NICE HOTEL (is not a nice hotel)

I had a really really bad hotel experience at the Nice Hotel in Edsa Crossing ---- simply one of the lowest kind of hotels you can find in Metro Manila.

My partner and I planned a date to see the Pyromusical Display at MOA. Since we were buying time and energy to get there at MOA on time, we decided to stay and sleep at this hotel after our work shift. All hotels in Pasay and near Pasay were fully booked. This ghastly place was the closest we can find, and MRT is just baby steps away.
Sa lobby pa lang, we were surprised with how the front desk personnel deal with a couple checking out of the hotel. The girl was disputing something, however, the lady at the frontdesk is exhibiting grouchiness.
But here is the most disliking part of my story.
I know many of you have taken home hotel slippers, for they are complimentary. Bathroom slippers are usually complimentary, since they can't be used again.
Yes, we tried taking away those slippers we used and when we were checking out, the front desk personnel asked us about the slippers. I immediately said “Yeah, kinuha namin, its already for us right?”
“Ay hindi po. Hotel property po yan”.
“What???”
“Babayaran niyo po yan ng triple the price”
Nagsimula na uminit ang ulo ko. “Well...,” I was getting the 2 pairs of worn out slippers from my bag “eto, ibabalik ko na.”
“Sir, company policy po namin ng pag nilabas niyo na, kailangan niyo bayaran ng triple ng presyo niya”
I asked her how much, and she said Php 300 for the 2 pairs of slippers. Imagine 2 already worn out slippers, na pudpod na, at nabubura na ang mga design.
“Oh my god! Are you kidding me? So that makes them Php 150 each??? So Im like, those people who shoplifted from a store??? Can I talk to your manager?”
They introduced me to a certain Fleigemar Bengas (not sure if I spelled his name correctly, such a weird name), whose office is at the side of the front desk. The following is the flow of my conversation with this rude officer.
“Dito tayo sa office sir.”
As I entered his office, he asked me “Ano ang rason niyo bakit niyo kinuha ang mga tsinelas”
“Akala ko, complimentary. Ganun naman sa mga hotel di ba?”
“Hindi nga ho puwede samin kunin yan”. Tumataas na boses niya.
"Kuya, hindi niyo na puwede ipagamit sa ibang guest ang mga tsinelas. Hindi hygienic."
"Hinuhugasan namin yan"
"Paano?"
"Iniiskoba namin". I can't believe that I'm hearing all of these.


“Aba, eh sinosoli ko nga eh. Kung kelangan ko bayaran, bakit Php 300?” I opened the plastic bag to show the slippers to him “Does these look Php150 each pair, ha? Tingnan mo, laspag na laspag na!”
“Yun naman pala eh, laspag na pala pero kinuha niyo pa rin”.
“SO ano ibig mo sabihin?”
“Wala!” he answered.
I was already thinking that the conversation was going nowhere. "Kagaya ng sinabi ko, akala ko, complimentary. Kinuha namin at kung ano man ang dahilan namin bakit namin kinuha, it's non of your business--- kasi samin na ang mga yun, they were part of what we paid for. Puwede namin ibigay sa mga pulubi, gawing bathroom sleepers, o kung ano man. Hindi ko babayaran yan. Ano kayo hilo?”
“Company policy namin na pag nilabas niyo mga yan, kailangan bayaran niyo ng triple.”
“Saan nakasulat ang policy na yan?” Silence. Hindi siya makasagot. "Basta sinabi niyo lang? Kayo kayo lang ang nakakaalam? Hindi niyo balak sabihan ang mga guest para mahuthutan niyo ng pera pag inuwi nila ang mga yan?"
“Kung bawal iuwi yang mga laspag na tsinelas na yan, sana naglagay kayo ng warning sa loob ng kuwarto di ba?”
“Ok sir, double the price na lang, Php200.”. God! Pathetic!
“Alam mo kuya, pagtuntong pa lang namin dito sa hotel na ito, andami ko ng reklamo: hindi namin mabuksan ang kuwarto namin, ayaw gumana ng remote control ng tv, ang labo ng reception ng cable niyo, ang pangit ng lasa ng pagkain niyo, ang iingay sa gabi ng cleaning staff niyo at nagsisigawan pa sila sa paghaharot at pagtatawanan nila, wala kayong hot shower, at naririnig ko mga staff nyo na nagko-comment pa sa mga guests napumapasok dito sa hotel na ito. At ang pinaka-nakakabuwiset pa---- tatawag at mang-iistorbo ang mga tao niyo sa sa telepono sa kalagitnaan ng pagtulog namin para mag-alok ng meryenda! Pero hindi kami nag-reklamo, pinalagpas namin. Pero eto, na parang ninanakawan niyo na kami ng pera, parang hindi ko yata kaya i-tolerate.” (Yes---these are true, eto ang mga na-obserbahan namin sa hotel na ito.)"At bakit ka ganyan makipag-usap sakin? Tingin mo ba sakin magnanakaw? Mukha ba akong magnanakaw? Bastos ka eh! Binabastos mo ang hotel guest niyo"!
Sige, babayaran ko ang mga bulok na tsinelas na yan, para makaalis na kami sa bulok na hotel na ito.”
The officer replied “Eh di maganda!”
I was nearly wanting to punch his face but I controlled my temper.
“Resibuhan niyo kami. Ikaw, (talking to the officer), sayo na yan mga tsinelas na yan. Donation ko sayo.”
“Naperahan niyo man kami, pero special feature ang hotel niyo sa blog ko. At ikaw, sisikat ka sa internet”
When we were about to leave, I heard him saying “Sige i-internet niyo ko” and they were laughing. I lose my temper and went back “Shut up kiddo! Stop being an asshole, mother fucker!” Pero hindi niya yata naintindihan kasi english, so I thought I just wasted my nervous energy on him.

