Pansol: Angel Springs Resort

Our company had a mini outing at Pansol in Calamba, Laguna this weekend. Man, was the traffic ever so bad going there. In any case, after leaving Manila at 7am, we finally arrive at our destination after 2 hours at Angel Springs Resort.

It's a private pool/resort just some walking distance from the main road.

There are 4 bedrooms upstairs; 2 rooms that had 2 double bed and the other 2 had 1 double bed each. All with air con, fairly thick mattress, very clean. Upstairs there are 2 bathrooms. The aircon was not that strong but if you'd like, you can just open the door to the veranda and you'll get a fairly good breeze. Sorry I forgot to take pics of the rooms ...

very clean sala

dining room, small kitchen, ref 

The dining room/kitchen and sala opens up to the lanai overlooking the pools. Karaoke use for the entire day is included in the fee. Beside the dining room/kitchen is a small structure that has 4 shower stalls and 2 bathrooms divided between men and women. 

Big table that can accommodate 15-20 people

There are two pools - one for adult and the other for kiddies. The big pool is about 5 ft deep while the small pool is about 2ft deep. The water looks very clean, not too hot (warm spring instead of hot springs :D) and they put in a small shade on top of the big pool. Wish they could have put in a bigger shade since all throughout the day, only a part of the big pool is shaded. No problem with the kiddie pool. 

pool shade at 9am

I like the fact that they build up the fence high enough so the neighbors can't see into the pool. 

kiddie pool

Just beside the kiddie pool is the "wet kitchen". This is where you can grill or cook some food for a fee (P200 for the use).

There is a caretaker (Sonny) who lives on the property and you can ask him to do all sort of errands for you. 

Pros

The place is very very clean and well cared for, plenty of bathrooms/shower stalls, spacious and airy. Enough space for parking. The place can accommodate about 30 people. You can park about 6-7 cars inside. The caretaker is very accommodating and even offered us to pick some mangoes from the tree inside the property for free. He was also kind enough to put 2 standing fans at the lanai. 

Cons

The shade on the pool is too small. So in the morning, it is too hot to use the entire pool. The best time to use the pool is about 4pm because by then, the sun is setting behind some hills and the entire pool is already shaded. Rough short road going into the resort from the main road (it was only a block away). 

Fee

For weekends, it's P10,000 from 8am to 5pm. For weekdays, its P7000 for the same time. If you decide to do an overnight stay from 8am-7am, it's P17,000 for the weekend. 

Verdict:

Very nice place to have a relaxing day. The place is very decent and clean which was a big plus.Highly recommend it for private gatherings. Good directions can be found in their website here. Ask for the Resort II since this was the newer place. They have not updated their website for a while so some of the facilities indicated were not applicable - we were expecting 1 bedroom but were pleasantly surprised to find 4. Bring additional plastic (for the garbage), dish-washing soap/scrub, tissue (for the bathroom) ice and beer.

Have a nice summer, guys!

Angel Spring Resort 

Km. 56 Don Lorenzo Barreto

Private Road, Pansol, Calamba

Laguna

Tel Nos.

In Laguna:   (049) 545-7403 or 0919-388-1667 (Sonny)

In Manila:    (02)  532-7556/ 532-3484 or 0918-959-7895 (Meda)    

Email: imelda_maiquez@yahoo.com

Inn Review: Keni Po Tagaytay

If you're looking for a decent yet affordable place to stay in Tagaytay, I highly recommend Keni Po. Although the name of this little inn sounds funny, they take themselves seriously.

eye catching bright yellow facade

Located beside the Ina ng Saklolo Church just a few minutes before Picnic Grove and on the main road, it is easily accessible by car or public transportation. There are ample slots for parking. A room costs P1,200 per night. No breakfast, though.

Make a reservation by phone. If there is an available slot, they would text you for the bank details so you could deposit 50% of the room fee at BPI.

back view of the lot

Their room, like the inn, is small, clean and no fuss. What I like about it is the mattress is super thick and firm. The also provide 4 fluffy pillows. Aircon was strong.

basic toiletries included

small table on the side

mini fridge, vanity table and small TV

There are a couple of hooks beside the vanity table but it was so flimsy that all I can hang is my bag. Unfortunately, they didn't think of putting some in the bathroom so you just put your towel and clothes at the edge of the sink and pray it won't slide to the floor. 

They offer DVD for free. Just browse through their list, ask for it at the reception and watch away. English and Tagalog movies available.  

The only disappointing thing in the room is the rest room. There is a tub but it didn't look too clean. There was no hooks to put your towel or clothes. 

Very good pictures of Keni Po from 18stones here.

The first day we were there, it was a bit early and our room was not yet available. So we decided to eat brunch at their veranda overlooking the pool. 

