If you just can’t wait to have that elusive vacation but do not have the time and budget to go out of town whether alone or with family and friends, then the Selah Garden Hotel in Pasay City could be your best option.

My brother was here two weeks ago on a short nine-day vacation. He is a flight attendant based in the United Arab Emirates. We wanted to maximize his short stay with fun and excitement without having to leave Metro Manila. So the day he arrived, I packed my bags of clothes and shooting equipment and we booked a Grab Car and headed to the Selah Garden Hotel.

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3862.023881563042!2d120.9976270299415!3d14.540626698208982!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3397c95b43be1fd9%3A0xc8c176545f52e95a!2sThe+Selah+Garden+Hotel!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sph!4v1539654772878&w=600&h=450]

The Selah Garden Hotel is a boutique hotel near the Makati Business District and various historical landmarks such as Intramuros and Luneta Park. Likewise, the Selah Garden Hotel is accessible to the airport and the Mall of Asia (one of the biggest shopping malls in Asia).

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed at the lobby by the receptionists with refreshing welcome drinks. Check in time is 2 PM and check out is 12 noon. We stayed in a Flagship Double Room.

The Selah Garden Hotel has 83 rooms of varying types that can fit different guest preferences. Below are Selah Garden Hotel’s type of accommodations and corresponding published rates:

• Flagship Room at Php 3,200 per night for two with breakfast and Php 3,800 per night for three with breakfast
• Cozy Room at Php 3,800 per night for two with breakfast
• Fantastic Loft at Php 5,100 per night for four to five occupants with breakfast
• Fantabulous Loft at Php 6,700 per night for seven occupants with breakfast
• Fabulous Suite at Php 5,900 per night for five to six occupants
• Stellar Suite at Php 13,000 per night for ten occupants
• Bunk Room at Php 800 per occupant per night, good for four, six or eight occupants
• Clique Room at Php 800 per occupant per night, good for ten occupants

Amenities include:

• Air-conditioned rooms
• Complimentary wi-fi access
• Welcome drinks
• Safety deposit box
• 24-hour room service
• TV with cable channels
• Daily complimentary bottled water per person
• Hot and cold shower with toiletries set
• 24-hour elevator service
• Refrigerator
• Laundry service upon request

Hotel features include:

• Function rooms
• Table Restaurant
• Spa by Selah
• Infinity pool
• Scuba diving course
• Team-building facilities with high rope activities

It was a tiring but fruitful day one at the Selah Garden Hotel. My brother and I tried out Selah Garden Hotel’s high-rope activities such as wall climbing, zip line, control descent, Burma Bridge, multivines, Jacob’s Ladder and broken bridge with the other bloggers. We also joined the team building activity arranged by the hotel staff.

It was a hot and humid day and the infinity pool was just too tempting. I, however, conserved all the energy I had left and postponed swimming the next day. It was, anyway, going to be a long and fun Karaoke night with the gang as we celebrated our fellow blogger and friend’s birthday at the TLC Room of the Selah Garden Hotel.

After eating a sumptuous dinner, chugging on some drinks, singing our hearts out and basically had one of the most fun get-together’s we have ever had, we called it a night.

The next day, my brother woke up early and decided to have an early swim. I, on the other hand, slept in and woke up much later.

I had breakfast with some of the not so early birds. After breakfast, I went for a quick swim and met new friends. I also took some aerial shots. I did not fly my drone too high because I am not so at ease flying my drone in the city.

Overall, my brother and I had a grand time in The Selah Garden Hotel, a quick getaway found right smack in the middle of the city.

For more information, visit The Selah Garden Hotel’s website here.

For booking and inquiries, please contact:

• Mobile: +63917-9582760, +63925-5111131, +63998-8810864
• Landline: +632-5111331 or +632-8997080

You may also book via their Facebook Page here.

Signing out for now. Remember to never stop exploring the world one story at a time. Peace!

