There was no review whatsoever on Meaco Hotel, thus this piqued One Valenzuela's interest. The only comments she found are from those few people who have uploaded photos of the hotel and a few hints here and there that the hotel is worth staying with the family.
Meaco Hotel
One Valenzuela got a deluxe room to stay in for the night. A short flight of stairs brought her to the third floor of the hotel.
Meaco Hotel lounge area
Drinks and some snacks available at the lobby.
The room has the basic amenities that one will expect in a common hotel room. It is quite spacious which comes with a good sized bed, a cable television, WiFi connection, and a remote controlled air-conditioning unit. She had to commend the use of the gold color on the head board and the gold rimmed mirror for these add pizzazz to the deluxe room. Other than that, the bathroom is also sizable where you can take a warm shower. Having the said amenities, One Valenzuela sees that the room rates are quite reasonable.
Meaco Hotel Deluxe Room (Php700 for 12 hours and Php900 for 24 hours)
Cable television at the hotel (Drinks not included in the room).
Bathroom.
Being just along MacArthur Highway has its pros and cons. It is definitely strategic in terms of transportation and being near key food spots in the city (Little Beijing is a few meters away! Yellow Cab, Shakey's Pizza, and SM Valenzuela are very near.). But if you are a very light sleeper, the noise from the highway may not be very pleasant. To address this, One Valenzuela suggests that you ask the front desk to be situated in a room which is not on the highway side.
Bathroom slippers. One Valenzuela did not fit in this pair since she is a size 9. Ask for bigger slippers if you need a pair.
A night or two at Meaco Hotel is recommendable for people on short trips in Valenzuela City, especially if you want a bit of comfort during your travel. It is definitely pocket friendly for the budget traveller. Being a few meters walk to SM Valenzuela, key food spots, and a brief jeepney ride away from the Valenzuela City People's Park and City Hall, the room rates are of good value.
Meaco Hotel
Address: McArthur Highway, Karuhatan, Valenzuela (very near SM Valenzuela, Shakey's, Little Beijing, and Yellow Cab; just beside Novo)
Telephone Number: (02)443-9321
Meaco Hotel room rates (as of January 2016) are very affordable.
Everyone has their own looong day. Just last Tuesday, One Valenzuela underwent a very tiring enrollment process, thus this gal needed a few moments to unwind and recollect. She dropped by at Coffee Tea Library in Potrero, Malabon to finally chill.
Coffee Tea Library at Potrero, Malabon is very near Brgy. Marulas.
Inside Coffee Tea Library
Coffee Tea Library is wonderfully designed from the wall bookshelves to their chairs. One Valenzuela saw many student customers who are reading, discussing, and writing notes. She also learned that Coffee Tea Library holds free public lectures on various topics such as research, business, and the sciences. It also offers tutorial services and conducts poetry readings. The shop also has tabletop games such as word for word, rubik's cube, and snakes and ladder which customers may borrow.
Enjoying some quiet time browsing the Internet with a half Fullhouse Stack sandwich and a glass of cold mixed berry tea (All for Php170.00).
Everything you need for better future and success has already been written... All you have to do is go to the library. (Henri Frederic Amiel)
Just looking at the walls of Coffee Tea Library will evoke a sense of inspiration, especially to bibliophiles and those in the field of library science. Being a librarian, who spends most of her waking days with books, Coffee Tea Library feels a bit like home.
Coffee Tea Library
Address: A & S Building, 189 MacArthur Highway, Potrero, Malabon (across Infinima Spa)
Brewing Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 11:00 pm;
Friday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 12:00 mn
Contact Number: (02)931-1004
Like Coffee Tea Library on Facebook here. Check Coffee Tea Library on Instagram here.
One of the many things that One Valenzuela appreciates about her home city is the ease of having access to bodies of freshwater. For her, these render a "province like" environment. Thus, given the opportunity to go on a short break (#thankyouAPEC), there is no more reason not to go fishing.
It has been a while since One Valenzuela held a fishing rod again. After browsing the web for some knot tying review, off she went to Aling Nene's Pond (ANP). You can easily get to the said fishing grounds located at Coloong I (see instructions below).
Anglers at Aling Nene's Pond.
Luckily, One Valenzuela was able to meet Aling Nene in person. She said that ANP was just a freshwater pond then where they grow fish for a living in the 1980's. They eventually converted it to a fishing spot for enthusiasts. According to Aling Nene, there were even individuals from Mandaluyong and Cavite who go to ANP to fish. Additionally, One Valenzuela also saw several Japanese who were casting their reels on that same day.
