One Valenzuela passed by the community bulletin boards near the Valenzuela City Complex today. She quickly snapped a few shots at some of the tarpaulins posted there.
Mega Job Fair, Inauguration of PLV Annex Building, Red Cross Blood Letting Activity, 5th Fun Fishing Tournament at Kap Larry's Pond in Coloong, and more
Happy, happy birthday!
Meycauayan Institute Batch '80 Reunion for a Cause
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For more information about the said activities in Valenzuela City for the whole month of April 2013, visit Valenzuela City's website: http://www.valenzuela.gov.ph/ (check them out under "Events and Services")
Last Saturday, One Valenzuela and Little One
Valenzuela packed their ever trusty Hawk bag with swimsuits, SPF80
sunblock, floaters, and towels for a quick dip at a local resort. Around 6:30
in the morning, they are on a jeepney going to Malinta Tollgate.
By 7 o’clock, they already found themselves in
front of Puregold Paso de Blas. Before walking to the tricycle terminal bound
to Cariño
Resort, they bought some chocolate bars and cold drinks at Mercury Drugstore.
“Malapit na po ba, Ma?” (Are we there yet, Mom?) Little One Valenzuela asked One Valenzuela
in the tricycle as they passed by several painted walls of Brgy. Lawang Bato
and Brgy. Punturin. It took us about ten to fifteen minutes to reach Cariño
Resort. Since Little One Valenzuela has been asking the whole week for some
swimming escape, the ride seemed too lengthy for her.
Cariño Resort's Front Gate (your entrance for some water fun!)
Welcome guests!
Cariño Resort's Cashier/Counter
One Valenzuela told the dragon to do the Toothpaste Commercial Smile
Reminded One Valenzuela of Aslan, the Great Lion, of Narnia
After paying the necessary fees, they were given purple waterproof wristbands/tags.
Comfortable to wear, the wristbands/tags are indeed waterproof. Little One Valenzuela removed hers at home and it is still pretty intact.
One Valenzuela loved the atmosphere of the resort.
It is full of foliage and dangling flowers! The flowing water on rocks and jars
gives a calming effect. No wonder some people One Valenzuela know say that it
is a good place for a photo or a video shoot.
Vines of flowers and leaves give shade to guests
Cariño Resort is divided into two major areas- Pavilion One and Pavilion Two.
Pavilion One has a slide. Much of the swimming
pool here is 7 feet deep. It also has an area which is around 3 feet in depth (my
estimate). Here, Little One Valenzuela stayed and practiced her baby frog kicks. A mini jacuzzi can also be seen in Pavilion One.
Cariño Resort Pavillion 1 Panoramic Shot
Flowers and leaves give shade over tables near the pool.
Cariño Resort Pavillion 1 Pool
Pavilion Two is bigger. Water depth range is from
4 to 5 feet. Most of the visitors flock here since the water is a bit shallow. A bridge and several rock formations add beauty to the place. More tables and cottages are also situated in Pavilion Two.
Cariño Resort Pavillion 2
Photo taken at around 11 a.m.
The Calesa was already reserved when we got there.
Bridge at Pavilion 2
Families just love this part of Pavilion 2
Table at Php300
Hammock
Sing your heart out at a videoke area in Pavilion 2
Love the smell of those grilled meat and fish. Yum!
Click and pose!
One Valenzuela saw this man humming a tune
For those who want to see the shower room
One Valenzuela and Little One Valenzuela stayed at a
table in Pavillion One. One Valenzuela prefers the 7 feet pool. She can readily
see Little One Valenzuela, with her floater, having some water fun from the
table they got. That whole day, water is their best friend.
At last! Wading in Cariño Resort Pavilion 1 pool.
By observation, One Valenzuela saw several Cariño
Resort employees watching over the guests who are swimming in the two pavilions.The
rules and regulations of the resort are put up in several locations. Reminders
are also placed near cottages and tables. Two thumbs up for that.
By 4 p.m., One Valenzuela and Little One Valenzuela
are already in front of Cariño Resort looking for a tricycle to
ride. One Valenzuela glanced back at the resort and read “Cariño
Resort: A great place to celebrate”. Yeah, it is indeed a great place to
celebrate and share some water fun with your family, relatives,
and barkada.
Transportation:
Jeepney ride from Malinta, McArthur Hiway to
Malinta Exit/Tollgate (Php8.00/head x 2): Php 16.00
Tricyle ride from Malinta Exit/Tollgate
(Php16.00/head; Php60 special ride): Php 60.00
Table: Php
300.00 (There are much bigger tables/cottages than what we had. Cariño
Resort also has rooms.)
Food:
You can bring your own food inside the resort. You can also do some grilling in the resort.
One Valenzuela ordered some fried calamares
(Php130) and 2 cups of rice (Php20/cup) from Cariño’s menu. The resort also
offers various types of fried chicken, noodles, and fried rice. They also have
light beer in buckets (note: hard drinks and extra strong beer are not allowed), crispy pata, sizzling plates, and kilawin. Check their
menu for a more complete list.
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How to get there (via public transportation):
From South Supermarket
in Malinta, McArthur Hiway, go to the jeepney terminal bound to Malinta Tollgate/Exit or
Novaliches Bayan.
Malinta-Novaliches route
When in Malinta Tollgate, go down at Puregold Paso
de Blas.
Puregold Paso de Blas (known as Royal Mall before)
Cross the road and walk a bit to the East Service
Road bound to Lawang Bato.
Look up: East Service Road
You won't get lost. Big signs!