The post SELAH GARDEN HOTEL | ONE OF MY BEST CHOICES FOR STAYCATION IN METRO MANILA appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

Are you looking for a hotel for your short stay in Metro Manila? Are you looking for a decent, clean and affordable hotel that is near Makati or Ortigas Business District? You might want to check out GARV’S Boutique Hotel along Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong City.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel is located in front of the Mandaluyong Medical Center.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel offers no-frills accommodation that is perfect for your short business trips to Metro Manila. It is also great for backpackers who are looking for halfway stay during their stopover in Metro Manila before heading to their final destinations.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel has a modern industrial minimalist design. The combination of white and gray with a touch of green gives a tranquil and simple yet sophisticated atmosphere.

GARV’S Boutique Hotel has twelve (12) rooms. Below are their room rates:

A promo rate of Php 1,199 nett per night for a Deluxe Standard Room is ongoing until April 30, 2018. For bookings, call +632-637-8839 or email garvsboutiquehotel@gmail.com. They also have a Facebook Page and an Instagram account.

I stayed in a Deluxe Standard Room with a queen size bed. The room smelled clean. Air conditioning was great. The sheets and towels were fresh. The toilet was spotless and a Guest Kit was provided compliments of the hotel.

In case you need extra, you can purchase one for Php 50.00 or you can visit Watsons Health and Beauty Store which is right next to Chowking.

The room has free wifi, a landline and a flat TV with ABS CBN TV Plus. Also, I got to fly my drone on the roof deck which to me is perfect for small gatherings.

Below is a short video clip that I prepared and posted on my Facebook Page featuring GARV’S Boutique Hotel.

[facebook url="https://www.facebook.com/joeljawsandrada/videos/1753666928023297/" /]

To watch in high definition, view the Youtube post below:

The hotel does not have room service and a cafe. However, there are nearby restaurants to choose from.

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m16!1m12!1m3!1d811.7581315943934!2d121.03502300049493!3d14.576600659826626!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!2m1!1sRestaurants!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sph!4v1523293117320&w=600&h=450]

• Chowking- Chinese/ Filipino Fast Food, open 24 hours
• Jollibee- Fast Food with Filipino Flavors, open from 6 AM to 11 PM
• Greenwich- Pizza Restaurant, open from 7 AM to 10 PM
• R&J Bulalohan- Filipino Restaurant, open 24 hours
• Nerry’s Grill- Restaurant, open from 12 AM to 11:30 PM
• Cusina Negrense- Filipino Restaurant, open from 11AM to 11PM
• Jelly Belly’s Restaurant- open from 8 AM to 12 AM

Or, you can ride a public utility jeepney to Forum Robinsons Mall located at No. 30 EDSA corner Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM. Fare is Php 8.00.

Moreover, GARV’S Boutique Hotel also offers dorm accommodation for long-staying guests at Php 2,500 per person per month.

By the way, there is a spa on the ground floor. I did not get to try it but will do on my next staycation at GARV’S Boutique Hotel.

So the next time you visit Metro Manila, try GARV’S Boutique Hotel. Signing out for now. Peace!

The post GARV’S BOUTIQUE HOTEL | AFFORDABLE DECENT NO-FRILLS ACCOMMODATION appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

What comes to mind when you hear the word Malabon? Quite honestly, aside from the famous Pancit Malabon, to me and I think to most people I know, Malabon is that city sandwiched between Navotas and Caloocan. I forget that Malabon holds a rich history… that it is a city where there is so much to see, learn and taste.

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Off to tour NCR with the Department of Tourism to discover up and coming tourist spots in #metromanila- Malabon, Las Pinas and Paranaque #travelblogger #travelph #choosephilippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines

A post shared by JOEL JAWS ANDRADA | B/Vlogger (@joeljawsandrada) on Jan 28, 2018 at 3:09pm PST

Thanks to the Department of Tourism for tagging me along to explore Malabon in this media familiarization tour and help promote emerging tourist destinations in Metro Manila. The tour was led by the Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Malabon Mayor Antolin “Len Len” Oreta and wife Chef Melissa Oreta no less.

