First time here for the Manila Live 2026. Nice venue. Clean environment. Comfort Rooms are clean…read more No toilet tissue or hand soap - will need bring your own. For a huge arena I would have thought the score board would be bigger. Overall it was a great experience. I did not walk around to see if there were concessions.

The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex may mean different things to different people: football stadium…read moreto the Azkals fans, martial arts dojo for the taekwondo and wushu practitioners, or badminton/tennis court for the avid players, etc. But for me, it will always be my most memorable playground, a.k.a. the place where I learned to swim, only two years ago. The sports complex may be known for its Olympic size pool, once the hallowed training ground of the members of the Philippine Team. What most don't know is that there are actually three pools side by side in the pool area: a small diving pool, 16-feet deep, if I remember correctly, where our Olympics contenders have tested their mettle; and a regular pool, half of the Olympic-size, four-feet deep, where swimming classes for kids and students are often held. It was in the latter pool were I was taught to swim. We were already working then, but my friend (the one who cajoled a.k.a. coerced me into taking lessons with her) and I persevered through learning how to kick, using a kickboard, mastering the freestyle breath, and enduring humiliation from the kids in the water with us. We used to just pay Php 60 to get in and use the pool for the whole day. (We paid a different rate to the instructor. The guards and staff at the sports complex recommend contacts for those who want to learn.) Sadly, the pools were declared closed to the public a few years back. One can still swim with their accedited instructors' supervision, though, or with a special permit from management (which may be requested).

I love this place! Lost a stone and a half and everybody was happy for me, especially the wife…read more Crowd is mixed, local, expatriate, prices are superb and definitely no ripping off. Had horrible experiences at other Makati boxing clubs and Empire represents Filipino hospitality! 24 hours and no appointments needed. 5 stars.

As recently being part of the work force, the value of time has become very important to me and…read morehaving time for my daily workout was something that I really had to put effort and plan for as of late because of busy working schedules. Thank god for Empire Boxing because this is also just but a mere walking distance from where I work, and apart from that, they are open 24 hours. Yes! 24 hours! So even if I get so busy with work during the day, I need not to worry because I could still make it on time. The coaches here are friendly, accommodating and very efficient at what they do. I am especially thankful for my regular trainer because when I was still a student, he was already the one who trained me in a different boxing gym back then. More than boxing, they also offer Muay Thai and cross-training exercises. The owner of the gym is also usually there and extends effort to get to know his customers and also offers his help in doing certain workouts. What I like most about working out here is the overall atmosphere and vibe of the people working out there. Everyone is generally friendly and definitely not an intimidating place to be in.

Chelsea Blue Pitch is hidden away in the former Sta. Ana racetrack, a blue oasis in the middle of…read morethe ongoing Circuit Makati development project. It's a haven for football lovers, away from prying eyes (as compared, for example, to the pitch in BGC). It's also where I began my footballing adventures. The Manila Hurricanes football club started a series of football clinics for beginners and the majority of our sessions happened on these grounds. On any given day you could visit the pitch and be greeted by a variety of football players and fans of all skill levels. On Saturday nights you could hop in any of the available friendly games - just make sure you list yourself at the proper skill level. You wouldn't want to enter a game only to find it too intense/easy for you! The pitch is unique in that it is colored blue, just like the traditional club color of its namesake. Kudos to Chelsea FC in that the club is really taking time and effort to develop interest in football in our country (The Younghusbands were once Chelsea academy players).

Personally not a fan of the blue turf (I think it looks too artificial), but it does help…read morevisibility and that's what counts. The pitch, however, isn't as smooth as I'd like it. It's not level in some places, and the dust from the nearby construction work only worsens the experience. Bathrooms are clean, though a bit small. There aren't any showers yet, so prepare for this if you're planning a game. Parking is sufficient, but still under construction. Expect mud and rocks. Water is a bit of a problem. You'd want to buy your own before entering the complex as the field is a long way from the nearest convenience store. I'd imagine this place to be a much better venue in the future, when the surrounding areas get finished. There's a lot of potential here, but as it is now, there are other more convenient alternatives.

My friend Kim has a membership here and it makes me wish I lived in Makati (wish lang a) and had a…read moremembership as well, because this club just puts me in a state of bliss when we beg her to bring us here for a swim. From outside the place looks a little like a cold block of cement, but when you see the pools it just fills you with positive vibrations. Their lap pool is quite big and can fit five people doing laps, but what I really adore about it is that it's deep, reaching about maybe nine feet at the end. I'm an okay swimmer, but what I really like doing is diving deep into the water and just enjoying the moment of calm I feel surrounded by it, before I have to come up for air. And the Metro Club pool allows me this weirdo luxury. They also have a smaller pool for kids, which they can actually do laps in, as well as a tennis court, a gym, and bowling alley, which I've never experienced but don't really care for anyway. The bathrooms for the pool are astoundingly small with only two showers and one toilet in the men's room--I can't complain though, the pool is enough to cover that. I'd have to give a special mention for their food too, though, which is amazing and affordable too. After an exhausting three and a half laps we're usually too lazy to look for another place to eat and we just end up doing it here. It's a great, fattening ending to a taxing afternoon.

Founded in the UK, Fitness First is the largest privately owned health club in the world. Here in…read morethe Philippines, they have 14 branches. The Fitness First Platinums (like the ones in RCBC and SM Aura) have the best facilities. They have a pool and the newest exercise machines. The one I go to is Fitness First Greenhills which will also become a Fitness First Platinum when they move to The Viridian. The best thing I like about Fitness First are the Group Exercise Classes. I am very much addicted to Body Combat, Body Attack, Body Pump and Retropop. I don't really like doing weights and running for hours on end on the treadmill. I really like the challenge of having to memorize steps and improving my coordination. A great way to lose weight is to do Body Attack and Body Combat back to back three times a week to start. You'll FOR SURE lost weight and sleep like a baby at night.