Photo Vlog: Bing's Beach Resort Bolinao Pangasinan

Photo Vlog: MC Hotel Novaliches Quezon City

MC Hotel (Quezon City)

February 28 - March 01, 2015


It's our 6th Anniversary and after my son's Field Demo at school and celebrating with a simple dinner at Kuya J's Restaurant at SM Novaliches, we decided to find a place where we can stay for a night and just rest ourselves like we used to do always, it's another Staycation in the city.

Grabbed from MCHotel FB page: https://www.facebook.com/mchotelph

Before leaving the house we're already searching the net for some deals where we could celebrate our anniversary. We were supposed to visit a hotel in Manila but my husband does not want to go any further since he has come tired from work already, so we decided to find a place located in Quezon City or Novaliches instead.

Grabbed from MCHotel FB page: https://www.facebook.com/mchotelph

We saw a deal in Metrodeal for MCHotel which is located near our place, on the picture it seems the hotel is good and clean. I've called the reception of MCHotel to inquire and she seemed very accommodating as she answers all my queries accordingly. She even offered us a discount so we could get the room we saw at Metrodeal at a much lower price without having to go to the bank to deposit for the payment and we could also avail the same room we saw online, the one with Jacuzzi-style bathtub, which my son enjoyed so much.

Grabbed from MCHotel FB page: https://www.facebook.com/mchotelph

MCHotel's reception area, with the chandelier. Grabbed from MCHotel FB page: https://www.facebook.com/mchotelph


From home, before we eat we decided to drop by at the hotel so we could leave our things first before we eat, and actually we've decided that we can eat at the hotel instead like we used to do so we don't need to leave the premises since we're already there. We've arrived in front of the hotel at around quarter to 7pm on the night of February 28, our first thought was, "OMG, we might have been lost..it seems we were not supposed to be here. This might not be the right place." The first impression was, this is not the hotel we were looking for, since we were with our son, outside they have posters for a short time stay, you may know what I mean.

They have let us in on their underground parking lot, very suitable for those who are hiding something, haha silly me. They're still renovating the parking lot and it looks so messy when we came in.

Arriving at the front desk I've told the receptionist that I'm the one who has to ask for reservation over the phone, since they have offered as 1,200 for a night (12 hours) for the suite room I think, the room which has Jacuzzi bathtub. Since we arrived too early for a 10 pm check-in time that we have agreed over the phone we haggled if we could just check in early since we'll be eating also so we don't need to go any further. But they don't allow us unless we pay another 600 for the time extension. Oh My, we were able to get the room for 1200 but they want us to pay 600 for 3-hour extension even if we told them that we'll be eating on their resto. Too bad for first-time visitors like us.

And so we don't have a choice, I just told my husband that we better eat outside than eat there and we still need to pay 600 pesos more. So we leave the place and go to SM Novaliches to eat dinner at Kuya J's Restaurant.

Around 10 pm, we came back to finally check-in. They gave us the key to our room, but no one assisted us upstairs, they just tell us the room number and that's it. Upon entering the room, the first thing you'll notice is the smell once you open the door, it seems like it hasn't been open for a while. A smell of a house when you came back from a long vacation. Good thing their air-condition is good and really cools up your mood, Bad thing their bed sheet is too sleazy. My son and husband enjoyed it, but for someone like me who cannot stand cold atmosphere, it's suffering. I hardly sleep over the night.

Grabbed from MCHotel FB page: https://www.facebook.com/mchotelph

Suite room, not quite sure.

the Suite room has 2 queen-size beds. An open cabinet where you can hang your clothes.

Dining area

They have a 17" T.V. where we can hardly see the movie we're watching while lying in bed, it's not compatible with how far and how big their television is. And they have 1 table and 2 chairs for dining.


