Pong Features: Deng and Faye's Bernabeach Getaway 🌊

Hello! 😎


You know you have the right set of friends when they ask you where to go, they believe you, they go to that place and they let you publish they experience on your site. Nice, yeah? 😎

So, let's start. Bernabeach Resort is located in Nasugbu, Batangas. It's actually one of the resorts that was on my list when I went to Nasugbu last December. I landed to the adjacent resort though. 

Bernabeach offers an amazing Infinity Pool. The beach - "sapat lang" (just fair) was how I described it to my PD brother Odeng when he asked me. Haha. So, I have decided to just have minor modifications on his kwento (story) about their experience. I mean I felt how happy he was with the outcome, but I guess it really depends on how you'll take it e. Happiness is a choice, right? With good company pa, so winner. 

This is the first picture Deng sent me before the whole sharing of story happened. 

Odeng: 👨
"Haha. Di ko alam paano uumpisahan ang kwento. Pero masaya ang experience kung ano ung pagkakadescribe mo ganun ang napicture ko sa isip ko. Ito yung lakad na biglaan as in umiinom kami ng Sunday, ang usapan namen drive lang sa may Kaybiang Tunnel 'tas uwi na. Sabi ko sayang naman ang lakad, bakit hindi tayo mag-swimming tutal nasa Nasugbu na din tayo. Pag dating ng Monday, ito na, akala ko usapang laseng lang. Dumating yung pinsan ko na pabalik ng UAE sa Wednesday, July 12. Uminom ulit kami as usual. Yun yung time na nagtanong ako sayo saan malapit at di naman ako napahiya, hehe.

Dumating kami ng July 11 sa Bernabeach before lunch time. Mga 10:30AM nakapagcheck-in na kami since di naman daw peak season, pwede na kami sa room, then check-out time is 12NN, the next day. Yung POOL agad ang nakita namen. WOW! Lalo ung sa kabila ung infinity.

Malinis ung lugar at maayos ang service. Siguro nga kasi Monday sha kaya walang gaanong tao, meron man, pero di aabot ng 10 yung nakita ko. Ang masasabi ko ay everything went well or great rather. Kahit walang planong maayos masasabi kong nag-enjoy mga kasama ko lalo na ung aalis ng bansa.


Si Faye?? Nako di ko alam kung nagka-asawa ako ng sirena. Tuwang-tuwa sha sa dagat pero inunahan ko sha sabi ko ung dagat wag ka mag-eexpect na maputi ang buhangin or ung nakikita mo sa FB or TV na magaganda. Nasugbu ay either brown or black sand. Nung andun na kami, sabi nya basta buhangin at dagat hindi mabato, gusto ko.

Yung room namen is for 2,500/night,deluxe ata yun. Ang masasabi ko, makukuha mo ung value ng binayaran mo since maaga kami naka check-in at malinis sha malamig ang AC malinis ang CR at gumagana ung warm/cold water. Maluwag din sila kasi nakapagpasok kami ng food at alak.

The next day, ito na balik dagat kami sa umaga. Tulad ng nakasanayan ko pag pumupunta ako sa ibang lugar na may dagat inaabangan ko ung mga nanghuhuli ng isda. Kasi pwede ka makahingi or makabili sa murang halaga. Hindi ko na lang matandaan kung anong tawag nila or pangalan ng isda na yan. More than 3 Kilos sha. Ang sabi nung mga taga dun is PHP300/Kilo nakuha namen for PHP700.

We were on the infinity pool while watching the majestic setting sun.

Shempre di mawawala ang babe time. Dahil sirena ata ang asawa ko, let me share some of our pics.

The next day, wala na kaming mashadong naging activity. Naligo na lang ulit sa dagat may less than an hour, alam mo na di papayag ang sirena na uuwi ng di ulit nababasa ng tubig alat. Plus kelangan na din umuwi kasi may pasok ako ng 1PM at yung pabalik ng UAE, may kailangan puntahan my 12NN.

So, buong experience was great! Siguro kelangan ng appreciation sa bawat bagay na makikita at mapupuntahan mo..hindi naman pwedeng lahat sila pare-pareho, may kanya-kanyang ganda ang bawat lugar. "For them not to say and for you to find out".




PS. Salamat Jo may sagot ka ata sa lahat ng itinatanong ko haha!"

