TRAVEL DATES: November 3 - 4, 2012
Part II: "The Unplanned Trip" Escapade
"The loooong holiday is coming!"
This was the idea that troubled our minds again. Together with my university colleagues, we yearly plan our "unplanned trip" and just enjoy life and what it has to offer.
Well, the mechanics of the trip? Here it was:
1.) Gather a day before at G.A. Towers, on my colleagues' condo unit.
2.) Bring your own laptop or WiFi-enabled mobile phones
3.) Suggest a place / resort to go.
4.) Defend your proposal.
5.) Choose a place and find some resources on how to go there.
6.) Plan for food, budget, itinerary.
7.) All-set!
This year 2012, we chose the province of Pampanga as our next "unplanned trip" escapade. Poracay Resort was the name of the place and as the resort's name suggested, it's located in Porac, Pampanga.
Call time was 8am and we boarded the 9am Victory Liner Bus trip from Cubao to Marquee Mall, Pampanga. Well, the fare is around PHP 130 and a travel time of roughly 1.5 hours. Though it was a holiday, good thing there was no traffic.
Upon arriving Marquee Mall, the first thing we did was taking pictures! Cool, right?!
We decided to have lunch there, and bought some grocery for the foods and drinks to bring. The nice thing about Poracay Resort was that it has a refrigerator to which you can keep your frozen foods and drinks.
TRAVEL TIP: From Marquee Mall, we rode the jeepney going to Jenra Mall (Santo Rosario St, Angeles City) and then rode a tricycle to Poracay Resort. The place was quite far though and rough road so make sure to bring your sunglasses, hanky and other accessories that you can use to cover your face.The fare was around PHP 50 per person.
Poracay Resort was more than we expected. The place was very nice and has a lot of swimming pools to choose from. You'd never think that a cool resort is located at this place. Another thing good about this place was its colorful cabanas and rooms.
Magnificent jump shot collections to satisfy your eyes:
We stayed overnight on one of their cabanas that cost PHP 3,000 pesos per night. The room included a common area, one bedroom, gas stove for cooking, and refrigerator for storing foods and drinks.
We definitely had fun and it was a perfect time to unwind and get out from the busy streets and stressful life of Metro Manila!
TRAVEL TIP: Poracay Resort is still having its continuous renovation for the improvement of the whole resort. There are still more to come...
Your comments are highly appreciated!
Part II: "The Unplanned Trip" Escapade
"The loooong holiday is coming!"
This was the idea that troubled our minds again. Together with my university colleagues, we yearly plan our "unplanned trip" and just enjoy life and what it has to offer.
Well, the mechanics of the trip? Here it was:
1.) Gather a day before at G.A. Towers, on my colleagues' condo unit.
2.) Bring your own laptop or WiFi-enabled mobile phones
3.) Suggest a place / resort to go.
4.) Defend your proposal.
5.) Choose a place and find some resources on how to go there.
6.) Plan for food, budget, itinerary.
7.) All-set!
This year 2012, we chose the province of Pampanga as our next "unplanned trip" escapade. Poracay Resort was the name of the place and as the resort's name suggested, it's located in Porac, Pampanga.
Call time was 8am and we boarded the 9am Victory Liner Bus trip from Cubao to Marquee Mall, Pampanga. Well, the fare is around PHP 130 and a travel time of roughly 1.5 hours. Though it was a holiday, good thing there was no traffic.
Upon arriving Marquee Mall, the first thing we did was taking pictures! Cool, right?!
We decided to have lunch there, and bought some grocery for the foods and drinks to bring. The nice thing about Poracay Resort was that it has a refrigerator to which you can keep your frozen foods and drinks.
TRAVEL TIP: From Marquee Mall, we rode the jeepney going to Jenra Mall (Santo Rosario St, Angeles City) and then rode a tricycle to Poracay Resort. The place was quite far though and rough road so make sure to bring your sunglasses, hanky and other accessories that you can use to cover your face.The fare was around PHP 50 per person.
Poracay Resort was more than we expected. The place was very nice and has a lot of swimming pools to choose from. You'd never think that a cool resort is located at this place. Another thing good about this place was its colorful cabanas and rooms.
Magnificent jump shot collections to satisfy your eyes:
We stayed overnight on one of their cabanas that cost PHP 3,000 pesos per night. The room included a common area, one bedroom, gas stove for cooking, and refrigerator for storing foods and drinks.
