Booking at Zen Rooms

We've been looking at rooms available through BOOKING (dot) COM a number of times but it was our very FIRST TIME to TRY booking at the hotel EMPHASIZING a tag line..."ZEN ROOMS Sleep Well, Pay Less".


THE LOCATION

Since our stay is confirmed on our way on the 3rd of May I called the hotel.
I made a call past 2 in the afternoon, a sleepy receptionist whom I caught YAWNING answered the phone. I even started greeting..."GOOD AFTERNOON IS THIS ZEN ROOMS?"
This was because the HOTEL RECEPTIONIST lack TELEPHONE ETIQUETTE.
I started asking for HOTEL exact location in BONI, I was enlightened about it through certain landmark location mentioning ROBINSONS FORUM.
We locate it and later on found ourselves walking, it was far from the landmark and it requires a number of steps going there.

After paying for the AGREED upon ROOM RATE we also PAID for  a SECURITY DEPOSIT amouting P1000.


ZEN ROOMS ROOM

We were given a CARD not a KEY at 2720. Not so much to EXPECT a BED and a separate CR with TV, MICROWAVE OVEN, REFRIGERATOR, A DINING TABLE but there was no SINGLE SPOON nor MUGS inside. This was a bit AWKWARD for you have to call the hotel to REQUEST for those.

Our tummies were hungry so after dropping all our things...we left for lunch.
In fairness, there was existing FAST FOOD CHAINS and RESTAURANT within the area...a walking distance and to NOTE there's more with a few more WALKS inside the Robinsons Forum.

Then we went back right away to at least feel our stay at the hotel.
I was actually fixing some of my things when suddenly the KIDS SCREAMED.
I said WHY? they said there's a COCKROACH and pointing it to the direction where it was CRAWLING inside the CR.
A few more minutes there's a FEW MORE CRAWLING.

Upon checking my e-mail I was asked if how was so far our stay at ZEN ROOMS.
This gave me the very opportunity to put everything on writing our COMPLAINTS staying at their room.

One of their customer service representative gave us feedback on this...

A few minutes after our SENT e-mail...we HEARD somebody KNOCKING on our ROOM.
They IMMEDIATELY moved us to the NEXT ROOM, room 2721.

Much of my concern is this, did they not CHECK this before they send us there? Because if ZEN ROOMS did...then there's no INCIDENT like this.

In room 2721, It was the same type of ROOM but there was no SINGLE insect there.

Since we never wanted to ruin our stay at the hotel...we moved on because that particular day was my youngest SPECIAL DAY!


ZEN ROOMS AMENITIES

The kids and the family enjoyed SWIMMING. We made a visit on weekday so EXPECT that there's no VOLUME of GUESTS coming in. So were like, in our own SANCTUARY.
I just admired their CR with locker rooms, clean and well-maintained.

I just don't have the chance to personally visit the GYM which was supposedly on my BUCKET LIST due to time constraint. 

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END

The following day we checked-out. 

We TRIED to inquire about our OTHER CONCERN which was how can we get a hold of the MONEY they took us from our VISA CARD.

We were told that they're just only going to PUT ON HOLD that money...but still it WASN'T RETURN to us until the time we checked out at ZEN ROOMS.

There was even a VERBAL DENIAL from the receptionist that it wasn't ZEN ROOMS who hold our money...and that BOOKING (dot) COM was the one CAPABLE OF DOING it.

But TRY TO LOOK AT THIS...

But we CHECKED over and over again until this very day.

I just couldn't put the grab copy of our bank statement (due to some privacy concerns) which proves that we were DEBITED with the same amount of our stay...and that MONEY was still on-hold after we made an inquiry about it.

We are still WAITING for our MONEY to go back. 

For those who are READING this MAKE SURE that before leaving the HOTEL you have your MONEY BACK.

After this experience, I don't know...NEXT TIME we will be booking at HOTELS and SEARCH ENGINES that is TRUE with their SERVICE and PROMISE.

  

Barangay Election na...BUMOTO ka na ba?

Ilang beses ding napostpone ang eleksyong ito...finally we are now pushing for it and nangyayari na.

So I expect with that very LONG time given, handang-handa na silang lahat para hindi lang MAIHALAL kundi MAKAPALINGKOD sa BAYAN!

