Top 30 Favorite Spots in the Philippines: 22. Manila

Noisy, crowded, and with a tiny respectable breathing space, I find something oddly cathartic living in this city with million other people. This place throbs with human spirit -- in the busy metroway, roads, and even along the narrowest alleys, people thrives with grit for survival. In a place where more than half of the population lives below poverty level, there is very little room to be meek and still. It is a must to move and do something to eke out a living; to be courageous to live well for another day. And this constant human movement and energy around me makes me long for and appreciate silence and solitude a little bit more. 

But more than the many stories of poverty and survival, Manila is a great place to explore (even on foot). As the capital city and one of the oldest cities in the country, Manila is home to many historical landmarks (Malacanang Palace, Fort Santiago, Intramuros), churches (San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral, San Sebastain Church, Malate Church, Binondo Church,  Quiapo Church), museums (National Museum, Museo Pambata) and parks (Rizal Park, Paco Park). And one of my favorite things to do in Manila is to sit by the bay waiting for the unobstructed and stunning sunset at Manila Bay while eating kwek kwek or a cup of taho. 

Oh yes, there's a lot to see and do in Manila. Check it here.  

The Manila Metropolitan Theater

Top 30 Favorite Spots in the Philippines: 12. UP Diliman Campus

University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), the main campus of the country's premier university, is definitely my most favorite spot within Manila. Not only it is called the cradle to many of the country's great minds and thinkers, it is also home to many cultural icons like the Oblation and the ikot jeepneys. 

Called a "microcosm of the Philippines" because of the many things going on around there, UP is not just your regular university campus. I personally visit it for a myriad of reasons: to eat (and have coffee), to attend mass, to meet friends, to walk (or jog or bike), and to sit still (and breath). And a true Diliman experience for me is never without spending a good deal of time people-watching at the Sunken Garden, digging on Mang Larry's famous isaw, and a hearty tapsilog meal at Rodic's. 

Especially during sunsets, the green canopy of the acacia trees providing shades to the joggers and students along the Academic Oval is quite a beautiful sight. It is like a refuge, a step away from the hustle and bustle of the city crowd that surrounds it.  

Visit UP Diliman whenever you can, and just take time to commune with trees and nature (without leaving the city). 

At UP Diliman during my interview with GMA7's 24 Oras. Check the story here.

Top Museums in Metro Manila for Kids

My nine-year old sister, Carina, had to forgo her summer classes so she could visit us here in Manila. And while staying with me, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to let her explore what the city could offer. Since she loves both History and Science, I thought of bringing her to some of the best museums around the metro. Along with Angel, we spent two Saturday afternoons digging on the wealth of information at The Mind Museum, Museo Pambata (Children’s Museum), and the National Museum. 

Besides  the National Museum, it was my first time visiting the other two so I was as excited as she was.  I've always wanted to do museum-hopping, and there was no better way to do it than tagging along my ever-inquisitive little sister.  It turned out to be a good bonding time for us!

The Mind Museum

Carina raved over the many science-based exhibits inside the museum - from the hair-raising static ball,  the large table of elements, the planets and constellations shown on 3D movies, the giant T-Rex, human evolution, and  even the outdoor playground.  

We had full three hours exploring the museum. Upon entrance, we were welcomed by a robot named Aedi. I wasn't quite impressed at first, but he was good. The museum has almost 250 interactive exhibits in their five galleries: Life, Atom, Earth, Universe, and Technology, and we spent a good deal of time in each. I especially liked the 3D film shown in the Space Shell, a dome where the story of the universe is shown and the film was narrated by no less than Robert Redford! Also in the Earth Gallery and a must-see is the “Ang Simula,” a Filipino-made film depicting the history of the universe and relating it to our own Filipino history.

What I liked most about this museum is that it’s very interactive and cool. We got to touch and even got our hands “dirty” trying out some of the exhibits. Angel got his taste of the first printing press invented by Johannes Gutenberg (1440). He placed a piece of paper, pressed it in the wooden form, and rolled an ink over the block of letters. And wooooop, we got our own Gutenberg print! 

We also enjoyed the educational outdoor playground called Science in the Park. It has the usual playground facilities, just with the touch of science in it.

Although the entrance fees come in hefty price, overall the experience inside this world-class science museum was worth it. 

Just a heads up to all children going, don’t leave your school IDs, otherwise you will have to pay the full price (just like what we did for Carina).