Aling Nene looks on. Salamat po!
One Valenzuela realized several convenient points on why many are fishing at Aling Nene's Pond. To name a few: (1) there are huts which you can rent for half or a whole day (Php400 for smaller huts; Php800 for bigger huts, rates as of this writing); (2) there is a canteen which serves good meals and drinks that you can bring to your hut; (3) there are several boys who will assist you (like in instances where, being a newbie, you cannot figure out how to set up your rod); (4) fish bait (masa and worms) can be bought from Php20 to Php50; (5) a grilling area is present; and (6) a comfort room is available. Do take note that you have to bring your own fishing equipment. On the other hand, nets for your catch can be borrowed.
Fishing for tilapia (St. Peter's fish), bangus (milkfish), and apahap (Barramundi).
Breath in some fresh air. Relax and look at the still waters. Reel in fish.
At the end of the day, your catch will be weighed. Payment varies, depending on the type and weight of the fishes. In the afternoon, One Valenzuela saw some with ayungin to bring home other than tilapia and bangus. As One Valenzuela packed her bag which is now a kilo heavier, a new set of anglers came in to get some Barramundi with their live baits.
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"Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers." - Herbert Hoover
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How to Reach Aling Nene's Pond:
It is quite easy to reach Aling Nene's Pond via private or public transportation from Malanday, McArthur Highway by following the guide map below. If commuting, there is a tricycle terminal at Malanday which can bring you directly to Aling Nene's Pond.
Address: 675 Cabeza C. Porciuncula St., Coloong I, Valenzuela City, Philippines (from Facebook)
Fishing hours: 6:00am to 5:00pm daily (from Facebook)
Want to read more about fishing in Valenzuela City? Check out One Valenzuela's past fishing escapes here:
Kap. Larry's Pond (Post 1 Click Here) (Post 2 Click Here)
Fun Fishing Tournament Experience (Click Here to Read)
------ Thank you for reading this article! Saan pa kaya dadalhin si One Valenzuela ng kanyang mga paa? Drop a suggestion below. Thank you po!
Paraiso ni Baste is developing beautifully. One Valenzuela has been frequenting this resort for a number of times now and she is so glad that it has maintained the quality of resort experience it offers to guests. And within a short period of time, the said place has added new features and services for everyone to enjoy. Scroll down and view the images below to know more.
Very inviting pool
Let us swim in the lap pool!
Free Delivery from Villa Marcelina Restobar and Grill, Brgy. Lingunan. Villa Marcelina serves "authentic Filipino and Chinese cuisine plus exotic pulutan and pancit sa bilao".
Paraiso ni Baste Hotel Suites. One Valenzuela was given the opportunity to view one of the rooms. An overnight stay at one of their hotel suites costs Php2,500. What she loved about it? Well, the room is (1) very clean, (2) has modern features, and (3) has direct access to the pool area by using the back door. Sweet.
Paraiso ni Baste Pavilion. Looking for a place where to spend an important occasion such as a wedding, a 7th birthday, or a debut? Paraiso ni Baste now has pavilions which one can rent.
Wave Pool. One Valenzuela saw some on going construction at one side of the resort during an early January swim. A new addition to the resort this summer is the introduction of the wave ball.
Photo taken around January 2015: Construction on going
Updates on the Resort's Rates and Reservation. Just last week, One Valenzuela learned that Paraiso ni Baste only takes reservations for its hotel suites and penthouse. One Valenzuela advises everyone to go here early because the resort observes the "First come, first serve" policy when it comes to kubo and cottage rental.
Staycation in the city? Here you will find a partial list of resorts located in Valenzuela, together with past articles and links to Facebook pages, if available. One Valenzuela did some research and here is the product of her work. She hopes to help Valenzuelanos in planning their recreational activities and, of course, to show support to the entrepreneurs in the city.
This page is updated from time to time. Last Update: April 2017
Arkong Bato
Trisha Land Garden Resort
Villa Blessie Private Pool (a.k.a Villa Blehtot) (see Facebook page)
Know of a resort which is not on the list? Any update or correction? Let us complete the list together! Send One Valenzuela an e-mail at onevalenzuelano@gmail.com, a message at the One Valenzuela Facebook page, or post a comment below.
