Yey! A Christmas Bazaar at the Valenzuela City Hall

After clocking out of the office by 5 p.m., One Valenzuela goes to the Christmas Bazaar at the Valenzuela New City Hall. Yey, time to relax and munch on some snacks!

Here's a peek of what you can find at the bazaar.

Christmas Bazaar at the New City Hall

Marikina shoes, Illustrazio bags, discounted Hang Ten clothes, and an SM Hypermarket Booth at the Bazaar

Mekeni and Frabelle have stalls at the bazaar. One Valenzuela has to swear that she is an avid follower of 3A Calamansi juice! Kami 2-ply tissue packs are also available at a nearby stall.

There were clothes, appliances, toys, and accessories too.

Oooh, You'll find Cookie Butter at Chocolicious Shoppe Manila's booth! One Valenzuela bought a jar of Biscoff Cookie Butter at Php320.00 (As of this writing, her family can already see the bottom of the bottle. Hihi. Gotta try Speculoos next.). Chocolicious Shoppe Manila sells a wide variety of imported chocolates, cookies, and other goods. You can try out various sausages at King Sue's as well as munch on some crunchy tofu snack at a nearby stall.

The Christmas Bazaar runs until December 21, 2013. The stalls are open from Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ang Sarap maging Valenzuelano: Valenzuela City Museum's opening

Nais naming sa paglabas ng bawat tao sa Museo ay hindi lamang siya puno ng impormasyon, kundi may baong karanasan, masaya, at may kamalayan. At sasambitin nila, "Ang sarap maging Valenzuelano". (English Translation: We want that every individual who comes out of the museum will not only be full of information but be bringing with them experience, happiness, and awareness. They will say "It feels great to be a Valenzuelano".)

Those are some of the words that One Valenzuela vividly remembered from Mr. Jonathan Balsamo, Museo Valenzuela curator, as she eagerly waited for the opening of the second museum in Valenzuela right in the heart of the city hall complex last 27th of June. She got an invite and was more than happy to witness the said event.

The opening was well attended. Mayor Win was there, a few other key personalities of the city, and some students. Gemma Cruz-Araneta is invited as the special guest of the said event.

Mayor Win speaks of  a museum's importance to its community.

Gemma Cruz-Araneta is given a book about Dr. Pio Valenzuela by Mayor Win Gatchalian and Architect Valenzuela.

One Valenzuela took Archaeology classes before and was very happy about the tektites found in Pugad Baboy, now  known as Brgy. Gen. T. De Leon. Salamat, H. Otley Beyer.

The opening of the museum was well attended. 

Aha! Now One Valenzuela got to know more about Kapitan Delfin Velilla,  which they passed by  on their way to Mc Domeng in Obando, Bulacan. Locals call the marker "rebulto".

Arkong Bato is a stone arc built in 1910 by Americans to serve as a mark between the province of  Bulacan and  Rizal. Many of the attendees said "Ang bilis ng biyahe!" as they happily walk below the arc.

Products which are proudly made in Valenzuela City.

Jonathan Balsamo explains the role that Valenzuela City played in the movie industry to Gemma Cruz-Araneta and Architect Valenzuela. 

Mayor Win Gatchalian looks on.

Mayor Win being interviewed by television personnel.

Going by the exit door, One Valenzuela would say that the museum definitely served its purpose. Ang sarap maging Valenzuelano. 

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How to reach Valenzuela City Museum:

Well, the Valenzuela City Museum is quite easy to locate. Simply go to the Valenzuela City Hall which is situated in Brgy. Karuhatan and is along McArthur Hiway. 

The museum is open from 9am to 5pm, from Monday to Friday. It is free and open to the public.

Gotta Walk the Dog: One Valenzuela and Bell! at the Valenzuela City Hall Complex

One Valenzuela's love for animals can be traced back to her childhood days. A run down on the various pets she had before will include dogs, a barangay of cats, fishes, chicks and ducks from palabunutan, spiders, a pair of turtles, pigeons, and lots of dagang costa.   

Many years later, One Valenzuela is now blessed with two furkids. It is a sunny weekend and Bell!, One Valenzuela's ball of energy, enjoyed some doggie running and walking at the Valenzuela City Hall grounds.

One happy Valenzuelana furball

What's that? It's a leaf, Bell!.

Enough of the coffee drinking, come on!

This is the result after the 30 minute walk.

Can we do it again next time? Yes, Bell!

One Valenzuela has been seeing quite a handful of Valenzuelanos walking, playing badminton, and exercising at the City Hall Grounds. She has also seen some cute chihuahuas running with their owner.

Thank God for this pretty neat haven.

Thank You, Michael's Bakery

"Hindi ka dumaan nung nakaraan. May ibibigay ako sa'yo." (You did not pass by yesterday. I have something to give you.) Kuya Michael said as One Valenzuela gave him a Php20 bill to pay for some monay she has just purchased.

