Top 3 Places to Celebrate Valentine's Day on a Budget

It’s Cupid’s month again and couples are definitely scouting for the best place to celebrate Valentines day with their special someone,

It’s Cupid’s month again and couples are definitely scouting for the best place to celebrate Valentines day with their special someone, which, admit it or not, is kind of stressful, especially for the male species. Good news is Pinoy Etchetera already did all the legwork for you. We also understand that celebrating Love month doesn't necessarily needs spending too much. Below are the top and affordable places you can choose from this coming Heart’s Day, depending on your taste and budget.



3. La Mesa Ecopark and La Mesa Watershed Nature Reserve

La Mesa Eco Park is the perfect way for lovers to enjoy and spend Valentines Day. It is lush with greenery:  trees are shady enough to provide a cool retreat and the grounds are clean enough to lie down and enjoy the view of the clear blue sky. It has picnic grounds, a salt water swimming pool and a kalesa ride. Plus there’s a pavement that allows for roller skating, roller blading and bike riding. You can breath fresh oxygen while listening to the birds singing and dances of trees. No pollution, no honking, no internet – just the nature and you.

GENERAL OPERATING HOURS: 8am to 5pm daily

Open daily including holidays.
Closed on the 25th December and the 31st December.
Park may be closed without prior notice due to severe inclement weather.
Park Admission Rates
Persons above 3ft P50
3ft & below Free
QC Residents (w/ valid proof of residence) P40
QC Students (w/ valid ID) P20
QC Senior Citizens (w/ valid ID) FREE
Non-QC Senior Citizens P40

AMENITIES
SWIMMING POOL (operating hours 8am-4pm Daily)
Persons above 3ft P80
3ft & below P40
-Proper swimming attire is strictly enforced.
-Pool admission rates apply to all who enter pool compound whether they will swim or not.
BUTTERFLY HAVEN. P60/person
FISHING. P80/kilo
BUNGEE FUN. P120/2mins
BOW & ARROW FUN ARCHERY. P50/3pcs arrow - P100/8pcs arrow
HORSEBACK RIDING. P50-single/ 100-w/calesa
BIKE RENTAL. P60 - P90/hr
ZIPLINE Slide for Life. P200/person
PAINT BALL. P350/person w/50 bullets and safety gear
PAVILIONS
IPIL PAVILION - P5,000/ day
Max. Capacity: 250 persons (80 persons free park admission)

NARRA PAVILION - P5,000/ day
Max. Capacity: 150 persons (80 persons free park admission)
MULTIPURPOSE HALL/ ECO ACADEMY HALL
P7,500 day time (8:00 am to 5:00 pm)
P12,500 night time (5:00 pm to 10:00 pm)
Max. Capacity: 250 persons (80 persons free park admission)

ORCHIDARIUM EXCLUSIVE - P20,000/ day
Max. Capacity: 150 persons (80 persons free park admission)

OLD SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX EXCLUSIVE
P15,000 day time (8:00 am to 5:00 pm)
P20,000 night time (5:00 pm to 10:00 pm)
Max. Capacity: 300 persons (100 persons free park admission)

AMPHITHEATER - P5,000 (Park admission not inclussive)

BOATING PAVILION
P7,500 day time (8:00 am to 5:00 pm)
P10,000 night time (5:00 pm to 10:00 pm)
Max. Capacity: 150 persons (80 persons free park admission)






RENTALS & SERVICES
(No reservations. First come first served)
CABANNA RENTAL P500/day
TABLES & CHAIRS RENTAL P120/set (1 table & 4 chairs)
TOUR GUIDE P500/ tour (max. 50 persons)
FISHING ROD RENTAL P30/day

OVERNIGHT CAMPING AVAILABLE BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.
At least a week advance booking needed.
P200/night/person
Additional P100/succeeding night.
Minimum of 15 campers.

PARK RULES & REGULATIONS
1) Strictly no littering. P500 fine is implemented.
2) Videoke & loud music is strictly prohibited.
3) Liquor, alcoholic beverages & illegal drugs are strictly prohibited.
4) Only emergency & authorized motorized vehicles are allowed beyond the main entrance.
5) Swimming pool is for recreation purpose only. Water baptismal activities are not allowed.
6) Bonfire is prohibited.

