I swung by Ayala Triangle Gardens after a long day at the office last week, and man, it was exactly…read morewhat I needed. Grabbed a spot on one of the benches under the big trees, cracked open a book, and just let the city noise fade into the background while kids ran around laughing and joggers zipped by. The air actually felt fresher in there compared to the rest of Makati--huge green escape right in the middle of all the concrete. Ended up staying longer than planned, got an iced latte from one of the cafes, and watched the sunset hit those colorful "Make it Happen, Make it Makati" letters. Felt so peaceful and alive at the same time. Five stars, no question--I'll be back whenever I need to recharge without leaving the CBD.

Just got back from a quick evening stroll through Ayala Triangle Gardens and honestly, it never…read moredisappoints. After being stuck in back-to-back meetings all day, I needed somewhere to clear my head without fighting traffic out of the CBD. Found a quiet corner near the fountain, plugged in my favorite playlist, and just watched the lights start twinkling as the sun went down. The place was alive but not chaotic--couples walking hand in hand, groups of friends laughing over takeout, a few serious runners circling the paths. Grabbed a cold calamansi drink from one of the stalls and sat there longer than I meant to, feeling the stress literally melt away. That big colorful "Make it Happen, Make it Makati" sign glowing against the skyline is such a vibe too. It's the perfect little pocket of calm in the middle of all the hustle. Easily five stars--can't wait to swing by again soon.

Whenever my friend, Mica, and I get bored of the Belvedere Park, we end up in Merville's…read moreContinental Park. This park is more secluded and there are fewer cars that pass by this place. It's also a great place to just hang out and talk because the airplanes don't really pass overhead. Yes, the noise of the airplanes can be heard but not as bad or as loud as the sound you'll hear when you visit the Belvedere Park. When the airplanes pass, you don't have to stop telling your story to your friend. During the rainy months when Mica and I visit the park, we end up here because there's a little gazebo that has a roof. There are no tables or chairs, so we just sit around on the floor and have a little picnic. At night, children don't really visit the park. There are times when people come to play basketball or practice some dance they need to perfect. Another thing, you can smoke in this park and they won't tell you to stop. Bad for your lungs. But, oh well.

This is one of my favorite parks in Makati. While they are more strict than other public parks…read more(like Legaspi Active beside it or Salcedo Park), it is really well maintained. They have areas where you can quietly sit and draw or listen to music (with a headset, of course), grassy areas where kids can run around or appreciate the artsy structures, there's also a gazebo on top of a man-made pond with koi. This park closes at certain hours of the night and has a guard roaming around (so it's pretty safe), it has three entrance doors and piped in music when it is open. Smoking is not allowed inside the park as are pets. This is a great stress-reliever when you feel like taking a walk in a peaceful setting in the middle of the work day.

I'm a big fan of parks. I grew up in the province, and there are days when I miss seeing green…read more This verdant oasis in the middle of Makati was a welcome sight, I tell you. I used to work in the Asian Institute of Management, and I used to take long walks during my lunch break because I didn't have any friends and I didn't want to spend an hour alone in the office. Eventually I stumbled into Washington Sycip Park, and started going there everyday, with my lunchbox and drink, to sit on a bench and enjoy another great day to be alive. It didn't matter if it was sunny, there were great big trees forming a leafy canopy over the park that kept things fresh and breezy.

Mahagony Park is the type of place I'd go to when I want peace and quiet, no need for spending,…read moreunlimited fresh air; who doesn't like hanging around a play ground? It's the type of place you can hang around on late nights without fear of shady people or getting mugged. Their playground isn't only built for kids, there's even a section where you can "gym", they built makeshift exercise contraptions for those up for a workout or if you're too ashamed to be seen in the kiddie area. In the center is a beautiful Gazebo filled with benches where a big group can hangout and have picnics, play games, or do nothing together; it's the perfect place to just space out. The only problem is that mosquitoes seem to like hanging out there as well, so be sure to spray yourself thoroughly with insect repellant before you decide to visit.

