I just recently discovered the Gateway Gallery the other day and it was such a great surprise that…read moreI did! On the 5th floor of the new wing of Gateway Mall is a topiary garden and a huge gallery, I'm here so often I didn't know it existed! The gallery is now home to "Sining Saysay," a great exhibit of mural sized paintings about the Heritage of the Filipino People. Created by some very talented artists from UP Fine Arts, not just the size but the craftsmanship in each artwork will leave you in awe! A favorite of mine was the first one on the left, a creative expression of how our first ancestors documented daily life and stories. I also fell in love with the third one, I was so amazed how I felt so much movement in a still painting! The gallery is free, so there's no excuse not to come by! Also, May is Heritage Month, take the time to get a little cultured!

Such a cool gallery! I normally just pass through Gateway mall when needing to transfer from the…read moreLRT to the MRT and never knew about this place until a friend mentioned it. Their current exhibit "Sining Saysay" is super engaging, with thoughtful and informative captions to accompany these huge murals that depict the history of the Philippines. I love that entrance is free and open to the public, it's a great space to be able to reflect and enjoy some amazing art. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for for their next exhibit!

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.

I have been to many coffee shops in the Metro but this was one of those that have a unique take on…read moreit. The Warrior Poet is located in Cubao Expo otherwise known as Cubao X. This was the area formerly known to be a great place to buy different kinds of shoes with good quality and value for money. Now it is known as a venue for the arts. We saw this space while doing a bit of walking around and thought that it looked like such an inviting and relaxing place to sit and talk for a bit. The place showcased different paintings that were really attractive and for an art junkie like me, I definitely enjoyed analyzing them. The coffee was great too! It was a cold brew. I got mine iced and spiced! A bit of cinnamon was added and it definitely made the coffee better, in my opinion. It was the first time I had my coffee "spiced" and I found it really good. Other than paintings and murals, they also had a blue booklet on the table we sat in. It contained a number of poems written in Tagalog. What is a place called The Warrior Poet without poems right? I found this spot very cool because you don't see much places like this in Manila. I also heard that they also hosted small events of poem reading and appreciation which definitely gave me another reason to come back. Not only was the place cool, but the owner and Warrior Poet himself was! Noel Santos was friendly and had a little chat with us. He was very inviting and filled us in with what happens in both his shop and the whole Cubao X itself! I would recommend those who love art, poems and basically anyone who want something different to come check this place out! You'll definitely love it! Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/TheWarriorPoetArtCafe Instagram: @letstellyourstory Twitter: @TheWPAC

I was hanging around Cubao Expo during a flea market and vintage sale weekend, and since I couldn't…read morefind anything worth buying, and since I was tired from rummaging around the dusty and moth-eaten shelves, I decided to check out the only place that seemed quiet enough to do my e-mails. I sat inside The Warrior Poet Art Cafe and was instantly welcomed by the bubbly owner and his friends (who all introduced themselves, but goodness me, I can't remember their names). I was looking around and checking out the artwork for a while, then I decided to get the spiced tablea hot chocolate. I was very happy with the spiced chocolate, as it was really creamy and rich: exactly how I would like a cup of hot chocolate to be. The owner kept me entertained and they were showing me how to fold origami cranes. I like the artworks so much that I promised the owner that I would come back to buy one of the paintings. Well, call me a liar because I haven't been back. Ha ha! But seriously, i think you should check this out the next time you are in the area, even just to chat with the owner.

UP Diliman is full of quiet places where you can settle down with a book or with your notes as for…read morewhen you are cramming for your next exam or final, but nothing beats the Art Circle Gallery when it comes to comfortable places in the campus where I can sit for hours and ponder on my lessons or my readings. Art Circle Gallery is located at the ground floor and towards the back of the UP Bahay ng Alumni. This quiet pocket in the edge of the campus is also a perfect location for a quaint and intimate cafe that serves lunch, breakfast and coffee-time favorites. I particularly love the vegetarian pita wrap and their Kalinga coffee, which they usually serve around snack time. You can order from a menu of dishes and light snacks such as pasta, rice meals and sandwiches to pair with their coffee and tea. The main cafe area is air-conditioned and the WiFi is reasonably fast considering it is free. But what I love the most about Art Circle Gallery and the adjoining Gallery Cafe is you can always request to be seated in the gallery of paintings and atwork. If you are looking for a bit of creative inspiration, or if you would just like to surround yourself with the beauty and the artistry of the Philippine artists on display, you can have your coffee and enjoy it in this explosion of color. I have spent many quiet afternoons with a friend or a classmate, enjoying a slice of their tablea chocolate cake with coffee in a press. Such bliss.

Sometimes, all you want is an escape. Some time for yourself in a world full of motion is rare, and…read morethese free moments are the times when you want to appreciate beauty and nature, or to simply relax. During my free time, I sometimes like to walk around campus or talk to my friends. Sometimes, I go to Art Circle. It's definitely a calming place where I can sit by myself and contemplate the present while looking at the beautiful artworks that line the walls. When hunger starts to gnaw at my peaceful disposition, I order and eat some of their light snacks such as sandwiches and coffee before I zone out once more. A person really needs times like these, and for me, it's best to spend them comfortably in Art Circle.