Thursday, December 28, 2006

Hidden valley

Just came back from an overnight outing in Hidden Valley, a secluded mountain resort in Alaminos Laguna. The place is blessed with natural scenery from water to trees to flowers. only 2 hours drive away from the hustle and bustle of Manila. Nothing extra-ordinary about the resort food the place offers a great deal of relaxation.

Hidden valley is enclosed by rich forest. There are series of mineral spring pools which water vary in temperature from warm to cold, and yes water are constantly flowing from mountaintop.

.…I'm missing the fresh air.


Tropical gardens and pure crystalline water preserved as Maria Makiling would have it.

Hidden Valley is a secluded spot wedged between two mystical mountains rich in folklores. It is a place blessed with nature's invigorating gifts of water, flowers, trees, and inspiring scenery.

Only an hour's drive from Manila, Hidden Valley is a tourist destination for a day or overnight stay. It provides first class hotel accommodations, local and international foods, and endless opportunities for a peaceful relaxation

Its main feature is a body of waterfalls, natural spring and pools. Be ready to dip in the cool waters, constantly flowing from the mountaintop, said to be rainfall accumulated through the
years. There is also a warm, natural spring pool and a soda pool. Swim in all or take your pick.

Or if you just want to be left alone, you can get lost in the awesome beauty and s
tillness of the surrounding greenery, wild flowers, and century-old trees

Hidden Valley is place where time stops and Nature provides a relaxing show

Laguna, already known for its verdant forest and natural springs, have become even more famous with Hidden Valley spring, a rustic resort, nestled among the mountains of Calauan

Located some 75 kilometers South of Manila, the Valley brings refreshingly modern changes as well as quaint touch of the past. Hidden Valley Springs Resort is a mere one and a half hour drive from Manila, snaking to Calauan, via Alaminos, Laguna, just behind Mount Makiling.

A natural wonderland, Hidden Valley sprawls along 10 hectares of a well-preserved rainforest area ablaze with tall waters. It is managed by the Valley Resort Corporation under a contract with the Heirs of Eugenia V. Roxas, Inc

Stories have it that the Valley was once a volcanic crater. No wonder the cocoa trees, the coconuts and the lanzones planted blossomed as though the Valley had been their habitat for centuries. Its lanzones remain the sweetest in the whole of Laguna.

Hidden Valley is a mountain resort sunk about 1,000 feet below sea level and harbors rare plants and animals. Eons ago, geologists believe, the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Makiling and Mt. Banahaw created subterranean caverns around these now extinct volcanoes. The area around Laguna is pock-marked with such caverns, although many of the depressions are filled with water. Because of the empty spaces, the earth above which, in due time, became covered with vegetation. The forest and their fauna thrived, untouched by typhoons that yearly visited the area. In the middle of one of these depressions in Calauan, a small waterfall was born, while several streams, with waters clear enough for drinking, fed several man-made pools.

Lovers Pool

lA more secluded area is a Lover's Pool where one imagines with a touch of malice and envy, interesting interactions. It is so concealed, you could unwittingly pass by it without knowing that you have missed it. Its pools can be reached by carefully treading your way down a narrow trail nearly one half kilometer long. It is hidden because it used to be a copper mine with a deep shaft which, after being abandoned, was left to the hundred of bats who found refuge in it during the day. The privacy it offers is the honeymooners' dream come true

The Valley is pleasantly warm nearly through out the year its high mountains’ protec
ting it from harsh stormy weathers. These same mountains serve as natural barriers to the direct heat of the noonday sun. That is why during the day, it is all right to romp around in your bare feet and hike to the valley's main features. Being a valley it is a perennially cool place during the day and almost cold at night

Sada Pool

The Soda pool is so called because when the water was tested, it was found comparable to the Vicki and Fuji Waters of Japan. The massage springs, the coolest among the pools, have a forceful flow, one only need to get underneath the water to get a massage no different from the European spas. The twin springs give you a choice between cool and warm water

But being so close together, you do not really have to choose. You can just bounce from one pool to the other with no problem at all.

"A place where time stops and nature puts on a relaxing show"

Amlang Tree

Then there are fascinating Amlang trees, tall and massive with trunks that seem almost to have been chopped off. A faded marker in one such tree notes that during Spanish times the trees in the vicinity have been cut for wood. Eventually, on believes a reminder to preserve nature.

It is a tribute to the resort's developers that despite the presence of amenities like the Gazebo, pools, picnic groves, chapel, function room, camping grounds and first class rooms and cottages; the natural beauty of the lush surrounding has been preserved.