One Valenzuela later learned that the baker made big donuts for her to take home on that particular day that she did not go to Michael's Bakery. It is a way of saying "Thank you!" for her simple write up about his shop. One Valenzuela told Kuya Michael that he does not have to do that. His donuts are worth writing about.

"Bukas punta ka dito ha. Gagawa ako ulit." (Go back here tomorrow. I will make new ones.). He still asked her again to pass by the bakery the next day.

And here they are! Four big donuts.

150 grams of cheesy donut goodness! 

Michael's Pan De Coco, Ensaymada, and Spanish Bread at Php5.00 each (Up-Down). One Valenzuela buys her monay here (Php13.00). Very soft and with good texture.

In a short talk, One Valenzuela learned that Kuya Michael has been baking since 2005. He opened his humble bakery along A. Pablo St. just last October 2012.

Gracias for the donuts! One Valenzuela hopes that more Valenzuelanos patronize your good bread, Kuya Michael!

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How to get there:

When in front of the new City Hall Complex, go to the street at the right. When you reach the end of the street, turn right. You will see Michael's Bakery at your right adjacent to a small store. It is along A. Pablo Street.

The bakery is open as early as 5 a.m. and closes at 8p.m.

Why One Valenzuela keeps coming back at Tully's Valenzuela

Yeah, One Valenzuela has been to Tully's Valenzuela for quite a number of times since she visited the shop on its soft opening. Most of the time, she goes there with hubby and Little One Valenzuela. On two occasions, One Valenzuela's sister tagged along for some life updating conversations and, of course, good coffee.

What One Valenzuela likes about lounging in this coffee shop? She hopes that you take a moment and view the following snapshots (Photos taken by One Valenzuela's uber sister).

Tully's Coffee: Now Brewing in Valenzuela

Lounging at Tully's early in the morning: comfy seats. 

Wide and wonderfully done interiors

Yeah, they know their coffee very well. One Valenzuela is asking about Tully's Bellaccino.

Little One Valenzuela has her Tully's spot too. 

We have tried several of their bread offers. Go for the muffins and chewy coffee waffle for a sweet treat. Will be trying out their salads and pasta soon.

Sipping it up at Tully's Valenzuela

Non-AC area at the second floor. You can see the Valenzuela City Hall's front building.

Unlike some coffee shops in malls that One Valenzuela has visited, Tully's Valenzuela has a wide space which makes her feel more relaxed and not all cramped up. The staff accommodates queries and serves with a smile. It is also great that they have a space for little kids which I seldom see in coffee shops.

Gonna be back there soon.
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How to get there: From Monumento (Caloocan City), just ride a jeepney or a bus going to Malinta/Malanday. Tully's Valenzuela Branch is located in front of the Valenzuela City Hall along McArthur Hiway.

Like their page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tullyscoffeephilippines?fref=ts

Tully's Coffee: the soft opening

It was already past 5 p.m. and One Valenzuela is on her way home after a busy day at the office. She was so happy to see that Tully's Coffee, located in front of Valenzuela City Hall, is already open!

Since she does not have ample time to lounge inside the very cozy coffee shop, One Valenzuela decided to buy one tall mocha (Php 135.00) and a macha (Php 165.00) for hubby.

Thanks Tully's!

The place got wifi as well as very comfortable tables and chairs. At last, one decent coffee shop in Malinta! For sure, One Valenzuela will be spending a lot of time here soon. 

Upon asking, One Valenzuela learned that the shop is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Grand opening is on Monday, January 28, 2013.

Valenzuela 3 Day Mega Trade Fair: April 17-19, 2012

It is my second time to go to the Valenzuela 3 Day Mega Trade Fair. After work, I visited the trade fair at the New City Government Complex Parking Grounds. 

Since I know that there will be quite a handful of food choices in the fair, I made sure to have my tummy ready for some merienda. Once there, I got my fill with a couple of hotdogs and a shawarma. I gulped some refreshing calamansi juice (15 pesos a bottle) to beat the summer heat.

There are lots of things to see and buy at the event: furniture, clothing, shoes and sandals, recycled products, plants, home decorations, and food, food, food (did I mention food?).

The trade fair runs until tomorrow, April 19 (Thursday). 

Trade Fair at the New City Government Complex 

Fresh honey in the bucket (100 pesos per bottle)

Huge pork rind cracklings / chicharon (L: 300 pesos; R: 230 pesos)

Denim pants and shorts for 100 bucks!?! I bought 3 pairs last time and they are all still okidoki. 

These  aprons are made from sewed plastic vinegar and soy sauce pouches (which are, by the way, ingredients found in most Pinoy kitchens and tables). Go green and recycle! 

Children's shirts go for 49 pesos a piece.

I tried the hotdog (6 pesos) and chicken longganisa (10 pesos). Yummy snack!

Stalls where you can buy discounted products.

I love shawarma, so I cannot resist buying one from the Hashish stall.

Samahang Pangkababaihan ng Marulas in Valenzuela City

Let us support greening with these paper products.