Pinili kong magtungo sa eskwelahan kung saan ako bumoto ng tirik na ang araw, umaga sana pero 'tila napahimbing ako sa pagkakatulog.

Muli na naman akong bumalik sa aking Paaralan kong saan ako nagtapos ng elemetarya ang "Daanghari Elementary School," sa lungsod namin sa Navotas. 

Ikukuwento ko lang po ng konti na malayong-malayo na ito sa eskwelahang aking kinamulatan noon pang 1986. Ang tagal na po kasi...at mula noon, ngayon ay may makikita ka ng pagbabago dahil may mga bago ng building, at makikita mong inaalagaan ito dahil parang tila ang itsura'y parang laging bagong pintura.

Bago nito, dumaan muna ako sa aking Ina upang kamustahin ito kung siya ba ay bumoto na at saka tumungo doon. Mula sa aking Ina nalaman kung saan kami presinto nabibilang para makaboto.

Dahil nga batid ko na kung saan ako magtutungo, diretso na ako sa building na binanggit niya. Pero para makasiguro hinanap ko pa rin ang aking pangalan sa mga listahang nakapaskil sa pasilyo at pintuan ng bawat silid-aralan na naroroon.

Mahirap pala yung ganoong proseso, kasi nga literal na titingin ka sa mga listahan.

Medyo natagalan ako doon hanggang sa may nakapansin sa akin na mga Election Officers at nagmungkahi na maaari akong magpa-assist sa COMELEC, ibigay lamang ang aking pangalan at madali ko ng mahahanap kung ano bang presinto ako nakatalaga.

Hindi ko naman napansin ito sa aking pagpasok, dahil hindi naman sila nakabungad sa gate ng eskwelahan nasa gilid pala sila nakapuwesto. Nagtanong sila ng aking pangalan at sinabing isulat ko ito sa isang papel, pero ibinigay ko na lang ang aking SSS Id para mapadali ang proseso.

Maya-maya pa ay iniabot na sa akin ang listahan na may nakalagay na Pangalan ko, PRECINT NO., CLUSTER NO., at DES BLDG.

Kaya po pala hindi ko matunton ay dahil sa mali pong building ako nagtungo. Kaya ang mainam na gawin lumapit po tayo sa mga OTORISADONG tao na tutulong sa atin para mapadali ang paghahanap sa ating mga pangalan.

Nakaakyat na po ako sa building kung saan ako nakatalaga para bumoto at doon ko nakita hindi lamang ang pangalan ko and naroon kundi maging ang mga pangalan ng buong pamilya ko na REHISTRADONG bumoto.

Matapos po akong pumirma iniabot na sa akin ang ELECTION BALLOT na walang nakasulat na anuman. Pero nakapagtatakang bago ako magtungo sa upuan kung saan ako maglalagay ng mga PANGALAN ng mga IBOBOTO ko ay NILAGYAN na agad ng INDELIBLE INK ang aking daliri.

Nakapagtataka ano? dahil dapat ay inilalagay ito MATAPOS kang bumoto at hindi BAGO KA PA BUMOTO.

Hindi ako nagtanong bagkus ay nagpatuloy. Nag-OOBSERBA rin ako upang malaman kung nagagawa ba ng tama ang PROCEDURE ng mga ELECTION OFFICERS kapag boboto at ang mga botante.

Ang sabi ng aking Ina, nangyayari o ginagawa daw ito kasi nga yung iba pagkatapos bumoto ay hindi nagpapalagay ng INDELIBLE ink kaya upang MASIGURO na hindi na uulit ang mga ito para bomoto pa...nilalagyan na sila ng mga indelible ink.

Bago pa man ang itinakdang araw ng ELEKSYON marami ng mga SK at mga KAGAWAD ng nagiikot-ikot upang IKAMPANYA ang kanilang mga sarili.

Pero ito po ang karaniwang OBSERBASYON na akin pong nakita na madalas ay sasabihin lamang o ipakikilala lamang nila ang kanilang mga sarili at madalas NAKAKALIMUTANG banggitin ang kanilang mga PLANO kapag sila ay NAIHALAL na.

Isa lang naman ang gusto ng mga MAMAMAYAN ang MAPABUTI ang PAMUMUNO sa kanilang mga BARANGAY. Dahil lahat naman tayo ay nais ng PAGBABAGO kaya nga may ELEKSYON para tuluyan na itong MAISAKATUPARAN.

