Subic Beach, Matnog, Sorsogon

        Subic Beach in Matnog, Sorsogon has become one of the favorite beaches to visit in the Philippines.  Located at the southernmost municipality of Sorsogon, Subic Beach is popular for its unique white pinkish sand and crystal clear waters.  Not just a summer destination, this paradise in Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon is the perfect place for those who wants to enjoy nature, cool breeze, and pristine clear waters anytime of the year.

A panoramic photo of Subic Beach, Matnog, Sorsogon, Philippines.  Click and zoom each photo in this post to view in bigger size.

Villa Nonita, Tagaytay

     Last October 2018, my sister Hannah tied the knot with Dennis and it was one of the most memorable and most enchanted wedding that I was privileged to witness and be a part of. The wedding was held in Caleruega Church and for three days during the wedding celebrations, we stayed at the popular Greek-inspired private hotel-resort in Tagaytay -- Villa Nonita.

Villa Nonita in Tagaytay has an unobstructed view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.

     Villa Nonita gives off an enchanting Greek Santorini vibe and gives you a full view of the nearby Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.  The several houses of Villa Nonita are fully furnished for a comfortable stay and decorated in rustic Greek theme -- perfect for a dreamy staycation with family or friends and a great location for photo shoots too.

ACE Hotel & Suites and ACE Water Spa: A Review

     When traveling, it's important that we choose to stay in a hotel where we can be comfortable and have peace of mind.  Whether it's for business or a vacation, the hotel we choose should minimize the stress that usually goes with being away from home. 

     Hey there, what's up?  In this post, I'm going to tell you about our stay at ACE Hotel & Suites, including our use of their facilities at ACE Water Spa.  There's already a lot of reviews about ACE Hotel & Suites and ACE Water Spa all over the Internet, mostly positive, so I'm not gonna bore you with all the details you already know.  Only the relevant ones that you can use if you decide to stay in this hotel.

     Ace Hotel & Suites and ACE Water Spa is located at United Street | corner Brixton Street, Pasig City 1603, Metro Manila.  ACE Water Spa also has a branch in Quezon City.   This branch in Pasig is the better choice for a staycation because they have an excellent hotel where guests can stay after a satisfying and therapeutic hydrotherapy massage at their water spa facility. 

     Here are some of the photos I took during our stay at the hotel.

Awesome Zip Line Adventure at Embarcadero de Legazpi

     Hey guys! Sorry been sooo busy lately. Anyway, my friend Kevin was in Legazpi City last weekend and I toured him around a bit. Kevin is the one who introduced me to Jessa Herbal Beauty Soap, the “miracle” soap that we’re bringing to the people of Legazpi, and with God’s grace, to the entire Bicol Region. (I will tell you more about Jessa on a separate post). Anyhow, with the little time that we had, I tried to give Kevin a taste of Bicol. We walked the sunny streets of Legazpi and Daraga (while giving Jessa samples), ate some Bicol food (mostly we ate because Jessa promotion took most of our time, LOL), and yep, before his flight home, we tried the Zip Line at Embarcadero de Legazpi which, by the way, did not disappoint.

The majestic Mayon Volcano as seen from Embarcadero de Legazpi. Took this photo while we were on our up to the tower of Embarcadero, the starting point of their zip line adventure.

     The 350-meter zip line starts from the 30-meter tall lighthouse of Embarcadero de Legazpi descending all the way to the breakwater across the Legazpi port basin. The entire ride will give you at least 55 seconds of awesome Mayon Volcano view and a unique perspective of the City of Legazpi. The water below the zip line will look a bit intimidating but I assure you that once you’re down the cable, all you will have is appreciation of the breath-taking beauty around you. All for just P150.00.

     Here's one of the photos I took before my turn to zip-line...

Red Planet Ortigas: A Review

POST UPDATE: Tune Hotel Ortigas is now RED PLANET Ortigas. The last time we stayed in this hotel was October 2018 and we received the same service and treatment as before, thus, this review still hold. Nothing major was different except that they already have a restaurant on the hotel's lobby. The photos on this post may be old (except for the one below where I'm sporting my new hairstyle) but the place look the same.

October 2018: From Tagaytay, we checked in at Red Planet Ortigas before heading to Bicol.

This post was published September 2014. Read on...

