La Mesa Eco Park has been on my activity list for quite awhile and I've finally decided to go with…read moreMr. V for a Sunday outing. We were really excited to go there (although the drive is a little far from Makati) after reading quite a few reviews. We were looking forward to doing some outdoor activities on a beautiful summer day. The Park is smaller than expected but I must say the flora is beautiful. But what a disappointment for the activities. I agree it was a Sunday, but boy the place was crowded and noisy! It was packed with people gathering over food, loud music and screams at the picnic area. And there was only one food stall in the whole park. We were looking forward to rent a bike so we could ride around but you are actually not allowed and the track is basically a circle around a tree. How many rounds can one do for an hour around a tree! The zipline, boating in a lagoon, wall climbing were nowhere to be found (I assume they closed those activities). And the pool was so crowded it would be impossible to swim in it. As for fishing... Well it's in a small pond full of garbage and I doubt anything can be caught. It's definitely not a park where one can enjoy walking around and relax. There is a small trail in the forest but it's really small and takes not more than 10 minutes to walk around. We were really disappointed because we expected a park with nice activities and it really wasn't so. And definitely not a place to have a relaxing and peaceful day.

What elements are essential to make a paradise?…read more Different people would have different lists, but surely a constant feature would be flowers and trees, available food or meals, and fun activities. La Mesa Ecopark has all those three things together. First, flowers and trees. The Ecopark is a forest garden, meaning it's not a garden planted and arranged by a hired gardener but a garden growing out of a natural forest. The land area is quite vast, accommodating various species of plants and flowers such as Ipil-Ipil, Narra, Waling-Waling, Dancing Lady, Dendrobium, Birds of Paradise, and many other indigenous flowers. Second, you wouldn't go hungry walking around the vast space that is La Mesa Ecopark. No, you don't have to eat the flowers. There are many concessionaires stationed in strategic spots, offering to the hungry visitor foods that are close to the Filipino's heart such as inihaw, halo-halo and ice cream. Lastly, since every person is a child at heart, there must be fun activities. The Ecopark features zip lining, target shooting, paintball, bungee jumping, and trampoline. These activities would surely leave you breathless or shrieking from mixed excitement and fear. So come to Ecopark if you wish to recapture the wonderland of youth!

To climb here, you'd need about Php 650. Php 400 for unlimited climbing, Php 100 to rent the…read moreharness, Php 50 to rent climbing shoes, and Php 100 for the single purchase belayer card. You want to clim a wall yes? They'll teach you how to and additionally they'll teach you how to belay (because a belayer costs Php 100 per hour, it's cheaper to climb with a buddy). The coaches were very friendly and taught us about belaying and climbing really well, always highlighting the safety and proper equipment handling. How was it? IT WAS FUN FUN FUN aside from being challenging and tiring. I've been here 3 times and I will still be coming back. Parking: There are limited slots and the road is kinda small. If possible, it would be better to get dropped off but if you're bringing your car, pray for parking or try to get there in the afternoon.

I never thought I would be able to conquer my fear of heights (and frankly, my fear of any physical…read moreactivity aside from eating and stuffing my face with junk food) until I tried wall climbing at Power Up Climbing Gym. The gym is only a few minutes away from my place in Diliman, and it is such a convenient location since it is near public transportation routes. You don't even need to worry about being a beginner. Since the climbing gym is also a club of avid wall climbers and hobbyists who understand how it is to start somewhere, the environment is very conducive to making your first tentative steps to enjoying this strenuous and physically demanding hobby. The first time I went there with a bunch of other friends to celebrate a friend's birthday, I was a bit apprehensive about being hooked up to a harness, since the PJay, the person belaying the rope below (one of the permanent instructors in the gym) was literally half my size. But size doesn't matter, apparently. He was very skilled at hoisting me up the wall, and he cheered me on during my way up. The friendly staff at the climbing gym are very well-trained and experienced in all aspects of wall climbing and bouldering, and they are quick to offer advice as to which hand- or foothold to hang on to next to keep you from falling. They start your climbing session (if you are a first-timer) with an orientation about the basic techniques, and they will also introduce you to the lingo and the jargon that you need to use to make your climbing experience as safe, as enjoyable and as fun as possible. The venue may not be as clean, air-conditioned or well appointed with comfort, but you won't need that here. Don't worry about equipment. Just bring enough cash to rent climbing shoes, and you only pay minimally for the instruction, the belaying, the actual rental of the climbing equipment. There will also be guides to assist you if you are a complete novice. Power Up is a fun and friendly environment even for those who are so out of shape. No prior preparations required. Just bring your guts, lots of chalk for your clammy hands and a good set of activewear.

I remember first finding out about Mystery Manila when one of their sponsored ads caught my eye on…read moreFacebook. I have to give props to their advertising agency or advertising team as the ad was extremely enticing and I know I wasn't the only one whose attention was caught by the copy and graphic that they used. Anyway, when the website finally launched (www.mysterymanila.com), my friends and I rushed to book the first room we could get our hands on. It was called Chained Chamber and we were a group of five (two guys, three girls). Upon entering the grounds at Libis, we were greeted warmly, briefed, offered drinks, and finally, blindfolded, and accompanied to the room we would be solving the mystery in by a guide. I was extremely expressed by what the owners have done with the place and how they've been able to so ingeniously utilize the small space that they have. For that space in time, I really did feel like I was somewhere else and the challenge in itself was quite a feat to tackle. I don't want to give away too much, but allow me to liken the experience to the Amazing Race. Been back several times since the first visit, and I can say that those experiences were super fun as well. I can vouch for the Sinister Sensorium (Jupiter branch) and the Ticking Time Bomb (Libis). Have fun... and don't forget your brain food!

