Photo Blog : When in Pattaya

Last July 2015, the Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale was given the opportunity to represent the Philippines in the 8th International Choir Festival held in Pattaya , Thailand.  It was an honor for  us to be the lone Philippine representative. We won 2 gold and 1 silver medals and I could not ask for anything more. Hard work, determination and "puso" made us successful in this journey.

More details here : http://www.jlofied.com/2015/07/pag-ibig-fund-chorale-bags-2-golds-in.html

It was my second time to visit Thailand and having the the same demographics with the Philippines, I felt like I'm home.

Here are some places we visited during our stay, and I hope you can get some ideas when you visit Pattaya soon.

When in Jomtien, Check in at Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel  (Pattaya)

The Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel is the largest resort hotel in the Na Jomtien Bay which I think is very ideal for international conferences and conventions. 

Photo Credit : Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel Website

The rooms are outdated 'tho but I think it's a great value for money. We stayed at Garden Wing which is actually ideal for big groups, but if you are planning the trip with your family or a small group of friends, you should go for the Ocean View Wing. Each Hotel Wing has its own restaurant and the Atrium Cafe located at the Ocean View Wing is my favorite among the 9 restaurants in the resort complex.

Communication is indeed challenging as very few of the staff understand English. And there is NO free wi-fi in the hotel, you still need to buy an internet card for 150 baht for an unlimited wi-fi internet  within the complex.

Be amazed at the wood works at the Sanctuary of Truth (Pattaya)

The Sanctuary of Truth is a gigantic wooden construction which covers the area of more than two rais. The top point of the building is about 105 meters high. It was constructed to withstand the wind and sunshine on the seashore at Rachvate Cape, Tumbon Naklea, Amphur Banglamung, Chon Buri Province.

The building was constructed according to ancient Thai ingenuity and every square inch of the building is covered with wooden carve sculpture. The purposes of decoration with wooden carve sculptures are to use art and culture as the reflection of Ancient Vision of Earth, Ancient Knowledge, and Eastern Philosophy. With in this complex, visitors will understand Ancient Life, Human Responsibility, Basic Thought, Cycle of living, Life Relationship with Universe and Common Goal of Life toward Utopia.

Source : Sanctuary of Truth Website www.sanctuaryoftruth.com

A one of a kind sinful experience at Walking Street. Not recommended 'tho for conservative people (Pattaya)

Walking Street is a red light district in Pattaya that draws a lot of foreigners primarily for night life. Just a warning, do not bring your parents, grandparents or someone who has a conservative soul.  Prostitution is not strictly illegal in Thailand, it is tolerated and party regulated. 

Just by walking along the street illuminated by colored neon signs, you will be greeted by Thai and Russian prostitutes, lady boys or an exotic dancer in a glass display window. I was actually shocked to read what's on their menu cards and what strikes me the most is "Boy-Girl / Girl-Girl /  Boy-Boy Fucking Shows". We are not interested to watch  any shows of course.

As we walk from the south end of Beach Road to the Bali Hai Pier, I was thinking of the  life of each "performers". Those cage performers in the glass windows and that particular teenager doing a street acrobat show were smiling at us but their eyes were shouting in pain, anger and sadness.

Mimosa Pattaya

Just across the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel is the Mimosa Pattaya, also called as the "City of Love". One of the feautures of the place is the Lady-boy cabaret show.

Photo Credit : Elpie Parayno

We did not  enter the  place but I think there must be some great restaurants or drinking establishments inside. For 600 baht entrance fee for a foreigner, it is not a good deal if you are not into this kind of entertainment. 

Schedule of Mimosa Cabaret Show & Musical Fountain
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
7:00 pm

Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale Bags 2 Golds in The 8th International Choir Festival in Thailand

 THE PAG-IBIG Fund Chorale (PFC) won in three categories during the 8th Grand Prix Pattaya 2015 – International Choir Festival, held on 22-26 July 2015, in Pattaya, Thailand. The lone Philippine representative to the competition, the chorale earned the approval of the judges, garnering enough points to win Gold Medals in the Folklore a Capella category, and the Spiritual, Gospel, and Jazz category, and a Silver Medal in the Adult Mixed category.

The Grand Prix Pattaya 2015 is a competition open to non-professional choirs around the world. The PFC was joined by 12 other choirs to compete in various categories. The participants, who may join any of the applicable categories – Children’s Choirs; Boys’ Choirs; Youth Choirs; Adult Choirs (Women, Men, Mixed); Folklore A Capella; Chamber Choirs; Vocal Groups; and Spiritual, Gospel, and Jazz – must present a maximum of three different songs per category to be performed under a prescribed time limit. Well-known international choir masters led by Bangkok Opera Artistic Director Somtow Sucharitkul served as judges at the competition.