    It’s been more than a year since my brother and I gave up our apartment in Pasig that’s why now, we rely on friends for a place to stay whenever we’re visiting Manila or – we stay at a hotel which suits our budget. It was in July 2014 when I first stayed at Red Planet Ortigas when my brother came home from the US.  Like I mentioned on a previous post, I was browsing Agoda.com last July when my laptop died on me. It was barely 2 weeks after typhoon Glenda and electricity lines have been severely affected in our area. I went to Red Planet Ortigas and found out that there’s a huge price difference when booking directly at the hotel and booking through online sites like Agoda.com. Anyway, the first time I booked through Agoda, I paid approximately P3,500.00 (inclusive of taxes and fees) for 2 days and 2 nights stay at the hotel. I booked on that same day. The second time, I booked a week ahead and paid approximately P3,100 for the same room we had last time (Double Room) and for the same duration (2 days and 2 nights stay), still inclusive of taxes and other hotel fees. Interesting to note, however, that we could have paid a bit less if not for the higher exchange rate that Agoda.com implemented that time. Including all the other fees, we were charged around 69.70 US dollars -- and with Agoda’s exchange rate of P44.45 pesos to a dollar, it converted to P3,100. At that time, the exchange rate at my bank was barely above 43 against the dollar. I've found out just recently, while writing this post, that the same room can be availed at a lesser amount through Hotels.com. Will sure to check Hotels.com next time I book a hotel. We all need to be budget conscious. ☺

 

     Anyway, I’m not sure what areas I’m supposed to evaluate when reviewing hotels, but as far as a common guy like me knows, here goes:

Of Churches and New Adventures

     Hey wanderers, what's up?  I owe you guys an apology for not updating my blogs frequently this year. I have several truly valid reasons why I've been away which I've explained on a separate POST. Do click on the link if you're curious as to what I've been doing since my previous updates.

     Anyway, last November 8, my brother left for the United States to embark on a new adventure. He was a bit tensed days before his flight so we've decided to calm his nerves by visiting some familiar churches in our area. I told my brother that he needs to pray for courage and seek for God's blessings before his trip. And so, we spent an entire day going around Albay and was able to visit five genuinely magnificent churches:

Intramuros: Walled City Of Manila

     In my school days, studying history never really appealed to me -- but since I'm good at remembering details, I usually represent my school and my district in History and Culture quiz bees. Yes, I was a brilliant kid and I had such a great start until I lost my way. Ha! Uhm, anyway, let me just tell you that even if history is such a serious business, who's to say that we won't be able to appreciate it just as much?

     What's up folks? Thank you for visiting The Pinoy Wanderer. I'm here with a bit of History and Culture up my sleeve so hopefully you can stay around because this is not going to be boring at all. Anyway, I have this long standing invitation from a friend to roam around Intramuros and take photos so I can feature the place in my blog -- but I guess I haven't really found the time. Another opportunity came up when Kev, a good friend, asked if I can post some of his work on my blogs. I said yes. Thus, this post here on The Pinoy Wanderer.

Wensha Spa Pasay Branch

     For wellness and relaxation, Wensha Spa is one of the destinations that comes to mind ever since my brother introduced me to the place back in 2009.  I've visited the Wensha Spa branch in Timog, Quezon City a few times before but it was my first time to visit the Wensha Spa branch in Pasay -- and that's what I'm gonna talk about here on this post.
   

     Wensha Spa Center Co. Inc. is open 24 hours and offers a range of services such as massage, reflexology, facials, deep exfoliating scrubs and many other skin care treatments.  Their price range starts from P680.00 to around P2,000.00, the last time I checked the information board at the lobby.  Some of the services offered comes with an eat-all-you-can buffet and shabu-shabu, and of course, use of their facilities.

Virgin Beach Resort in Laiya, Batangas

     Hey everybody, what's up?  Summer is definitely extending so don't miss on the opportunity to have fun under the raging summer sun.  Be careful though, do a checklist of the summer essentials so you can keep your cool every-time you go out and play.

     Anyway, I had the chance to jam with Mark and some new-found friends last weekend on their yearly summer getaway held at the Virgin Beach Resort in Laiya, Batangas.

Virgin Beach Resort through the lens of my camera. [Click on the image to view larger size.]

     Mark and I used to work in the same company a few years back and when he transferred to [24]7, we kept in touch through Facebook and BBM.  When Mark invited me to join them last weekend, I thought it's just going to be a small group so I said yes.  Lo and behold, there were at least 10 buses en route to Virgin Beach Resort that day.  But I didn't mind -- the whole idea seemed fun and it was certainly nice to meet new friends.  ☺

A. Bichara Silverscreens Entertainment Center: A Review

     Going to the movies is one of the most effective ways to have fun even on the most boring day.  But what does it take to have a successful movie experience?  A few things actually:  a great movie (of course!), your favorite people (if you wanna tug along someone), your favorite snacks, AND! (putting on some heavy emphasis here) -- an excellent movie house.

tags: A. Bichara Silverscreens Cinema review

A. Bichara Silverscreens Entertainment Center
Magallanes corner T. Alonso St., 4500 Legazpi City, Philippines

     I was in Bicol from late March until third week of July and since there was nothing much to do at home, going to the movies on idle weekends has become one of my hobbies.  So folks, let me tell you about one of my favorite movie houses in the country and probably my most preferred cinema in the south.