VIP Treatment at the Magaul Bird Park

A quick detour to Subic Bay on our way to Las Casas Bataan 

 (See related post here Las Casas de Acuzar Bataan Tour) led us to Magaul Bird Park.  

Magaul Bird Park is a birds' amusement park with shows and interaction programs located inside Subic Bay's Jungle Environment Survival Training (JEST) Camp.  This camp is known for its jungle survival training programs. 

The park was named after Magaul a magical, mythical bird also known as "Sarimanok". It is said to bring good luck to anyone able to catch it. It is also bird that pecked the bamboo from where "Malakas and Maganda" were born from. 

When we visited the park, CHED has just recently issued a moratorium suspending off campus activities including field trips in the country, following a deadly school field trip bus crash leaving about 15 students dead.

This left the Jest Camp almost without visitors (due to cancellation of scheduled field trips)  ~ we literally had the park all to ourselves (yup like VIPs).

Entrance to the Magaul Bird Park costs P350, inclusive of park tour, jungle survival demonstration and the bird show.

There are two (2) shows scheduled at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm on weekdays with an additional show at 4:00 pm on weekends.

Most of the birds we saw were inside cages, though there were a handful of ducks and peacocks running freely.

We love this little guy the most,  we were just passing by, when he made a ruckus that made us come back.  Our assigned tour guide, was so nice, we gave us bird seeds to feed this guy.  

We got to enjoy the Bird Show a lot, as we were the only ones there.  We got to take part in every portions of the show. We were the ONLY Volunteers (Lol)!!!  

After the bird show, we went to see a Jungle Survival Demonstration.  Our instructor showed us how to extract water from tree vines, make kitchen utensils from bamboo and start a fire without matches.  

Starting a fire without matches (with nature's resources).

Our instructor making stuffs using bamboo looks so easy, NAH!

Water taste good actually.

This experience, taught me that in a Zombie apocalypse,  I won't last a night in the jungle and would probably be left in the city as Zombie food. 

FINAL VERDICT

• A trip to Magaul Bird Park as VIPs is a truly wonderful experience. We were attended to literally like royalties. It was cool to have the park to ourselves. 
• The place is perfect for families with young school age children.  It is a good place to teach about love for nature and environment. 
• We have been to bird parks and zoos outside the country, the best one being the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park in Singapore. Although, Magaul Bird Park failed in comparison, the effort and determination to educate the public, especially the children the love for nature cannot be downplayed.   
• There are plenty of activities inside the park, that will certainly keep both kids and adults entertained such as: Angry Bird play area, Winged Wonders Bird Show, Brunch with Birds, Goliath Swing and Kiddie Rappelling.

Magaul Bird Park 

 Jungle Environment Survival Training Camp
Upper Mau, Cubi-Triboa, Subic Bay Freeport Zone,
Zambales, Philippines

For questions and inquiries

Email: adventure@jestcamp.com

Phone: Telefax: 63 47 252 1489

Smart: 639088207048
Sun: 639228832763
Globe: ‎639770938435

Website: www.magaulbirdpark.com

Business Hours: 8.30 am – 5.00 pm Everyday

Las Casas de Acuzar ~ Staying at Casa Jaen

Best way to get the most out of a visit to Las Casas is an overnight stay in one of its traditionally decorated rooms/houses.

I reserved 2 rooms for our recent trip to Las Casas de Acuzar accompanying my "balikbayan" brother and his wife.

I was surprised we were billed into a house instead of the hotel. 

We an entire mansion "Casa Jaen II" to ourselves.

Sorry no "horror stories" here...

It is a 2 storey house with 3 bedrooms each room with an ensuite bath.

The entrance to our "Casa".

At the ground floor is a seating and a toilet.

The stairs than leads to second floor living room and bedrooms. 

The second floor.

And a picture of me (hehehe)...

Our second floor living room.

Casa Jaen is perfect for huge families with plenty of seating and lounging areas.

We had a good night sleep on this comfortable bed.

Toiletries were from Tess the Farmer ~ very good and high quality. 

The bathroom is huge and literally fit a queen size bed inside.

There is a separate shower with hot and cold water.

It is the little details that get to me...

