and memories.”. Staying true to its name, Resonance Café has indeed made One Valenzuela smile (and burp!) as she took her last spoonful of fried rice and bacon.

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For Inquiries & Deliveries: (Information taken from Resonance Café Brochure)

Resonance Main Branch

Saluysoy, Meycauayan, Bulacan (Infront of St. Mary’s College of Meycauayan)

Tel. No. (044) 228-5843

Resonance Valenzuela Branch

G/F R. Funaki Bldg.

Maysan Road, Valenzuela City (Near Landbank Valenzuela and St. Louis College of Valenzuela)

Contact Number: (0932)-810-0478

Email: resonancecafe@yahoo.com.ph

Like Resonance Cafe on Facebook.

According to their staff, Resonance Café in Valenzuela is open Mondays to Saturdays from 7am to 7pm.

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Thank you for reading this post!
Nakakain ka na ba sa Resonance Cafe? 

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

Kindly leave a suggestion or comment below. 

Jogging at Tierra Santa

Well, yeah, it might seem odd for a few to jog in a cemetery.

The grave of One Valenzuela's mom is at Tierra Santa. And every time she goes there with her family, they see a lot of people walking and running around the cemetery's pathways. And so after a while, visiting Nanay there also doubles as exercise time.

Sometimes cows graze in the grassy area at Tierra Santa.

Morning jog at Tierra Santa

Tierra Santa is located along Maysan Road. It can be reached in around 10 minutes via jeepney (Signage: Malinta Exit or Novaliches Bayan. Ride at the jeepney terminal near Mister Donut) from South Supermarket along McArthur Hiway.

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"Tumatakbo sa paligid ng mga patay upang mabuhay (ng mas matagal)."
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UPDATE, February 2, 2014: A woman who regularly joins the aerobics activity in San Isidro told me that there are aerobics sessions here from Monday to Saturday at 6 a.m.

Infinima at Maysan Road, Valenzuela City

After so much travelling this December, One Valenzuela's family of three decided to visit Infinima at Maysan Road. One Valenzuela has availed their services before and she can say that she feel relaxed after each visit.

Once one enters the area, your body easily tells you that it is time to wind down because of that wondrous spa scent and the dim light. 

Stolen shot! While waiting for their massage, they spotted a couple of friends who will be having their massages too.
What a small world. :)

Infinima offers various massages and scrubs. Hubby opted to have the one and a half Signature Infinima massage (Php 350.00) while One Valenzuela got her usual Swedish massage (one hour, Php 280.00). Little One Valenzuela had the Pediatric massage (one hour, Php 280.00).

We'll be having our massage soon after this.

After each massage, the customer is given some warm tea and a small brownie. If you really liked the massage, you can give the massage therapist a tip. 

One Valenzuela's family has not tried Infinima's other branch along McArthur Hiway since they are very much satisfied with their almost regular visit at Infinima Maysan Branch. They'll be back soon!

How to reach Infinima's Maysan Branch: From Monumento Circle, ride a jeepney/bus going to Malinta/Malanday (Php 10.00 (jeepney); Php 12.00 (bus)). Ask the driver to drop you at South Supermarket. From South Supermarket, pass by Inasal and then turn right. Once you reach 7-Eleven, turn right again. You will see the Infinima sign at Funaki Bldg. The building is just near Landbank.

You may opt to have a massage at their Malabon branch if you are coming from Caloocan since it is nearer. Available contact numbers that One Valenzuela found on the web: (02) 4423713 and 0917-966-62-96. Blog: infinima.blogspot.com