Mali po na boboto tayo para lamang masabing nakaboto na tayo. Dapat po ang PANGUNAHIN nating LAYUNIN ay MAIHALAL ang mga NARARAPAT na MAGLINGKOD sa BAYAN.

Sa mga MAGWAWAGI sana naman po PATUNAYAN natin na may MAGAGAWA tayo para MABAGO ang mga MALI at MATUTULUNGAN natin ang ating mga nasasakupan sa ating mga BARANGAY.

Babalikan po namin kayo upang alamin kung GINAWA nga po ninyo ang inyong SINUMPAANG TUNGKULIN dahil ito po ang TUNAY na DAHILAN kung bakit kayo NAHALAL. 

The amazing BOOKING (dot) COM

Last February we had booked at AZURE through BOOKING (dot) COM.
And we felt that we were screwed because what was posted in their site specifically the HOTEL RATE were HIGHER when we were asked to pay.

I never let this particular thing end as if we were victimized or scammed.
Right then and there, I sent an email to complain about what took place in our stay in AZURE.

They were replying but I couldn't get what I wanted. I am actually asking for JUSTICE and I will only think of achieving that at the time they do not just responded on my email APOLOGIZING but only by SENDING BACK the EXCESS MONEY Azure charged us.

Until I think a week or two, after several emails I sent them, I got a reply saying that they were sending back extra amount of money the hotel charged us.

At first I couldn't believe it. I thought I will just keep on receiving EMAILS of PROMISES...not until they asked for what existing bank I have in the present and after 14 working days, I had it BACK!

At the time I was so pissed-off with the service they're providing with us, I think I said it many times that I wouldn't be ANYMORE use their SEARCH ENGINE and will look for another one TRUE ENOUGH with their PROMISES.
But after what they did, it's like I AM DISCOVERING FEW MORE GOOD THINGS on BOOKING (dot) COM...ONE THAT IS TRUE AND VERY RELIABLE!

Now, again I took my time using the same search engine to have a memorable celebration of my youngest.

Here we go...BAGUIO!

Mines View Park, Baguio City. Philippines, April 6, 2018

Sometimes we feel that we are bored on things that are happening as usual the usual.

While some choose to stay doing the same over and over again...we are some of the few people who looked for ways on how to change this.





WHY BAGUIO?

Baguio is one family destination vacation that we wouldn't think twice having a visit.
This is because even at the time, I and my wife was still in a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship many years ago, we were visiting Baguio almost every year...and we have so many beautiful memories there.
Secondly, there are so many EXCITING places to go to, as well as pasalubong to buy for loved-ones and relatives.
And FINALLY, one great consideration is the COLD WEATHER...especially now that the SUMMER in the PHILIPPINES is OFFICIAL!


WHEN WAS THE PLAN TO VISIT BAGUIO BECAME OFFICIAL

We really had the plan to visit Baguio this year...in fact this was part of FAMILY'S BUCKET LIST.
The thing is I couldn't commit for I was waiting for a job call that could possibly come any day of this month. But since there are no NEWS yet, out of boredom...I told my wife to push for the plan.
There was actually a sudden decision on this.
I remember my INTERNET CONNECTION was BUFFERING at the 3rd of April and that I gave up BOOKING for a place to stay.
Since I couldn't book a hotel, our second option was to find a house that we can rent.
The following day, my wife told me that she has found a perfect place in BAGUIO for only P250 per head. The same day afternoon, I went to CUBAO and PURCHASED TICKETS.

Were supposedly getting a next day trip to Baguio but the only available time was at noon.
I'm thinking that it would be a waste of TIME if we will be arriving there at night.

Victory Liner, Cubao, April 5, 2018

Luckily, there was a trip on the following day but was scheduled 12:15 am, another scenario was the only two seats available was 13 and 25. Our plan was to seek a permission on seat number 14 to exchange seats with him or her. We tried doing this along with the help of a bus attendant but never worked out. Luckily there was two passengers who offered us their seats.



BAGUIO FINALLY!

