My trip to the Philippines wouldn't have been complete without visiting Intramuros…read more We took a rideshare and our driver dropped us off on Soriano Ave & General Luna St. As soon as we got out of the vehicle, a tour guide approached us. He had one of those pictorial cards and pointed to the photos of where his stops would be. His tour price was reasonable. We signed up with him right on the spot. It was half walking and half riding around in an e-cart. He was a seasoned tour guide and knew his way around Intramuros. The e-cart driver was a safe driver too. We stopped by top destinations like Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Baluarte de San Diego. I'm glad there were interpretive signs at each spot. We saw some kalesas too. Our guide was accommodating and flexible with our time. He also directed us to restrooms as needed. It was a good private tour. Right place, right time. We took a lot of photos. We were able to pay him in cash money Philippine Pesos after the tour ended. Something to think about when touring Intramuros is that it gets pretty hot. I would recommend bringing a handheld electric fan and/or an electric neck fan, a power bank to charge electronics, a UV umbrella, water and snacks. Wear good shoes, light clothes, and put on sunscreen as well. If it's your first time Intramuros, there is a lot to absorb. You can always return and explore on your own, at your own pace once you know the lay of the land. Intramuros was a good place to visit for Philippine history, culture, and architecture.

Considering I was stationed @ Clark AFB for about 5 years and having been back numerous times over…read morethe years I had driven by but never stopped. Considering this maybe my last time to make this (omg so long trip) vacation spot. So we went to various places I had never been before, this area is adjacent to Ft Santiago and has some "hawkers" but not really too many (try going to Draculas castle they have people selling stuff from the parking lot to the castle door) they have a few things that are the usual tourist kitch but you can usually get some fridge magnet or straw hat etc but the area is absolutely gorgeous and very little if any entrance fees. The church is absolutely stupendous. I have been to many magnificent cathedrals form Italy to England to Japan & now the Philippines. Truly an amazing area to spend 1/2 a day and to understand philippine history. A great place overall.

I haven't really gotten inside CCP and most of my memories of it were in the middle of my childhood…read moredays. I pass by it every time I go to school and would often see a lot of people running around, uphill, and downhill. Sometimes, there's none at all. I've always seen and thought of CCP as a jogging place back then and had no idea that it would be an establishment that would cater to the development, showcasing, and preservation of Filipino culture especially in terms of media whether it be the performing arts, visual, or multimedia. I would love to someday enter its premises and witness that it's not just a place where people would go for fitness purposes. Hopefully, that kind of image would be replaced by how this establishment is one of the greatest home of the Filipino culture and a temporary home to some of the popular international live shows or musicals.

I'm lucky to have been able to call the Cultural Center of the Philippines my second home. Dancing…read morewith Ballet Philippines required me to be at the CCP every day and so I got to experience a lot of the events in the hub of the performing arts in Manila. From art exhibits to stage plays, full-length ballets to musicals, film festivals to the Aliwan festival, CCP plays host to several large scale events within the year, and there's always something happening on its grounds. In the first quarter of the year, you'll have most overseas productions come to the Main Theater and the closing gala of most of the resident CCP companies like the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Ballet Philippines, to name a few. The best time to go is in February when Arts Month is in full swing, because the complex will be at its busiest, especially during Pasinaya - the CCP Open House weekend where all the resident performing companies put on mini-showcases in various locations around the complex. Food stalls are found all around the streets of the complex like one big fiesta. Best of all is its pay-what-you-can entrance fee! The summer season also brings along summer workshops, so if you've ever wanted to try acting, singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, or writing a play, you can enroll in one of the many workshops that the companies at the CCP have to offer. This will also be when the major companies hold auditions and begin preparations for their next seasons. (They've got a bulletin board by the Artist's Entrance that holds all the audition announcements.) More festivals like Cinemalaya (an independent film fest) and Virgin Labfest (theater), and competitions like the National Music Competition for Young Artists are held in the latter quarters, as well as the onset of the regular performing season at the CCP. Even during its most quiet days, the CCP always has something to offer. During my free time in between rehearsals, I would walk around and always find something new to discover, whether it's in the galleries on the upper floors, or the archives of Philippine theater in the CCP library, the beautiful architecture inside, or seeing rehearsals of the various performing companies. It's where the best of the best in the performing arts come to create, and it's also one of the foremost places that makes Manila what it is.

