Stonewood Garden Private Pool Resort Angono Rizal Review

Aside from Pansol, Laguna, the Province of Rizal also offers private pool resorts that are perfect for team buildings, reunions, and other celebrations for a big group.

We rented Stonewood Garden Resort in Angono Rizal for 22 hours from 8AM to 4PM.
We paid Php 18k for the venue including one bedroom good for 10 persons.

There is a parking area that can house 2 cars. Vehicles can also be parked along the street just outside the house. The place was located inside a subdivision so I can say that the place is secure.

The place was big enough for us composing of 15 adults and 3 kids. 

The activity area was very wide perfect for team buildings, receptions and gatherings. 

They also have indoor venue located on the second floor.

The place had 2 pools, 1 for adult (4ft - 6ft), 1 kiddie indoor pool (thigh deep) with 1 extra jakuzzi pool. 

adult pool

indoor pool (3ft deep perfect for kids)

The whole place was clean and the water in the pool was well maintained. I did not get itchy after swimming which I usually do when I swim in dirty swimming pools.

view from our rooms balcony

The owners were very simple, kind and accommodating. Although cooking using LPG was not allowed, we were given consent to bring electric stove so we can cook our food which we bought from a nearby market. There was also grill provided. 

Although there are many rooms available, we decided to rent just one room good for 10 persons. It was only for securing our belongings and also for kids and adults who wanted to sleep or rest. 

Here's the contact number of the resort for inquiries. :)

         

Donsol Accommodation: Villa JoLee Affordable Inn for Backpackers

If you are looking for a nearby and affordable accommodations in Donsol while doing the whale shark activity, Villa JoLee will be one of your options.

Just two blocks away from Donsol Tourist Center, Villa JoLee offers affordable and decent place to stay. 

I rented their single bed room for Php 400 for one night during my solo backing trip in Donsol. Towel provided. The owner was so nice. They also offered flippers and snorkeling set rental to be used for whale shark watching.

single bed for Php 400

Here's the contact number of the Inn if in case you would like to inquire. You're welcome. :)

Clean toilet (no warm water shower)

If in case the Inn is already full or you would like to look for other hostel to stay, here's another picture with contact numbers as a bonus. Again, you're welcome. :)

BICOL's PINANGAT: My Pasalubong Recommendation

I consider Bicol as one of the best provinces I have been to in the country. In my experience, the people were so nice, the beaches were so good (see where I stayed in Donsol here), and the food was really unforgettable!!!

Indeed Bicolano Cuisine are freaking delicious! From coconut milk (gata)-based dishes to unique desserts (try Pili and Sili Ice Cream), almost everything is a must try.

Pili Ice Cream is the bomb!

So after the whole Bicol trip, I looked for something to take back to Manila to share the goodness of Bicol  to my friends and loved ones.

You can buy different pasalubong items in Ibalong Pasalubong Center located in Legazpi Grand Terminal. But if you want to take home a delicacy like I did, I recommend Bicol's Pinangat. It's Manila's version of Laing, made from gabi leaves,  dried fish, shrimp paste and maybe some coconut milk. You can buy it in local restaurants along Camalig, Albay but if you already happen to be in the terminal, you can go to SM Supermarket. They sell famous Dad's Special Pinangat in chilled packaging, perfect for transporting. They sell each pack for Php 45. I recommend getting the spicy flavor.

Pinangat sold for Php 45

Travel from Legazpi to Manila took 12 hours so prolonging the life of this dish was very critical. In order to keep it chilled, I bought a cooler box for  Php 150 and put some ice in it. Tube ice were conveniently placed beside the Pinangat's chiller.

Tube Ice

The icebox had to be sealed securely to make sure that the ice water would not spill during the trip. Thankfully the staff from the supermarket helped me seal it using packaging tape. (Bicolano's are sooo nice!)

Right after I went home, I immediately checked the package and still found some ice on top.
I put the Pinangat in the fridge and left one pack to be heated for dinner.

Bicol PNR Still in Operation - Naga - Legazpi

If riding the PNR train to Bicol is included in your bucket list, just like me, then you are in luck!

PNR has resumed its operation late last year (2015) but only from Sipocot to Naga to Legazpi.

After stopping its operation due to calamities in the Bicol Region, PNR now operates from Sipocot Camarines Sur up to Legazpi, Albay.

Currently, there is only one one-way trip per day. Train from Naga to Legazpi leaves at 5AM in the morning. In the afternoon, train goes back to Naga from Legazpi at 5:20PM.