You will find a tricycle terminal along the way. Ride
a tricycle (blue) and ask the driver to bring you to Cariño
Resort. Cariño Resort is near St. Joseph the Worker Quasi Parish Church.
To Cariño Resort po, Manong!
Like most resorts which are teeming with people
during the hot summer months, One Valenzuela advises fellow Valenzuelanos to be up on your feet early for your scheduled swimming trip so you can choose the cottage/table that you
want (walk-in guests). At Cariño Resort, you can also reserve
cottages and rooms beforehand.
"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!
------ 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.
One Valenzuela went to Compuware at Karuhatan to ask about the prices of some computer accessories. She has seen a newly opened lechon store near it yesterday. It has been a while since she last ate lechon so off she trotted to JL's Cebu Lechon Belly. Knowing more about wifi routers, UTP cables, and RJ45s made her really hungry.
Cebu Lechon Belly goodness in Valenzuela
On display
A customer waiting for her order.
One Valenzuela had their regular budget meal (Php89.00).
Pretty cool sawsawan dispenser
The verdict? The lechon belly was fantastic! The lechon skin was pretty crispy and not leathery. Try dipping the lechon to their spicy sawsawan for a bit of a kick. The regular budget meal that One Valenzuela had satisfied her lechon craving.
Prices range from Php160 (1/4 kilo) to Php630 (1 kilo) for regular boneless lechon. You can also have some spicy boneless lechon for Php165 (1/4 kilo) to Php650 (1 kilo).
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The following information came from JL's brochure:
Address: #279 McArthur Hiway, Karuhatan, Valenzuela City
For orders, please call: (02)444-8976/ (02)475-2146
According to one of their staff, they are open daily from 10am-8pm.
UPDATE: As of December 2013, JL's is now located in front of SM Hypermarket Valenzuela.
It was past five o'clock and while One Valenzuela is walking near Biosource Drugstore, she saw a procession of Poong Jesus Nazareno. She immediately went to the other side of the road to have a clearer view.
There were many devotees who walked barefoot on the concrete road. Some men carry the Poon while a few women held bunches of flowers. Most of them were wearing yellow orange and maroon shirts. When One Valenzuela tried to read a young man's shirt, written on it were Nuestro Jesus Nazareno and Batang Monumento. Below is a short video clip:
From a far: Poong Narazeno passed by Dr. Pio's statue in front of the Valenzuela City Hall of Justice (also known to many as Old Valenzuela City Hall)
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
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.
Ms. Dada and her staff prepared some coffee blends and two varieties of pastas. Whoa, too much to handle. Good thing, One Valenzuela’s hubby came earlier to fetch her. He eventually helped her in trying out the drinks and pastas.
Amazing Mocha is a best seller at Kopi Corner. Perfect for the hot summer days ahead. (Tall, 12 oz.)
L-R: Hazelnut Mocha, Cappucino, and Mocha Amaretto Coffee price range is Php60 to Php125. Yeah, affordable than most coffee shops One Valenzuela has been too.
Yey, it's officially summer! Checking out pools and drinking Hazelnut Mocha in a very regal glass. (Grande, 16 oz.)
Kopi Corner's version of Cappucino is a new addition to their list. Best sipped with sugar and cream.
One Valenzuela is very faithful to fraps and rarely drinks hot coffee. But wait! Mocha Amaretto, which has a hint of cherry, just stole her heart away.
Hubby liked the Carbonara for its creaminess. One Valenzuela preferred the spicy Red Sauce pasta.
Organo Gold organic coffee can be bought here.
By the way, various pastries are at Php15-50. Cakes and pastas are at Php100 while nachos can be bought at Php90-100.
After some sips and bites, One Valenzuela continued to ask
Ms. Dada more about Kopi Corner (Uhm, One Valenzuela really asks a lot of
questions. Right, hubby?).
What are the
activities that can be held in Kopi Corner? Private meetings, Christmas
parties, seminars, Christian fellowships, and birthdays. Reservations can be
done.
Sometimes, they close the shop to accommodate an event. When
that happens, orders are for take-out and delivery. Kopi Corner can accommodate
up to 30 persons.
What are your future
plans for Kopi Corner? This summer, discounts shall be given to students. There will bemore cake and sandwich varieties soon. And in two weeks, rice meals will be offered. The non-AC area will also be developed in a short while. All in all, more plans
are up on their sleeves.
After a few more minutes of deep conversation, One
Valenzuela had to pack her things and leave with hubby to buy some puppy accessories at Pet Discount.
In retrospect, One Valenzuela definitely recommends Kopi
Corner to everyone who would like to have some healthy coffee. Kopi Corner’s signature
espresso blends are also a must try.
She loves that fraps are served in fancy glasses and hot
drinks are in colorful mugs.
One Valenzuela also sees Kopi Corner as a place for intimate
coffee dates and barkada gatherings. It is also a place to start a day right with
some organic coffee.
It is great to know that the shop got a lot of plans ahead.
This is a sure sign of progress and sincere love of the craft.
Ooooh, and that Mocha Amaretto makes her want to go back soon
to that quaint coffee shop adjacent to BPI. The one which glowed with a
laid-back feel as her watch ticked near seven in the evening.
------
Thank you for the invite, Ms. Relizza. Be back soon!
Business hours: 7am-10pm. It can be extended until 1am. (Note:
Very accommodating. One Valenzuela saw how Ms. Dada spoke with a customer and she
certainly felt genuine concern about the customer’s requests.)
Exact Address: Unit 108 Puregold Valenzuela Brgy. Dalandanan,
McArthur Hiway, Valenzuela City