Teenage Years----Of Biting Nails, Peanut Butter Sundaes and Slumbooks

This was sent to me by my office colleague, telling her story. I can't help but smile when I read it. Maybe bacause I can attest to her accounts.


ANG OTOGRAPH

Isang araw, naisipan kong mangalkal ng mga naka-kahong gamit sa ilalim ng aking kama, agad naka-agaw ng atensyon ko ang isang malaking Barbie na notebook at nakasulat sa harapan nito: My Authograph Book.Pagbuklat ko nito, nakasulat ang isang malaking “Private Property of A*** A****a E******o, DO NOT OPEN!!!” (talagang tatlong exclamation point ang nandun).



Sa totoo lang, hindi ko matandaan kung kelan ako unang nagkaroon ng autograph book o slum book naman sa iba. Pero ang alam ko, ‘pag madami nagpapasagot sa’yo nu’n, sikat ka! Ang sabi ng iba, para daw makilala ng husto ang mga friends nila, pero ang totoo naman eh para lang mabuking kung sino ang crush ni ano, at syempre ang goal ko noon, mapasulat ang crush ko doon! HAHAHAHA!



Aliw na aliw akong binasa ang mga nakasulat sa slum book ko. Lalung-lalo na nung makita ko ang pangalan ng mga noo’y kaibigan ko na ngayon eh kaaway ko na. (may pang-blackmail na ‘ko sa inyo).



Isa lang ang napansin ko ‘di lang sa slumbook ko ngunit maging sa iba din, ‘the common used lines.’ Una na diyan ang salitang “M2M,” hindi ‘yan ang sumikat na singing-duo at lalong hindi ‘yan man-to-man. Ibig sabihin nito ay many to mention, ito ang nilalagay kung tamad kang magbigay ng mga paborito mo sa ubod ng dami. Halimbawa, sa tanong na What is your favorite food? Eh masyado kang masiba na halos lahat ata ng pagkain eh paborito mo, kaya ang ilalagay mo na lang M2M, ayos!



Sumunod ay ang sagot sa katanungang Describe yourself. Dito madalas gamitin ang mga katagang “Mirror please!” o kaya naman ay “Judge me na lang” at syempre kasunod ng linyang ‘yon ang =). ‘Yan ang sagot ng mga play safe o mga taong pa-humble kunwari. Pero meron ding mga malakas ang loob na magsabi ng “Pretty” kasunod ang “sabi ng nanay ko!” (isa ako sa mga malakas ang loob na ‘yan, or should I say makapal ang mukha? HAHAHA!)



Syempre, hindi mawawala ang Who is your crush? Ang tanong na ito ang pinaka-unang tinitignan ng lahat pagkatapos mapasagot ang kung sino sa slum book nila. Ito ang nagsisimula ng chismis sa murang edad at tampulan ng tuksuhan. Kung wapakels ka sa kung sino mang makakabasa ng sinulat mo, ilalagay mo syempre ang buong pangalan ng crush mo. Kung tipong mahiyain ka naman, nandyan ang ipa-fill in the missing letters mo ang name ng crush mo. Halimbawang nakita ko ay “M_RK” kunwaring ayaw ipaalam, eh ang dali naman hulaan! At syempre, magpapahuli ba naman ang mga sikat na artista. Ang gagawin na lang ng iba ay tignan kung sino ang cover ng notebook nila. EPIC!