Hope these pictures below I've taken during my PNR trip in Bicol Region will provide additional information on their operation.

PNR Legaspi Station

Naga to Legazpi Bicol PNR Fare Matrix

Naga to Legazpi PNR Trip Schedule

restored facilities dates back to Spanish era

PNR Legazpi Station

Just the ordinary train were used

PNR Daraga Station with the best view, the Mayon Volcano

written April of 2016

Cres Snack Inn: Legazpi, Albay's Budget Friendly Food Haven:

Located along Rizal Avenue, Cres Snack Inn is probably one of the underrated restaurants in Legazpi Albay, probably because it did not appear in my searches when I googled best places to eat in the province. It may look like an ordinary Carinderia or "turo-turo" but they serve one of the best Bicolano dishes I've ever tasted. 

Cres Snack Inn along Rizal Avenue, Legazpi City, Albay, Bicol

Here, you can order food by half, so you can try two or more of their dishes. I personally tried their Bicol Express (of course!) and Laing. Both were tolerably spicy and really delicious.

Price ranges from 50 to 100 plus pesos per order. We were seven that time, each of us ordered  two plates of food in half serving with one rice and our bill was only 665 pesos. That's less than 100 pesos per person.

Different dishes to choose from, Bicolano food etcetera

Laing of course!

 Special thanks to our Bicolano friends for recommending Cres Snack Inn!

Marine Diversity in White Beach Puerto Galera

Just got time to upload this video I shot last year.

 This is just a short glimpse of what you will experience if you try snorkeling in Puerto Galera.

You have to pay an extra 100 Pesos to the boatman to take you to the sanctuary. This is because you will have to be taken by their small boats because big boats may damage the corals and therefore not allowed. But I tell you, it's definitely worth it!

Here's another, during our fish feeding experience... Waves were a bit stronger so it was really hard to swim (or was I just scared? hehe)

2013 Senatoriables Educational Background

If you are the kind of voter who considers educational background in choosing your senators, kindly read on for I have listed down the Educational Attainment of the 33 Senatorial Candidates running for the 2013 election.

1. Samson Alcantara                 Bachelor of Laws, Manuel L. Quezon University School of Law
2. Sonny Angara                        Master of Laws, Harvard Law School
3. Bam Aquino                           Executive Education Program on Public Policy and Leadership, Harvard University
4. Greco Belgica                        Post-graduate Studies in International Trade and Commerce, University of California Berkeley
5. Nancy Binay                           BS Tourism, UP Diliman
6. Teddy Casiño                         BA Sociology, UP Los Baños
7. Alan Peter Cayetano              BA Political Science, University of the Philippines; Doctorate in Law, Ateneo de Manila University
8. Tingting Cojuangco               Master in National Security Administration, National Defense College of the Philippines
9.  Lito David                             Bachelor of Arts Major in Sociology, University of the Philippines Los Baños
10. JC De Los Reyes                    Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
11. JV Ejercito                             BA Major in Political Science, De La Salle University
12. Jack Enrile                            Masters in Business Administration, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California
13. Chiz Escudero                       Master in International and Comparative Law, Georgetown University
14. Baldomero Falcone              MA in Philosophy, University of San Carlos
15. Dick Gordon                          Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines
16. Edward Hagedorn                 Bachelor's Degree, University of the East
17. Gringo Honasan                    Master in Business Management, Asian Institute of Management
18. Risa Hontiveros                     BA Social Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University
19. Loren Legarda                      Masters in National Security Administration, National Defense College of the Philippines
20. Marwil Llasos                        Master of Laws, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
21. Ernesto Maceda                    Master of Laws, Harvard Law School, Cambridge Massachusetts
22. Jamby Madrigal                    Master’s Degree Sorbonne French Niveau Superieur
23. Mitos Magsaysay                   BS Business Administration, University of the Philippines Diliman
24. Jun Magsaysay                      Post-graduate studies in Business Administration, Harvard University
25. Ramon Montaño                    Bachelor of Science, Philippine Military Academy
26. Ricardo Penson                     Master's in Development Practice, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
27. Koko Pimentel                       Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines
28. Grace Poe-Llamanzares        Bachelor Arts in Political Science, Boston College
29. Christian Señeres                  Juris Doctor major in United States Constitutional Law, Northwestern School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
30. Antonio Trillanes IV              Master in Public Administration Major in Public Policy and Program Management, University of the Philippines
31. Eddie Villanueva                  Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines
32. Cynthia Villar                        Master’s Degree in Business Administration, New York University
33. Migz Zubiri                            Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management, University of the Philippines Open University