Something about parks that always excite me. Even when I was a kid, I enjoy going to parks even…read morethough I don't really know I'm going to do there. I think it's more because of the ambiance that lures me to go the park multiple times. It's relaxing to be in an area that's full of greenery. Sometimes my friends and I would prepare snacks and create picnics at the park! I remember once when one of my photographer friends wanted to have a shoot in Mahogany because of the nice scenery! It's actually fun there. One side, kids (and not kids at heart) can play with the sand while the bigger kids can swing and slide. Every time I'm here I remember times when life was just so carefree. Oh how it's nice reminisce those good old days. Nowadays I see a lot more kids with her helpers in the Park. I'm glad that kids are not bound to their iPads and they're actually running around open field enjoying nature.

This is a safe place for children to play in. There are a handful of major parks in the Makati area…read morethat are great for children, among my favorites is Salcedo Park. On Saturdays, they hold the weekend market right beside it so you can spend a little time shopping and a few hours playing with your kid. I love their playground area because they use high-quality materials - none of those dangerous stainless steel slides that rust over time. They use fiberglass and plastic materials for most of their play areas. The flooring along the play area also uses cork material so even if kids fall or tumble, they are relatively safe. Then there's the wide area for grass and lush trees where you could have a nice little family picnic with your Salcedo Market purchases, just bring a blanket and you can have a great family weekend.

Perhaps it is because I grew up in the city and during the 90s, but I appreciate a good park. Not…read morethat I had a ton of parks around me growing up (back then we didn't need any), but because of the value that it offers today. You don't see young children running around and playing on the streets anymore. You don't see their parents hanging around them while they play. You don't have too many places in the city to enjoy fresh air, the outdoors, and what little greenery it has. The Salcedo Park provides all of these things. A visit on a Saturday afternoon will be nostalgic and heartwarming, more than anything. Its playground is a great place for children to be active, and to socialize. It may be good for adults also, as a convenient and refreshing workout spot outside of the gym.

Having transformed several times over the past few years, Baywalk is once again in the midst of…read morechange. This time around, the plan seems to be to add a small road nearly in the middle, big enough to fit a car. This does, needless to say, look like it will definitely be far from attractive when all the work is done. Some things, however, have stayed the same. There are still numerous people hanging out (although the number of fishermen seems to have decreased significantly; perhaps they migrated to the area beside Harbor Square). The various stalls selling a plethora of items to eat, drink and wear are still present. The ubiquitous dogs are also still very much around as are the many cats (a personal favorite) that seem to make their home in the area beside the Manila Yacht Club. Come at the right time of day (early morning or late afternoon, to be precise) and you'll encounter swarms of joggers and dog walkers. Their presence is testimony of the area's appeal for those ambulant by choice. Be warned, the smell of Manila Bay varies in intensity but never really goes away.

My girlfriend will hate me for this, since she prefers the UP Academic Oval (Isko at heart, what…read morecan I say) but this is my favorite jogging route. All throughout college, I jogged from the Taft entrance of Luneta, all the way to Kilometer Zero, hard left to Roxas Boulevard and straight to CCP. 80% of this route is along Baywalk, and when done at the right time, it offers the most gorgeous views. I've lived by the sea all my life, and I find sitting on the breakwater with the sea breeze in my face relaxes me. Try not to get too much of the sea spray on you though. That's Manila Bay. You can get a third eye or an extra arm if you swim in that muck.

We took a bus trip from El Nido to the Underground River. The trip there was a little scary because…read morewe had to switch buses in a small area where there was only a bus stop. We weren't sure that we were in the right place. Once we got on the correct bus, we felt better. The bus ride was bumpy with a lot of turns. My son even got car sick. The town where you get the boats to the Underground River was packed with people. We had to wait in line for quite a while to get tickets. The tour included a lunch which was served in an outdoor tent like area. I even saw a rat! It wasn't very good food. The boat ride to the Underground River we really rough that day. Luckily it wasn't a very long ride. The actual tour of the Underground River was fabulous! My pictures speak for themselves.

