Discover Manila: Unlocking some of the Capital’s Best Kept Secret Chill Spots

“On the streets, hanging out with the fellows, there are things you learn that no book can teach you.”-Ramon Rodriguez 

There has never been any doubt that if you wanted to do something, Metro Manila would be the place to do just about anything that comes to your mind.

After all, being the capital city of a country would certainly afford you some perks—and having a multitude of things to do is one of them. Without a doubt, Metro Manila has been considered the mecca of all things entertainment-wise. So much so, that it would be quite hard to imagine if an individual has visited all the chic and cool hangout spots—even if they had lived there all their lives. After all, with so many things to do in Manila, you would expect individuals to be a bit more meticulous and discriminating when it comes to picking out their watering holes and hangout spots.

In this regard, prospective restaurateurs and business owners have directed their efforts in catering to the public’s demand for a more diverse gastronomic and nightlife scene.
As a result, there has been a steady rise of local and themed food and drink establishments—a true testament to the Filipino’s ever-evolving and refined preference and taste. Today, the average Filipino wishes to indulge his or her yearning for a culinary adventure and Metro Manila’s diverse new bars, pubs, restaurants, and even food parks are only happy to cater to them. Gone are the days wherein Filipinos would rely on tried and tested places, as of late the crowd has become more exploratory, and with so many options, one can easily come up with a list of favorites.

The eclectic drinking scene and culture

Regardless of how much a cultured drinker a Filipino might claim to be, they would always have a special taste for an ice cold alcoholic brew. And in most cases, this would be a bottle of beer. Metro Manila’s nightlife scene is a perfect amalgam of sophisticated chic clubs, as well as laidback bars and pubs that allow one to simply relax without feeling the need and pressure to dress up. The party scene is ideal for any sort of drinking occasion one might attend and might arguably be on par with some other cities of the world.

Hidden gems 

Today, Manila’s current landscape has grown and transformed. Resultingly, it has become so incredibly diverse over the past few years that there would virtually be a limitless array of hidden gems peppered all over the metropolis—each offering its own distinct food and brews to consumers. With the rise of the hipster culture that millennials tend to find themselves gravitating to, food would not simply just be a gustatory delight but a visual feast as well. After all, with the rise of social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, people would be snapping photos of their food and uploading them to their feed. This is an activity highly encouraged by restaurant managers and pub owners as this is an avenue for free online advertising.

Art and culture appreciation

Of course, while the party and food scene would seem like the focus of Metro Manila’s progressive entertainment scene, the art and culture scene are not left far too behind. Today, it is rather easy to find galleries as well as museums in the city where they were scarce before. Much like how the food and nightlife scene is themed, so are these galleries. Moreover, some of them have cleverly integrated cafés and restaurants into their establishments to entice even more customers to visit. In this regard, some art gallery owners wish to instill a bit of culture into a Filipino’s downtime, revive the art scene and hopefully increase an individual’s appreciation for the local culture and art scene.

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Night at the Cinemas: Snacks to Enhance Your Movie Experience

“Movies can and do have tremendous influence in shaping young lives in the realm of entertainment towards the ideals and objectives of normal adulthood.” –Walt Disney

It is a given that no cinema experience is complete without movie snacks.

After all, what are you supposed to do with your hands while you are waiting for your movie to start? Much like how so many things go together, popcorn and the movies go hand in hand. Indeed, freshly popped butter popcorn is known to be a ubiquitous presence in cinemas that moviegoers are rather used to the scent of popcorn kernels pervading the cinema and the resultant noise that comes in eating them. In fact, it seems almost comforting to be able to smell it while we watch our favorite flicks. 

However, there are other snacks that can elevate and enhance your cinema experience apart from the iconic snack. Although some of the ones listed here are a bit unconventional to munch on while watching a movie, they are incredibly healthy. In this regard, you would not have to worry about the extra calories you consume and can eat away guilt-free.

Do remember that the food you bring should not emit foul or pungent odor so as not to ruin disturb movie patrons and ensure everyone has a great movie experience all the same. In any case, should you be checking for Greenbelt Cinema schedules or the like, here are the snacks you can alternatively munch on:

1.)    Blueberries

Swap out the crunch of popcorn and try to munch on an alternative superfood such as blueberries. While blueberries can hardly be found in snack bars in cinemas, they are relatively easy to locate in grocery stores and supermarkets. Blueberries are delicious food that has been found to give you a boost in mental memory for up to five hours making it the perfect snack for movies with complicated plotlines.