“We are very proud of the Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale’s accomplishments. They’ve already proven their mettle in local performances and competitions. Garnering the top recognition in their first international competition proves that our Fund employees do practice the culture of excellence that Pag-IBIG Fund embodies. With this recognition, they did not only make Pag-IBIG Fund proud but the entire country, as well,” says Pag-IBIG Fund President and CEO Atty. Darlene Marie B. Berberabe.

Organized in September 2005 as the Fund’s official choir, the PFC has performed in various local music festivals, including Maestro Ryan Cayabyab’s One Thousand-Voice Choir Project in 2011. The group has also won several competitions, and was declared as the 2014 Grand Champion of the Civil Service Commission’s Government Choral Competition. Guided by Choir Master Anthony Go Villanueva, the PFC has become Pag-IBIG’s Ambassador of Goodwill, spreading camaraderie and goodwill as they perform in various outreach events from government agencies and private institutions.

Journey : The Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale Send-Off Concert

The Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale is the lone Philippine representative to the 8th International Choir Festival to be held in Pattaya, Thailand on 21 to 26 of July. The Festival will gather choirs around the world and aims to promote each participating choirs' chorale culture and tradition.

This is the first time that the PFC will compete in an international choir competition and it is an honor for me to be a part of this journey.

To prepare the group for the competition, the PFC is staging  a send-off concert entitled "Journey"  on 16 July 2015 (Thursday), Roof deck, JELP  Business Solutions, Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. For ticket reservations and inquiries, please email me at bonsky_jen@yahoo.com

ABOUT THE PAG-IBIG FUND CHORALE

The Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale is the official choir of the Pag-IBIG Fund, one of the government financial institutions in the Philippines. The group was formally organized in September 2005. Initially composed of Fund employees from the agency’s corporate headquarters and NCR branch offices, the group supports the institution’s quest for excellence, proving that Pag-IBIG employees are not only capable of providing exceptional service to its members, but also in shining in arts and culture, particularly music.

The group made its public debut in the Cultural Center of the Philippines’s “Liwliwa: Konsierto ng mga Kawani,” a light-hearted evening of songs uniting all musically gifted choirs from different government agencies. The Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale has participated in various competitions and musical festivals including the Madz Et Al Festival Series 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and has graced local television shows. It has won several awards along the way, placing first place in the Philippine Social Security Association (PHILSSA) Christmas Carol Competition in December 2009, garnering third place in the People Management Association of the Philippines’ annual search for best chorale group staged in July 2006 and second place in 2007.

It also bagged the 2^nd Runner Up during the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Government Choral Competition held in September 2011 and was part of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab’s One Thousand-Voice Choir Project on 19 November 2011.

In September 2014, the Group was declared as the 2014 Grand Champion of the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Government Choral Competition.

Among its many achievements, perhaps the most remarkable role the Chorale has played is that of being the Fund’s Ambassador of Goodwill, having done countless performances both during Fund events and has answered invitations of external entities as well. The Group has also initiated or became part of community activities like outreach events.

The Chorale is being nurtured by its Choir Master Mr. Anthony Go Villanueva.

I Know What They Did Last Summer : Eagle's Point Resort, Anilao, Batangas

Love it or hate it? 

It still puzzles me up to now why ratings and reviews for this resort were contradicting. If you will read and analyze the reviews of travelers from different travel sites like trip advisor, 50% gave a rate of 1 while the other 50% gave a  positive review of 5. I was curious and I did my own research before booking the resort for our department team building.  There was  a part of me that was so excited to visit the place by just looking all those awesome photos online, while a part of me wanted to back out because of the bad reviews I read.

Now I'm blaming myself for watching too much Brain Games, How to Win and Hacking the System of Nat Geo. I've been thinking a lot about perception and why people tend to like something while the others do the opposite.

Sunset at EPR

Yes, this is a review based on our experience at Eagle Point Diving Resort located in Anilao, Batangas which is 3 to 4 hours away from Manila.

Booking

Booking with EPR is easy by calling  their Makati Office. An Account Executive will be gladly to assist you, however a 50% downpayment is required to confirm the reservation. You can pay the downpayment either in the form of cash or you can use your credit card for a smooth and easy transaction. 

 If you want to visit the place during summer, book as early as January to February.

