Mark and I were actually booked for a staycation on the same weekend as Cat's party, but I made sure not to miss the latter. Plus, it's been a while since we last had some catching up.

Had a little get together with my college friends last December at Tagaytay. After a night of fun and laughter, we parted ways as we head back to Manila. I was with Mark and Ian and we decided to have lunch on our way home, and Leslie's Restaurant topped our list.


There were already a lot of diners when we arrived but we were still lucky to get a seat at the far end of the restaurant, overlooking the Taal Volcano and Taal Lake.

Most of my close friends in the office had already ventured into different businesses, offices, and even other countries; and so our monthly get together (for the ones left in the country) have been our way of catching up.  We usually have monthly dinners, but for our March get together, we planned of having a summer getaway.

We conducted a survey and I was overly excited when Eagle Point initially got the most number of votes.  I've been wanting to go to the beach and out of town resorts with only swimming pools do not really get me as excited because there are a lot of them here in Antipolo, one of which is just a few walks away from our house.

So imagine how the excitement turned into dismay when a re-vote happened and almost everyone settled for the next choice which was Valentino Resort and Spa.  I was supposed to back out, I even told Joie not to consider me joining anymore, but then again I didn't want to be the kontrabida so I just decided to set aside being a brat. :p

We met over at Makati and then started on our trip after everyone got to have their breakfast. We got to the resort after almost a 2-hour ride.  Special thanks to Joie for taking care of all the reservations.

We arrived earlier than the check-in time so I was anticipating that we would have to roam around the place first. It was Joie and Je who were communicating with the receptionists, but I already knew that we were already allowed to check into our rooms because of this middle-aged lady who kept on saying how she gave us some favor and allowed us to have an early check in.  Mark felt happy with the favor so he asked me to give the lady a box of egg rolls as a sign of gratitude.  I actually got pissed and really didn't want to hand the rolls to her, but Mark insisted and even got mad at me for being selfish, but had he heard how the lady kept on insinuating that favor (which none of us really asked for, in fact we were all willing to wait for the check in time) I think he wouldn't have given anything to that lady.  Apparently, I wasn't the only one who got pissed, Je also got irritated.  Mark, see?  We should have just given all of the rolls to our driver! :p

With Gretz and Me-anne on board a golf car from the reception area to our rooms :)

Their deluxe rooms are cozy. It was clean, had a decent bed with basic toiletries and clean towels,

a clean bathroom,

a good working aircon, a desk and a couch,

a small TV with a not so good reception, and a small walk-in closet.

It really wasn't that impressive, but at a Php 2600 rate per night with free breakfast for 2, I think I just got what I paid for. :)

After having a quick lunch in our room, Mark and I roamed around the resort.  What I liked about our room is that in front of it is this gorgeous pool.

It has a jacuzzi at the corner an an infinity pool surrounded by lush greens.

At the side of the pool were small cabanas which guests can use for free.

Aside from the deluxe rooms, they also have bigger rooms which looked like houses in a village.

Multi-purpose hall

Also surrounding the whole resort were lush greens and colorful flowers.

An indoor gym and spa are also available at the resort, which unfortunately we weren't able to try.

Restaurant

A few walks from our room were a bigger pool and a kiddie pool.

 

They also have a small playground which the kids and the kids at heart will surely enjoy.

Although there was no beach and the room wasn't glamorous, and although this wrist band (that we had to wear all throughout our stay) was a bit uncomfortable,

I must admit that I enjoyed our stay at Valentino not just because of the resort's relaxing ambience

but also because of the company of good friends.

Can't wait for our next escapade! :D

VALENTINO RESORT AND SPA

Barangay Pinagtung-ulan,

San Jose, Batangas

+63 917 515 5936

https://www.facebook.com/valentinoresortandspacorp/

 

Went on a night out with my high school friends last September 25 for a despedida-get-together for Jonathan, he will be leaving for Dubai this coming Wednesday. I don't know but aside from people getting engaged or getting married, another thing that seems to have become a growing trend is people having to go abroad, just like Mark. *sigh*

Arriane was the one who planned for the despedida. It was supposed to be a surprise, until a few minutes before the get-together, when someone accidentally sent a text message to Jonathan's mobile! *ehem* *ehem* hehe..Love you Majoy! :p

Majoy, Arriane, and I at Coffee Place

After meeting up at Coffee Place in Antipolo, we went next to Kopi Kopi in Village East Cainta to meet with Cathlyne.

Jonathan, Cathlyne, Kriska, Majoy, Arriane, and Emman

Cathlyne, Kriska, Majoy, and Arriane

Next stop: Marikina to meet with Aram. Here are some photos of us while waiting for him. Thanks to manager Cat for the free Kopi Kopi treats! :)

Photos from Arriane's camera

We then headed to Texas Roadhouse Grill in Bonifacio High Street for some late night dinner...

My dear readers, I want you to meet...the Stars!!! a.k.a Istarirays haha! :p

Left (Top to Bottom): Emman, Cathlyne, Majoy

Right (Top to Bottom): Aram, Kriska, Arriane, Jonathan

Chrissi, Jaimee, Sheena, Kristel, and Jeck...We miss you!!!

Photo from Arriane's camera

Photos from Arriane's camera

After walking around High Street in search for a place to chill and have fun, and after a few cam whoring...

Photos from Arriane's camera

...we finally decided to have some videoke at Chicago, Metrowalk. We had a few shots of Mojito and Weng-weng...

Photo from Arriane's camera

Photo from Arriane's camera

Here's a toast for Jonathan's safe trip! :)

...and a lot of fun, fun, fun!!! :)


We all enjoyed and had fun that we didn't notice that it was already 6 in the morning. So we had some coffee..


...and a souvenir photo before finally going home. :)


Have a safe trip Jonathan! :)

Photo from Arriane's camera

Meet up at Coffee Place + Free treats @ Kopi Kopi, Cainta + Roadtrip and Marikina incident + Dinner, reminiscing the old times and okrayan at Texas Roadhouse Grill + Shots, non-stop videoke and craziness 'til morning at Chicago Metrowalk + a bunch of awesome friends = FUN FUN FUN!!!

Click HERE for more photos. :)