Because of the narrow streets, touring Malabon in a four-wheeled vehicle is impractical, almost impossible even. So we mazed through Malabon using tricycles to conveniently reach earmarked destinations. Yes, you read it right! The Malabon Tricycle Tours.

The Malabon Tricycle Tours does not only help promote local tourism but more importantly it serves as a livelihood for the local community.

The tour includes ancestral structures, old churches and Filipino Food places. They offer the following tour packages:

Package A- Heritage Tour P 250 per person
Destinations:
San Bartolome Parish
Sy Juco Mansion
Nepomuceno Ancestral House
Concepcion Market and Plaza
Artes de Paseo Art Gallery
El Casa Katipunero
Ibaviosa Ancestral House
Angel Cacnio Art Gallery
Rivera Ancestral House
Raymundo Ancestral House

Package B- Food Trip Special P 750 per person
Destinations:
San Bartolome Parish
Lugaw Experience
Hazel’s Puto
Jamico’s Restaurant
Dolor’s Kakanin
Concepcion Market and Plaza
Nanay’s Pancit Malabon
Betsy’s Cake Center

Package C- Food and Heritage Tour P 900 per person
Destinations:
San Bartolome Parish
Sy Juco Mansion
Lugaw Experience
Ibaviosa Ancestral House
Hazel’s Puto and Puto Pao
Jamico’s Restaurant
Nepomuceno Ancestral House
Concepcion Market and Plaza
Dolor’s Kakanin
El Casa Katipunero
Nanay’s Pancit Malabon
Angel Cacnio Art Gallery
Rivera House
Raymundo Ancestral House
Betsy’s Cake Center

San Bartolome Parish

At half-past nine in the morning, we started the tour and our first stop was the San Bartolome Church. Built in 1564, the San Bartolome Church’s unique Baroque architecture has been stunningly maintained over the years.

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San Bartolome Church, Malabon #itsmorefuninthephilippines #choosephilippines #travelblogger #travelph #capitaloffun #malabontricycletour #eatsmorefuninmalabon

A post shared by JOEL JAWS ANDRADA | B/Vlogger (@joeljawsandrada) on Jan 28, 2018 at 6:12pm PST

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Baby Syjuco's Heritage House in Malabon #eatsmorefuninmalabon #itsmorefuninthephilippines

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Sy Juco Heritage House, Brgy. Tanong

I boarded Kuya (Brother) Merlin’s tricycle and we proceeded to visiting the ancestral Sy Juco House built in 1869. Over the years, this heritage house once served as a school and then as a tobacco factory before it became a private residence of a Swiss Filipino Family. I was not able to take a lot of photos but was able to take a lot of videos here. I will upload a vlog soon so stay tuned.

Ibaviosa House and Patis Factory, Brgy. Flores

Then, we visited the Ibaviosa House and Patis Factory. Built in the 1940’s, this heritage house endured the Filipino- Japanese War and is still standing up to now. It also served as a set location of one of the films of the comedian Ai Ai Delas Alas entitled “Ang Cute Ng Ina Mo” where Ai Ai played the role of a Filipina patis (fish sauce) manufacturer.

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Famous Xperience Lugaw of Malabon #eatsmorefuninmalabon

A post shared by JOEL JAWS ANDRADA | B/Vlogger (@joeljawsandrada) on Jan 28, 2018 at 8:21pm PST

Lugaw Experience, Brgy. Flores

Adjacent to the Ibaviosa Heritage House is Lugaw Experience where we got to taste the famous Malabon lugaw (porridge). The 1984 original recipe was by Narcisa Domondon Pangan and the same recipe has been passed on from generation to generation.

Angel Cacnio’s House and Art Gallery

With our tummies full, we boarded our tricycles and went to the art gallery of Mr. Angel Cacnio who is famous for his paintings and for designing the Philippine 100 and 20 peso bills. The gallery also showcased some of his sons’ paintings and his wife’s art collection.