We definitely had fun and it was a perfect time to unwind and get out from the busy streets and stressful life of Metro Manila!
TRAVEL TIP: Poracay Resort is still having its continuous renovation for the improvement of the whole resort. There are still more to come...
Budget per person: appx. PHP 1,100.00 all in.
Your comments are highly appreciated!
hi dude, been searching for the Genre Mall you've mentioned in this post, but I can't seem to find it. we plan on going at this resort, just want the details to be all clear so that I could propose this to my team. will wait for your reply. thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Jayson,
ReplyDeleteWe also had some problems before searching for this "Genre Mall" because the one indicated on Google Map was incorrect. Anyhow, when reaching Marquee Mall and alighting the bus stop, there are jeeps on standby that will pass by Genre Mall. You may ask the drivers directly and they know where to drop you.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Jenra Mall and not Genre Mall.
DeleteHi There! Thanks a lot for informing me of the correct name. Now I understand why I also had problems before searching for this place.
DeleteAppreciate your help!
Keep traveling :)
Hi Dude,
ReplyDeleteWhat trip thru Victory Liner should we take to get to Marquee Mall? Thanks,
Hey Edhil,
DeleteYou can ride the 9:00AM Cubao-Marquee Trip at Victory Liner Cubao. Then alight at Marquee Mall in Pampanga. Travel time's around 1.5 - 2 hours. Hope this helps!
Keep traveling,
Dan :)
Do you think 9am trip is kinda early as our check-in time is at 3? Already booked and paid my reservation... :) Thanks for your prompt response!
DeleteHey Edhil,
DeleteIn our case, we departed Cubao at 9AM and arrived at Marquee Mall at 11am. Then we ate lunch at Marquee Mall and also bought some food to cook. Poracya Resort rooms have fridge and stove.. :)
You can check-in earlier by the way. You may advise the receptionist at the counter when arriving Poracay.
Cheers! :)
Sorry for bugging you on this as I am just really so exciiiittteeeddd... :) Check-out tinme will still be at 12? :)
DeleteYes they got stove and fridge but the sad part is we have to bring our own pan and stuff.. :'( I was planning to do grocery the night before we arrive but I think it will be more convenient just to shop at the Marquee Mall right?
I will be coming straight from my 6am out in the office.. Hahahaha! If I checked-in at 11 will the check out time still be at 12nn the other day? Sorry for bugging you on this as I am really EXCITED ^^.
DeleteI was planning to do the groceries the night before (before my shift) but now I am thinking that it is more convenient to do the shopping at Marquee... :)
hahaha We'll on our case, everything was unplanned. Though I think we brought one cooking pan. Check-out time for rooms is 12noon. But you can still stay at the resort during the afternoon.
DeleteI would suggest that you guys buy na lang sa Marquee Mall. Less hassle sa pagbitbit sa bus. When do you guys plan to go there?
Cheers,
Dan :)
23rd :) Just me and my fiancee :) I've called Victory Liner Caloocan Terminal and they have a trip passing thru Marquee Mall (we'll be coming from Valenzuela). Hopefully kaunti lang ang tao... Hehehe! I am praying na di rin kami maligaw... :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Excited na rin ako sa adventures nyo. kaya yan! When in doubt, don't hesitate to ask questions sa mga tao dun. I'm pretty sure they will help.
DeleteYou can follow me too at: https://www.facebook.com/IAdmitImATraveler
Keep Traveling,
Dan :)
hi.. what is the contact # in poracay resort?
Deleteme and my co employee want to go there?
it is needed to take a reservation or ok lang khit hndi na?
pu2nta na lang kame don khit wala reservation?
Hi Michael,
DeleteWhen we went to Poracay Resort last year, the number we contacted was the one included in their website: http://poracayresort.com.ph/index.php/contact.
Here are the details from their site for more reference:
PORACAY RESORT
Manibaug Pasig, Porac Pampanga, 2008
Phone: +63 (045) 436-7088
Mobile: +63 (915)792-5734 / +63 (922)843-0725
Emails: poracayresort@gmail.com
Hope this helps. Keep Traveling!
Bad experience in this resort:
ReplyDeleteMy whole family and in-laws celebrated Christmas (25 Dec 2013) in this Poracay Resort. Paid 12K for an overnight stay at F10 Villa. Upon checking out, the security told us that we lost a old blanket and we will have to pay 250 pesos.