MAKATI SALES OFFICEGround floor, Cacho Gonzalez Bldg. 101 Aguirre cor. Trasierra
Sts., Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 8133553
Fax/Ph: +63 2 8133560
Mobile: +63 9175625223
E-mail: reservations@eaglepointresort.com.ph

Checking in at the main lobby

How to Get There

Address : Bo. Balagangit, Anilao, Mabini, Batangas
Go south on the South Expressway (SLEX)
Take the STAR Tollway to Batangas City
Cross  Manila-Batangas Highway and go onto Diversion Road towards Batangas International Por
Turn right under over-pass onto Batangas-Balayan Highway towards Bauan
Turn left after Manghinao Bridge, Bauan towards Mabini,
Turn right on Mabini rotunda towards Anilao.
Turn left on coastal road in anilao towards Barrio Bagalangit.
Turn right on EAGLE POINT RESORT private road

The long and winding road to EPR

There are 2 parking lots there. The first one is designated for tourist buses and the second one is for private or smaller vehicles. From the parking lot, guests will be transferred to a shuttle (jeep) going to the main resort entrance for only an experienced driver can take you safely to its main resort. The ride going to the main resort is an adventure by itself and is like riding a roller coaster from Disneyland. Ok, I was just exaggerating, but the ride going to EPR is fun. But  I'm not quite  sure if our lolos or lolas will love that kind of adventure.



Accomodation

Our  2,650 package per pax  includes the following :
   - an over night stay at the Terrace Hotel - Superior Room (Sea View)
   - family style Lunch and Dinner
   - buffet breakfast

Expensive or Affordable? That is the question. 

The hotel room that was assigned to us can comfortably accommodate 4 guests. It has a standard hotel amenities like LED TV, Cable, Air-conditioning unit, 2 queen size bed, mini ref (no bar), telephone and a veranda overlooking the Balayan Bay. It has a  spacious shower with amenities like shampoo, soap and towels.

But please manage your expections. Even though EPR is boasting  being a luxury destination, do not expect 5 star hotel like towels in your room. There was no wifi, no hair dryer and no coffee and tea making facility.

But I think it does not matter because they did good job on the room and it passed my "mapanuring mata" :-). The room was clean with modern mediterranean interiors and a fair amount of space to walk around and have a drinking session with friends.

 Party! Party!

Food

The Eagle's Nest Restaurant and Bar occupies the main floor mezzanine of the main building . It has a nice interior and I  love that the tables had great views of the breath taking sea. 

JLo at the Eagle's Nest Restaurant waiting for our food

Now here comes my negative reviews about the food. 

We arrived at 11:00am and were served orange juice as welcome drinks. Since the check in time is at 2:00 pm, we decided to have our lunch first. There were a lot of people checking in at the same and there were like  four  big call center companies having their team building   which needs to be accommodated and to be served lunch all at the same time.  

Welcome Drinks

The manager told me that our lunch will be served at 12:30, unfortunately our  food were served around 1:15 pm and yes we were so hungry at that time. I  told myself that the food should be worth the wait and I am imagining myself eating while looking at the breath taking view in front of me. But it did not happened and I was disappointed.

The beef and squid were  so tough as in tough that you cannot chew it  anymore. My supervisor jokingly asked  me "Gusto mong bubble gum?".

But wait there's more! There was a "bangaw" snorkeling on the beef's sauce on  my husband's plate.


I immediately reported the incident  to the F&B Manager, he said that the chef will prepare a special meal to replace the "bangaw" infested plate. It's 2 pm and it's taking a long time to prepare that special meal, the F&B Manager then suggested to get food from the buffet table which I agreed.

The food is just ok but nothing to rave about.

Again, I called again the F & B Manager and asked what we can do about the tough beef and squid issue. I told him that my bosses were not satisfied with the food at all. I asked him if he can just make our dinner special. 

They kept their promise and there were a lot of food during dinner. The food is decent and delicious but nothing grand.  

And there was darkness. There was a power interruption while we are having dinner and it took them  time to set-up their power generator.  It seems that the staff were  all used to the power interruptions. Madalas siguro mag brown out sa EPR.

Dinner at Eagle's Nest Restaurant

Activities / Facilities

After reading some reviews of those who gave a rating of 1  about EPR, I asked myself "bakit nga ba 1 lang at bakit sila disappointed din sa facilities?" . I think I know now the answer, it is just a matter of expecting too much for the price you pay. 

Few days before we leave for EPR, I told my office mates to manage their expectations. EPR is a diving site so do not expect a sandy white beach where you can lay down and watch the sunset while reading your favorite book while sipping a glass of smoothies.

Do not go here if you don't feel like snorkling, diving or kayaking or you'll end up doing nothing. Tip : Do not forget to bring your aqua shoes and snorkle.

Snorkling with husband Mark

Syokoy ba kamo?

Swimming at the Reef. 