Victory Liner, Baguio City. April 5, 2018

We came in around 4:10 am the same day, we rode on a special bus trip via TPLEX. Were supposed to be picked-up around 7:00 in the morning. But since we came-in too early, 3 hours EARLY to be exact we all just waited for the bus station until the morning unfolded.
We just decided to come out around 6 am but the house number was never given to us...only the street's name.

We sent a message to our contact in Baguio, we even called her but the phone was unattended.
Until we made a call again during our taxi ride...our contact's phone rang. The taxi driver was instructed by our contact where to drop us exactly, and FINALLY we were able to LOCATE it.


A COZY HOUSE IN BAGUIO

We have seen the photos before we booked for our Baguio trip. But we never knew that the house was BIG, just imagine that there was a HUGE SPACE for the KITCHEN, another space for the DINING area and much importantly there was so much space for the LIVING ROOM.
Well, not to mention that there's a SEPARATE ROOM where we can all rest.

But WAIT THERE'S MORE...the wall that separates the dining room and the living area has a FIREPLACE!

No wonder, for this HOUSE was a HOME that was BUILT so many years ago.

We have so much adventure lined-up for our 2 days stay but were all tired, we slept for a few hours and started our journey to explore Baguio in the whole afternoon.


THE BURNHAM PARK

After a very powerful sleep, we all rode to the FAMOUS PARK in BAGUIO...THE BURNHAM PARK!

But we have a rumbling stomach so we look for a place to have our lunch. I don't know I just instructed the TAXI DRIVER to bring us in a RESTAURANT, we were dropped at THE SOLIBAO.
We chose to stay outside, after a few minutes I and my wife went inside to order but we were instructed by one restaurant staff to wait outside. Then came again another few minutes.
We have noticed that there were group of new customer's who came in just recently and that the waiter took their orders but never ours.

It was lunch when we came-in and we understand that there are customers who came ahead of us. But there was no single waiter approaches. By the look and feel, it goes without saying that we are UNWANTED customers...right then and there we left.

Jollibee, Burnham Park, Baguio City

We FOUND a FAST FOOD CHAIN near the park, we are LEFT with a CHOICE but to DINE-IN there. Not because we never wanted to eat here anymore but because we wanted to have another experience by TRYING OUT a different restaurant.
The kids were very HUNGRY at the time, we never wanted to ruin our first day, but you know what even though in Manila we dine-in at JOLLIBEE most of the time, we were all SATISFIED and HAPPY EATING here. Because here we FELT that we are not FAR from our HOME, FAR from the TREATMENT...we got from THE SOLIBAO.




ROW ROW ROW YOUR  BOAT

The park was very inviting you see plants with colorful flowers, it took us a while, took pictures, play run and laugh. But the man-made RIVER was very INVITING, the kids would have wanted to immediately go there. We paid P200 for the BOAT RIDE for half an hour paddle. But were told that we can extend longer if we want too.

If you think that PADDLING the boat was an easy thing to do...NO, DEFINITELY NOT.
Because first, we do not do this on a regular basis. It actually TOOK me a LITTLE WHILE to managed it.
At times, we were just in a middle, and sometimes here comes another boat BUMPING us.
But we ENJOYED it SO MUCH!


PARK BIKING


The whole family was surprise because there are now so much BIKES to choose from. Not unlike before very FEW. Now, if you want the WHOLE FAMILY in ONE BIKE ( as many as eight ), you now CAN!

If you want biking with your boyfriend or girlfriend...there's a DUAL bike for you.
If you want it SOLO there's a usual bicycle ride for you, or if you wanted to go for a CHANGE you can TRY their GO CARTS.

Biking with the FAMILY was FUN but TIRING too.

We have little break in between, water break and food that we can buy just around the area.
We are on our GREAT TIMING coming-in on WEEKDAY, at least visitors and tourists were very FEW and MANAGEABLE.
We paid for P150 for a FAMILY BIKE WE RENTED.
We never finished the entire hour rent, but they allowed us to replaced it with a GO CART, for my eldest Althea was really dying to have it a try.

The whole stretch of our afternoon were spent there, plus a few PICTURE TAKING at the park and a shopping at the UKAY-UKAY.
We had dinner at the SM baguio FOOD COURT and a SUPERMARKET visit back home.
It took us an HOUR to get home for there was a long queue for taxis.


AT THE LA TRINIDAD

We still have so many plans that wasn't fulfilled yet, and places that we wish to visit.
Our SECOND DAY began with our TOUR at the LA TRINIDAD for STRAWBERRY PICKING.
The kids were also EXCITED in this and also us. With our previous visit...we never really had the chance to pick strawberries, we just gone there for PICTURE TAKING purposes only.
But this time it was part of our BUCKET LIST...we will do this no matter how MUDDY the place.
Since, this was our VERY FIRST TIME, everything was a CLOUD NINE FEEL!
We never knew how much FUN we could get there.

La Trinidad,  April 6, 2018 

I even made a 1 minute video of our STRAWBERRY PICKING MOMENT.

From asking we've learned that STRAWBERRIES were PLANTED during month of OCTOBER and it was READY FOR PICKING after 6 MONTHS.

At the farm where most strawberries were planted, most plants parts were covered of black plastic, this was too avoid direct contact with soil. This was an EFFECTIVE way of making all strawberries look FRESH in time for the picking.

Well, our goal as family was to HARVEST 1 KILO of Strawberries. At the time it was priced P450 per kilo.
We had so much fun especially the kids. we even created a strategy to be away from each other so that we can get and pick only the BEST REDDISH STRAWBERRIES.
And because we had so much fun, we had reached 1 KILO plus instead of paying for P450 we exceeded to P500.

Not only planted strawberries you will find in the farm, There's also LETTUCE and BROCCOLI.
Imagine you'll get a 1 KILO of BROCCOLI for P40 only and the LETTUCE for P45, while each CUCUMBER were sold for P15 per piece.
See how AFFORDABLE that was...it's a make BELIEVE THING.


MINES VIEW PARK VISIT


From La Trinidad we proceeded all the way to MINES VIEW PARK
But before we officially began our family adventure again...we thought of having lunch first.
From walking, we found "GRANDMA'S KITCHEN", restaurant.

The extra-bonus that we got aside from a very SATISFYING lunch was a breath-taking mountain views covered with green plants.
What we had in mind for lunch was our FAVORITE SINIGANG NA BABOY!
It became so much interesting when it was served to us not on a usual BOWL but was placed at BLACK PALAYOK.
Hot and has so many pork meats along with veggies.

There was also a unique way of serving the rice they're were using wooden plates that has banana leafs. Their tables were made of steel while chairs were monoblocks.

Seeing all the elements present was a bit WEIRD...but BELIEVE ME this was ONE EFFECTIVE WAY of CALLING PEOPLE to DINE-IN!

Mines View Park was so different now compare to our previous visit where there was an on-going road constructions and developments. This gave tourists and visitors like us the easy access to walk and tour inside the park.
Along the walk-way both sides were a markets of BONSAI plants, many types and EVERLASTING FLOWERS too.
There was also sellers of corns and a lot more.
Pretty normal to see HORSES with a very STRIKING HAIR COLORS to attract tourists for PHOTOS and SOUVENIRS.

Mines View Park, Baguio City.

But the family would have wanted to get away from the usual PHOTO with a STATIONARY horse...upon LOOKING we have found an INTERESTING ACTIVITY not far from taking photos as souvenirs.
This TIME with a TWIST, a PICTURE SOUVENIR for a CAUSE.

Mines View Park, Baguio City. Philippines, April 6, 2018

We were thrilled with the idea of WEARING COLORFUL "IGOROT COSTUMES", which was PERFECT for INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK POSTS. But aside from that we were helping a group of elders in their LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS that provided FUNDS to HELP OLD SICK PEOPLE.
The COSTUME I was talking about could be worn for only P25, with complete ACCESSORIES like that of NECKLACES and HATS with FEATHERS.


AT THE GOOD SHEPHERD CONVENT

The only IDEA I have in mind about "GOOD SHEPHERD CONVENT", is that you will find it somewhere in Baguio, never knew that it was just 500 meters away from the Mines View Park..
Of course you wouldn't missed it or anyone who went to Baguio GETTING PASALUBONG for their loved-ones and relatives.

Good Shepherd Convent, Baguio City.

We PRIORITIZED buying UBE and STRAWBERRY JAMS plus BRITTLE NUTS.
They've got so many PRODUCT VARIETIES you can choose from plus the fact that PORTIONS of MONEY you used to PURCHASED those products were helping them to FUND their projects.