Museum Hours:

Tuesdays- Sundays (closed Mondays)

9am-12nn/12nn-3pm/3pm-6pm

Additional time slots on Saturdays 6pm-9pm

Entrance Fees:

Adults -P600

*Children and Students (up to college)-P450

Public School students (up to college) -P150

Teachers -P150

All Day Pass (Enter any time, no three-hour maximum)- P750

*2Feet and below are free

Location/Contact Information:

JY Campos Park, 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City

909 –MIND (6463)

Website: 

http://www.themindmuseum.org/

Giant Butanding

T-Rex 

My monster-like pre-historic image. hehe

The Gutenberg Press

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Four Baroque Churches of the Philippines

Four churches we have here are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS). These are the Church of San Agustín in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur; The Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin in Intramuros; and Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Miagao, Iloilo.

These churches have been selected taking into consideration the style of the building and design that was adapted to the physical condition in our country.

According to UNESCO WHS, "the four churches are outstanding examples of the Philippine interpretation of the Baroque style, and represent the fusion of European church design and construction with local materials and decorative motifs to form a new church-building tradition."

Their common attributes are their massive appearance which shows a fortress/protective-like character in response to invading forces/pirates or protection from earthquakes.

Since these churches are in-scripted, they are covered and protected  through Republic Act 10066 (National Heritage Law) and Republic Act 10086 (National Historical Commission of the Philippines Law). Through these legislations,  these churches are secured of funding for its conservation, protection and regular maintenance.


Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion
Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

Sitting atop a hill surrounded by a defensive wall, this massive church is unlike many other Philippine churches that's always located near the town plaza. Some of its unique features also include the convento that lies parallel to its facade and its bell tower that stand a few meters away from the church building. The walls are without ornaments or designs but the buttresses are massive enough designed to withstand an earthquake. The interiors are endowed with a pulpit, lectern, and huge altar. It also boasts of a simple fresco on its ceiling near the altar.

Foodtrip Pilipinas: Best Tastes of Binondo

Binondo, also known as the oldest Chinatown in the world, was established in 1594 as a settlement for the Chinese migrants arriving and trading in Manila. Although dominated by Filipino-Chinese merchants nowadays, Binondo become a cultural melting pot for many other migrants, like Muslims and Spaniards, which makes it an interesting cultural place to visit... and to sample food. 

Dong Bei dumplings

Frog legs 

Tea egg 
Lord Stow’s egg tart

Sugarcane juice

Fried siopao

Liver steak

Raspberry

Iced brewed coffee

Kiampong rice

Peeking through the Manila Metropolitan Theater

Whenever I pass by Lawton area in Manila, I can’t help but imagine some crazy-scary scenes inside the Manila Metropolitan Theater. I would visualize lovely women dolled up to catch a gala show. The long lines of vintage cars passing in front its intricately-designed façade. The red curtain and the red carpet. All glamorous. But, when the reality dawns on me that I’m looking at a severely dilapidated infrastructure, my mind would easily shift to scary thoughts. Now, there would be ghosts hovering the entire place. And the lights would dim.

Just last Sunday, June 20, along with about 130 participants, I had the chance to enter this famous art deco building designed by the Filipino architect Juan M. de Guzman Arellano. The free tour was organized by the Filipinas Stamp Collectors' Club. We seized the place not for ghost hunting but to just explore and somehow get a glimpse of this long forgotten landmark.

Pasinaya 2010: CCP Open House Festival

Feb 7, 2010. Another fun Sunday with a funny good friend. When Megs Sorra texted me about the Pasinaya 2010, I didn’t hesitate a moment and immediately decided to spend my Sunday afternoon there. Heck, I would never miss this opportunity to enter the great walls and halls of what I thought of as an elitist Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), I told myself. Well, I still think after I went there that it’s an elitist venue for arts.

I was with my good highschool friend Ami Pitajen. It was so much fun! At the entrance, we gave a P20 donation. My cheapo self sang with praises! haha As it turned out, all the theatres inside CCP became venues for various cultural and artistic performances. We’ve seen different folk songs, musical instruments and some other acts.

Sunset in Manila Bay

There isn't any other way to describe the sunset in Manila Bay other than the word "Fascinating."
As soon as the great sun touches the horizon, the colors of the sky imitates a beautiful painting in a broad canvass.

The best time to go there is early 5p.m. I give credit to the local government of Manila for taking back the old Manila Bay scenes. Unlike when there was a deluge of bars/restos around, the idea of "promanading along the bay"seems to have lost it's touch because of too much consumerism in the area. For now, one can just enjoy the sunset in the long stretch of Manila Bay along with group of families having a great bonding time, lovers enjoying each others moments, vendors selling various products, photographers waiting for the shot of the day and just regular yuppies taking a respite from the grueling hours at work.

Not too bad for a free experience! Have a great Manila Bay experience too! =)