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Saturday, April 12, 2014

Azalea Residences: Great Hospitality in Baguio City

The chosen official home of Baguio Food Tour 2014 Group (#BFT2014) is Azalea Residences.  It was my first time to encounter this hotel and I feel so privileged to be acquainted with this excellent hotel.
 azalea residences
From the moment our cab dropped us off, we were welcomed with utmost hospitality.  Our heavy baggage were properly handled as we were ushered to our room.

azalea residences
Eight Degrees Lounge

On the ground floor is the hotel lobby, Eight Degrees Lounge and Tradisyon by Azalea.

azalea residences
 The hotel has five floors.  From the front view, the hotel doesn't look so deep.

azalea residences

It surprised me that it had an even wider area and more rooms on the back.  And, all these are fully occupied during peak seasons.

Two Bedroom Apartment Suite
We stayed in a Two Bedroom Apartment Suite with front view.  The back part is offered at a lower rate.
azalea residences
We requested them to convert this sofa into a bed since there were 4 of us.  My couple friends occupied the first room while I had the second room.  My friend Billy slept on the sofa bed and he slept like a rock during our stay so I guess we can assume that it is cozy.  The total room capacity if two people occupied the queen sized bed, full sized bed and the sofa bed is 6 persons.  Aside from this area, the two rooms are also equipped with Cable TV. The WiFi modem is also stationed here.

azalea residences  azalea residences
The kitchen is complete with a stove, sink, fridge, microwave and even an electric kettle.  There are complimentary bottles of mineral water inside the fridge. By the kettle are complimentary coffee, tea, cream and sugar.  I love the marbled dining nook with high soft stools too.
 
azalea residences

This is the room I slept at.  The bed is so soft that I find it difficult to get up once I've laid upon it.  I also have my own closet with clean bath robes, slippers and laundry bags.  There's a phone on every room so that you can connect to room service who will accommodate your needs 24/7.

azalea residences
Every morning, it's so nice to wake up and glance upon the balcony with a nice view over Azalea's driveway and playground and the mist covered houses of Baguio.

azalea residences

azalea residences

The bathroom is squeaky clean with clean towels and necessities.  It also has a shower with heater and a laundry line.

azalea residences
Overall, we Travel Tripsters, highly recommend Azalea Residences for an excellent stay in Baguio.  They are very eager to please their guests in every possible way.  They cater to requests such as family set up with playpen or even a romantic set up with a bed room filled with petals.  Room cleaning is done professionally.  If you're commuting, they can hail a cab for you.  They also offer Baguio activity tours.

Azalea Residences
Hotel Address 7 Leonard Wood Loop, Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines
Contact (632) 435-3545 Reservation Required No (Encouraged)
Payment Options   Cash Public Transport Jeep, Taxi
Room Types Room Amenities Published Rate
Three Bedroom Apartment Suite
3 Bedroom with 3 Queen sized bed. Balcony with limited view.

Room size: 75 Square Meters

Amenities

  • Kitchen and Dining Area
  • Electric Cooktops with Range Hood
  • Microwave Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Cookware
  • Crockery
  • Electric Water Kettle
  • Samsung LCD TV
  • Samsung DVD Player
  • Cable Channels
  • iPod docking station
  • FM Radio
  • Ceiling Fan
  • Mini-Bar
  • Complimentary Coffee & Tea
  • Complimentary Bottled Water
  • Complimentary Bath Amenities
  • Iron and Ironing board
  • Hairdryer
  • Bath Robes
  • Slippers
  • Alarm Clock
  • Private toilet and bath
  • Parking
  • Breakfast for 2
2,100 php
Two Bedroom Apartment Suite
2 Bedroom with 1 Queen sized bed in Master's bedroom and 1 Full Sized bed in the 2nd guest room, private toilet and bath in the masters bedroom, Sofa bed in the living area. Balcony with limited view.

Room size: 60 Square Meters

Amenities

  • Kitchen and Dining Area
  • Electric Cooktops with Range Hood
  • Microwave Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Cookware
  • Crockery
  • Electric Water Kettle
  • Samsung LCD TV
  • Samsung DVD Player
  • Cable Channels
  • iPod docking station
  • FM Radio
  • Ceiling Fan
  • Mini-Bar
  • Complimentary Coffee & Tea
  • Complimentary Bottled Water
  • Complimentary Bath Amenities
  • Iron and Ironing board
  • Hairdryer
  • Bath Robes
  • Slippers
  • Alarm Clock
  • Private toilet and bath
  • Parking
  • Breakfast for 2
7,000 php - 15,000 php
Deluxe Room (NO balcony)
Room Can fit maximum of 2 adults and 2 children or 3 adults using existing beds- One Queen Sized Bed and Sofa Bed. Windows are available on selected rooms only.

