Over the long vacation last week, One Valenzuela was able to roam around the city once again. One of the things that she really love about living in Valenzuela City is that you can have the best of both the urban and rural worlds. By going to the neighboring barangays of Coloong, Bisig, and Tagalag, you will have that rustic feel of the countryside, being surrounded with water and fishponds. D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds of Brgy. Tagalag is one of the go-to places of anglers and families alike who want to have a quick fishing trip without leaving Metro Manila.
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| D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds' main entrance is surrounded by bamboo. From here, guests ride a ferry to go to the cabanas, kubo, and the pavilion. |
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| Ferry to the cabanas, kubo, and pavilion. (Photo Credit: D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds) |
D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds is one of the fruits of the Tojino's toils in the United States, working for 35 years with Sir Alex as a general contractor and Mommy Lu as an interior designer. "He likes to live by the water," Mommy Lu described her husband. Hailing from Malabon, they both find Tagalag's waters and the city's peace and order inviting to retirees like them. They acquired the fishpond nestled beside the Polo River way back in 2006 as a place to stay when they are in the Philippines. They eventually opened the two-acre wide D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds in 2013 to the public, sharing the serenity that Tagalag's fishponds bring and the fun in catching fish which can be cooked straight out of the water through D' Cove's paluto service.
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| D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds' calm waters are indeed welcoming. |
Video Credit: D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds
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| After the ferry ride, guests walk along the bamboo bridge which connects the cabanas of D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds. |
Bangus, tilapia, bidbid, kitang, and
biya can be caught in the waters of D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds. As of this writing,
tilapia goes for Php70 per kilo while
bangus is priced at Php100 per kilo. Sir Alex intends to introduce Pangasius (cream dory), a large type of freshwater fish, which will excite serious anglers who want to experience a bit more fishing action. While the fingerlings are growing, anglers can have a go and try to catch large
bidbids (lady fish). If you catch a
bidbid which weighs two kilos or more, you get the fish and a t-shirt from D' Cove for free!
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| A large bidbid (lady fish). |
With the entrance fee of Php60.00 per head, you can already go fishing in one of the regular-sized cabanas. Together with Mommy Lu and Sir Aboy, One Valenzuela went around the cabanas which are already occupied by guests. There were small families, a tourist from the United Kingdom, several groups of friends, and anglers. Some guests were from Manila and Quezon City while some were Valenzuela City residents.
Video of D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds taken from a cabana.
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| The De Jesus family from Baesa, Quezon City was invited by a good friend from Valenzuela to fish at D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds. They are occupying a larger cabana (Php1,500.00). Regular-sized cabanas come free with the entrance fee. |
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| Choose where to stay among the cabanas of D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds and go fishing with the family. For those who do not have fishing rods, D' Cove has simple bamboo rods which can be rented at Php10.00 each. As for bait, D' Cove has masa which you can buy(Php20.00). |
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| Sir Greg and Kuya Boche are regulars here. They said that they were able to catch about ten kilos of fish the last time they were at D'Cove. |
For larger groups, D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds also has floating carousels which are in the middle of the fishpond (Php500.00, capacity of up to 8 persons), two
kubo or nipa huts which have their own deck, bathroom, and kitchen (Php3,000/day), as well as a pavilion equipped with videoke, bathroom, kitchen, and a water dispenser (Php4,000/day).
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| The large kubo has a bedroom, a comfort room, and a kitchen with a personal refrigerator and stove. Don't want to cook? Other than the paluto, you can also order set meals at D' Cove which already include rice and a viand. |
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| For larger groups, you may rent D' Cove's Pavilion (Php4,000). |
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| Mommy Lu Tojino and Sir Aboy of D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds. Salamat po for the wonderful stories and the tour around D' Cove. |
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| Sir Aboy painted the birds and other images that you will find in D' Cove. |
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| The warmth of Tagalag's community radiates through the simplest smiles. |
Before leaving D' Cove, One Valenzuela had to ask the reason behind the name. Mommy Lu explained further that coves are sheltered bays which evoke serenity. "Do you feel it as well?" she asked back. Looking at the water and feeling the gentle winds of Tagalag, One Valenzuela gave a simple nod and answered, "yes". A fishing trip with family and friends at D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds blends in the tranquility one don't get in the bustling workplace and the fun of togetherness while casting the reels into the water.
Salamat po, Sir Alex and Mommy Lu of D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds
for having One Valenzuela. Let us support local, have fun fishing in Valenzuela City!
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D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds
Address: No. 209 Tagalag Road, Barangay Tagalag, Valenzuela City
Fishing Hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm, daily
Contact Number/s: (02) 921-0468 / (02)401-5581 / (02)400-8683 / (+63)999-1580542 (Vheck)
Visit D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds on their
website here or their
Facebook page here.
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| D' Cove Pavilion and Fishing Grounds is on Waze! For those commuting from McArthur Highway, you have two options (1) ride a tricycle at Malanday (tricycle terminal near 7-Eleven) to go straight to D' Cove or (2) ride a jeepney going to Polo and ask the driver to drop you at Barangay Bisig. Once there, you can ride a tricycle or a pedicab. |