Educational Tour Packages:

Package 1
Swimming with Guided walking tour - P130/head
Minimum of 50pax
Inclusive.
PARK ADMISSION, GUIDED WALKING TOUR (30-45mins), Ecopark Overview/History/Orientation Plants & Trees Identification

Package 2
Butterfly Haven with Guided walking tour - P110/head
Minimum of 50pax
Inclusive.
PARK ADMISSION, GUIDED WALKING TOUR (30-45mins), Ecopark Overview/History/Orientation Plants & Trees Identification

Package 3
Butterfly Haven with Swimming and Guided walking tour - P190/head
Minimum of 50pax
Inclusive.
PARK ADMISSION, SWIMMING and Butterfly Trail, GUIDED WALKING TOUR (30-45mins) Ecopark Overview/History/Orientation, Plants & Trees Identification

Package 4
Decorate and paint your own Eco-Bag or
Decorate and paint your own T-shirt
P200/head
Minimum of 50pax
Inclusive:
Park Admission, Materials, Instructor, GUIDED WALKING TOUR (30-45mins)
Ecopark Overview/History/Orientation, Plants & Trees Identification
Activity duration: 1hr. At least 1 week advance booking

Package 5
Basic Gardening and Hands-on lecture - P150/head
At least 1 week advance booking
Minimum of 30pax, maximum of 70pax - per batch (45 - 60 mins.)
Inclusive.
ORIENTATION, PARK ADMISSION, BASIC GARDENING LECTURE, Hands-on Nursery Activity

PACKAGE 6
Children's Arts & Crafts
(Minimum 30pax at least 1 week advance booking)
ACTIVITIES
1) Figurine Painting (6"X8") -P150/person
2) Sand Colouring (6"X8") -P150/person
3) Paper Clay Art (6"X8") -P150/person
4) Face Painting -P80/person


Facilities:

• Lopez Picnic Grounds
• Shell Flower terraces
• Drilon Orchidarium 
• Petron Fitness and Mountain Bike Trail
• Petron Amphitheatre -
• Mini forest

Swimming Pools:

• Old Salt Water Swimming Pool Complex
• New Swimming Pool Complex
• Fishing 
• Horseback Riding
• Butterfly Haven 
• Biking

Adventure Zone - Experience the adrenaline rush with:

• Zip line
• Bow and Arrow Fun Archery
• Bungee Fun

The facility also caters for Team Building Activity

• Superferry Boating Lagoon 
• Various pavilions are available for private functions:
  Ipil Pavilion
  Narra Pavilion
  SuperFerry Boating Pavilion
  Eco Academy Hall / Susano Multi-purpose Hall
• Overnight camping facilities and Various Educational Packages are also available

Friendly Tips:
To ensure that your visit is both enjoyable and safe, be sure to follow all rules and regulations. Respect the environment and those living in it. Beware of falling branches. Watching wildlife from a safe distance away is strongly advised. Beware of stray dogs and cats; do not approach, interact or feed them.

How to go to La Mesa Eco Park?

From QC memorial circle:
- head for Commonwealth Avenue (Aka Don Mariano Marcos Avenue), pass ever Gotesco, Sandigan Bayan, until you reach Fairview, go past fairview wet market, on your right there will be a mercury drug store, shortly after a KFC store, when you get to WINSTON street, make a right (on the opposite side of the street, there is a Metrobank and BPI). You'll be entering a village called EAST FAIRVIEW. Either follow the "to ecopark" signs or ask the guard at the guard house for directions.

To get there via commute/public transportation:
From EDSA (Taft Aven to Quezon Aven)
-Take Mrt, get off at Quezon Aven. Station
-Take FX/Shuttle to SM Fairview or Fairview Caltex (you can also take the SM Fairview/Zabarte/Sapang Palay Buses or jeepneys
-Get off at Wilson Street
-Take East Fairview Tricycle to Eco Park or-
Take the bus with the signboards: SM fairview/zabarte/Sapang Palay and get off at Wilson street and take tricycle to Eco Park. 

