Category: Metro

Art in the City: Murals in BGC

Street art or public art is a big part of urban culture. Unlike art you find in museums, this kind of media staged in the streets, walkways and buildings make art more accessible to the public.

Certain places around the world like George Town in Penang and Sao Paolo in Brazil are known for their vibrant street art, which is a big tourism draw in itself. Just check out this list of the best cities in the World for Street Art. In the Philippines, one of the best places to see big scale public art is Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. 

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Family Staycation at Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas

When I travel or go backpacking on my own, I don’t mind sleeping in run-down hostels with public restrooms, camping in a tent on the beach or even just hanging up a hammock somewhere for the night. But when I travel with my family, I want to make sure they’re comfortable. Hotel staycations are a nice way to relax and can be a lot of fun if you’re with family or friends.

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Food Trip: Poblacion

I always feel like I’m in a different country whenever I go around the neighborhood of Poblacion in Makati. Barangay Poblacion in the old downtown area feels like a backpacker red light district, similar to Bangkok’s Khaosan Road or Cambodia’s Pub Street. The food choices in the neighborhood have wide international appeal, from small Korean joints to biker bars serving Indian cuisine.

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Red Planet Hotel Amorsolo, Makati

For someone who lives in Quezon City, going anywhere in Makati feels like a major hassle. I used to work in the area and hated the commute so much that I resigned and eventually became a freelancer who works from home. Now, I usually avoid going here unless absolutely necessary. 


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History Con 2017 Highlights

The biggest entertainment convention is back, bigger, better, and bolder. Gathering all your favorite stars from History Asia Channel under one roof, History Con 2017 answers the question, “Huh?!?”

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Off-Road 101 Training in Taytay, Rizal

I encounter a lot of rough roads when I travel around in different provinces. Over the years, I’ve had a few spills while driving a motorcycle. In Sagada, I fell off an embankment when my tires skidded on loose gravel on a slippery wooden bridge. When we rode from Coron to Calauit Safari Park, we encountered dirt roads that got progressively worse as we drove on. While driving from Koronadal to Lake Holon in South Cotabato, I got stuck in a rut and the bike fell on me while I was trying to drive uphill a trail normally reserved for hikers.

During these instances, medyo napasubo ako kasi wala akong choice. I was driving somewhere and just wanted to get to a certain destination instead of turning back. But somehow, these rides that take you off-the-beaten-path always turn out to be the most memorable and awesome adventures.

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Climb Central Manila

If you’re looking for something fun and active to do in the city, but don’t want to get too sweaty outdoors, indoor wall climbing is a good option. There are various wall climbing facilities and gyms in the metro, but Climb Central Manila is currently the largest indoor air-conditioned sport climbing venue in the Philippines.

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Food Trip: Neighborhood Destinations in Manila

Nowadays, I can’t stand eating in malls and fast food joints. Eating out in big name chains and regular restaurants in commercialized areas just seems so expensive. I always prefer eating in homegrown neighborhood establishments, which are usually family-owned, and offer good and affordable food.food trip neighborhood destinations

Looking for alternative dining destinations instead of malls? Here are some of the best neighborhoods and food streets around Metro Manila with top 5 recommendations per area. Take note that a lot of these places are mainly residential areas, so traffic and parking can be a bit of a problem. To counter this, we usually just walk or bike when we explore other neighborhoods for food-trips.
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10 Things Kids Can Do at KidZania Manila

I’ve been wanting to take my 6-year old nephew Eli to KidZania Manila ever since I heard it opened in Park Triangle Mall in Bonifacio Global City this year. We’ve done the rounds of the kid-friendly establishments in the metro – The Mind Museum, Art in Island, The Manila Oceanarium, Ark Avilon, Fun Ranch, etc., and KidZania Manila sounds like the ultimate kiddie theme park. This unique indoor kid-sized play city currently has 20 locations in 17 countries and is now in the Philippines!

kidzania manila tickets eli

Imagine a huge interactive indoor play city full of kiddie-sized stores, vehicles, shops and dining destinations. KidZania Manila was built to scale for children using recognizable brands to make up a city. It provides a unique and realistic educational environment, where kids between the ages of four and 14 can get hands-on experience on their dream jobs. KidZania aims to spark kids’ imaginations, ignite their minds, nurture creativity, and inspire real-world exploration. It’s the ultimate role-playing environment for kids!  Continue reading “10 Things Kids Can Do at KidZania Manila”

Junction Hostel & Co-Working Space in Makati

Sometimes you don’t have to go far to get that “backpacker travel” experience. While researching for an article assignment on different hostels in the city recently, I got to stay in Junction Hostel, one of the newer hostels in Makati City. Since I didn’t have to worry about going home too late, the staycation was a perfect time to go on an urban adventure to nearby bars and restos. As a long time Quezon City resident, Makati is pretty much foreign territory to me. Exploring the city’s vibrant night life actually kind of felt like being in a backpacker district in Bangkok or Vietnam.

junction hostels makati 01 lobby

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