“Don’t judge a book by its cover or as Melanie Marquez puts it, “Don’t judge my brother; he’s not a book.” 

The facade of Rosvenil Pensione might give you a second thought. But don’t let your prejudices overpower you. When I asked my friend Aaron, a local of Palo, Leyte for an affordable yet decent place to stay, Rosvenil was his recommendation. From an ancestral home, the owners converted Rosvenil into a pensione house.

From the Abucay terminal, the trike driver dropped me at #302 P.Burgos Street. He pointed to his right, where an old house stood. The signage affirmed my destination.

When I went inside, I was surprised with the look of the lobby. It’s modern. I made no prior reservations but the staff readily assisted me.

For a deluxe airconditioned twin bedroom, I was charged Php 500.00. That was a steal!

The staff then led me to the annex building, which looks new. However, it was an exercise to go up to the third floor, where the room was. There was no elevator. So if you’re with an elderly, ask for a ground floor room.

She opened the room, and voila, it was homey, spacious and clean! The atmosphere was more like of a hotel than a pensione house. It’s airconditioned. It also has a cable TV, a phone, a dresser, and its own comfort room.

The downside? There’s no wifi and no hot water for the shower.

For the price, it was a good deal. So far, this was the most affordable yet comfortable place that I’ve stayed in.

FOOD

They have a restaurant beside the lobby named Socsargen Grill. But it was closed during my stay so I haven’t tried their food.

Just a few meters away from Rosvenil Pensione, I found this fastfood with a “romantic name.”

I checked out the food but then, my friend and his girlfriend invited me to eat with them at a restaurant which serves sinugba (grilled foods such as isaw, barbeque). It was also a few blocks away from the pensione house.

NEAREST ATTRACTIONS:

From the pensione house, you can walk to the Sto. Nino Church/ Sto. Nino Shrine and the Rizal Plaza.

TRAVEL NOTES:

• Rosvenil Pensione contact number: +63 53 321 2676 ?
• Address: #302 P. Burgos St., Tacloban City
• Most expensive room rate: Matrimonial bed Php 930.00
• It has a parking space for those who have their vehicles with them.