Tocino

Corned Beef

Surprisingly affordable. I spent P160 for the two dishes. The corned beef tasted like Purefood and was easily good for two. Same with the Tocino (which thankfully didn't taste like Mekeni). Did not regret not eating at Jollibee :D

Speaking of food, the second night it was raining and we decided to stay at our room and just watch DVDs. Around 10pm, we ordered room service. Trolling the other blogs, someone said Keni Po's Ribs was really good. Really? I was a bit doubtful since ribs would be the last thing I would order from an inn. But what's the use of looking for recommendations from others if I won't follow it, eh? 

Chopsuey 

Keni Po Ribs

Food was delivered after 30 minutes. 

Yes, the Ribs was really good. Just the way I like it; not too saucy with a good caramelization, sweet and the meat was very tender. The serving, like breakfast, can be good enough for two. The best part? Dinner only cost P170. Talk about a good deal. 

Final Verdict

Although they do no have any view of Taal, the rooms are clean and very nice, the food is great, and best of all affordable. They have a small pool (not heated) and 4 tables in the garden where it's nice to hang around. Most of their rooms are for 2 people but they do have 2 cottages good for 4-6 persons. 

Overall, one of the best budget accommodations in Tagaytay.

Keni PO

110 Calamba Rd.

Sungay West, Tagaytay City. 

046-4830977 

0910-7824444 for Smart & Talk & Text networks; or

0915-4765555 for Globe; or

0932-1847555 for Sun

DIY Disney Cars Cake

My nephew JD had his 1st birthday this weekend and we had the party at our place to invite more friends and family. A week before the party, we realized that our budget was not enough to buy a character cake. Usually those cost P1500-P2500.

So I had this crazy idea to decorate one on my own.

I bought the chocolate cake with twirls from red ribbon. That cost P680 for a 12 x 12 cake.

These Cars cup cake toppers was from Cooks Exchange. They sell them for P85 for a 6 pieces. These were fantastic since all you have to do is just stick them to the cake. Cooks Exchange had other different designs based on your theme. Unfortunately, they only had one set of the Disney Cars topper so I decided to get another set with a clown/birthday theme. 

The toy plastic car I got from Divisoria for P35. You can usually buy these at 168 mall but be careful to buy the plastic one and not the die cast metal one (more expensive and heavier).

The background is just an 8R photo I had printed out from an internet shop. I looked for the perfect image from the computer, copied and inserted it on a power point slide, added the text and checkered flag on top, grouped it together (highlight everything you added to a picture, right click your mouse and choose "group together" so you can have it as one image) and save the picture as a jpeg file. I taped 2 bbq stick at the back then stuck in on the cake. Cost for printing was P27.

When the person at Red Ribbon was frosting the greeting, I just made sure that she gave me enough space to put the car and background print. For the base, I printed a couple of papers with a check pattern I found in google and covered a box. The number 1 candle bought from Red Ribbon for P22.

Happy Birthday, JD!

That's it! P934 for a Disney Cars Cake.

Some other things that we bought for the party - All were brought @ Divisoria (mostly at 168 mall)

Cars Birthday Balloon - P200 for 12 pcs

100 meter plastic bandaritas for P60

Banner for P50 and cars bandaritas for P25

Getting an NBI Clearance

Last month I went to the NBI Regional Office located at U.N. Ave in Manila to get an NBI Clearance. Since a co-worker of mine told us that he passes by this office at 6am and sees a long line, I decided to go at 5am. The NBI office is open from 8am-5pm.

Although I was early, I was expecting a long line. So I was really surprised to see only a couple of vendors outside the gate. Apparently, not a lot of people know that NBI has an office on Saturdays (I found out later it was only for January when they expect a lot of people obtaining the clearance for work). I went inside and saw a table set up just inside the entrance with a guy handing out some papers. This is Step 1: Get an Application Form.

They will then point to you go to the holding area which is like a big basketball court. I was feeling pretty smug that I got there so early. Then I saw this ...

Would you believe this is at 5:30am?

You will not be given a number. You sit on the next available chair and this will thus, then, be the "line". While waiting, I filled out my application form with the help of "Kuya Ronnie" who was manning the information booth inside the holding area, playing Boys to Men music (nice) and announcing how the form is to be answered through the loud speakers.

Note: He lets those with birthdays that day to go first :)

lumpia and lugaw being offered for sale by a vendor
- no need to even get out of the line

At about 6:30 am, they started processing Step 2: Data Check. Basically, they check if you answered the form correctly and you have a valid ID. The valid IDs are:

• Valid passport
• Voter’s ID
• Driver’s License
• PRC License
• SSS ID
• GSIS UMID
• Postal ID
• School ID
• TIN ID
• Philhealth ID
• Authenticated Birth Certificate
• Alien Cert of Registration
• Senior Citizen
• Previous Copy of NBI Clearance

Data check was done quickly. Then the real waiting begins. Apparently, even if the data check people were already doing their job, the next part (Step 3: Payment) has not yet started. So I waited for about an hour before I was able to go to the pay counter. This part was not as fun (hence, no pic) because once you go the pay counters,  you have to stand, there is no clear line and they issue the receipts by hand. Took a very looooong time. 

