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. 

Nom de Plume: Madlang Away

Lucky enough to catch the last show of "Nom de Plume: Madlang Away" by Valenzuela City Center for the Performing Arts (VCCPA) today at the City Auditorium.

The Valenzuela Facebook page describes it as "... a musical based on the life of Dr. Pio Valenzuela and his roles in the Katipunan revolution and post colonialism town of Polo, Bulacan that now bears his name."

It was well received by the audience, hearing numerous claps and "Ayiiiii..." responses when the young Pio Valenzuela and his bride were about to kiss. One Valenzuela has read some pages of a book about Dr. Pio. Watching the play capped the experience. It is definitely a virulent play that enriches and empowers every Valenzuelano.

Salute to VCCPA for a job well done.

Shoe Sale!!! Marikina Visits Valenzuela

Here are a few snapshots from the Sapatos Festival 2013 which were held at the Geronimo Angeles Building Grounds, Valenzuela City Hall Complex.

I feel good sa Marikina shoes!

Love the smell of new shoes straight from the box.

A lady trying out some sandals.

Cinderella might ride this one.

Click!

The shoe festival ran for 3 days starting September 30, 2013.

Dong Bei Dumplings at Binondo, Manila: A Little Bit of Dumpling Heaven

One Valenzuela went to Juan Luna Street at Divisoria to search for some floaters and hooks for her new found hobby. Since Binondo is quite near the shopping mecca of Manila, she rode a jeepney to Carriedo and walked her way to China Town.

She has long wanted to visit Dong Bei Dumplings to complete her modified Binondo Food Walk (modified: eat at only one restaurant in China Town per visit unlike the usual trips she has read in many online articles where people tryout many places all in one day).

Dong Bei Dumplings at Binondo, Manila

Ayayay! What to eat, what to eat...

Some of the items on the menu seem pretty interesting.
The Dong Bei Dumplings store is quite small. When she got inside, One Valenzuela saw some of the personnel making kuchay and pork filled dumplings. She watched them as she waited for her order.

One Valenzuela asked them, "How many dumplings are sold in Dong Bei per day?". They smiled and said "Napakarami po." (English translation: A lot.)

One Valenzuela's order of steamed dumplings with kuchay and pork filling (Php110, if her memory serves her right; See? She ate the dumplings and forgot how much she exactly paid for it. It's that good.). Drank it with some ice cold Coke.

So how were the dumplings? The dumplings were very soft and light in taste. The kuchay leaves give the dumplings a refreshing taste too. Putting it into words would be a bit hard to describe and so One Valenzuela suggests Valenzuelanos to try it out.

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How to reach Dong Bei Dumplings from Valenzuela City (via public transportation):

From Brgy. Malinta, ride a jeepney bound to Sta. Cruz (Php19.00). Go down in front of Sta. Cruz Church. Walk along Ongpin Street which starts at the Arch of Goodwill. It is quite a long walk but let your eyes feast among colorful fruits, decors, and interesting finds.

Yuchengco Street

You will see the sign of Cafe Mezzanine at your left. Before you reach the said restaurant turn right at Yuchengco (Nueva) Street. Look for the Dong Bei Dumplings sign at your right as you walk along the said street.

Take note that it will be hard to dine at Dong Bei during the Chinese New Year celebration (trust One Valenzuela on this). It is still best to eat here on an ordinary day. Or better yet, take some dumplings for take out.

5 Things Why One Valenzuela Loves the Manila International Book Fair

The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), now on its 34^th year, is a yearly event which gathers publishers, distributors, and other learning related companies in one location.  

The 34th Manila International Book Fair is said to be the biggest book fair in the Philippines.

No librarian, including One Valenzuela, could hesitate the lure of a book fair. Just this Thursday, One Valenzuela is back at MIBF for their library’s book selection. She has plans of going back on Sunday, even if MOA might be full of people because of the co-located cheerdance event. Bahala na si Batman!

                                                         MIBF in motion

So, what are the 5 things that make One Valenzuela visit MIBF yearly? Read on.

1.   Books! Most at discounted prices. Adarna House usually has a lot of titles which can be bought at half its original price. Since One Valenzuela is also intrigued with PSICOM’s Diary ng Panget, she bought a copy which is Php20 less than the original price. 

Loot from Scholastic: Fill one box with books for just Php500! Shown here are just some of the books that One Valenzuela got. What a steal!

Check the discounted prices

Hello there, Pilandok plushie!