A natural wonderland, Hidden Valley sprawls along 10 hectares of a well-preserved rainforest area ablaze with tall trees, flowers and plants and surrounded by hot and cold spring water.

Laguna, already know for its verdant forest and natural springs, have become even more famous with Hidden Valley Springs, a rustic resort, nestled among the mountains of Calauan.

Located some 75 kilometers South of Manila, the Valley brings refreshingly modern changes as well as quaint touch of the past. Hidden Valley Springs resort is a mere one and a half hour drive from Manila, snaking to Calauan via Alaminos, Laguna, just behind Mount Makiling.


That's All!

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Thewi thai massage

Since I've mentioned Thewi Thai massage in my last post and said I'll give details...

Thai massage releases tension, increase vitality and create wholeness of mind, body and spirit.

Last Sunday, Me and my friends spent few hours in Thewi thai massage, located at 114 D-D. Tuazon St. Corner Maria Clara Quezon city. The price is surprisingly affordable, Full body massage cost only P200 for 60 minutes. They also offer foot reflexology, back massage and head massage for only P75 (30 min).
The place is quite small, rooms are cubicle type and ahmmmm no privacy. You’ll hear what your roommate is saying.

While waiting for the massage proper, their staff washed/cleaned our feet with warm water and soap. The treatment is carried out on the floor, which we remained fully clothed. I personally like the pressure applied in thai massage, I'm hearting the techniques used to release tension and allow energy to flow freely.

I'll probably going back there... to be fair I do not recommend thai massage to those people who have low pain tolerance.

That's All!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Safeway Christmas party 2006

Christmas kinda came early for Safeway, Manila,  last Friday night, I've attended my 1st Christmas party for the year at   Greenbelt 3's Tavern on the square entitled  "MTV CELEBRITY AWARDS NIGHT".

Personally, I find the place quite small for everyone, some ended up dinner shifting. The food was not that Sumptuous but not bland as well. 3 drink stubs were provided to us that can be exchange either beer or ice tea (they don't consider non-beer drinker, you have to buy your own cocktail). Open bar at around 11:30 p.m. (too bad to those who bought beers before that time).

In spite of those Grudges, the totally of the event was fantastic and fabulous. Donnie and Nats who performed well onstage emceed the event.  Almost everyone dress up like a celebrity. The music video presented by all the groups were enjoyable to watched, they were terrific and yes funny.  The band played well, almost every one was dancing including our bosses and onshore guest. Too bad I didn't finished the party because of work. Of course, how can I forget  the spectacular dance performances from apprentice batch 6 (welcome)  and  our safeway's own boy band groovie group Ponchie, Jeremy, Jules and Arian.  And yes, the raffle...

At the end of the night, I went to office with two awards the bongga ka day and star of night. Yeah, I actually won... ;-)

Stars of the Night

Resty Barcebal as Charlie Chaplin
Aline Ang as Gwen Stefani

AWARDS

Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko -Kenneth Guevarra
Macho Gwapito -Justin Gonzales
Tayong Dalawa -Justin Gonzales and Nathalie Berina
Bongga Ka Dong -Justin Gonzales
Bongga Ka Day -Aline Ang
Mang Jose (helpful) -Meg Taas
Bibong Bibo -Donnie Valenciano
Hawak Kamay -Tony Vanta
Liwanag sa Dilim (loudest voice) -Christian Fernandez


Video Awards per genre
Rock - Build's Order taker ( my favorite)
Pop - AST D's American Pie
Latin American - AST Marketing's Hero
HipHop/RnB - Prod services Stupid love


Our group didn't won but  it was ok . we should  use safeway logo next time .. hehe

CONGRATS!!!


Click here for More pix...

That's all!

Friday, December 1, 2006

Puerto galera : Lansei water

All right, our Galera escapade last Nov. 25 and 26 was totally fun... MAAHWA award, Mindoro Sling, videoke, beach volley, billiards, massage, henna tattoo, swimming... I have to commend Lansei Water Resort for homey accommodation, the place was clean, food was good and flowing, and of course service was terrific. The resort itself might be far from the beach (2-3 minutes walk) and the path from beach to the resort was very dark at night but there was Arvin (the resort personnel) who was always available anytime to guide our way especially at night/midnight.

Sunset at white beach



Having our Mindoro Sling


Of course... PICTORIAL


Click here for More pictures


That's All!

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