Beautiful place perfect for students and adults to learn and unwind. I recommend for anyone to…read morecheck out with good photo opportunities and experience something new

Art in Island is a beautiful museum. Featuring an assortment of interactive art and an exhibition…read morearea, there is something for every age and every art lover. Some optical illusions of famous work, shadow walls, a state of the art 360 viewing room, and 3D pieces make this place a phenomenal way to spend a few hours. They have nursing rooms and a lovely cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Oh yeah, wear sox or you will have to buy some; there are no shoes allowed.

It is located at the second floor with four different showcases. Staff is very accommodating. Place…read moreis very accessible as it is situated in the middle of West Avenue near Quezon Avenue and EDSA. There is enough parking spaces.

From the time I started appreciating the art that adorned the walls of my Tito's home, I have…read morealways been attracted to a certain piece that had simple shapes and lively colors. From then on, I have always told myself that I'll own a piece by that artist one day. When I was in college, I chanced upon the works or Mauro "Malang" Santos twice - malling in Megamall where he incidentally had an anniversary exhibit, and stumbling into his exhibit in Power Plant where he displayed his works, mostly collage works of maps from travels. Fast forward to several years later, I made my way to West Gallery and to buy my first major art piece. With a budget in mind, I informed the curators of my intentions and range of spending capacity. They carefully put out and displayed the pieces that suited my preferences. With it being a major investment on my end, I had several questions about the medium, after care, display and safekeeping concerns, which they courteously and patiently answered in great detail. Several grueling, heart (and pocket) wrenching minutes later, I decided on an unexpected piece. I was finally the owner of a Malang, with many thanks to my enabler, the kind and accommodating curators of West Gallery, and the universe for conspiring to bestow upon me this piece.

For artsy people who like to make things with their hands and like to support artsy people who make…read morethings with their hands, The Common Room is a very welcome addition to Katipunan. On the heels of the growing craft scene in the Philippines, The Common Room describes itself as "a place where makers gather." I love it because it's true! You'll find everything here from wallets made from old comic books, hand-sewn patches, pins, perfume, plushies and succulents! When you step inside, you'll wish you had money to buy everything in the store (or maybe I'm speaking only for myself). My favorite brand they carry is called Tweed and Twine, which makes pouches out of really beautiful fabric. It's also located right next to Go! Salads, so when I'm there for my daily green smoothie, I can't resist the call of all things handmade, pretty and shiny, and have to exercise great restraint not to come out with pretty new stationery, magnetic pins, and other lovingly handmade things I didn't think I needed. I love it!

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.

It feels kind of cool that we have a museum in my school, though I rarely visited it during my…read morecollege days. It was only after graduation that I became more interested in art and culture, especially culture. It was the temporary, one-time exhibits I was after, not so much the permanent ones. One interesting exhibit I attended was on the goddesses in Philippine mythology, mostly paintings of the artists' interpretation on the appearance of the goddesses. Another one I heard of was on okkir and other art and architecture in Mindanao. Thus, visiting Vargas Museum every few months or so will never be a boring experience as there is usually always a new exhibit you can check out. For the sights you see, the price is quite cheap, at P20 for students and P30 for those who are not. There is also a cafe at the side of the museum which you can chill in before or after your visit.

Vargas Museum is one my favorite places in UP Diliman. I go here to think, to hide from the rest of…read morethe world, and of course, to soak up all the enlightened good vibes that only an art-meets-history collection can give. It houses a lot of artwork, coins, stamps, historical papers, and other memorabilia owned by Jorge B. Vargas, a fellow Isko. He is this awesome guy who declined presidency during the Second Philippine Republic (why, Jorge, why). Anyway, the museum also showcases works by renowned Pinoy artists such as Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. Awesome, right? My favorite piece is Wings by Alfredo Juan Aquilizan. I absolutely love it. I love the way it moves me. Wanna know a secret? In my many daydreams, it's the spot where I'm supposed to meet my soulmate. He'd be there, staring in awe at those wings. Then, he'll turn his head to the right and see me smiling. Hello, stranger.

My husband and I discovered the Music Hall when were looking for a place to chill somewhere in…read moreMetrowalk. With two floors and a mezzanine, this place is surprisingly spacious. Since we had dinner already at home we only ordered a plate of nachos and two bottles of beer (total bill was only Php350. They don't charge an entrance fee). We were disappointed with the nachos because it was served late and cold. We should have ordered the sizzling tofu instead. Anyway, it's a good thing the band playing that evening, Jek Manuel and The Stronghold, was good. We really enjoyed the group's performance. I like the place because it's separated from the crowded and smokey part of the Metrowalk. I don't like their chairs though, very uncomfortable. We will definitely go back there because food (mostly hotplate or grilled) is not expensive, band performances great, place cool, and location is fantastic.