2   2.)    Walnuts and Flax Seeds

If you wish to pack on omega-3 fatty acids without bringing oily fish inside the cinema outright, walnuts and flax seeds are excellent alternatives. They come in loaded with the essential acids and can easily fit inside your bag or pockets which makes them a snackable alternative to fish.

 3.)    Chocolate

Instead of indulging yourself with a sweet candy treat, why not try a more decadent but healthier alternative? Chocolate has been known to enhance any experience and that would invariably include your cinematic one. Not only does this sweet morsel give you a pleasurable feeling, but when taken in controlled amounts, it can actually be healthy. Moreover, chocolate contains flavanol which has been associated with improving your short-term memory. In this regard, you would not have to constantly ask your seatmate what just happened to your flick every twenty minutes or so.

 4.)    Guacamole

Guacamole is a sure winner with everyone—especially when it comes with its archetypal pair, nachos. This crowd pleasing snack is not only known to be a fan-favorite, but it also helps you boost your brainpower as well. After all, avocados are known to be rich in monosaturated fat which can vastly improve blood flow to your brain.

 5.)    Pistachios

If you are a big fan of nuts then you are going to love pistachios. While nuts are known to be the go-to snack for mindless munching in movies, why not consider this healthier alternative? Seeing as we tend to scarf down food more rapidly in usual when inside movies (mindless munching and all), switching to pistachios will help you address that. Research has shown that eating shelled pistachios can actually aid you in cutting down your caloric intake in a movie. After all, eating even just one in a movie house already takes effort considering you still have to peel the shells. This sends signals to your brain on how much you have been eating which would be a subtle reminder to you to stop wolfing down the snack.      

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Unique Dates: Four Unconventional Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day

“Dating with no intent to marry is like going to the grocery store with no money. You either leave unhappy or take something that is not yours.” –Jefferson Bethke

It is that specific time of the year where guys are pressured into thinking of a memorable night—a Valentine’s Date night that would rival their last one. To some, Valentine’s Day is merely a capitalist movement or a marketing ploy designed to get individuals in relationships to spend more on the rather romantic holiday. However, as Valentine’s Day is rather a ubiquitous occasion celebrated by couples globally, this rather bitter and cynical sentiment does nothing to deter ever amorous couples.

But if you wish to come up with a fantastic, memorable and great idea that does not only involve going to the movies and having dinner, then we have you covered. Whether you wish to see a popular band play in a concert venue in Makati or wish to try something else new, here are some of the best ideas of how you can spend a romantic and sweet night on February fourteen:

 1.)    Ride a hot air balloon together

Take your date to new heights—literally. If you have always wanted something rather unconventional to do, why not book an early Valentine’s date and spend it in the skies with your amour at Omni Aviation Complex? This year the balloon fiesta is held from February 8 to 11 which gives you four days of aviation goodness—and four chances to score passes. Enjoy an uninterrupted time talking to your sweetie while you are amidst the clouds and you are bound to give him or her some of the most memorable memories she will ever have in her life.

 2.)    Try the Inflatable Island Philippines

By now, you have already probably heard about the Inflatable Island Philippines. Since its opening, it has been trending and dominating social media platforms ever since and more and more people have always wanted to go. If you and your date are water babies, you will definitely love their Valentine’s Day promotion. From the Valentine’s Day itself to the eighteenth of February, you only need to pay for one pass and you get to bring your date for absolutely free! Frolic in the water and enjoy the biggest floating playground in the Philippines. If you wish to give your sweetie an experience unlike any other, this should definitely be on your list of considerations.

 3.)    Go on epic ghost tours

Push the boundaries and go for something a little more unorthodox during the day  of love and go on a ghost tour. Sure, it may not exactly be the lovey-dovey norm most couples are used to during the romantic holiday, but it definitely gives you some worthwhile memories to reminisce about. Moreover, it gives you a lot of openings to flirt and physically interact with your date. After all, if your partner is easily scared, you can expect them to run into your arms or even jump into them for most of the time. Book a tour with the Intramuros Ghost Walk or simply visit all of the infamous haunted places in Baguio and it will definitely make for a memorable date.

 4.)    Fire a gun

Channel all the work week’s stress in firing a gun at Tough Guys Shooting Range in Cubao. For an affordable fee of P888 pesos, you and your sweetie can fire twenty-eight bullets of your chosen gun. If you do not have a date, not to worry! You can even ask your bitter single friend to fire some shots at the shooting range as well. So long as you come as a pair, you can avail of their promo. After you have consumed all of your ammo, you can finish it up with firing arrows this time at the Gandiva Archery or simply enjoy an afternoon of skating. 