I just love this table lamp!

For reservation inquiries please visit their webpage at www.lascasasfilipinas.com.

Please see also my post on the our Las Casas Heritage tour by following the link below:

Las Casas Heritage Tour

Las Casas de Acuzar Resort Review

"Pride in the past. Hope for the Future".

Let me start by apologizing ~ this post is picture heavy. 

I simply can't decide which pictures to choose.  Choosing just a few from hundreds (I am not joking) of pictures we've taken was just not possible.

So please bear with me...

Welcome to the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

It is a heritage and convention center developed by New San Jose Builders under Mr. Gerry Acuzar, located in  Bagac Bataan.

Las Casas is a living museum that showcases architectural pieces of a bygone era, from different parts of the country with the beautiful Bataan countryside as its backdrop.

One can re-live age-old Filipino traditions and way of living within the resort's walls with the luxuries and comforts of contemporary time.

Amenities include: the Napiya Spa, a swimming pool, private beach, gaming center, 3 restaurants, conference and banquet facilities, cultural shows, and heritage tours.

The first one was 4 years ago. Las Casas has improved much since our last visit.

Check here: Our visit to Las Casas in 2013.

We were back for our second time to accompany my "balikbayan" brother and his wife. 

We arrived at Las Casas at 2pm just in time for check-in, rested a bit and joined the last heritage tour of the day which starts at 430pm.  Timing was perfect as the sun was already setting and not as scorching.

Our Beautiful Tour Guide, Ms. Kesha. 

The tour started with a pocket performance of the history of one of the houses (Casa Unisan).

Story has it that Casa Unisan was raided by bandits, killing all of the members of the household except for the youngest child of the owner, who escaped. She was placed inside a laundry basket by one of the house helpers.

One of the four Casa Cagayan houses located along the shoreline of the resort.  These are often referred to a "Poor Man's House".  These house are currently occupied by the artists of Las Casas.

Paseo de Escolta is a replica of typical buildings in Escolta Manila. 

It is a strip of commercial establishments at the ground floor, housing Tess the Farmer, La Tiendecitas, La Panederia, Fotographia de la Escolta and Antiquedades.

Plaza Belmonte

Casa Luna (1850)

This mansion was originally owned by a prominent Novicio family of Namacpacan, La Union. It was renamed to Casa Luna in honor of the brothers Antonio and Juan Luna.

Casa Jaen I

This house was owned by the Esquivel Family and was used to house the first Mayor of Jaen, Nueva Ecija.

Casa Quiapo used to house the Escuela de Bellas Artes Filipinas.

The house's ground floor entrance felt like a medieval castle.

Casa Binan is a two (2) storey house built by Gregorio Alonzo (maternal uncle of Jose Rizal) in the 16th Century. This house has a dark story, folklore has it that Mr. Alonzo's wife had an affair here with one of the Guardia Civil. 

If you have seen movie Heneral Luna, this back drop is sure to ring a bell.

 Our group crossed this bridge called Tulay ni Lola Basyang.  According to tour guide this bridge was modelled after the Jone's Bridge located in Manila.

The iconic Lola Basyang. 

Casa Hagonoy

This is my favorite house of those we have visited due to its wonderful vista.

We ended the tour with a picture perfect Bataan sunset.

It was truly an enjoyable-educational day at Las Casas de Acuzar. 

See and experience its beauty and leave with a better appreciation of the Filipino culture and heritage.

Please check out our Las Casas Accommodation by following the link below:

Las Casas de Acuzar ~ Staying at Casa Jaen

Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar
Brgy. Ibaba, Bagac, Bataan
2107, Philippines
Landline: (+632) 332-5286 (+632) 877-4501 (+632) 332-5338 (+632) 355-3032
Mobile: 0917-872-9361
Front Desk Mobile: 0917-537-8418 (Sundays & Holidays only)
E-mail addresses:
reserve@lascasasfilipinas.com
marketing@lascasasfilipinas.com
anneorosco@lascasasfilipinas.com
dos@lascasasfilipinas.com

Pampanga Office:
Landline: (045) 300-3265, (045) 300-3272
Mobile: 0927-843-5449 (Roanne C. Palad), 0956-506-8939 (Ezeel Maan Cruz)
Email addresses:
roannepalad@lascasasfilipinas.com
ezeelmaancruz@lascasasfilipinas.com

Check availability and prices   

PRESS RELEASE: Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel

There are plenty of hotels inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and one hotel that stands out because of it's professional and friendly staff, chic & fun KTV, affordable Spa and to speak-of restaurant ~ with custom made Shabu Shabu embedded gas range is Subic Grand Hoya Hotel.