Does losing an old blanket means we stole it? Magnanakaw ba kami? I don't think we will be interested to any of those cheap and old stuff in the villa we rented. What I was think is that, the security including the maintenance and the management staff had a malicious agenda trying to make people pay for stuff that were not really there. Yes, my cousin who was assigned to one of the beds slept without a blanket. Siguro ang kasalan namin ay nagtiwala kami sa mga crew at security nuong nag-che-check-in kami na kumpleto ang mga gamit sa loob ng villa. Kaya pala nahalata ko yung check out manager na diretso agad siya sa room at kama ng nawawalang blanket.
I promised myself that I will get back to the crew and security of Poracay Resort by means of blogging this malicious incident. The security and staff in this resort should NOT be TRUSTED!
I want this posted in the web community for everyone to know. I am sure there are other better resorts in Pampanga or other provinces in the Philippines that is worth staying than Poracay Resort. This is the price of having staff is cannot be trusted.
Hi there! Thanks a lot for voicing out your experience staying in Poracay. Good and bad publicity helps other travelers with their pros and cons. Greatly appreciate that!
DeleteHope other travelers won't experience the same thing that happened to you. :)
Keep traveling!
Sorry it will happen over and over again. Dahil ang mga staff ay walang paki alam. Pinalilinid namin ang maduming villa pero walang ginawa. May nakita kaming old toilet na may urine sa loob ng cabinet
DeleteSir I just want to ask kung totoo ba na sisingilin sa inyo ung electricity na nagamit nyo? Un daw kse ung narinig ng friend ko sa mga iba nyang kakilala. May additional payment pa po ba kayong binayaran o yung price lang po mismo nung room. thanks in advance :))
ReplyDeleteHi! Based on my experience, we weren't charged with extra fees for the electricity and some sort.. we only paid for the room cost upon check.in.. i believe they shouldnt charge extra unless otherwise it is now stated on their room booking policies.
DeleteKeep traveling!
DAN
Thanks for sharing your experience :) my family will stay there on may 3-4 and will take note of the items that we need to bring and check for less hassle vacation. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteHi! You are very much welcome. Keep Traveling!
DeleteDan ^^
Hi..I'm planning to surprise my husband in going to poracay this coming may 14 for his bday, but we have our 8month old baby with us.he would like a daytime swimming for baby to enjoy..can u give me a suggestion to what to avail in the resort for cheaper budget.thank u..
DeleteHi there! Well I guess Poracay Resort will suit your major need as it has a lot of swimming pools which you, your husband, and your baby can enjoy. Perhaps a nice small cottage good for you three should be fine.
DeleteAt the end of the day, summer's fun in the PH!
Keep traveling! ^^,
Bad experience in poracay. Poracay has dirty toilets, cobwebs in the ceiling. We found old toilet seat with urine inside the cabinet
ReplyDeleteHi Buyoy! Thanks a lot for your feedback. This will greatly help future travelers with their pros and cons when booking a room Poracay! I hope Poracay Management will acknowledge this concern.
DeleteKeep Traveling! ^^,
Hi! I would like to ask if you have tried grilling foods there, is there an extra fee whenever we are going to use the grill or is there a grill provided in the villa? :) Thanks for your reply!
ReplyDeleteHi! Unfortunately we haven't tried grilling some food when we went to Poracay. We only cooked using their LPG stoves. Keep traveling! ^^,
DeleteHi! when commuting back to manila, do we ride the same?
ReplyDeleteHi there! Yes, same route commuting back to Manila. Keep traveling! ^^,
Deletehello po. yung poracay resort po ba along the highway po.? anu po sinkyan niyo nung nasa jenra mall na kayo.? and magkano. thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteHi there! Well, Poracay Resort is not in the highway and from Jenra mall, we rode a tricycle going to Poracay Resort. The ride took quite a while actually. Nevertheless, if you're traveling with a group, you can perhaps rent a jeepney so it will be cost-efficient.
DeleteKeep traveling! ^^,
Hi. Hiwalay po ba ang bayad sa zipline, biking ska boating sa entrance fee? Magkano po? Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Zeph,
DeleteTo my knowledge, yes it is a separate payment. Nevertheless you may directly contact Poracay for the updated rates and packages.
Keep traveling! "",