- end-

Thank you, Deng for sharing your story and writing on my behalf. Haha. No, seriously though, I appreciate it. For your information guys, Odeng is one of my PD (pissdrunx) brothers whom I met through common friends and the mountains. I never thought he will be one of the folks worth keeping - tae! 💩 Sarap kausap neto! From okrayan, gaguhan to seryosohan to okrayan-gaguhan ulit. Haha!

RESORT DETAILS:

Location: Bernabeach Resort, Brgy. Bucana, Apacible Blvd., Nasubgu, Batangas Contact #s: +63-43-416-0442 | +63-927-418-7209 | +63-999-717-5044 | +63-923-442-6802 | +63-932-242-5550
Email: bernabeachresort@gmail.com
Website: http://www.bernabeachresort.com.ph/

HOW TO GET THERE:

Ride a DLTB/BSC/San Agustin Bus in Pasay Terminal with Nasugbu signage (Fare: PHP155)
Drop off to Nasugbu Proper
Ride a Tricycle and tell the driver Bernabeach (PHP10/head)


I guess, I should try Bernabeach myself too! Soon enough! 🌊


speak from the heart,
pong 💙🐢

Pong Travels: Mt. Batulao Day Hike

Hello! 😉

Finally, after 28 months, was able to climb this beauty again. It's my 5th time in Mt. Batulao and until now, am still in awe of its charm. 

Mt. Batulao is situated in Nasugbu, Batangas. It's elevation stands at 811+ masl.

Jump-off point: KC Hillcrest Hotel and Golf Club (formerly Evercrest Hotel and Golf Club)

Considered as a Minor Climb with a difficulty level of 4/9.

March 26, 2017 - the Day hike happened with my long lost kumare - Lovely Joy. Hehe. The goal was to be active again and yes, lose weight. Trim these unwanted fats. LOL. Call time is 5:30am - yes am late, I arrived roughly 7AM. The endless kwentuhans with LJ and the reunion with the mountain are the highlights of this trip. Labyu, Mare! 💋

Our planned itinerary which you guys could follow for a day hike:

3:00AM Depart from Pasay via Nasubgu Bus

5:00AM ETA KC Hillcrest Hotel and Golf Club ((formerly Evercrest Hotel and Golf Club)

5:30AM Start Trek

8:00AM Arrival at Camp 1, old trail

10:00AM Summit, photo-op

10:30AM Descent to Camp 1, old trail

11:30AM ETA Camp 1, old trail

11:30AM - 3:30PM Cook lunch, socials

4:00PM Descent to Jump-off

5:00PM ETA Jump-off, clean-up (PHP10 - CR fee)

6:00PM Bye, Batulao

9:00PM ETA Manila

Notes: Batulao has two trails - old and new. The new trail is pretty much an open spot; old offers some shady spots. If you're climbing during the summer, old trail is recommended. Batulao could be VERY muddy when it's rainy. Sari-sari stores could be found along the trail. There's a loo in Camp 1 - PHP10 for half a pail of water. 

Before: Only 1 registration (PHP20), Campsites

Now: 3 Registration spots will come your way while trekking via the old trail (PHP20, PHP30, PHP20) and two more if you'll descend via the new trail.  

FARE: Pasay to Nasubgu - PHP106

           Tricycle to Jump-off - PHP100 (walking is an option)

WHAT TO BRING:

Trail food (Jellyace, Chocolates, Energy Bars)

Water (2-3L)

Sun protector (shades, umbrella, fan, arm protector, sun block etc)

Mosquito repellant 

Extra clothes

Medicine

Speakers (for soundtrippin' - optional)

Cookset (+butane, cooking oil, etc)

Toiletries (kikay kit)
Good vibes and sense of humor Ü

Estimated Budget: PHP600-PHP650

Sidetrip to Tagaytay is always an option. 👌

Some snaps of our day hike! Remember, packlight! 👍

And - always remember, take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time. 👌 

- pong 🐢

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that's Camp 1, old trail



the outdoors - picnic lol



thanks for the photo, mare



the split

Chill under the tree

Negrita. Ang dumiii. LOL

Pong the Fan: The Moffatts Part II

Hello! 😉

Am soundtrippin' while doing this one. Today is quite a productive day and a happy day! Remember, happiness is a choice! 😉 Okay, cool, too much of my blah-blahs. Let's get started with this one.