Next question, What is love? Ayan, diyan na pumapasok ang sandamakmak na linyang kinuha sa kung saan gaya ng: “Love is blind” at “Love is like a rosary, full of mystery.” Minsan, natatandaan kong medyo nagsawa na ko sa kakasagot ng mga ‘yan, kaya nag-evolve ang sagot ko sa pagkuha ng mga nakasulat sa mga bookmarks ng nanay ko. Sikat ako nu’n dahil una, mahaba at syempre hindi nila maintindihan.





Isa pang tanong, Who is your first love? Nangunguna sa bilang ay “God,” sumunod naman ang “Parents.” Samantala, may ilan ding pumapapel na naglalagay ng “S-E-C-R-E-T!” kala mo naman totoo, at talagang all-caps na eh may exclamation point pa! Pwes, kung totoo man ‘yun, late bloomer pala ako kung ikukumpara sa kanila. Chos!



At ang pinaka-huli, Dedication. Kadalasan, isang pahina ang nakalaan para dito, na ang karaniwang umpisa ay “Thanks for letting me write on your autograph/slum book.” At kung gusto mo humaba ng kaunti, susundan mo pa ng “Hope I will be your friend forever.” At kung medyo tamad kang mag-isip, mangongopya na lang sa dedication ng iba. Pero ang pinaka-memorable sa lahat, ang mga pangalan ng bansa na ‘di mo akalaing acronym pala, gaya ng “J-A-P-A-N” (Just Always Pray At Night) at “I-T-A-L-Y” (I Trust And Love You). Sa lahat ng bagay hindi nawawala ang mga epal, mga taong ang ilalagay lang sa isang pahinang papel ay “TNX!” hindi man lang nag-effort kumpletuhin ‘yung salitang thank you, o kaya naman “Alam mo na ‘yun.” Kung alam ko ‘yun, sana ako na lang sumagot para sa’yo! Mas ok pa ‘yung iba na kahit mali-mali ang grammar, at least may naisulat. May iba naman na sa haba ng naisulat, kala mo nobela na eh may P.S pa sa huli. At suki din ng mga dedication ang “Sorry, pangit ako magsulat! ;p”



Kahit ano pa’ng pinagsusulat ng mga kaibigan ko, kahit karamihan ay pawing kabulastugan, iba pa din ang dinulot nitong kaligayahan sa pag-alaala ng aming mga pinagsamahan. Sabi nga ng iba, past is past. Pero paminsan-minsan, masaya din balikan ang nakaraan, diba?

First Timer In Baguio 2

D' Kamalig Comedy Bar

On our first day, we decided to have a good dose of laughter after a tiring
5 hour travel (we haven't slept at all, we came all the way from our work). We went to the popular D'Kamalig COmedy Bar at the Upper Session Rd.

One thing that I loved was the fried onion rings. It tastes like fried chicken and I dont know what to say!

One scene during the set we attended:
SCENE: Kamalig Comedy Bar in Baguio. HOST: Madako naman tayo sa mga bisita natin dito sa kaliwa. Feeling ko mga taga-Maynila ito. Taga Manila kayo noh? Adam: Yup. HOST: Saan po sa Manila? Adam: Tondo. HOST: Ahh sa Antipolo....
---- Hahaha! Bukas daw magiging part na ng Manila ang Antipolo!!!


Continuation of SCENE: Kamalig Comedy Bar in Baguio.
HOST 1: Ahhhh, Tondo Manila. HOST 2: Maganda ang sports jan. Ang mga players nagbabarilan! HOST 1: Korek! Tsaka malambing mga tao jan. Nagka-jowa nako ng taga Tondo, pag nangigigil sakin, lagi niya ako kinukurot. HOST 3: Awww! Sweet! HOST 1: Kaya lang, ginagamit niyang pangkurot, nipper! JON: (pabulong) mga hindot....

I will not mention how they ask for tips from the audience, but definitely, I enjoyed the whole set and night at this bar.


The Haunted Diplomat Hotel
One interesting place we saw was the ruins of the old Diplomat Hotel, at the top of the Dominican Hills. It used to be a rest house and a seminary way back 1911 before it was developed into a hotel.

According to some articles I've read in this hotel, nuns and priests were beheaded there during the war and this was believed to be the reason why headless apparitions can often be seen during the night inside the hotel. The employees and guests also claimed that they have been hearing strange sounds. Up to this date, people who are living nearby would often be disturbed by sounds coming from the Dominican Hill at night. They would hear banging of doors and windows, clattering of dishes and voices of screaming people, who seem to be agonizing.