We stayed for a moment for COFFEE and HOT CHOCOLATE breaks.
ONE obvious observation I have seen and I guess VISITORS would definitely agreed as well was that they have a cleaned restrooms, with many cubicles, liquid soap and a clean water too.
Here, you're not required to pay but you can give DONATIONS as TOKEN for using the RESTROOMS.


A WRIGHT PARK ADVENTURE

We do not paid a visit to Baguio for no reason, we are here because WE WANT TO HAVE MORE ACTION. And we meant what we said, especially our daughter Althea who wants to ride a horse just like a PRO.

It was actually her very first time, but she never felt or showed any NERVOUSNESS nor FEAR but more on EXCITEMENT through out her riding journey.
Each horses has PONY RIDER (a person who assist tourist on her journey riding the horse).
You an choose from an experience of HALF AN HOUR for P200, and an HOUR, double the Price.
At first, I have seen Althea with a common walk ride with her pony rider. But after a few minutes, at the latter part of her HORSEBACK RIDING course it became a little MORE FASTER.

I was actually there following Althea, SECURING her SAFETY.

But like the CURIOUS Althea, of course as the old saying goes..."LIKE DAUGHTER, LIKE FATHER", I and my youngest Mikayla would also wanted to give it a TRY.
And so WE DID!
It was too SHAKY for I was seated behind my daughter, but I need to REMAIN CALM during the ENTIRE RIDE for I was also looking at the WELFARE of my youngest.
But ONE GOD THING during the HORSE RIDE, try to KEEP a GOOD POSTURE, so that it won't HURT your back.

We MET John-john, a 16 year-old PONY RIDER, who's been working with the horses for more than 6 years.
Out of CURIOSITY, I asked how much he's earning...he said P150 a day.
But it could be higher depending on the flock of TOURISTS and VISITORS interested in renting the horse.

Our OVER-ALL experience riding with SHADOW (our horse name), was indeed an UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE.
It was just a FEW MINUTES of a RIDE, but the MEMORY it gave us was a feel of a LIFETIME!

I also did a little shopping at the WRIGHT PARK. I have seen a very FAMILIAR toy that gave back my CHILDHOOD DAYS.

I got this "SUNGKAAN," for only P200.

We END our LOVELY NIGHT at the SESSION ROAD where the family had dinner with one RESTAURANT famous for Baguio natives as "VIZCOS".

Vizcos Restaurant, Baguio City, April 6, 2018

There we enjoyed there CARBONARA, FISH FILLETS, and BABY BACK RIBS!

Vizcoz, Fettucine Carbonara

Vizcos, Fish Fillet in Bercy Sauce

Vizcos, Baby Back Ribs

ON OUR HOME SWEET HOME IN BAGUIO

On our first day we have notice a fireplace that was situated between the dining area and the living room. We were all too  EXCITED to light it up.
I made a special request to the HOUSE CARETAKER to provide us WOODS that we could use to light up the fireplace.

I thought IT WON'T be working when you LIGHT IT directly with MATCHE. But since it has a SPECIAL SOLUTION that was in it...it FLAMES easily.

The whole flame lasted for 15-20 MINUTES and it was a PERFECT TIMING for us to do that because that NIGHT the WEATHER was SO COLD.

Our second day activity was jam-packed, and this all gave us a DEEP SLEEP despite the CREEPY NOISE of a DOG BARKING outside the house. I even heard it also at the time I was having a bath. But just disregarded it.



ENJOYING OUR LAST DAY STAY IN BAGUIO


The following day, I enjoyed preparing for our breakfast. I had FUN cooking at the kitchen.
It was a again my first time to use a KNIFE to open a canned goods. Well, I had a little injury but very far from death.

Also on our second day, I was able to resolve problem I encountered with too hot water coming from the shower. I preferred to heat water instead.

The house caretaker gave us  FRESH SAYOTE for pasalubong. We all bring this to Manila along with all the souvenirs and pasalubong we bought in Baguio and in La Trinidad.

The whole family going back to Manila

"I THINK WE ALL  HAVE ENJOYED OUR ADVENTURE MAYBE SHORT BUT EXCITING.
AND BECAUSE OF THIS WE HAVE AN OATH OF COMING BACK AGAIN...HOPEFULLY THIS DECEMBER".