For the bathroom, they really have a Jacuzzi, but compared to the picture on their website, the Jacuzzi doesn't look clean. Actually, if you come near the holes of this tub, you will see some brownish particles on it. It seems the tub hasn't been used for a while. And what's worst is that it mixed with the water when we open it, and literally the water became brown. And there is something swimming on the tub. OMG! My son didn't enjoy the experience well, because that's what he came here for, but we have no choice but to not allow him to dip in too long even if we're able to clean it when we saw the brownish water.

Jacuzzi tub

We just let our son enjoy the shower instead, we just hope nothing enters my son's body when he showered.

Shower 

Comfort room

In the morning we've visited there swimming pool area, well that's one thing we would like to experience here when we decided to check in. I like their pool though since it's included in our overnight stay we decided to dip in. We just hope that the water isn't like the water in their tub.



The pool's design is good since the pool is a bit hidden in sunlight you will enjoy dipping into it. The pool is clean though. And I like their chairs also.

Overlooking Novaliches proper

at the elevator 

So all in all, our Staycation here is not very satisfying, good thing the swimming pool complement our stay, so at least they're able to make it up for the tub.


I'd also like to mention that they have complete bathroom complimentary bathroom essentials. That's why we were able to go directly to my nephew's birthday party after we checked out from here. That's already an A+. We just hope that they make sure that their water supply is clean and that their tubs are very well cleaned too so that people will come back too.


Coming back? Not sure really, unless they're able to update their service and clean their tubs.


Address: #35 Susano Road, Novaliches Quezon City

Facebook page: MCHotel (My Comforts, My Choice)

The Pearl Manila - Vacation across the Metro

This will be the very first official blog that I was able to write since I've planned to work on blogging.

After years of planning finally, I was able to have extra time to create my very first official blog.

Though since I was a kid it was my passion writing and reading, from scrap to diaries to everything only now did I get extra time for this.

I hope that I'll be able to make a lot of blogs in the future.

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It was just another day after my graveyard shift on a Saturday morning and it just felt so hot and I can feel the terrible effect of global warming. And so I've decided to check on +Ensogo Philippines deals and see if I could find any cool travel deals where we can spend the weekend. And since it was me and my husband's monthsary on the following day the 6th of April.

Upon browsing, I saw this deal which won't take a lot of time to travel as it was just the opposite side of Quezon City I supposed, it was just in Manila near and walking distance Luneta Park where my son's always happy to see the children's playground...and of course! I wouldn't grab the deal if it doesn't have a swimming pool and the complimentary breakfast and of course, it's for an overnight stay.


I would also like to say a special thank to this hotel as they have allowed us to check in the same day we purchase the voucher, even if we haven't take a prior booking for as to the deals terms & conditions it is needed to pre-book: 7 days in advance.



escape kit
Overnight Superior Room accommodation for 2 persons
Plated breakfast for 2 persons
Unlimited access to the swimming pool


The Reception:

On our arrival, we were welcomed with their not so big reception but I can say that it was well maintained and super clean. And of course I wouldn't forget their very accommodating and friendly staff; from the receptionist to their servers I would give them a 2 thumbs up!

The Pearl Manila Reception 

Restaurant Cafe

And we have our welcome drinks, 2 glass of ice tea+2 bottles of mineral water



The Room:



We had the superior room which has a queen-size bed which makes it really comfortable for us 3.
The room is really big, which has a big cabinet,
a personal refrigerator,
a table and a chair,
a cable TV, though the wifi is not accessible in our room.
A super clean Comfort room, which has a LOT OF TOWELS, I think it was 4-5 clean towels, they were really generous on towel as they still give us another towel when we took a night swimming when I ask if they could provide one as I was only able to bring 1 towel for us 3 on the pool area.
The 2 pairs of cute Pearl Manila Slippers, good thing because we forgot to bring our own slippers.
Oh, and before I forgot, I like it that they have a safety box in our room.


And of course, the complimentary shampoo, a pair of toothbrush and toothpaste, a lotion, cotton buds +head cap and the cute shell-shaped soap.
Hot and cold shower.




