Ocular Visit at Balay Kalinaw, UP Diliman

As preparations for my upcoming graduation celebration, my boyfriend and I went around looking for a nice but affordable events place. On top of our options is Balay Kalinaw/Ikeda Hall in UP Diliman. It's inside UP (where the graduation will be held), affordable (UP staff, faculty, students and alumni get discounts) and really nice-looking with its Filipiniana theme!

► From Philcoa/Commonwealth Avenue: Ride a jeepney with signboard UP CAMPUS. Ask the driver to drop you off at the waiting shed near ILANG-ILANG RESIDENCE HALL. It's best to remind the driver again after 5-7 minutes of traveling because some drivers forget to drop you off at your destination. At the waiting shed, if you're standing while facing the road, walk straight to your right. You'll pass by Ilang-Ilang Residence Hall. It's a very short walk and you'll easily spot Balaw Kalinaw. 

► From Katipunan: Enter UP Campus through Katipunan gate (beside GT Toyota Center). At the first intersection, turn right. Walk straight ahead (it's approximately a 5-minute walk) until you reach Dagohoy Street.

Even from the view outside, the establishment boasts of its classic/vintage look with its Filipiniana motif (and I immediately imagined my future house looking like this). Inside, you'll be welcomed by the warm reception area. The reservation attendants, with the special mention of Ms. Lielanie Rabonza, are very accommodating. The place really feels like an extension of your typical Filipino home - which is famous, worldwide, for its knack for genuine hospitality and generous smiles.

For those interested in making reservations, I would advise you set an ocular visit at least 2-3 weeks in advance because their facilities are almost always fully-booked a month ahead (and I wouldn't be surprised why this is so). On our part, when we got there, only two rooms were available for reservations for our desired date of event. We opted for the bigger one (which can hold 50-70 people). Here's what the Dining Room looks like:

The room includes the use of the following:

♦ tables and chairs good for 50-70 pax

♦ karaoke system with microphone

♦ electric fans

♦ balcony tables and chairs (with an astonishing and relaxing view of greens)

♦ ... and all these for the price of approximately Php 2,000 good for 3 hours! Great deal, yes? :)

Beforehand, I've already looked up Balaw Kalinaw over the internet and saw their rates which was updated sometime in 2012. So, when we visited Balay Kalinaw last June 13, 2015, I was surprised that their rates still reflect the 2012 rate. 

For reservations, you are required to pay a downpayment of 50% of the total bill. Here's what the reservation form looks like:

For inquiries and reservations, feel free to visit them or contact them at the following contact details:

Although the conference halls/seminar/dining rooms are open for the reserved events as late as 10 in the evening (any day even on holidays and Sundays, depending on the reservations made), their office is available for inquiries and reservations only at the following operating hours: