Hacienda Galea Resort and Events Place, Baliuag, Bulacan

One of the perks of owning a small business is, you get to expand your network and discover new places.  Being one of our clients, we were able to know about the newly opened resort nearby, the Hacienda Galea Resort and Events Place last March 2018 - where we celebrate my daughter's birthday.

Hacienda Galea Resort and Events is a small nice family owned and family operated resort located in Brgy Pinagbarilan Baliuag Bulacan. It is located 1 km away from SM City Baliuag. St. Augustine Parish & Baliuag Town Proper are also within 3km.

Hacienda Galea Resort is complimented by a fully air-conditioned Function Hall that can accommodate up to a large group of 200 persons perfect for any parties and events. Our Hotel also has the capacity of 17 rooms from Superior Suite to Family Rooms. To complete your experience, three spectacular swimming pools sit in our gorgeously landscaped gardens with pristine waters are ready to be disturbed to sweep away your stress and to bring comfort to your stay and adjacent to these are our well-groomed cottages for your shelter nearby. Our Pool Grounds can hold a maximum number of 500 persons boasting its 1.5 meter deep adult swimming pool and kiddie pool with water playground for kids to enjoy. We also have facilities and amenities more than the basic such as Restaurant, Cafe & Beverage Bar, Grilling Stations, Videoke, and spacious parking area. Finally, it is also the best time to experience a tour to our famous replica of Netherlands Windmill surrounded with landscape of flowers, designed gently enough to enjoy your stay. 

Location.  Though it is near our place, the road going to the resort is a bit narrow.  But, the travel is worth it once you reach the place.

Resort.  Since it is newly (soft) opened, there are still some rooms for improvement.  Since the place is near the field (farm), a lot of insects can be seen afloat the pool at a certain time (specially at night).


Hotel.  The very thing that we really want to comment on this is their bathroom floor which is of the same level as the room.  Given this, the water from the bathroom comes out toward the bedroom.  Also, the room does not have TV.

Service.  As far as service is concerned, I can say that they are of quality service.  They tell you honestly what can and cannot be done in their place.  We even have our Jollibee ordered via delivery by them.  And yes, their staff would also not hesitate to take photo for you.

Maintenance.  Despite the insects, at least their staff tediously clean the pool.  And you can see that their staff would attend to any maintenance work that should be done to keep their place clean.

Rates.  They almost always have a promo, so for the latest rates, visit their Facebook Page.

8 Waves Waterpark and Hotel, San Rafael, Bulacan

Wanting to at least have a summer fun before the rainy season, we decided to take an overnight stay at 8 Waves Waterpark and Hotel located at San Rafael, Bulacan.

We reserved by calling their Manila office at (02)299-8270.  We opted their VIP room that offers 2 Queen-size Bed, Hair Dryer, 1 Comfort room, 1 Clot line, personal refrigerator, Full HDTV, a DVD Player, Dining table, Fully Air-conditioned, hot and cold water for shower which costs PhP6,500 for double occupancy and an additional PhP500 per head (Pancake breakfast included).  If an extra bed is asked, an additional of PhP300 will be charged.  But we do not asked for one, even though we are 7 in our group (6 adults, 1 child).  That price already includes 1 night swimming and 1 day swimming.

We do not pay for any down payment.  Probably, because it is off peak season. But normally, they would require 50% down.  But, we were asked to pay upon check-in.  We settle our bill via credit card.

After taking some rest, we decided to tour around and take some pictures.  While in the lobby, beside the reception, we saw a SMAC (SM Advantage Card) treats post card in the desk.  So, we asked if what would be our treat, given we are an SMAC holder.  They say they offer 10% room discount.  But since we already settled our bill, we asked if we could still avail of the discount.  Luckily, they were kind enough to void our early credit card payment and re-charge us with a discounted price.

You can visit their official websites for more information and details, http://www.8waveswaterpark.com.ph/ for resort and http://www.8waveswaterparkandhotel.com/ for their hotel facilities.

Then, we continue touring around, taking some shots.  Enjoy!

In the lobby

A closer look of the kalesa

The hotel facing the pool

This is where the 8 waves could be experienced

Souvenir Shop, which, unfortunately is already closed since it is already 5pm. 

Food Court

Clinic

Noah's Ark Pool

The Hotel

Lobby outside our room, 3rd floor

I'll be having another blogpost regarding my wave experience.  It'll be total fun, for sure.

Sta. Ana Resort, Pandi, Bulacan

Part of our Church activities is a summer outing. We held it last Black Saturday at Sta. Ana Resort, Manatal, Pandi, Bulacan.

Sta Ana Resort
Manatal, Pandi, Bulacan
Contact: Restituto Sta. Ana
Tel. No.: +63(919) 860-2237

I have no idea how much we had paid for the resort (a private one). They offer videoke. They had basketball court. They had a single pool which is deep on the left side and shallow on the right side and has slides. They also provided a mini-pool for the kids.

Powerful Dunk
Videoke
Enjoying the Pool
Sparkle

Room for improvement is their comfort room.

Typhoon Ondoy at Bocaue, Bulacan

Our town, Bocaue, Bulacan, was not spared by the cruelty of Typhoon Ondoy. Similar to everyone's thinking, I so thought that it was just another ordinary typhoon. I was even about to go to Plaridel that day. I was also about to attend a seminar about Money Matters at SM Marilao. However, with non-stop rain, everything was cancelled.

It was mid-afternoon when the water at the road raised to waist-level. We have to save some of our things. We tirelessly carry them to the 2nd floor of our house. I was fortunate to have saved my gadgets, and some of my clothings. The water is raising too fast that I already failed to bring up my other clothes from my cabinet. At the same time, I am already exhausted. The water is at breast-level that time.

Full of dismay ~ that's how I can describe my feelings. Seeing our house submerged in flood. We stayed at the 2nd floor of our house for N hours. Helplessly looking at the river-like 1st floor ~ with my bed already floating in flood. For security reasons, our electiricty has been cut. So, play it with your imagination ~ dark, almost no ventilation, no electricity, flood, no food, only a cup of coffee. Everyone in our family were already tired. My parents and siblings were already sleeping. As for me, I had slept yet conscious enough to monitor the water level.

The following day, when the flood had already subsided, it was devastating ~ the aftermath. No room for rest, we immediately began cleaning our home. I kept on communicating with my girl asking if the following day (Monday) is already declared as holiday. But, no hopes for me that time. Hence, I am forced to report to office that Monday. Luckily, our company provided 3 days emergency leave to those who have been affected by Typhoon Ondoy. And so, I took the privelege so as to continue the clean-up.

I am really saddened with what had happened to our town that weekend. But nonetheless, I am already thankful that at least, we still have lives to start anew. Thanks be to God!

8 Waves Waterpark, San Rafael, Bulacan

In one of my summer nights last May, I had spent it with my girl and her family at 8 Waves Waterpark, San Rafael, Bulacan. It was a simple night swimming, and a lot of fun.

The said waterpark is situated in Ulingao, San Rafael, Bulacan which is owned and developed by Villamar Construction & Development Corporation. On the other hand, Univill Corporation manages the resort. I must say, it is one of the finest attraction of Bulacan, being popular for its waves. But since we had visited the resort at night, we failed to experience the 8 kinds of waves (it is only available in day swimming), we only got the chance to swim in their lap and bubble pools. As for the rates, we only paid PhP150 for adult and PhP70 for Stephanie, my girl's Mom and Auntie (Senior Citizens).

The Waterpark's Entrance

The Giant Dolphin

This is our cottage worth PhP300 (I guess). It has its own padlock, a table, and a celing fan. So, it's safe to swim without even having someone to look for your valuables.

This is the 4ft. pool where we stayed most of the time in our night swimming. By the way, night swimming is only from 6PM to 11PM.

This is the artistic wall design going to the shower.

They also have the hotel if you prefer to stay and sleep there. But we haven't tried it yet. For more info about this, you may visit their official website here.

In their parking area, they have there landscapes suitable for photo shoots :D

And since we cannot bring along food inside the result, we satisfied ourselves eating at the parking lot. Most of the people do that here. A thrift decision. But if you don't want to bring any food, there is a Pancake House inside the resort where you can dine. Also, there is a Mini-Stop in front of the parking area.

In the hotel's lobby, I got the chance to have a photo shoot too :D

While wandering around the resort, we find this interesting photo opp and grab the chance. How did we look? Perfect! :D

DJ Paradise Bowling Lanes at Malolos City

About 4 years ago, I had been at DJ Paradise Bowling Lanes with my girl. We played the duck pin bowling to serve as her practice in their bowling tournament in their office at the Provincial Government at Bulacan. This year, we, once more, went to the bowling lane to have another practice game. However, this time, we played the ten pin bowling. It is in prep for their upcoming bowling tournament at Star Malls.

I'm not a professional bowler, but I can play. I believe I can't match the expertise of her father, whom she bragged as a champion from Saudi Arabia. But, I do believe that I made her happy and confident enough to play on their tournament.

I got several photos in the place, and that's what I will be sharing with you. And I'm proud that I got a turkey (3 consecutive strikes). She did some strikes and spares too. But she's a little disappointed not reaching a hundred pin falls.

I got a turkey!

After sweating the game out

As for my review of the bowling lanes, it is fair that it is not air-conditioned. Their rate only costs PhP50 per game. The lane we had used do not malfunction on our 4-game bowling. And the automatic scoring do not fail as well.