TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE

ABBEY: This is one of the places I planned to visit when I went back to Philippines. I was captivated by its karst landscapes. You need to book and pay a fee of Php 1500. The Masungi Georeserve will contact you to confirm your reservation. We chose Discovery Trail as our path. 

We were there as early as 5AM. We don’t want our guide and the reserve to wait for us. It is a good 10-minute walk from the carpark to the reception area. This is a good time to take in the beauty of nature overlooking the city. 

The highlights of our trail are the “net” works or webbings. We got ourselves climbing them; worth the effort once you reach the top; like Sapot ni Rick and Yungib ni Ruben. You’ll just be awed for what nature has to offer. Be ready mentally and physically as the trail is challenging. Bring water and change of clothes. 

The fee comes with light refreshments. 

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE - Arch Bridge 

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE - With our Forest Guide

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE - Mossy Forest 

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE - Sapot ni Ric

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE - Stones and Falls

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE

TOP TOURIST SPOT IN RIZAL PHILIPPINES | MASUNGI GEORESERVE 

WILL: My eldest brother is a hiker and a simple man. How can I say he is a simple man? He always have this simple wish… simple prayers that you know can be easily achieved and one of those is for him to hike with his siblings. 

Abbey is a nature lover. He loves to walk in any Singapore Park and indulge in what the nature brings in and out of him. Watching people hiking Masungi sparked curiosity in him and Masungi Georeserve make it to his bucketlist. 

Kuya Ric’s prayers and Abbey bucketlist was answered and tick off in one plan. wink 

We arrived in Masungi Georeserve around 5AM. It was dark and the park’s gate is still close. When the sun rises on 530Am we were awed by the view and a sea of cloud rushing around us. It seems that they are really greeting us a good morning. 

It is a 5KM+ of hiking and climbing up and down the trails of Masungi’s magnificent beauty. We finished the Discovery Trail in more than 3hours. If you are on top of Tatay’s peak, Sapot ni Ric, Duyan and Yungib ni Ruben you will definitely stop for a while and linger on the beauty of this nature. 

So here are the MUST DOs: 

1. Book in advance. They are not accepting walk-ins. 

2. Better to rent a car than going for public transportation. 

3. Wear sunscreen and mosquito repellants. 

4. Respect and listen to your tour guide while he is explaining what’s in the surroundings 

5. Take nothing and leave nothing. 

6. Just have FUN!

***

Masungi Georeserve -- Php1,500/pax 

(W) https://www.masungigeoreserve.com

(H) Tuesdays to Sundays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

(A) Kilometer 47 Marcos Highway, Baras, Rizal, Philippines, 1970, Marcos Highway, Baras, 1970 Rizal 

(T) 09088887002

BEST All You Can Eat Dinner Buffet in Manila Philippines - Spiral Buffet Review

ABBEY: The first time we went to Spiral Buffet I admit I don’t know much about other cuisines. And I’m not keen on exploring.

I stick to what I know and I assume what’s delicious; Filipino foods like sinigang, mechado, pork belly, tempura or anything fried. I felt during that time that it’s worth for what I paid for. Little did I know that there’s a big food world out there.

So we prepared for a second visit; this time armed with Php3900 and knowledge about what to eat and try at the restaurant.

I had lamb, sausages, curacha, sashimi, grilled squid, prawns, dumplings, roast beef, and butter chicken. I even curated my own charcuterie board with aged cheddar, salami, gouda pesto cheese. Our dessert is choco and vanilla ice cream, bibingka and puto bumbong. 

Now I can say that I redeemed myself “against” Spiral Buffet. No tables were unturned. Haha.

LEGENDARY All You Can Eat Buffet in Manila Philippines - Spiral Buffet Review

WILL: We had our first lunch buffet in Spiral last 2010. That is the first time I experienced food coma, haha! But there’s unsatisfied moment when Abbey realized that we didn’t ate the food we should have eaten. So we are coming for dinner for our BUFFET REVENGE!

Once the food counters opened, I immediately went to their cheese room and requested aged cheese as my appetizer. Then went to live station for lobster and curacha. For my second serving, I went for sausages and dumplings. Then back to lobster and curacha again. Next is the salmon and tuna and some pizza cheese slices. Then cheese room again for some blue cheese. Lastly, puto bumbong, ice cream and bibingka sealed my night. 

That “revenge” cost Php3,900/pax. Is it worth it? Definitely! The seafood is guaranteed fresh! How do I know? Abbey will flare up once the fish and crustaceans are not fresh. He didn’t! So, that is the price of the food with quality!

***

Sofitel Spiral 

(W) https://www.sofitelmanila.com/restaurants-bars/spiral/

(H) 6:30AM - 10AM / 12NN - 2:30PM / 6PM - 9:30PM

(A) Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel CCP Complex 1300, Roxas Blvd, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines

(T) +63 (2) 8-832-6988

The Newest Sheraton in Manila Philippines - Sheraton Manila Hotel 2022 Review

ABBEY: Sheraton Manila Hotel is one of the new hotels in Pasay City. This is where we stayed for the night with my father and we’re upgraded to the highest floor. In the lift lobby you can see the planes at NAIA Terminal 3.

The check-in process was almost smooth except that we need to wait for a couple more minutes than the usual as there is less staff during that time.

Our room is spacious and clean with the view of the pool.

We spent the afternoon at the pool as the jacuzzi is already booked. They also have these bubble-like hubs near it for you to dine in. We hit the gym in the morning before having our breakfast.

For morning meal, I enjoyed longganisa, eggs, tapa as well as bacon with garlic fried rice.

We would like to commend Therese for accommodating us.

The Newest Sheraton in Manila Philippines - Sheraton Manila Hotel 2022 Review 

The Newest Sheraton in Manila Philippines - Sheraton Manila Hotel 2022 Review 

WILL: There are two Sheratons in the Metro and Sheraton Manila Hotel in Pasay City is the newest. Never been to Sheraton Manila Bay and I'm sorry I can’t compare the two. So let’s start the review. *wink* 

We always opted to stay in hotels that we have membership… why? Because they will go on extra mile to serve your needs. And most likely, there is always an automatic upgrade (when room permits) specially when you are celebrating a special occasion. This time, again, we are celebrating my father-in-law's 68th birthday and we were given a complimentary cake and room upgrade by Sheraton Manila Hotel. 

How’s the room? Being one of the 5-star hotels known in the world, the 44sqm room is squeaky clean. The bed with leather headboard gave us the comfort for the whole night. I love their complimentary drip coffee. Tasty! The pool’s water lukewarm temperature is excellent for my preference. Gym is well equipped with full functional trainers and free weights.. perfect to pumped up those muscles. 

The buffet breakfast is quite disappointing. We paid for extra Php1,459.13 (complimentary 2-pax only) but the array of choices are not so wide. I just indulged in their waffles and french toast. Haha. 

Is the Php15,424.15 worth it? Yes! Given the comfort and long slumber of my father-in-law. Sleep is very important which is sometimes can’t bring by your own bed. Haha.

***

Sheraton Manila Hotel - Marriott

(W) https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mnlsi-sheraton-manila-hotel/overview/

(A) 80 Andrews Avenue, NCR – Fourth District, Barangay 183, Pasay City, Philippines, 1309

(T) +63 2 790 21800

(E) mhrs.mnlap.reservations@marriott.com