The Food:

The plated breakfast you have 2 option whether you'd go for Americano or Filipino breakfast, my husband choose Filipino breakfast as he's meal won't be complete without rice, then I'd go for Americano.


Americano; a cup of coffee with another cup of milk as your creamer, choice of pineapple or orange juice, bacon, toasted bread, a breakfast cereal with overloaded milk, plus the sunny side up egg
Filipino; cup of coffee with another cup of milk as your creamer, choice of pineapple or orange juice, fried rice, daing, plus the sunny side up egg.

Plated Breakfast

But note that they have other options than that of what I've enumerated, above will be the meal we choose for the day. And also note that our breakfast is included in the package, so all in all the breakfast is great.

For lunch, on our arrival, since it was already 3pm and we haven't eaten our lunch yet we decided to check on their resto's menu. And since my Momon (my husband) is really hungry we ordered for their Crispy Pata which took a little bit too long to be served but when we saw the server on the way to our table and when he served the food on our table we just can't help but say, "now we know". The minutes we've waited is all worth it. The crispy pata was really really GOOD!. It was so crispy, looks really fresh and the serving was really generous. Actually we 3 weren't able to eat everything and so we requested to take it to our room. And to add up, the rice was soooo good too, taste like a freshly harvested grains. And the price I think it's just right.

Crispy Pata to come back for.

The Pool Area: The pool is really normal not so big but what we like about it is they have a lot of trees in the pool area + on the right side of the pool area they have a very cozy landscape, since we are all nature lovers we really love that they have a lot of plants surrounding the area, even if you're seeing high rise buildings all around, you will still have that relaxing feeling like you were not in the city anymore, it's like you've really traveled somewhere else.




Swimming area @ night, overlooking Times Plaza building

The Building

The relaxing view.

The pool area in the morning


All in all, we've really enjoyed our short and easy vacation, we haven't traveled far, Erky(my son) did enjoy the pool and also our "pasyal". Where we were also able to have a tour in Intramuros, Rizal Park and his favorite the Children's playground.

I will be creating a different blog for our tourist-like tour in Manila. Please also check it out.

Btw: I think the deal is still on +Ensogo Philippines, below you'll find the hotel's details for your reference.

Location: Gen. Luna St. corner Taft & United Nations Ave., Ermita, Manila

The Pearl Manila Hotel Website

Bing's Beach Resort in Bolinao Pangasinan 2012

Probably you may ask why now? Why just now? Well before, I really don't have extra time to sit and spend time writing, even though this is my passion. Maybe because I was too occupied from work to family or simply I just can't manage my time well .

Why am I still writing about a trip that has happened almost 5 years ago? First, because I don't want to forget the experience. Second, because I never forget the experience. And the most important reason of all is because I and We (my family) fell in love with the place and we want to share the experience and the way we felt the first time we've visited and explore Bolinao Pangasinan.❤

It was January of 2012 when I've heard of Bolinao Pangasinan, it was featured in a couple of travel programs and was even featured in news programs like TV Patrol and 24Oras. There, I saw that the place was beautiful and that makes us decide to plan it for that year's annual bonus in March.

I've started searching for the place from Youtube to Blog sites. And that is where I saw Bing's Beach resort in Bolinao. Most of the blogs I've read about it says that it was the one, if not the most affordable resort in Bolinao who offers room accommodations. I've got the resort's number in one of the blogs and luckily the number is still working and good thing they've allowed us to have a reservation without any deposit.

Here comes March 15 of 2012, we've packed our things and headed to Victory Liner where we ride the bus going to Bolinao. We've arrived at Victory Liner in Cubao past 12pm, we don't have any reservations since it was our family's first time to travel in a new place (except Baguio of course where my husband's older sister resided) and we didn't know where are we going exactly, since the place is a not a well-known tourist spot yet that time. We didn't expect that there's only a limited number of buses traveling to Bolinao so we have to wait I guess until 3pm or so for the next bus to leave for Bolinao. So if you're commuting and would travel to Bolinao, make sure to know the schedule of the bus departure or better yet buy tickets in advance to have a reservation.