There are different fees for different purposes. Mine cost P115. For the complete list, see here. 

Step 4: Encoding. I went to the second floor to the Encoding section. At this point, no one was really directing people where to go. I took a seat and just moved when people moved. One of the encoders were talking in a very loud voice berating people who would walk by while another person's picture is being taken against the white backdrop.        

Once my turn came, the encoder got my receipt, application and  put my information in. Their monitor is angled towards you so that you can check the information. She took my picture, 

scanned my fingers and viola, the process is finished! Well, almost.

It turns out that I had a HIT which means that I either have a derogatory record or my name or part of my name is the same as someone else and it needs to be checked.  So, I was asked to return the week after :(
                                         
This was posted inside the holding area:

Seriously? 

They started processing people at 6:30 am and I got out at 9:30 am. I thought that was pretty fast considering I expected to be there until lunch time.

ADVICE

* Get to the place early. They only process a specific amount of application. For Regional offices this is 6,000 per day. For Satellite offices, this is about 300. After they reach their quota, even if it is only 2pm, they won't allow anyone else in.

* Better yet, apply online and fill out the application form at http://nbi.njis-ph.com/ . You don't need to go to step 1 - 3 and you will go directly to step 4 which is encoding, finger scanning and picture taking on the 3rd floor. When I went there, I did not know the online application was already available. A good resource for more details about the online process is this website.

* Make sure to have a valid ID. They will reject you if you don't have one. No exception.

* Dress appropriately. No specific dress guideline but I am willing to bet you will not be welcomed warmly if you come in tank top, shorts and slippers.

* Ask, ask, ask. Sometimes you assume that you are in the correct line but turns out you're not. Better be sure and ask if you are going to the correct place or you are doing the correct procedure. But ask the NBI employees and NOT the vendors or other applicants.

FYI: When I went back to get my clearance, it took me 5 minutes since all I have to do is go to Step 5 : Clearance. Gave my receipt, they typed it in, printed it out and I was done!


NBI CLEARANCE HELP DESK
526-1294
http://www.nbi.gov.ph/

Pinto Art Gallery : Antipolo's Secret Garden

Pinto Art Gallery is apparently a popular place in Antipolo. Especially for special events like a prenup sessions. I can see why. Take a look ...

Entrance to the Museum

simple facade

beautiful garden inside with a lot of chairs 

even a bed should you wish to relax a bit more

how romantic

simple water fountain but nice architectural touch

stairways leading to small gallery upstairs

small chapel

room they call a monk's cell

another fountain

they really want you to relax :D

upstairs leading to the ceiling deck

view from the terrace

must be nice to relax in the afternoon

statue of adam and eve beneath a tree

another stairways leading to a different deck

looking down to a courtyard leading to the Gallery's cafe

Gallery's Cafe

trees, plants and spectacular view

relax away

pretty courtyard

entrance leading to another gallery space

rickety bridge

wide open view

The Pinto Art Gallery is pretty interesting because it's not only one space where they put the art works on the walls. There's all different kinds of art on the walls, in the garden, in rooms, on stairs ... The place consists of different spaces and gardens which you can easily spend 2-3 hours without getting bored. They provide a lot of comfortable sitting areas where you can just relax, think and appreciate the artwork.The place has a Mexican vibe with wide open windows, white walls, old timbers and flat rooftops that can serve as viewing decks. Going up and down the stairs can be a bit of a problem, though, so be prepared.

They have a cafe that is catered by Bizu. For the review, please go here.

They allow photo sessions (ex. prenup) for a fee and you can also rent out the space for a small party.

Pinto Art Gallery
1 Sierra Madre St
Grand Heights 
Antipolo City, Rizal
Tel: 6971015

Open from Wednesdays to Sundays
9am - 6pm

Direction: Coming from Ortigas Extension, go straight towards Antipolo. Once you reach the fork where the Capitolyo and Ynares center is located, stay on the right side. Drive for about a 100 meters and you will see a Sr. Pedro Lechon Manok stand. Turn right on the first road after that. There will be a small sign for Pinto Art Gallery. Drive through Grand Heights road until you reach a guardhouse, pay P20 and turn right on the first corner and you will soon see the gallery.

FYI when you go to the Antipolo/Taytay intersection, you won't be able to go straight to Antipolo since there is a barrier. You will be forced to go to the right side (going to Taytay). That is fine but do a U-Turn at the first available slot so you can go back to the right direction.