Affordable Resort in Bulacan

El Masfino Resort in Bulacan

The Road to El Masfino

As part of a training team, I was particularly excited taking on the function of being program lead in our company’s team building outing. Management set specific directions on when, where and how this will be done—in two weeks’ time, somewhere in Bulacan, activities must be held outdoor, rain or shine, and getting there should be part of the program. After doing my online research on potential facilities in Bulacan, management approved the group rates offered by El Masfino Country Club, Inc. in San Rafael, Bulacan, succeeding an ocular done by our HR with a few of our bosses. Involving 150 participants, it required the ad hoc team to organize the transport, meals and program arrangements.

Luckily, I was with half of the committee assigned to the advanced party, while the other half stayed with the participants to give out more clues during the journey to the venue. We were also tasked to coordinate with managers of restaurants located at rest stops along NLEX. We took the Sta. Rita Exit to enter Maharlika Highway, then after a 10-minute drive further, a right turn at Pinacpinacan Road, then a left turn at F. Viola Highway. In no more than 10 minutes, we were at the entrance of the property.

Arriving close to 4:00 PM the day before the event, we were welcomed with smiling staff assisting us with our luggage and training materials. We checked into our spotless rooms then proceeded to the grounds to scout for areas for the program activities. The swimming pool area was pristine, the grassy areas were well kept and the landscaping of the grounds were meticulously planned. We were so pleased to see that an obstacle courses sprawled over the property, like the stations we needed, and even tried them out for safety purposes.

After a dinner out, we talked to some of their staff at the reception area, and they said that the facility actually required membership to access the country club, but since exclusivity is frowned upon by many residents in the area, they allow walk-in guests when they are not fully booked, or when there are no social events scheduled for the day. Entrance fee for non-members is P300/head for adults while P150/child below 4 feet and these fees become cheaper during the off-peak months of June to October. These seem a bit pricey for the usual day tour but the beauty, wholesomeness, and ambiance of the club is definitely worth the expense. An added discount is also provided for guests of members.

As the team turned in for an early tomorrow, we appreciated the immaculate beddings of our rooms, as if it was like we were laying on clouds. Their bathrooms, too, were very modern, and most importantly, very clean.

The following morning greeted us with a great view of the property—the rolling greens and trees swaying in the wind. A beautiful sight to kick-start our preparations for the activity stations. The staff happily helped us out by carrying around our training equipment to the assigned areas. When done, we had a very filling breakfast, inclusive with the room rates, and then proceeded to our assigned stations when the teams finally arrived.

Judging from the laughter and smiles from our colleagues, everybody seemed to enjoy and praised the committee for selecting a luxurious place for the company’s team building, most especially their buffet lunch. It now poses a challenge for the next company outing committee to top that.