If you feel like you want to play a game... *puts on a Jigsaw voice*…read more You're bound to have fun at Mystery Manila. You and your friends are locked in a room for one hour, and you need to solve some kind of puzzle (depending on the scenario) to get out. No athletics or brute force needed here, just lots of skill points in problem solving and teamwork! It's all about mind games and riddles, which you'll have to solve under an hour. I went with a group of 5 friends for the Sinister Sensorium room in their Makati branch (across Mapua). This was lots of fun because each of us had to pick a disability: 2 of us had to be deaf, 2 blind, and 2 mute. I won't give any spoilers here, but let me just say that it we had an awesome time. Gather a group of friends and try it out! :D (We also realized that if we were to actually be in a serial killer scenario, we'd be so screwed. :P)

I have nothing but positive remarks about FIST GYM. The atmosphere screams hard work and…read morededication will get you results. The coaching staff are patient and considerate. They will breakdown techniques for you and help you step by step. As a foreigner looking for a BJJ gym to continue my training I couldn't have found a better spot. This is the gym for anyone who wants to work hard. I look forward to training at FIST GYM when I go back to Manila.

Best Muay Thai gym in Metro Manila! They have a syllabus from beginners to advance. Other Muay Thai…read moregyms just teach you how to do jab-straight-kick and it becomes a monotonous routine. Fist Gym trainers adhere to a set of standards that really teaches you the art of Muay Thai. Great for fitness enthusiasts and for competitive athletes as well!

It started out as a random thought in one of our many conversations, but I'd like to thank my best…read morefriend for actually getting me to do Pilates this summer at White Space, because there's just so much to love about it. We were total beginners with no clue what was in store when we signed up for a trial. Now four regular sessions in, Mondays and Wednesdays have become our favorite days of the week because of them. Our wonderful instructor, Rissah, has a meditative approach to teaching the class. I love how we do warm-up and cool-down centering to send our daily worries away as we slowly melt into our mats. I love how some workflows are intense and others are more relaxed as she adjusts the main exercises for the night depending on the general mood of her students. I love how, even if I'm sore from all my muscles being stretched out to the max, I still have a fulfilled smile on my face when the hour's up. This beautiful space is more than just a weekly reminder to stay healthy, inspired, strong, focused, and mindful about myself and everything around me. I guess I've found my happy place.

There are more than a couple of ways to get fit. Some would take diets, some perhaps would try out…read morea casual weekend sport but some would take it to the far end of the spectrum. Dedicated to serving as a home for the hardcore, this gym is where the term beast mode may perhaps be its regulars during warm up. Filled with a comprehensive set of gym equipment and also an array of martial arts sessions that would range from pure MMA to pure boxing; prepare to feel and look like an action star here as they're about to make you one! So, whether you're after weight loss or probably some body building, well whatever it may be actually, best visit this house of hardcore and they'll give you the grind that you'd need!

How I got to Timberland Heights is simply random: I was invited by a colleague to just hang out…read morewith him and other colleagues. The funny part is that they were there to bike around the area. I, on the other hand, don't know how to ride a bicycle. So I walked on and on along the trail and took some photos of the different parts of the property. I enjoyed it so well that I am thankful I tagged along! My favourite place at Timberland is a small restaurant where bikers hang out after a long bike session. I love their suman called "yapos" (because the two pieces of suman were placed on top of each other) which was best eaten with a drizzle of coconut jam. Another thing why I love the restaurant? They have lots of cats around it. Timberlands is best visited on mornings during weekends. Better bring someone who is a member of the club to enjoy its full benefits. If you are not a member, you can still enter the Heights with your bicycle buddies and follow the scenic trails, or, like what I did, bring a camera and wear rubber shoes if you plan to walk on and hike up. You will be able to see Metro Manila from there, and you will be amazed.

Surprisingly fun time with family. At first, it doesn't seemed to be much to do or to see. They…read moreoffer service for a tour guide, but no paper map of the zoo available. You will have to find your way around. Rated 4 stars due to entertaining factor: We happened to walk by the pond with massive freshwater fishes and a crew mentioned of feeding food availability for fee. Another we walked by the small trail only because my daughter saw 2 small eagles standing on perch on their own in open area. We came upon the area with crews readily to provide hands on activities with selfies opportunities with adult eagle and handful colorful parrots. Encounter of Feeding the giraffes. Another selfies opportunities. Very close encounter with mammals in their cages. Not many other zoos offer it. Missed opportunities are abound sadly: For sure we missed other animal viewings without proper map. We noticed "feeding food availability" sign, but none are near to buy or where to go (except for giraffe encounter). We walked in couple areas where we aren't sure if there are animals or empty spots. Proper advertisement location could use updated. Definitely having a map locating feeding areas & engaging with animals display. Staffs are friendly, no doubt. The place is clean and properly maintained.

I've been here maybe 4 times, three of which were with family, and once for a class field trip…read more It's a very hot place, so be sure to bring a fan with you, along with a cap and some water. We covered a lot of ground area, and if you're travelling in a group, you're going to experience a lot of stops between the different areas. I particularly enjoyed the giraffe and arapaima sections, where we got to feed the animals. The posted signages are usually informative enough, detailing the genus, species, conservation status (e.g. threatened, endangered, critically endangered) and distribution of the animals with fun facts about their behavior, physiology or numbers, so there's not much need for a guide. That being said, it was pretty cool how my professor asked an employee checking on the animals about hteir conditions, and he provided much more info than the signage, even asking us on our opinions on zoos and the condition of Philippine biodiversity. It was a thoughtful exchange that was probably the highlight of that particular visit.