We were lucky that day because Mr. Angel Cacnio was around to welcome us. In the photo below, he was vividly recalling and sharing to us the beautiful and rich history of Malabon.

He even more than willingly signed a hundred peso bill of one of our companions.

Dra. Gonzales’ Heritage House, General Luna Avenue

The next stop was Dra. Gonzales’ Heritage House for lunch. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by two talented young people gracefully swaying to the music of a folk dance song.

We were served some of the best flavors of Malabon City: Pancit Malabon, Crispy Pata, and Kikiam. Aside from Mommy Dolor’s Kakanin (native cakes) for dessert, we were served Valencia Trianggulo, Malabon’s version of turon (fritters in lumpiya wrapper). Valencia Trianggulo is a Malabon delicacy and instead of the usual turon stuffed with just banana and langka, Valencia Trianggulo is stuffed bananas, langka and pinipig in a lumpiya wrapper formed into a triangle and deep-fried.

Dolor’s Kakanin, Escanilla Street

After lunch, the food trip was not yet over. It just went on and on. LOL. Truly #eatsmorefuninMalabon. From Dra. Gonzales’ Heritage House, we walked for around five minutes to visit Dolor’s Kakanin Shop along Escanilla Street and have some more dessert! We were told that they have been using the same secret recipe since 1930. They showed us how their famous sapin-sapin is made. Sapin-sapin is a Filipino dessert made of glutinous rice and coconut.

One of my blogger friends, Maddie, even got the chance to plate one.

Aside from sapin-sapin, they have other offerings that are just as good.

Immaculate Conception Parish, General Luna Avenue

The last stop was the Immaculate Conception Parish right across Dra. Gonzales’ Heritage House. The ceiling has paintings of biblical characters and events.

The tour took about four hours. Short and sweet (literally with all the kakanin and Valencia Trianggulo that I ate). At about half past one in the afternoon, we left Malabon not just with full tummies but more importantly with better appreciation of our Filipino culture which revolves around our Faith, food and families. We only got to visit a few of the destinations but it was enough to make me excited to come back and visit the ones we missed.

The next time you plan your staycation, get up and book that Malabon Tricycle Tour with your loved ones. You will surely be pleasantly surprised that there is so much to see, learn and taste in a city sandwiched between Navotas and Caloocan.

Signing out for now. Peace!

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Thank you Mayor Antolin Oreta and Chef Melissa for welcoming us here in Malabon. #eatsmorefuninmalabon #itsmorefuninthephilippines #travelph #travelblogger

A post shared by JOEL JAWS ANDRADA | B/Vlogger (@joeljawsandrada) on Jan 28, 2018 at 9:35pm PST

The post EXPLORING MALABON’S FAITH, FOOD, FILIPINO HERITAGE & TRICYCLE TOURS appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

Do you live in Metro Manila and nearby provinces?

If so, then you have to pay attention.

In 2015, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) with the other government agencies and non-government organizations released an Earthquake Contingency Plan for the Philippines.

Source: http://www.pha.org.ph/images/letters/oplan_metro_yakal_plus.pdf

Therein, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) warned that in case of an earthquake in Metro Manila, the West Valley Fault spanning 100 kilometers which passes through Bulacan, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna, may cause a 7.2 magnitude quake or higher.

Should “The Big One” happen, it is estimated that over 30,000 individuals may die and over 100,000 may be injured. The strong ground shaking may also result to the regional separation of Metro Manila to quadrants due to the collapse of buildings and bridges.

To carry out evacuation and rescue operations efficiently, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) divided Metro Manila into four quadrants. Each quadrant is designated an operation center and staging area which will also serve as evacuation camps.

Further, all athletic fields, sport arenas, memorial parks, churches and gyms that will be designated by the local government units (LGUs) will be used as evacuation centers for Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Pasig River will serve as an alternate route for rescue and relief personnel.

For more information, visit https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph.

Like PHIVOLCS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHIVOLCS/

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/phivolcs_dost

Stay calm. Pray and prepare. Remember to DUCK, COVER & HOLD.

Signing out for now. Peace.

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