For Inquiries and reservations, contact
(02) 430-4051
(02) 430-5207 (telefax)
Email Address: lamesaecopark@abs-cbn.com
Website: www.lamesaecopark.com


 2. Luntiang Paraiso Resort and Hotel (Brgy. Tabang,Giguinto Bulacan)

 This paradise-like ambience, clean and green environment haven and crystal clear pools is a great nest for lovers venue this Heart's Day. The place is perfectly situated to holistically revitalize and surely rejuvenates your tired mind and body. Indeed, this is a very ideal place for complete relaxations that guarantees full satisfaction and relief from stress. Significantly, the hassles and boredom of long trips and  journeys are practically converted into added fun and excitement since it is located next to Metro Manila. Enjoy Valentines month while having fun with the upcoming summer season.

 
Resort Fee:
Adult (3ft. above)......................85.00php from 8am-5pm and 95.00php from 4pm-6am
Children (up to 3ft.)..................75.00php from 8am-5pm and 85.00php from 4pm-6am


The Resort

• Three crystal clear pools for kiddies, adults and swimmers with slides and fountain
• Clean shower and comfort rooms
• Exquisitely built Nipa Huts 
• Delicately designed "Bahay Kubo"
• Airconditioned conference rooms for 30 to 90 persons
• Convenience store
• Videoke for music afficionado
• Clean and green environment
• Spacious parking lot
• 24 hours security service
• Stand-by power generator

The Hotel

• Mediterranean inspired architectural theme with elegantly designed lobby
• 16 fully furnished hotel rooms
• Individually-controlled aircon unit
• cable television
• Personal refrigerator
• Solar type water heater system
• PABX telephone lines
• Fully airconditioned function hall
• Exceptional room service
• Covered open-air rooftop suitable for all kinds of occasions

For Facilities and/or amenities CLICK here.

How to Get There by Commuting
Take a bus from Cubao or Monumento going to Malolos, Bulacan.
Get off the bus when you reach Eurobake Bakeshop (about two mintues from Tabang Toll Exit).
Take a tricycle going Luntiang Paraiso Resort.


For details and reservations:
Tel. nos. (044) 794-1258
                        0917-554-8452
                        0932-888-1496
 Email: luntiangparaisoresort@yahoo.com
Website: luntiangparaisoresort.com



1. Rizal or Luneta Park, Manila

Manila's Rizal Park is no other place in the Philippines where families and lovers can celebrate Valentines day for FREE. Rizal Park is in the midst of Manila's hustle and bustle of a concrete jungle stands Rizal Park. A tribute to the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. At night, the park is transformed into a romantic rendezvous for lovers.

Luneta has been a place for lovers, friends and families to enjoy picnics and other special occasions esp. during Sundays and Holidays. Thousands or even hundreds of thousands of tourists both local and foreign visits Luneta Park  monthly.
  
Rizal or Luneta Park is home to the following local/tourist attractions:

•   Rizal Monument - the bronze and granite Rizal Monument stands as the most famous landmark in the country. Diplomats and important foreign visitors have the protocol to lay a wreath at this intensely guarded monument.
•   Museum of Philippine History
•   Planetarium
•  Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion 
• Kilometer Zero (that flagpole in front of Rizal Monument)
• Concert at the Park
•   Agrifina Circle
•   National Museum of the Filipino People
•   Rizal Park proper - families would often picnic at the park on Sundays and holidays. Martial artists also have their practice in this area.
•  Relief Map of the Philippines - a small lake showing the replica of the Philippine Islands 
• Chinese and Japanese Gardens
• National Library of the Philippines
•   Monument of Lapu-Lapu
•   Activity areas like the fountain, lagoon, chess plaza

How to get here?
 Ride a train from LRT 1 Roosevelt station then drop off at U.N. Avenue Station. Walk down from U.N. Ave station you will see Wendy's then Luneta is beside Wendy's.


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