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Crossing the Street in Style: Pedestrian Lane Arts in Makati

“Art is an evolutionary act. The shape of art and its role in society is constantly changing. At no point is art static. There are no rules.”-Raymond Salvatore Harmon 

While roads are necessary to get from one point to another, they are often overlooked by the very pedestrians that use them.

After all, they seem to be nothing more than inconsequential installations made to ensure vehicles of all sorts can pass by. However, one should keep in mind that although roads are primarily made to serve cars, it also helps pedestrians and in this regard, several pedestrian lanes are peppered along significant roadworks. If you have been cruising around or taking a stroll around Makati (particularly in areas in Circuit Makati), you are bound to notice the fantastic pedestrian art. Circuit Makati has taken it upon themselves to ensure that individuals who would rather walk than drive will readily see how the city has injected a bit of personality into their pedestrian lanes.

Of course, street art is rather prevalent in Metro Manila but among them is an exciting mishmash of graffiti and nonsensical vandalism. What you get to peruse in Circuit Makati, however, is so much more different than the street art in Manila. It is an eclectic fusion of functionality and design that is sure to amaze and entrance onlookers and visitors. One of these street arts is the piano and 3-D floating lane located right across Riverfront Drive and another one that has a giant-sized Pac-Man in West Gala. As these pedestrian lane arts dominate the area, they have been making rounds on social media and even on the news. In fact, social media enthusiasts and constant news feed updaters will find that some of these installations and pedestrian arts are ideal for peppering your Instagram feed.

Although this is quite common in places abroad, it is quite an innovative feat here in the Philippines as it can be found nowhere else in the nation as of writing—apart from Makati City that is. Road engineers and road safety analysts have accurately surmised that these designs are effective not only in capturing the eye of pedestrians but also in highlighting safety features. Furthermore, it is an excellent way to add character to a particular area in an estate. Very much unlike the graffiti and usual vandalism found in dilapidated and dingy parts of the neighborhood, this street art initiative was established after Sherwin Saavedra, the estate manager of Circuit Makati noticed that pedestrians would neglect to use pedestrian lanes despite all efforts in installing typical ones. It has come to his attention that if he made use of more visual ones that are appealing to the eyes, he might grab their attention better and as a result, further his endeavors in pedestrian safety. Floating pedestrian lanes were somewhat of a challenge according to Saavedra as they were the pioneers of this kind of project.

Moreover, the project was made even more challenging considering that a 3D effect was essential to make it look the way it should upon project completion. However, after several trials and errors, they were able to finish the project the way they wish to finish it.

Today, apart from the readily visible and observable design changes made to the pedestrian lanes, Circuit Makati patrons are now seen to be more proactive when it comes to pedestrian safety by using these same zanily designed pedestrian lanes whenever they make their way across the street.
And all in good time, as apart from providing pedestrian safety, it advertently delivers a safety message to pedestrians all over the country owing to its wide social media and news coverage.

With this in mind, one can be assured about the fantastic things they can expect from Circuit Makati—from having its patron’s safety at the forefront of their minds to ensuring their road safety.

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Four Places in Metro Manila to do Your Christmas Shopping

“I do not think Christmas is necessarily about things. It is about being good to one another; it is about the Christian ethic, it is about kindness.”-Carrie Fisher 

As the most awaited season of the year comes nearer, people are starting to complete their Christmas shopping lists, and if you have not, it is highly recommended that you do as well. In anticipation of the holiday season, individuals tend to start their Christmas shopping early to avoid the Christmas rush that happens anywhere between early to late December. As shopping is somewhat known as a sport in the metropolis (and also one of the best things to do in Manila), it would only be inevitable for Filipinos to have a wide array of shopping options to choose from. Where you choose to do your shopping significantly depends on the type of budget you have allotted for buying gifts and the things you want to buy.

This article has got you covered though as it lists some of the best places to do your holiday shopping with any type of budget. All you would have to do is complete your list, sit back and take a gander at the favorite shopping destinations of Filipino holiday shoppers when it comes to Christmas bargain deals:

1.)    Divisoria 

When it comes to having a strict budget for Christmas shopping, Divisoria would undoubtedly come first on the list. After all, you could not find cheaper items anywhere else but Downtown. However, shopping downtown comes with a price: You have to be confident enough to brave the traffic. However, once you have hurdled through the perpetual traffic onslaught, you will be well rewarded. Divisoria is the epitome of budget shopping and the very definition of budget shopping. It offers a massive selection of things that at times you do not even know that you need. They have all sorts of knick-knacks that come at affordable prices and would make perfect gifts.