With a very up-to-date sound system, scenic location, and the guest performances of many of the…read morecountry's well-known Original Pinoy Music (OPM) artists, The Music Hall has a simple name but a well-known concept in that is takes a bar with live music and an ambiance of cocktails, buckets of beer, and delicious samples of "pulutan" and other light meals served with alcohol to make it a bar-bistro. Seeing its walls lined with pictures of famous artists who performed there, one would instantly realize how many stars have graced the stage of The Music Hall. During my visit, I witnessed a concert where Philippine music legends Boy Mondragon and Richard Merk performed songs that made them famous. (Yes, not my generation, but it was a fun, entertaining, impressive show nonetheless.) All that while enjoying a smooth Daiquiri with Calamares, Drunken Shrimp, and Sizzling Tofu. With the cool air-conditioning and the live bands and groups like the FBC "Rebirth" and the L & S Femme stoking up the crowd's enthusiasm and letting them sing along to the hits of yesterday and today, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I'm sure you will too. Just check their schedule which is packed with events featuring artists from then and now.

"Look for the polka dot house."…read more "Say what, now?" "Look for the polka dot house!" Yes, these were actual directions given to me the first time I was invited to hang out at Boho Sarapsody Bistro a couple of years ago. Located along Ermin Garcia Avenue on Quezon City, you'll know exactly what I mean when you see it. Boho is the only house on the block that does, indeed have polka dots. Frequented by a wide range of oddballs and weirdoes, Boho Sarapsody Bistro is a converted house that serves excellent cocktails, cheap beer and really good food. Also, the group of regulars and the sexy bartenders are warm and welcoming, so it's easy to feel like you're part of the community. You can count on quiz nights, acoustic gigs, pop-up bazaars and art exhibits to be part of the colorful scene that Boho provides to the Quezon City social scene. My favorite dish of theirs has to be their Smurf Fries, which are essentially deep-fried mushrooms, served with mayo ketchup dip. However, I would opt not to have it with the dip and have it with vinegar instead!

It might not look like much, but BoHo Sarapsody is (in my opinion) one of the best places to hang…read moreout. BoHo is pretty much a cozy house turned into an artsy bar - you get there, order a drink, pick a seat, and see where the night takes you. The place doesn't have a sign upfront, and usually, the only indications you've arrived at BoHo are the sounds of performers or loud voices coming from behind a black gate with a bamboo fence. (No! I won't say it! I hate the term "hipster"!) They've got a witty selection of drinks and food, such as their Wong Kar Wai Wings, their Anak ng Tokwa selections, alcoholic drinks The Remedy and the Alien Blowjob, and arguably one of the best mojitos in the metro. Their food is also great, although be patient with their kitchen as they've only got a handful in their trusted staff. They host quiz nights, live gigs with acoustic musicians, the occasional spoken poetry, film showings, and other random events promoting Manila's independent art scene. I once asked them if they could host a fundraiser for a film and they were the most accommodating of hosts. BoHo isn't just a bar or your everyday watering hole, it's a community! Be sure to drop by when they have one of their events! You're bound to meet someone with a story, make new friends, and overall, have an interesting night. PS: Check out their bathroom as well! It's got a lot of stories from the minds that drop by BoHo and feel like scribbling down a thing or so.

Very nice atmosphere and very professional and friendly employees! Very clean and convenient area…read more.Would recommend friends and families to visit.

SM North EDSA Cinemas has worked hard over the years to take care of its customers from every…read moredemographic. They've always had at least 8 theaters, and for some years had an extra 4 (4, I think) at the SM Annex, before it renovated and decided to remove them. Today, SM North's 11 cinemas (10 2D cinemas, one IMAX) boast renovated seating, and they aren't too cold, like they used to be, though bringing a sweater or a shawl is always good. I've watched at their IMAX theater, but I've decided I do not like wearing those glasses anymore. What's really good about SM Cinemas is how easy they make it for you to purchase a ticket: (1) Use a pre-loaded ePlus card, and buy on site; if you do, you join the priority queue into the theater, together with senior citizens and PWDs; (2) Go to smcinemas.com, book and pay for your ticket online, and you will be emailed a copy of your receipt and a QR code, that will be scanned at the door; (3) Debit SM Advantage or BDO rewards points (1 pt is to 1 peso) to purchase your tickets at the ticket booth without shelling out any more money. I've tried methods 2 and 3 successfully and very conveniently. While I have an ePlus card, I have to yet to try that - and will let you when I do. As for food - there's the usual popcorn and chips selection next to the theaters, while restaurants inside SM North close at 10pm, which is a bummer for last show viewers. The next best bet is the outdoor balcony trail of restaurants at SM's Sky Garden; most are open till 11, so you have time to tuck in at least a coffee, or from a selection of bar chow places, burgers, and ramen. Parking is best in SM Carpark, the building in the rear; you can get in way past 10, they won't give you a hard time. To shorten your walk and hit the correct bridgeway, drive all the way to the end if your theater of choice is at The Block, the middle, if going to theaters 5-8; and parking close to the ramp gets you nearest to theaters 9-11.