Some weird experience. I had my picture taken at the door of the ruins, and I posted it on my Facebook. 2 people told me that they see someone behind me, and I was not alone in the picture. Creepy huh?


Next, I will post about my favorite places in Baguio.

The First Timer In Baguio

They say that Baguio is one of the most beautiful places in North. I think it is an understatement. It is heaven.

Our vacation in this, what I call, “my dream place” was a long overdue plan. We never materialize the plan because for one, I don’t like long hours of travel. I cant imagine myself traveling for 8 hours, passing 6 provinces in Luzon before you reach this place.

So when I learned that they (Victory Liner) invented Deluxe fare--- my hubby and I decided to take this much awaited vacation (it would be much faster now to travel to Baguio with approximately 5 hours only to go there.)






Baguio is truly gifted with all scenic attractions that make it a
favorite destination for those who want to escape from fast paced life in the city, and the most favorited by local and foreign tourists. With its great natural beauty plus the hospitable and friendly people (most especially taxi drivers), the City of Pines is the highest point of your search for the idyllic escape.

We stayed at the Hotel 45, the most talked about hotel in the city of pines. We learned about this hotel at a trip advisor website, being the only hotel with the least negative reviews. The rates are really cheap but the real advantage of staying here is that you get to enjoy some quiet location but still, a walking distance to the Session Road. It is also near SM Baguio. The only thing that needs improvement is the shower---- they only emit droplets of water.
You would stay long in the bathroom rinsing. But still and all, this hotel is truly a gift to all travelers who are not so picky on accommodations.




Taxi drivers are my favorite people there. Living in Manila all my life, there is so much to compare between Manila and Baguio cab drivers. Baguio cab drivers will not rob you. They always have loose coins to give you your exact change.
Unlike here, your total fare will always be rounded to the nearest and highest hundredth.
You would not need to tell them the exact location of your destination. You can just tell them name of the establishment, and they will take you there. In cases of some drivers who don’t know the place (perhaps maybe they are newbies), they would find ways to know how to go to your destination. They even call their co-drivers to ask and they will not start the taxi meter until you are ready to go. And they are extremely hospitable and sweet. They are like trained to be like that. There’s this one cab we hired for a couple of hours to drive us around Baguio.
He gave us a fair rate per hour. We filled in his 1 hr and 40 minutes time and we decided to give him the 2 hour rate after but he was reluctant to accept the money we're giving and he is giving us back the money for the fraction of the last hour. But we insisted and told him that it is, ok since he was so helpful in our tour (he also served as tourist guide, giving us some trivia about the places we pass by). He took the money and gave us an endless thanks, and said God Bless!


I will tell stories about my first time in Baguio on my next post.

Revisiting Intramuros

Last week, my hubby and I attended a wedding
(my colleague's wedding) in Intramuros. I thought
this will be a good opportunity to take a walk around my
favorite place in Manila, or revisit the San Agustin
Museum. These Sunday pasyalans are very rare and priceless, and I always enjoy these moments with my hubby.




Aside from the malls (seriously), one of my
favorite places in Manila is Intramuros.
This place has a big part on my life's story (Fort Santiago
during my highschool days with my friends, my first
anniversary date with my hubby at Wow, etc). And it
always amazes me to see the preserved walls of this place.
It is like walking in Rome.

Currently, The Most Played Song In My IPod: Grenade by Bruno Mars

Joining the club. I became a fan just last week... when I heard this song in a CD store.

And I'm so loving the Bruno Mars CD, Doo-Wops and Hooligans

They make me hungry, even when I'm full!

I love eating. And I'm sharing the same interest with my partner. I think there were only very few times that we went out together without doing the art or science of good eating!

Here is the list of my all time favorites:

1. Kare Kare. Im head over heels with this dish. Ironically, my mom does not know how to cook this.

2. Tropical Hut's Classic Cheeseburger and Double Double Burger. No other burger in the world that can make me literally delirious.


3. Wok Inn's Pork Stuffed Tofu. Funny story: After I first tried this dish, I had 3 straight nights dreaming of it. My partner and I had to go back to Wok Inn to stop the serious craving!


4. Congo Grille's Pork Sisig.

5. Kim Hiong Seafood Fried Noodles. My sister introduced me to this authentic Chinese dish in Binondo.

6. Globe's Fresh Lumpia and Potato Empanaditas. Quiapo's best kept eatery

7. My mother's Italian style spaghetti.

8. Goldilock's Sans Rival.




9. Dairy Queen's Mud Pie Blizzard

10. My sister's apple curry