The Manila Collectible Co. store is one of a kind. It is unique in its history, concept, and…read morenature. Owner and manager Charisse Tugade (a Filipina who grew up mostly in the US), conceptualized and opened the store to feed her passion and personal advocacy of proliferating knowledge about Filipino pre-Hispanic culture. The Manila Collectible Co serves as an approachable museum and "culturespace" -- a very informative center for education on Philippine pre-history, Filipino indigenous people and their culture, and uniquely Filipino products -- all sourced from all over the Philippines. As a museum, TMCC offers exhibits on woven crafts, baybayin (an ancient Filipino system of writing), and manunggul jars (replicas of which she also sells), among other things. As a culturespace, she offers pottery painting classes for children, weaving workshops, and has partnered with several groups for frequent pasyals (tours), workshops, and special performances. As a store, TMCC carries food and beverages, textiles, finely-produced costumes and accessories made out of these textiles, and quality trinkets -- all amazing souvenir finds for foreign visitors, as well as locals who never really realized how talented their fellow Filipinos are. I've bought several things from TMCC. Favorites are the Tsokolate con Crema, and Dulce de Leche spreads; an authentic Ilocos towel (which are super soft, lightweight, absorbent, and beautifully woven); and Real Tan organic browning oil. My next target purchase is an exquisite ikat clutch from her Bai Riasha line.

As a fan of all things Filipino I always go out of my way to check out cultural shops and try as…read moremuch as possible to support them! Manila Collectible in Intramuros is one of those great finds! They carry a lot of handwoven bags in shapes I've never seen before, national costumes for kids (but not the usual ones!) jewellery boxes and a lot of textile. It's great to find these things in Manila especially for those who can't make a trip out of the city. Its fun inviting atmosphere makes you want to spend the whole afternoon here. They recently moved to a new location in Fort Santiago, I haven't been but their old store was amazing. They had a set of stairs lined with manunggul jars and behind it an excellent view of the cathedral. The other set of stairs led to a rooftop deck, open for events and parties. If their new location is anything like this one, I'm sure you wont be disappointed!

Beautiful to experience the old Philippines looking at antique furnitures and photos. A must see…read morefor new generation. No entrance fee. Grab the opportunity and visit the museum

Very nice museum worth the visit Lots of things to see…read moreplaces in the museum Had to come back the next day to finish viewing the museum

Viva Manila is a yearly event that just started off last year although I did miss this year because…read moreof school duties. Ugh, studies can sometimes be in the way, right? Anyway, I love attending events like this because it makes me feel better about being a Filipino because I get exposed to history and our culture that I only get to experience in books. What I also love about Viva Manila is that it is held in Intramuros--my favourite place in Manila. They also invite artists to sell their crafts and there's also a slam poetry that encourages poets to channel their works not only on paper but to tell out their thoughts through spoken words. How wonderful would that be to speak out in front of everyone and express your thoughts with the emotions that you have while writing them. In Viva Manila, not only does the old Filipino culture get celebrated but also the new.

Viva Manila is an organisation that promotes arts and culture in the old city of Manila and…read moreespecially bringing back Intramuros to live. Pasyal Sundays is a monthly, free event that is organized by Viva Manila. It is generally held in General Luna street or Maestranza and it is always car free. They have around 50 booths with local foods and drinks and crafts. And while the market is going on they have various local artist performing things such a parkour, martial arts and as the night becomes darker they have poets and musicians coming up on stage. For anybody who loves manila or wants to understand the city better, this event is an awesome place to go that will inspire you to know and care more about Manila.

Okay, first off, we need to get something straight: the PICC is different from the CCP. The…read moreCultural Center of the Philippines is the one with the big fountain outside and is usually where they have Broadway musicals. The Philippine International Convention Center is the one BEHIND it, past the Forum, where college kids usually have their graduation ceremonies because they're too cheap to build their own auditorium. So yeah, I had my graduation here (a long, long time ago). I've also attended a whole lot of events here, like the Economic Briefing by the DOF, Bo Sanchez' seminars, and a bunch more, and I've never had anything bad to say about the place. It's cold, it's expansive, there's always a free seat, and their exclusive caterer, Via Mare, serves good food. What's not to like?

The Philippine International Convention Center is, well, basically a convention center. Really…read more It's also one of the buildings in the complex of the Cultural Center of the Philippines that was designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin (the other being the Cultural Canter building itself). Much like the CCP main building, the structure itself has a simple, almost boxy appearance, yet it is so sophisticated in it's timelessness. National Artist Leandro Locsin once again did a phenomenal job for this structure, which has hosted the Miss Universe Pageant, international and local conferences, concerts by local and international acts, and even graduations. I saw the Tower of Power and Janet Jackson concerts at the Plenary Hall. I know, my range of appreciation for music is astounding. I event went once to attend a seminar in one of it's well-equipped function rooms. I have been to PICC several times and every time I go there, I am still (and will probably always be) at awe with its beauty. It is modest without being unsure, grand without being opulent, proud without being boastful.

Called to inquire about the venue rental. Sales agent not so entertaining. Would appreciate it if…read morethis agent would be more courteous.