2.)    Tutuban and Mall Clusters 

Fondly known as the Tutuban Cluster, this shopping destination is a series of adjacent shopping malls which are favored and loved by many. The cluster includes the Tutuban Center Mall as well as 168, and each mall offers inexpensive gift options which they have organized in segments all depending on what you need. The best thing about this shopping district is that the malls are in proximity to each other which means you just hop from one place to another. However, do note that there is a huge influx of consumers and buyers whenever there is a holiday. So, it is best to start your Christmas shopping in this mall early on.

3.)    Malls (SM, Ayala, Robinsons, etc.) 

Although significantly more expensive than any of the shopping districts listed on this article, shopping malls such as SM, Ayala and the like offer their consumers an ease of convenience that is notably absent in other malls. However, the downside to this is that these shopping malls do not allow haggling. But you will be pleased to know that they have huge bargain deals and discounts during the Christmas season and on top of that, they have raffle draws and contests for a minimum amount of purchase. Lastly, they offer complimentary gift wrapping which would save you time from wrapping the Christmas gifts yourself. Indeed, shopping in these malls would be the more convenient and leveled-up way to shop.

4.)    Baclaran 

Widely considered as an offshoot of Divisoria, Baclaran similarly offers a myriad of selections that focus on affordable apparel, colorful accessories, affordable footwear and other items that would make charming gifts for the Christmas season. However, much like how buyers descend in Divisoria in droves, you can expect Baclaran to be one of the most visited shopping destinations during the last quarter of the year.

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Makati City 101: Ten (10) Fun Facts and Trivia About Makati City

This three-part series aims to give insight about all the basic things you need to know about Makati, Philippines – the facts, fun things you can do here and some of its historical and tourist attractions. First up, top ten (10) trivia you may or may not know about the city.

1. Financial district center of the Philippines. This is where you’ll find the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). As a host of 55 embassies, Makati City is an important center for international affairs as well.

2. Used to be called San Pedro de Macati. The place was known as San Pedro de Macati during the Spanish era. “Makati” originated from the Tagalog word “kati” which means tide. This primarily refers to the rise and ebb of the tide of Pasig River which is one of the major rivers in the country. The tidal estuary is actually situated on its northern border.

3. Municipality to City. It became independent in 1670 as a full-time municipality and was converted to a highly urbanized city through Republic Act 7854 on January 2, 1995. It has around 113,500 households with an average household size of 4.5.

4. Home of the world’s largest photo mosaic. Having 34,560 photos, local toothpaste maker Close Up put up the structure which reportedly surpassed the previous record held by UK.

5. Google HQ. On January 23, 2013, the search giant officially announced the opening of its fifth representative office in the South Asian region. The PH base will be located in Makati.

6. One of Asia’s Top Building. The 33-storey Zuellig Building, positioned at the intersection of Makati Ave and Paseo de Roxas, has been chosen as one of the top three buildings in the “Best Office and Business Development” category of the internationally renowned MIPIM Asia Awards. This is the first high-rise project in the Philippines awarded with a gold pre-certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Core and Shell) program of the US Green Building Council.

7. Guinness World Record’s Biggest Fashion Show. On November 29, 2012, the city hosted a record-breaking fashion show dubbed “Move to the Vibe of Glorietta” where 2,255 professional and amateur models walked the five ramps. Brands showcased include Bench, Penshoppe, Stores Specialists Inc., Mango, Folded & Hung and Lacoste.

8. One of the world’s best hotels. Makati Shangri-la made it to the best 500 hotels for 2013 by New York-based travel magazine Travel+Leisure. As one of the most recommended travel destination in the Philippines, Makati Shangri-la got a rating of 88.97. This is the latest award gathered by the 5-star hotel.

9. First large-scale “lifestyle playground” in PH. On January 15, 2013, the 21-hectare Circuit Makati was unveiled as the first and only large-scale development in the country hosting three distinct family-oriented entertainment venues. It will feature Circuit Theatre which is seen to provide a different sensory experience through state-of-the-art audio and visual entertainment; Central Walkway that will cross the entire length of the district, highlighted by a distinct water feature flanked by an array of retail and leisure shops; and Globe Circuit Events Ground, which will be an outdoor venue for street plays, festivals, fashion shows and outdoor exhibits.

10. First Local Milk Bank in PH. On March 5, 2013, the Makati City government formally opened the first milk bank to be run by a local government in the country. Mothers who wish to donate milk can just walk in. A donor can produce up to 600 ml each in one milk-letting session. If properly stored, the donated milk can have a shelf life of up to a year.

On the next post, check out the fun things you can do in Makati City.