Room size: 30 Square Meters

Amenities

  • Kitchen and Dining Area
  • Electric Cooktops with Range Hood
  • Microwave Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Cookware
  • Crockery
  • Electric Water Kettle
  • Samsung LCD TV
  • Samsung DVD Player
  • Cable Channels
  • iPod docking station
  • FM Radio
  • Ceiling Fan
  • Mini-Bar
  • Complimentary Coffee & Tea
  • Complimentary Bottled Water
  • Complimentary Bath Amenities
  • Iron and Ironing board
  • Hairdryer
  • Bath Robes
  • Slippers
  • Alarm Clock
  • Private toilet and bath
  • Parking
  • Breakfast for 2
2,100 php
One Bedroom
One Bedroom with 1 Queen sized bed in Master's bedroom with toilet and bath. Sofa bed in the living area. No Balcony with limited view.

Room size: 45 Square Meters

Amenities

  • Kitchen and Dining Area
  • Electric Cooktops with Range Hood
  • Microwave Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Cookware
  • Crockery
  • Electric Water Kettle
  • Samsung LCD TV
  • Samsung DVD Player
  • Cable Channels
  • iPod docking station
  • FM Radio
  • Ceiling Fan
  • Mini-Bar
  • Complimentary Coffee & Tea
  • Complimentary Bottled Water
  • Complimentary Bath Amenities
  • Iron and Ironing board
  • Hairdryer
  • Bath Robes
  • Slippers
  • Alarm Clock
  • Private toilet and bath
  • Parking
  • Breakfast for 2
4,200 php
Presidential Suite
(inquire for more info)

General Amenities

Parking Yes
Travel Tripsters Hotel Review Rating Azalea Residences Map
Location
Room Comfort
Cleanliness
Service
Price

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Bencab Museum: Art Collection of Philippine National Artist Benedicto Cabrera

In 2006, Filipino painter Benedicto Reyes Cabrera also known as "BenCab" was awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts.  Being noted as "arguably the best-selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists", one has certainly has to his own private collection of his and other artists which happens to be in Bencab Museum along Asin Road in Tuba.

Every day except Monday, local and foreign tourists drop by to check out his personal collection to admire his works and observe his taste. 

Museum Lobby
Just pay the entrance fee, sign up and get your map and you're good to go.  The Bencab Museum has three floors.  

Museum Shop
The Museum Shop is located right next to the museum lobby.  You have to go through it to view the Sephia Gallery.

BFT2014 with Bencab
Sabel
Being from the Edison T. Coseteng Patio, I've found a profound amusement with Bencab's muse SabelIsabel is actually the name of Bencab which he used as the nickname of his muse.

Sabel is a "taong grasa" from Tondo.  She's deceased so I guess her pieces are very rare. 

I've always believed that everything... anything... anyone  possess a unique kind of beauty.  But, appreciating that beauty lies on our ability or inability to perceive it in the right way.


I'll let you in on my little ridiculous secret.  One of my goals in life is to widen my perspective so I can be surrounded by beauty.  How we perceive however, is not according to our own choice, but nature's mysterious design which is difficult for us to comprehend.  Yet, it simply makes sense to me in a way that we can find perfection in each others imperfection so that everything can harmoniously complement each other when they can go in zillions of other ways. 
Do you know why I appreciate art?  Because art is capable of making us see beyond our own limited perspective and see through an artist's view.  Through Bencab's paintings of Sabel, I can see how he sees her.  His works of her goes beyond the medium used which is only visual.  He is able to emulate Sabel with all her intricacies and complexities which defines her unique beauty.

Standing right there...on the hall viewing Sabel in different poses, different forms, different robes (ragged or luxurious), gave me the nostalgic kind of feeling of a life-changing encounter with someone of admirable and inspiring true beauty. 

Atrium
These are my favorite of Bencab's work.  The one on the left is an abstract of a bowing king.  The one on the right is a piece made with gold gel pen which is really cool!

There are also galleries which features other artists over a certain duration.

This is my favorite piece of wooden craft.  It's a gigantic screw-less wooden puzzle piece cabinet.


Could you believe that this is functioned as a refrigerator were they stored etag

Cordillera Gallery
I've always loved the Cordillera culture.  I find their native bags, cooking utensils and other household items quite innovative.

The details in these sculptures on bones are unbelievable!

I can say the same for these woven crafts.

Bul-ol Installations

Guess what this is?  Clue: It belongs to the Erotica Gallery.

Print Gallery
These pieces in the Print Gallery are also for sale.

Philippine Contemporary Art Gallery
Bencab also keeps a collection of other Philippine contemporary artists.  This is one of my favorite paintings. 

This electronic guitar made of different tools is pure genius!

And, so is this glass masterpiece.

Farm and Garden
Passing through Cafe Sabel is the farm and garden.  I guess the eco-trail starts from here.

We, Travel Tripsters, highly recommend visiting Bencab Museum to appreciate Philippine art. 

Bencab Museum
Address Km. 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Philippines
Budget Per Person Entrance: 100 php
Students and Senior Citizen: 80 php 
Children less than 42": FREE
Eco-Trail Tour: 50 php/guide for group of 15 or less
Bencab Museum Map
Payment Options Cash

Operating Hours Tuesday to Sunday:
(closed on Christmas & New Year's Day)
9:00 am-6pm
(5:30 pm last entry)

Reservation Required No (Encouraged)
Contact  (6374) 442-7165

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