CSM Publishing Book Madness

Got a book on running here for Php40.00

Let us also support our local writers and illustrators by buying their book. Mmm, yeah, most of One Valenzuela’s stashed purchases were Filipiniana. And a box full of books from Scholastic! 

2.      Author sightings and book signings. PSICOM’s writers were there! One Valenzuela’s at the MIBF for the library book selection and is a bit pressed for time that she has to pass lining up for the meet and greet. Hayayay! -_- Take note that other participating exhibitors have also scheduled book signings so try to check if your favorite authors will be at the book fair too. 

PSICOM

Marlene Munar, CSM Publishing

3.    Freebies, raffle draws, and mini-contests! Posters, bookmarks, notepads, back issues, bags, pens, umbrellas, t-shirts! Well, One Valenzuela got all of these except the umbrella and t-shirt (She is not that lucky when it comes to raffle draws.)

Did not get this prize but it was fun watching these two guys!

4.   Activities for everyone. The MIBF schedule of special events from day 1 to 5 lines up forums, book launchings, contests and storytelling sessions. There are also other co-located events such as The Best of Anime 2013 and EDUCARE: A Young Child Conference. 

5.        Have a few laughs with a friend. No need to expound on this.

One Valenzuela encourages every Valenzuelano to read (thoughts of starting a long delayed book blog crosses her mind). Even if we do not have a single cent in our pocket for travel, we can always reach wonderful places through reading, right?

MIBF  runs from September 11-15, 2013, 10:00am to 8:00pm at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Fees: Adults (Php20.00); Teachers, Librarians, Students (Php15.00). Note: There are several publishers which give free passes before the book fair.

Like MIBF on Facebook or visit their site: www.manilabookfair.com.

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How to reach SMX Convention Center from Malinta, Valenzuela City:

Ride a jeepney going to Monumento (Php10.00). The fastest way to reach SMX Convention Center through public transportation is via LRT-1. Go down EDSA Station. You will see orange shuttles/jeepneys that will take you to SM Mall of Asia (Php8.00) where SMX Convention Center is located.

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      Thank you for reading this post! Saan pa kaya dadalhin si One Valenzuela ng kanyang mga
       paa? Kindly give a suggestion/comment below. You may also check out her previous               walks in Valenzuela below.

Zumba Marathon at Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City

WHAT: Zumba Marathon
WHEN: September 28, 2013, Registration by 5:00 pm (Php150.00/head)
WHERE: Red Line Gym Quadrangle at Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City (Beside Holy Cross Church)
WHO: Everyone!

Posting this event to help aerobics instructors in our city. Let us get fit, Valenzuelanos!

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Thank you for reading this post!
Saan pa kaya dadalhin si One Valenzuela ng kanyang mga paa?
Kindly post a comment or suggestion.
Links of previous walks can also be seen below.

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. 

Kingpin Bowling and Gaming Center at Malinta, Valenzuela City

The whole bunch had their early breakfast at Jollibee Malinta and later on decided to go up Felisa Building. One Valenzuela's acquaintances told her that there is an existing open air bowling center at the third floor. The place was closed when they went there (it's a bit early!) but she was able to take some photos from the outside of the establishment. 

Kingpin Bowling & Gaming Center is located at
3/F Felisa Building, Gov. I. Santiago Road, Malinta, Valenzuela City.

Kingpin Bowling and Gaming Center bowling rate posted outside.

Will have to come back some other day to knock down some pins. :)
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The recent typhoon, Maring, and habagat have been very trying. Such trials bring out the best and worst among people.

Good thing, One Valenzuela has seen many Valenzuelanos staying positive all the way. Stay safe and dry, fellow Valenzuelanos.
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Have you played with your friends at Kingpin? Share it here.
Saan pa kaya dadalhin si One Valenzuela ng kanyang mga paa?
Kindly leave a suggestion below. 

Mosquito OL Trap: Where to buy your Ovi/Larvicidal (OL) Trap in Valenzuela City

Just last night, 24 Oras reported that Michael V. is stricken with dengue. On a similar note, One Valenzuela was also afflicted with dengue last year- thinking that it was just another case of flu too. In five days, she still managed to go to the office and have her last day teaching stint. Later on, she consulted a doctor and off she went for a hospital staycation for another five days. Not so cool indeed.

As a result of her bout with dengue, they got their door and windows screened. One Valenzuela also managed to make her own mosquito traps that she placed inside the house. 