Green Sun is basically a multi-purpose mecca of all things hip. It refers to itself as a "New Arts"…read moreCenter, dedicated to providing local creative talent with a platform where they can shine. Its aim is actually really interesting: to immediately interest tourists (and of course locals) in the local arts scene, which is why aside from having floors upon floors of huge galleries and event spaces with LED screen walls where you can bring basically any kind of show to life, it's also a boutique hotel, and houses a progressive fashion bazaar area called SOMA Stores. SOMA Stores is Green Sun's fashion, design and retail oriented section, and it's my personal favorite part of Green Sun because it houses fresh and dynamic independent local fashion labels. Unlike your standard bazaar format, the SOMA Stores' individual stalls are geometric, industrial, architectural and clean looking. This highlights each individual store's distinctness while at the same time making the entire place look... Really dang harmoniously hip, for lack of a better description. The merchants at SOMA change monthly, but regardless of who you catch there, you're bound to find a unique, well-crafted, and locally designed new wardrobe staple. A lot of fashion events are held in this area as well, and the DJs I've seen on deck in these fashion events have always been rad. Green Sun also has a dining area on the ground floor, next to the SOMA stores. During a meeting that was held at the café area, I was served a matcha pastry with mango filling inside, and it hit my sweet tooth hard. Their burgers and truffle tries are worth a chomp as well. I think that Green Sun is pretty much one of the coolest joints you can check out in the Pasong Tamo area, if not for its uber scenester (I mean this very endearingly) events, then for the beautiful design of the building alone. Green Sun is where local culture is as hip as it gets.

I first found out about the School of Design and Arts' Museum of Contemporary Art and Design when I…read moregot lost while looking for the bathroom. I opened the wrong door and - voila! - there's a naked dude pretending to be a statue (not naked naked, he had a sort of a tea cozy on his equipment because this was still a Catholic school), among other exhibitions. I learned that day that the College of Saint Benilde had its own museum, and that the exhibits were mostly occupied by the students of the School of Design and Arts, as well as the occassional famous person. I thought it was really cool, and I ended up getting a selfie with the naked dude statue because why the hell not.

MCAD is a really beautiful space for art. I'm not sure the students at Benilde, La Salle, and St…read more Scho know how lucky they are to be in such close proximity to a gallery that, though still pretty young, manages to hold beautiful, interesting exhibits of artists from all over. The last show I've seen was the one-man exhibit of Paul Pfeiffer, entitled Vitruvian Figure, and there has not been a better use of MCAD's hugeness in a while. Recreations of the Philippine arena, a moving image of a sunrise/sunset, and a dark theater screening of a spoken word choir performance echoing the video installations outside really drove the point home of how greatly the museum space elevates the art housed within it. What's great too is that they involve the CSB student body by giving some the opportunity to be mediators and engage visitors by speaking about the works and answering questions about them. It's a pretty cool thing, as it allows people to have a more personal exchange with the works there. I'm glad they've gotten their own entrance along one of the side roads now. Though I fear for the open shelving they have as their bag deposit, it does open the museum a little more to the public. MCAD brims with so much possibility and I look forward to my next visit.

If you want to see something that'll change your life, catch a show by the Quezon City Performing…read moreArts. You have dance performances and music as well, but here's the clincher - these kids are street children. QCPA gets them off the street and grants them a scholarship that puts them in the theater or in the dance studio. Funded by the Quezon City government in hopes they'll pursue careers in the arts, most of these kids come from families that can't afford to send them to school, buy a house, or even feed them regularly. They could have been drug dealers, slaves to physical or sexual abuse, or worse, but this foundation transforms their lives and instead teaches them to play the guitar, to sing, and to pirouette. Through the QCPA Development Foundation, the scholars have led better lives. They have had the chance to travel, study, and earn money to support themselves and their families. Dancing, singing, making music, and creating art becomes their way out of all their hardships. To see them perform onstage and smiling, knowing the past they have, is beautiful. It really shows what a difference art can make to save this country.

The first time I've ever been to Concert at the Park was when there was a French Animation Festival…read morelast 2014. I got there earlier so I chanced upon a cultural dance performed by grade school students. I was in awe with how much they have prepared for this performance because I'm sure that apart from dance rehearsals, they also had to teach the students how to play the old Filipino instruments like the banduria. I find the place magical because it induces nostalgic vibe and it makes you feel that you're not in Manila at the same time. It's so rare to find an amphitheatre these days that show the public how rich our culture is especially in terms of music and the performing arts. What I also love the place is that even if it's open, there aren't any mosquitos that will bug you while watching. The place is also not too windy nor humid. Just right. I just wish that there will be more places like this that will showcase the beauty of our culture.