Spending an afternoon at the National Museum of the Philippines turned out to be one of the most…read morefascinating ways I could have learned more about my husband's country of birth. And honestly, I was not fully prepared for just how vast and layered Philippine history actually is. The National Museum complex is enormous and covers multiple museums and collections ranging from natural history, anthropology, archaeology, fine arts, indigenous cultures, colonial history, biodiversity, and the many different regions and peoples that make up the Philippines. Walking through the exhibits, you quickly realize the Philippines is not just "one culture," but a massive tapestry of languages, traditions, histories, and influences shaped by centuries of trade, migration, colonization, resistance, and survival. One of the most famous highlights inside the museum system is Juan Luna's *Spoliarium*, an enormous and emotionally powerful painting considered one of the greatest treasures of Filipino art and nationalism. Even tourists unfamiliar with Philippine history usually stop in awe when they see the sheer scale of it in person. Outside the museum, I was especially fascinated by the massive "Tree of Life" structure inside the National Museum of Natural History. It stretches dramatically upward through the center of the building and symbolizes the incredible biodiversity and interconnected ecosystems found throughout the Philippine islands. It is honestly one of the most visually striking museum interiors I've seen anywhere. Now, fair warning: If you visit during school hours, prepare yourself for children. Children everywhere. Apparently Filipino schools absolutely love bringing students here for field trips, and during our visit there were enormous groups of excited students moving through nearly every section of the museum. Honestly though, it was actually kind of heartwarming seeing so many kids actively engaged and learning about their own country's history. The museum itself is very large, and once you start walking, you are going to be walking quite awhile. One small complaint I did have was the lack of seating areas throughout some sections. At a certain point my husband and I found ourselves quietly scanning corners for open benches like exhausted archaeological explorers searching for buried treasure. Still, the experience was absolutely worth it. I loved wandering through the exhibits with my husband, listening to him explain little pieces of Filipino culture and history to me while I absorbed it all through fresh eyes. It felt less like simply visiting a museum and more like gaining a deeper understanding of a country and people I have grown to love deeply myself. The Philippines truly is a beautiful country -- not just in scenery, but in history, resilience, culture, and spirit. And this museum does a wonderful job reminding visitors of that.

During our travels in the Philippines, we made the most of our time visiting the cultural gems…read moreManila has to offer with the National Museum being one of them. My non-Filipino husband was interested in learning about my heritage which inspired my cousin to put together a day trip to the museum. The National Museum is comprised of multiple buildings which are: *The National Museum of Fine Arts *The National Museum of Anthropology *The National Museum of Natural History All are within the same compound but if you plan to visit all 3 buildings be prepared to wear comfortable shoes fit for a day's worth of walking. I also recommend bringing a bottle of water if you can. The museums are free to the public and we managed to visit two out of the three buildings (Fine Arts and Anthropology). We briefly visited the Fine Arts building and were impressed by the massive murals steps within entering. The most moving and impressive works come from one of the country's renowned painters, Juan Luna. His masterpiece, Spoilarium, is one not to miss. It was also interesting to read up on his life which oddly had a dark and ill-fated twist. The Anthropology building has fascinating curated material with discovered relics spanning the country. Some of the oldest material on exhibit dates from 5 BC. Currently artifacts continue to be uncovered/donated and the collection perpetually grows. Overall, the Anthropology museum was our favorite. We left very impressed with the exhibits. Aside from the common touristy things to do, don't discount the National Museum. The information and history behind each piece will leave you culturally enriched.

Small, accessible, and affordable, Playland is a pretty good go-to for parents who want to…read moreentertain their kids for a while but don't want to leave the city. Situated on the fifth floor of Fisher Mall, parking isn't a problem, and restaurants are an escalator and a few steps away. We visited Playland for a three-year-old's birthday party, and we brought a three-year-old with us. There's a spacious function room for these exact purposes, and it can fit around fifty people comfortably. As party favors, the kids were given Ride-All-You-Can stamps, so I guess they have some sort of kiddie party package that's inclusive of the function room and the entertainment area itself. We were also given cards to use for the arcade games--standard ones like the claw machine things and shooting stalls. Kids that are 4 feet and above can ride by themselves. Any shorter than that, and they require an adult companion. My three-year-old nephew had a blast in the brightly lit mini-ferris wheel. The helicopter ride was spinning, but its arms didn't go up and down at the time, and that really took away from its appeal. I do hope they fix it soon. It's a great ride to stir a child's imagination as the front seat has a steering wheel, and they can pretend to be pilots. Overall, we had a great time, and it was a great venue, but the arcade could use some work.

All malls have video arcades. It's practically a prerequisite. Where else would dads leave their…read morekids and students play hooky? Kidding aside, the fact that every mall has one makes them ordinary and not at all special. The reason we're talking about Fisher Mall's arcade aptly named Playland is because they have something else going for them aside from your run off the mill video games (which they have plenty of). What makes them different is that after going up a flight of stairs, you'll be greeted with a full sized basketball court. I was actually surprised when I learned of this because it is such a strange place to put a court in. What's more is that beside the court, there are a couple of billiard tables and dart boards you can rent out too. A slight problem with the court is that a concrete pillar gets in the way. Whenever I tell people this they get turned off so I attached a photo with a slipper and a pen for scale. I'm high-tech like that.