For an easier alternative, if you are not that into making your own traps from scrap, Mosquito Ovi/Larvicidal (OL) Traps, are now being sold via PhilPost (see Philippine Information Agency article, PhilPost joins fight vs. dengue). One Valenzuela learned of this when she went to the Valenzuela City Post Office to pay some bills (Bayad Center without lines! PhilPost is definitely diversifying!). Each kit costs Php25.00 (for DOST product description, please click here).

Valenzuela Central Post Office is located at the Old City Hall Complex, Brgy. Malinta, Valenzuela City

PhilPost: Panlaban sa Dengue, Nabibili Dito sa Post Office
OL Trap Kit-Php25.00/kit and OL Pellet-Php2.50/sachet
Environment-friendly, organic and non-toxic solution, affordable, safe & effective

The Php25.00 kit contains 4 packs of OL Pellets, a black container, a lawanit stick, and a detailed instruction on how to use the DOST Ovi/Larvicidal (OL) Trap

How to use the DOST Ovi/Larvicidal (OL) Trap
One Valenzuela did her best to make the instruction look clearer
(Apologies, since she is still using a 2MP camera.). Thanks Picasa!

Hope this post helps. To every Valenzuelano, stay safe po!
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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.

Salamat, Bahay ni Bantay!

Bahay ni Bantay, a cageless boarding home in Makati, recently opened a new whelping room. And as a fun way of showing it to furkid lovers out there, Bahay ni Bantay posted a photo of the room on their Facebook page and asked its followers to guess how many dogs are in the room.

One Valenzuela guessed the right number. Her furball Bell! got  a new leash and collar. What a prize!

Xend it all the way to Valenzuela. Uber thanks, Bahay ni Bantay!

For a more detailed experience, read Galedylicious Blog's write up on Bahay ni Bantay. Like Bahay ni Bantay on Facebook.

Balanlay Seafood & Steak House at Marulas, Valenzuela City

A very dear friend of One Valenzuela recently tied the knot. They opted to have a simple but memorable after wedding celebration by bringing their guests over at Balanlay for a lunch buffet. One Valenzuela has been eyeing to visit this restaurant but she has been so busy nowadays. Now here is the perfect opportunity!

Lunch Buffet at Php200 per head

Stylish set-up on a regular day

Pretty good buffet spread: Soup, Rice, Fish with tausi, Squid, Chicken with shrimps, Pork menudo, Meatballs, and some Fruit Cocktail for dessert 

One Valenzuela has to mention that Balanlay's Squid stole her heart.

For Php200 per head, Balanlay's buffet offering is quite a steal. Good food, great venue. 

Lastly, best wishes to Abbey and David. Welcome to the married club! ^_^

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Balanlay Seafood and Steak House: 

Address: McArthur Hi-way, Marulas, Valenzuela City (Landmark: near Filoil Gas Station, It is somewhere in between Fatima Dambana and SM Hypermarket Valenzuela)

Telephone numbers: 709-7772 / 352-4232

You may visit Balanlay Catering Services' website and like Balanlay Catering Services' Facebook Page or Balanlay Seafood and Steak House's Facebook Page here.
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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.

Colette's Buko Pie in Malinta, Valenzuela City

One Valenzuela verified it from Colette's website if they do have a branch that sells their famous buko pie in Valenzuela City. And yep, they have a branch in Malinta!

Colette's can be seen at Gov. Santiago Road in Brgy. Malinta, Valenzuela City. Nearby landmarks: 7-Eleven and Jollibee Malinta along McArthur Hiway. 

Hi, buko pie!

Got a box of buko pie for Php170

Mmm, now when One Valenzuela goes to Tagaytay again, she will not be so tired of carrying buko pies for pasalubong. She will buy her boxes of pies here from now on.

Like Colette's Buko Pie on Facebook.

Salamat Kalborger's!

One Valenzuela would like to thank Nikki Bautista of Kalborger's for those awesome Duper Beef Burgers. She hopes that more Filipinos, especially Valenzuelanos, try out their amazingly HUGE and GOOD TASTING burgers (trust One Valenzuela on this).

Little Valenzuela and the uber big Kalborger's burgers. Thanks a bunch, Nikki!

Got the burgers from Kalborger's MCU Branch (street at the back of Jollibee MCU; in front of Arbell's Pharmacy). Visit this branch for an on-the-go HUGE burger experience.

For fellow Valenzuelanos, visit the article "Kalborger's Duper Chicken: One Valenzuela's HUGE Burger Experience" to know of Kalborger's other branches in Valenzuela City. You may also like Kalborger's page on 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.