So roughly 2 weeks after the Smart Araneta concert, I found myself headed to the beautiful Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas. The moment I was informed that they will be back in Manila for a music video shoot, a friend and I searched and find ways how to get near them. Well, not really me, it's my friend. Haha. So just like a stalker, March 1st was booked and I filed for two half-days at work. Thank God, it was approved. 😉

March 1 came, headed to EDSA Shrine to attend the Ash Wednesday Mass and drop by our house coz I forgot my effing wallet - so wrong. (Thanks, Gibby!) After 2 hours, we arrived at Punta Fuego, such a beautiful place and of course, I love the sunset so I took a shot of it, some selfies on the side, and we lined up for the buffet. God, food was so good. (Thanks, Chef!) 😋

Show started at 8PM with a front act. Front act had 3 songs. Such a talented young girl. 😊 It was a fun show! And this time, I felt that we are really connected and reunited after 16 long years (Yes, I am such a fan! Haha!) Seems like we're literally just enjoying the moment by the pool and by the beach. 3 weeks of travelling is really tiring so their voices have been struggling already but it was still good. It was a short and sweet show. They sang 8 songs, if I reckon that right. I cannot get over from the experience yet and I don't think I would. I just love 'em to bits! Scott's been doing a lot of ad-libs which were way too cute! Have some snaps and videos to share. Enjoy! 💕


PS: I just had to - the girl host was beyond annoying. Punta Fuego is such a beautiful place. They could've invested with a good host. Maybe next time - ☮✌

- pong 🐢

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Twitter: joanepangilinan

Videos could be found in my YouTube Page: Joane Pong
(Disclaimer: still learning the ropes of video editing, peace y'all)

Buffet with fellow Moffattians

Punta Fuego Sunset

Pong Travels: Discovering Nasugbu 🌴🌊

[17-18 December 2016]
Been wanting to have a Year-End Beach get away but another typhoon is in forecast at the initial choice of destination - Quezon. Aside from Quezon being on my bucket list and am dying to have that tick off of it, yeah, nature has different plans for me. Haha! Maybe next time. 👍

As we all know, Nasugbu is near Manila and we're on a tight budget as well. 
So, we chose Maryland Beach Resort despite the not so good reviews in Facebook. But if there's not so good reviews, there are some good ones too. We took the risk, phoned them and voila - we found ourselves on our way to Nasugbu. 

Maryland Beach Resort is now known  as Merry Beach Resort. 2-3 hours from Manila BUT because of the naughty traffic, nah, it became 5 hours. No sunset shot again. 😥

Facilities are simple - cottages, room and pool (4-6 feet deep). Some offered Island Hopping packages but we did not try. Staff are accommodating! Love 'em! Waves are big during the time we were there. Ang ganda! Personally, had the beach was maintained properly, panalo. Sand in Nasubgu is black, so do not expect a white one like the ones we have in Boracay or nearby Islands such as Fortune Island. There are nearby resorts like Bernabeach - it's just one stretch. 😊

How to get there: Ride a bus bound to Nasugbu from Pasay and ask to be dropped off to Nasugbu proper. 

SET BUDGET: 2K/pax (2 lang kami)
Expenses:
Pasay - Nasugbu: PHP155
Nasugbu - Maryland Beach Resort: PHP15/pax
Room: PHP1200, overnight non-ac
Towel: PHP100 for 2
TOTAL: 990/pax

The rest of the expenses is for food, but we did not spend on it as much too. PHP500 is more than enough. 
Coffee/Hot Chocolate: PHP5 (Vendo) 👌
Food: PHP80 - PHP120 (Sisig is good! 🍲)
Minute Burger's Bacon Cheeseburger (Buy 1, Take 1): PHP55
Water: PHP25/Liter
Jollibee: PHP100/head
Mang Inasal: PHP100/head

GRAND TOTAL of EXPENSES: PHP1372.50/pax 
Swak sa Budget! 😀😁😂

Contact Number: 09321030335
Website: http://marylandbeachresort.com/

Maryland is near the terminal so ayos! There are nearby fast-food chains too. So we bought Bacon Cheeseburger at Minute Burger and ate it for our lunch. We had Mang Inasal for brekky and we ate at Jollibee before heading home. We struggled to find a "local" resto and some souvenirs like magnets, so we had just pictures instead. Not bad at all. Take a peek!
- Pong

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Twitter: joanepangilinan

Pool photo taken in front of our room

Pool Area

That's my friend, Mary trying Maryland's pool. Mary in Maryland? Haha! 

Maryland Entrance

Our humble room is located in front of the pool area. Medyo madilim ang photo. 

Beach Entrance

Me at the Beach Area ✌ 

I 💓 NASUGBU

Merry Beach's Pathway

Rooms and Cottages