The Swimming Pool

The 9 ft Reef Pool for practice diving.
 We did not try it tho' because  it is dark down under, and we are afraid of 3 baby sharks who lives there.
It's just  like a big aquarium. I'm not sure if it's meant to be like that, " medyo nandiri ako kasi madulas dulas."

The Sepoc Beach Center

Sepoc Beach Center in owned and operated by EPR as its  annex recreation facility. It takes a  20 minute boat ride from the main resort and hotel. I recommend 

I recommend you to visit the the beach resort if you are looking for that "summery beach" feeling you are looking for in a Batangas resort. 

We really enjoyed our stay here at Sepoc Beach and I suggest you visit in the morning from 8 to 11 am.

Excited to know what we did last summer at Eagle's Point Resort? Watch our highlight video here.

Pico Sands Hotel

My family  had the chance to visit Pico de Loro  recently and we stayed at Pico Sands Hotel. Although it is still a residential and club membership facility, people like us who do not own a unit or club shares are also welcome because they also operate as hotel. No need to "crowd source" and look for friends or relatives who are members for you to be able to experience the vastness of Pico de Loro.

Getting ready to swim "agad agad"

Checking in

We arrived at 12:30 PM and was hoping for an early checking, but it was not possible. So we decided to have lunch first at Pico Restaurant. It was really hot that weekend and roaming around the area is not an option, so we really need to get a room as soon as possible.

To my dismay, we still don't have a room at 2:15 PM, but the welcome drinks they are serving to incoming guests is really refreshing and can calm down upset guests. It's a refreshing blend of calamansi with mint and ginger I think, but I really love it. After a  few glasses of this refreshing drink, we were finally given a room. yey!

We were also given waterproof wrist straps that we were supposed to wear throughout our stay to distinguished us the hotel guests (white) from the members/ member guests (yellow).

Letter of Apologies with Welcome Fruits from the Hotel Management

Our room

We stayed at the Pico Sands Hotel Superior Room with a 37 square meters with a 7 square meter balcony with one king-sized bed that can fit up to two adults and can comfortably squeezed in 2 small kids.

Do not  compare the hotel room with other business class hotel  because it is actually a resort hotel, so do not expect floor carpets  in your rooms or you will get disappointed. It's actually a condo style hotel with spacious interiors amidst the view of the mountains and a tranquil-made lagoon.The room is complete with hotel ammenities like wifi, LED TV,  towels, hygiene kits, hair dryer, mini refrigerator (no bar).

Over-all experience in  the hotel is actually relaxing and fun especially if you are with your love ones, but I think I am half-hearted and I am not really sure if I like it or not if we will consider the price.

The published rate for our Superior Room Lagoon View is Php 10,000 per night, inclusive of buffet  breakfast for two (2) is a bit expensive for me if we will be talking about the room alone. To be fair, the amount you paid for the room inlcudes the free use of their pool, access to the beach and the awesome view. Nevertheless, it is still expensive for me.

Dining

There are seven (7) restaurants that you can find inside Pico de Loro :
1. Sun Coral Cafe (exclusive for members only) 
2. Reef Bar
3. Brisa Bar (exclusive for members only)
4. Lagoa 
5. B & B All Day Snacks 
6. Pico Restaurant and Bar  


The food is just ok but nothing to rave about. But I really like the fact that you can dine in for lunch or dinner al fresco style even in your swim wear. Having a breakfast at the garden over looking the lagoon is really something to look forward to.

Looks like a scene from Diner Dash

The Pool

I really love its multi-level pool. And there is a pool for everyone from kids to the lolos and lolas. This is really a great place for families to spend their vacation.

Pico Beach

As a hotel guest, you also have an access to Pico Beach, although there are some part of it that are just exclusive for the members.

The Reef Bar - you can stay here while waiting for the sunset

Member's Clubouse. This area is exclusive for members only

Checking out

Checking out is easy. Use your SM Advantage Cards to earn points. 

Getting There   via  Ternate-Nasugbu 

1. Take Roxas Boulevard toward Cavitex toll booth. Go straight until you reach the 2nd toll booth.

2. Go straight through the towns of Tanza and Naic. You will see a fork on the road with a Petron gas station in the middle. Keep left following the sign that says to Puerto Azul.

3. This will lead you to the town of Maragondon then keep right at the Petron station going toward Ternate.

4. Keep going straight until you see the turn left to Hamilo Coast sign. This road will take you through the Kaybiang tunnel with a scenic ocean view drive to Hamilo Coast Pico de Loro main entrance.

5. Better yet, use Waze!

Contact details
Pico Sands Hotel - 464-7800 / 464-7888
www.picodelorocove.com
www.hamilocoast.com
www.facebook.com/picosandshotel