NLEX 

We've arrived in Bolinao around 10pm, though we thought it would only take us 4hrs as per blogs I have read, it actually took more or less 6hrs for us, felt like you've traveled to Baguio already. It was really dark and us being in a new place without anyone we know was a frightening thought already. But we're lucky enough that the people in Bolinao Pangasinan as the typical Pilipino, are very accommodating and helpful.

We rode a tricycle from the Bus terminal since the tricycle are already lined up on the terminal upon the Bus arrival. Kuya tricycle driver was so kind and really accommodating, sad that I've already forgotten his name and lost his number from our old phone☹.
It is a bumpy road going to Bing's resort and since it was already dark my husband is a bit worried since our 3 yrs old Erky was with us. But luckily we arrived at Bing's resort safely. We've paid Kuya Driver 150 pesos for the one-way ride. You may think that was way too expensive for a one-way tricycle ride, well try for yourself to experience why. It was late, dark the road was bumpy, and it was more than a couple of kilometers away from the town proper, 13.3kms as per google map.

Upon arrival at Bing's Beach Resort, the staffs welcome us cheerfully. Just before we got off from the tricycle they were already patiently waiting for us. It felt like we just arrived at the airport 😄. After they lead us to our beachfront room (which we've requested). The first thing my husband asks is if there's as resto where we can eat since we're already hungry from afar and long ride. Sadly they don't have a resto or even a canteen but they can cook your requested food. I wanted seafood but my husband didn't like to eat seafood at that time instead he requested for Liempo. I have to commend that their rice was really good! It's like the rice normally used for Maki.

Food served at Bing's Beach resort (outside our room) 

Btw, let me clear that their beachfront rooms were not really beach front, but it was actually beachside. Not too far away from the beach, you will have to walk a couple of steps to reach the seashore.

our first night in our room @ Bing's Beach Resort

the 2nd double bed in our room

Our room only costs 1500 pesos (30 USD) only. You will have everything below for that affordable price.

Own bathroom
1 queen size bed
1 double bed
Air condition
a side table
clean and comfy bed linens
and of course, your privacy

Our first morning at Bing's Beach Resort:

veranda outside our room 

2 story building of Bing's near the beach 

staircase going to the beach 

Beachfront @ Bing's Beach Resort 

The Beach

Clear seawater of Bolinao that I can even see my blue nail polish ☺ 

What we've noticed with the seashore of Bing's Beach resort is that it is not well maintained, or it just happened that we were too early for summer that they don't mind cleaning the shore at that time. If you will walk on the shore you should wear your slippers or else, I swear! "matitinik kayo".

I'm not sure where those thorns came from, it was somewhat like "walis tingting".

But I am still hoping that only because we came too early for summer, and we came too soon that they didn't have enough time to prepare.

the waves, the sea, the shore, and the shokoy haha peace B 😘 

cluttered shore 😑

father and son moment with the breathtaking shorelines of Bolinao💕💕💕

#sakatabingresort


Well, all in all, the experience is good with Bing's Beach resort.

The staffs were friendly and accommodating.
They wholeheartedly provided all our requests.
The rooms are clean and relaxing.
It's definitely worth our money.


Weak points are:

cluttered seashore
in the bathroom; you will have to rinse yourself with seawater as well.


If you'll ask me if we'll come back again for Bing's beach resort, well definitely YES! Because:

The experience was good.
I still believe that they can offer more.
And especially because I am more on a budget-friendly trip.

To contact Bing's Beach resort, see the details on this picture below. (I'm not quite sure if they still have the same contact number, but will update you when we go back in Bolinao soon 😉)

True to their promise, MURA NA, GOOD SERVICE PA. 

Visit Bolinao Pangasinan this summer and try Bing's Beach Resort for a budget-friendly and stress-free out of town experience. 🚣☀⛅☀☀☀