Budget Party Venue at Fairview, QC: Mt. Sinai Heights

Mt. Sinai Heights is a building along Fairview, Quezon City. It is about 15 minutes away from SM Fairview. Coming from Quezon City Circle, Mt. Sinai Heights is about 30 minutes away. This is at the opposite side of Puregold North Fairview.

I discovered this place when we were looking for a place for the baptism of my niece. It was a challenge to look for a place in the area. Either we have it in any of the available clubhouses or in a restaurant. Clubhouse rental is a bit expensive. For three to four hours, they cost P5000. This is without sound system which could amount to another P5000. Restaurants in the area are limited in space. Time limit is also an issue.

lanai

In Mt. Sinai Heights, however, we were able to rent the whole place for just P4500 with sound system for four hours to five hours. They also rent their projector for P1500. The place is good for 60 to 80 guests. They have two large airconditioners with four ceiling fans so heat is not a problem. Ceiling is also high giving a spacious impression.

the events area

Seminars and trainings can also be held there. They can provide white boards should you need them. There's a mini garden overlooking the glass doors. The washroom is also clean and they provide tissues! Il Padrino Coffee which is on the same building can provide food. They also rent monoblock chairs and tables.

The only thing I didn't like about it is it's literally high. The function hall is located in the third floor. They don't have elevators and the steps of the stairs are steep. The entrance to the function hall is in the back of the building.

As for parking, Mt. Sinai's parking seemed secured enough since the space is in the back of the building. They also have a guard to make sure of security.

Consider this place if you're on a budget. You have a venue with sound system for P4500. All you need to think about is your budget for food!

PHOTO CREDITS:
http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+classifieds/id/1038789/Function+Hall
http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+classifieds/id/1038789/Function+Hall

MANILA HOT STUFF: Schedule a Midweek Pursuit

MANILA HOT STUFF: Schedule a Midweek Pursuit

Where to Stay in Coron, Palawan: Mt. Tapyas Hotel

Mt. Tapyas Hotel is located in Coron, Palawan. It is placed on the higher slopes of Mt. Tapyas. Mt. Tapyas Hotel is a three-storey building overlooking the seas of Coron. It is about 10 to 15 minutes walk from the Coron Town Proper and about 2 hours from Busuanga Airport.

I had the experience of staying at Mt. Tapyas Hotel  last October. My fiance and I availed a package tour of Coron as recommened by a close friend. A three-day stay in this hotel was included in the package. We stayed in a standard airconditionded room with a mountain view of Mt. Tapyas worth P1300 a night. I think rooms with the sea view is better though because the only view we saw from our room are rocks and dense trees.

facade of Mt. Tapyas Hotel

The room where we stayed has two single beds and a cot meant to be an extra bed or a place to sit. It also has TV. The CR has hot water. The facitlities are clean. Breakfast is also included including shuttle services to and from the ariport. In fact, we could have saved more if we just availed our tour directly from the hotel.
The hotel also offers spa and massage services which we didn't have the time to experience.

standard room in Mt. Tapyas

Mt. Tapyas  hotel is far from the sea. We had to travel for 20 minutes via shuttle to to ride a boat going to the islands of Coron. It is also about 10 to 20 minute walk from the stairs leading to the top of Mt. Tapyas. Sunset and sunrise are something to look forward to.

Mt. Tapyas Hotel is actually in a residential area so from the street leading to the hotel, you can see a lot houses. The place is quiet though even if there are houses near it. Actually, we got bored during the night because there's nothing to do around the place or within the hotel vicinity except to stay in the room and watch TV.

sunset view from the dining area and view deck of Mt. Tapyas Hotel

They serve lunch and dinner but of course food is more expensive. However, the nearby restaurant or eatery is about 15 minutes away from the hotel on foot. There are a few tricyles that pass by the hotel so it's faster to travel on foot than waiting for a ride.

Generally, we had a good stay in Mt. Tapyas. The staff were attentive enough to our needs. However, if we're going to return to Coron, we'll stay in a hotel nearer the sea.

Bohol Trip Day 2: Balicasag and Other Islands

Even if you are not a good swimmer or even if you don't know how to swim at all, don't miss the chance to discover the rich marine life of Bohol. Spend a day beyond the shores of Panglao and visit the nearby islands.

My fiance and I explored the Bohol seas during the second day of our Bohol tour last year. We arranged a boat man the previous day to take us to the islands. This tour cost us P1000. A word of advice, arrange your island hopping activity with the boat men along the shores. There are a lot of them and some of them will be the one to approach you. This is what we did because the island services in the hotel is more expensive about P1500-P1800.

We started the day early, at about 6 am, because we have to catch the sight of dolphins. Yes, dolphins! If you want to see them you have to be early on the seas. We left the Alona shore at 6 and followed the dolphins which is not easy. They are not contained in one place. The boatmen know in what part of the sea they can be seen. Amazing, right?

underwater at Balicasag Island

At around 8, we headed to Balicasag Island. This is a marine sanctuary where we saw hundreds of multi-colored and colorful fishes and corals. The boat men first docked us on one part of the island where we were met by another boat man who will take us to the sanctuary. Since Balicasag is a protected island, small manually-steered boats are the only ones allowed to go to the sanctuary. We had to pay P150 per pax for the boat.

The underwater sight at Balicasag was simply breathtaking. Period. Just be aware of the small fishes with blue tail because they bite like ants.

more fishes at Balicasag

We stayed at Balicasag for 3 hours simply enjoying the sight of fishes and corals. At around noon, we went back to our first boat man. We also ate lunch in the island where big fresh fish was served along with hot pot-cooked rice! We explored the island by foot for less than an hour. The locals in the island said that there's a lighthouse but the trail towards it was closed.

the white-sand walkway 

After Balicasag, we went to another island which name I forgot. But what makes this island special is the long white sand walkway resembling a sand bar but it's actually connected to the island. The tide was low just up to our lower leg. There were also a lot of seaweeds which makes the water uninviting for a swim. But the view reminded me of tropical paradise. This was our last stop before we went back to Alona Beach. Our trip ended at around 1 pm just in time for a siesta!