This  four storey boutique hotel is conveniently located in central business district of Subic Bay Freeport Zone, near all the best places to go to, such as: duty free shopping, motorized Ziplines family extreme fun at Tree Top Adventure and one the country's best theme park, Zoobic Safari with white lions and the only tiger Safari in the Philippines.

The Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel offers world class facility . Guests are treated to a unique atmosphere, complimented with the gracious hospitality and personalized service of our warm staff.  It is good choice for family, business partners and  leisure travelers.

ACCOMMODATION

Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel offers 40 spacious rooms (Deluxe Twin Rooms Superior King Room Deluxe King Room Family Deluxe Room Family Suite Room). 


RESTAURANT

 

At the right side of the lobby is the restaurant that can cater up to 100 people. The complimentary breakfast is something to look forward to with different kinds of juices and coffee selections. The Shabu Shabu is beyond the standard. All ingredients are selected by the Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel to prove the magnificent dining experience.

 

SPA AND MASSAGE

Grand Hoyah Hotel offers an international standard Spa and Massage services from experts and professionally trained therapist while on stay in the hotel. The Grand Hoyah Hotel KTV Relaxing and fun KTV rooms with 55 inches screens at Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel.

From VIP Rooms that caters for two persons to bigger and wider for groups and parties.  

If you are looking for an affordable hotel with first an extra-mile service in Subic, check out the Subic Grand Hoyah Hotel.

For more information: http://www.subicgrandhoyahhotel.com

Subic Grand Hoya Hotel is located along Canal Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Relaxing Stay at 8 Suites Tagaytay

It was a busy work week for me and hubby and needed a quick get-away haven to relax and unwind.

So we got ourselves, what seemed to be a perfect deal from a group buying site and before we knew it: our bags were packed and we were dragging the kids off to 8 Suites by Fat Jimmy in Tagaytay.

Traffic was light and we reached our destination just in time for the 2pm check-in.  There were no visitors when we came in and for a moment it felt like being welcomed to our own vacation home (libre mangarap).

8 Suites is a bit far-off Tagaytay City proper. It is difficult to reach without your own transportation, which also meant it was heavenly peaceful and tranquil. 

 We were pleasantly surprised at how beautiful 8 Suites is. 

And its location overlooking Taal Lake was enough reason to choose this place and stay.

As the name suggests, this bed and breakfast place only has 8 rooms. There are 3 room types: deluxe, superior and premier. 
 
We were ushered to a deluxe room, with 2 queen sized bed that can fit 4 adults comfortably. 

Our room has a balcony that overlooks the majestic Taal Volcano ~ I would honestly not mind to just laze around and do nothing with this view.
  

Our deal came with breakfast, which we opted served at the dining area.   We can't say much about the food as they were just okay.  But that was forgivable, as we did not come here for the food anyway - It was no big deal.     

VERDICT:

• It is a bit costly, but the view is really breathtaking.  If you can get your hands on promos, don't think twice.

 

• The room we stayed in, is decent and clean. Aircon worked well and the water temperature and pressure were very good.

• Food is average. If you want decent meals, you can head to nearby restaurants 5-10 minutes away 8 Suites.  I highly recommend Morielli's and Red Lemon Grill.

• There are no hotel amenities. No recreational activities, game rooms, swimming pool or gym. You can, however, borrow DVDs from the reception area or lounge by the balcony.

We left 8 Suites refreshed and rested. 

We will definitely be back.

LOCATION:

Lot 7, Ridge View Subdivision,

Barangay Iruhin, Tagaytay City

 

Manila Office (T : 655-0194 / M: 0922-8753088)

Tagaytay Office (M: +63(922)874-4088)

Email: eightsuites@gmail.com