When in Palawan, the Underground River is a must! I've toured this river in 2009 (without kids) and…read morein 2018 (with a 1- and 3-year-old) and it was effing amazing both times. It starts at a dock by Sambang Beach where you board a motorized (loud) outrigger boat with about 5 other people. Staff hands out hardhats and life vests. My hubs and I were the only folks who brought kids of any age and while they had childrens' life vests, they were too big for my kids. Yet, we made them work while holding adult hardhats on their heads. We were lucky that child protective services weren't watching. It's about a 20-minute ride to this other spot where you walk a little and switch to a simpler paddle boat you share with about 11 other people. Staff gives you an earpiece to listen to a recorded narration while your tour guide tells you more. It's a short and beautiful ride into a underground/cave part of the river. I don't have good pictures inside the cave because it was too dark, but there are lots of beautiful formations thousands of years old that your tour guide will illuminate with a flashlight within an incredibly peaceful ambiance. This part lasts about 45 minutes. My family really enjoyed it and I super recommend it! TIPS: **Wear rugged clothing (or stuff you don't mind getting f*cked) and waterproof/resistant footwear. **Expect to get your crotch wet. You have to wade at certain parts of the tour. **Try to bring a dry bag (brands like Earth Pak, Marchway, etc. which are also sold at stores along the way there) for your personal belongings. **Your tour guide will offer to take your picture with your own camera/phone. It's a good chance for a full family/group photo. **Life is simple around these parts including the toilet. Bring your own toilet paper for rest stops along the way. Hand sanitizer's also a good idea. **Bring cash to tip your boat crews and tour guide.

My best friend got married here. I thought he proposed too early but I guess I just acted like a…read morejealous friend. I didn't want the fun times to end, not when I was still single and "out there". He and I would always surf together and the reality was it was not going to be like that any longer. Marriages destroy friendships because it's supposed to, especially if the friendship is between a man and a woman. So on the day of his wedding, I made my way to Paco Church and watched as their union came to be and in an instant, my negativity turned into pure happiness for the two. There was something about the church - the trees, the cobblestone steps, the mossy walls, the aged pathways, it somehow had an effect on me and by the time I had left the church, I was already imagining being a ninang to their future child and the 4 of us surfing together in our homebreak.

This is a perfect place for budding photographers who want to explore their creativity. This old…read morecemetery where Dr. Jose Rizal was once buried has a lot of good spots for portrait photography. Some photographers actually use this vintage place for prenuptial photography. If you are a photographer and you consider this place for your next location for your client, make sure to have the right permit for your purpose. The permit can be requested at their office that can be found near the entrance. I cannot remember how much is the permit to do pictorial there right now. However if you're only taking photos of your friends and anything that is not profitable, you only need to pay for the minimum entrance fee.

Greenbelt Park, is huge well cared garden surrounded by many different mall buildings, shop, and…read morerestaurants, with a koi pond, with a church in the middle. It has many and walkways to connect you to , all the restaurants, which is part of Greenbelt Mall and shops . Our hotel was across the street and this was the place to be for dinner after a long day of being a tourist in other parts of Manila.

Greenbelt Park in Makati, Philippines have a huge garden surrounded by many shops & restaurants,…read morewith a pond, a Catholic church in the middle, and walkways to connect you to different malls, and shops and restaurants in the heart of Makati. After a long day at work, or to let the traffic or rush hour pass, you can always hang out in the bars and coffee shops in the area, say a prayer in the church, or just relax and enjoy the scenery of this Makati landmark.

I love parks! Just…read morein case anyone wants to find me, I'm always at the San Lorenzo Park. I started visiting this park during my breaks, before class, after class and sometimes I'd skip class and end up here. What I love about this park is that it's really quiet. During the day, the only people at the park are the security guards, the gardeners and some random people who pass by. In the afternoon, there are lots of children who play at the playground, attend their tennis classes, kick a soccer ball around, have picnics and some of them even have birthday parties here. At night, the adults come to jog, play basketball in the court or sit around to relax. The downside of visiting this park is that you have to be a resident of San Lorenzo or be invited by a resident or else the guards shoo you away. The kids also had to stop bringing their pets in since it's not allowed anymore. Also, when people smoke in the park during the day, the guards get angry, but at night they don't care. If you find yourself in this park, don't forget to say hi to me. I'm that weird girl under one of the trees reading a book.