Philippines: 5 days Itinerary to Manila

If I'm traveling to Metro Manila, which places should I visit?  Hopefully the following sites can help you plan your trip to Manila, Philippines!

Day 1

There are less green field in the metro, but if you want to see one, why not grab the opportunity to also visit the oldest university. Visit University of Santo Tomas (UST), in España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila.  You may opt to use the gate in Governor Forbes (Lacson St), since this is used for the public (closer to the hospital).  You can mention that you like to visit the church to get inside the campus grounds.

Manila, Philippines: National Museum

2018 February: 

In celebration of holidays for this month, our family have visited National Museum, not knowing that the previously private space of the Old Senate Session Hall is now available for public viewing.  The following is an excerpt from the museum's post:

2014 Dec: Philippines: Manila: Christmas Lights

Christmas spirit in the hearts of every Filipino starts on the first day of September.  You should not be surprise when you hear greetings of "Merry Christmas" by then.  Some radio stations would start to play Christmas carols too.  Soon you'll feel the rush and the very terrible Christmas traffic is all streets of the metro.

Check out some lights and decors displayed in the city.

High Street

University of Santo Tomas 

Philippines: Manila: Wicked

I learned Wicked from Chico who flew to Singapore just to watch the musical sometime in its showing dates on Dec 6 2011 til Feb 26, 2012.

As it is in Manila this early 2014, we bought in at an early bird discount and able to watched it on its first weekend.  Tomorrow is the last night of its showing, be Galindafied with the Ozians!

"Defying Gravity" 

– Elphaba, Glinda, Guards and Citizens of Oz

It's time to trust my instincts

Close my eyes: and leap!

...

So if you care to find me

Look to the western sky!

As someone told me lately:

"Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"

And if I'm flying solo

At least I'm flying free

"As Long as You're Mine" 

– Elphaba and Fiyero

I've lost all resistance

And crossed some borderline

And if it turns out

It's over too fast

I'll make ev'ry last moment last

As long as you're mine

"For Good" - Galinda

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you:

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good

A story of friendship, love and forgiving - a must see musical!

March 9, 2014 is the last showing day of Wicked in Manila.  On my recent trip to Korea, it is also being shown in Charlotte Theatre (http://www.wickedthemusical.co.kr/).

Date Watched: 2014 Jan

2013 Aug: Brewing in Manila (Part 2)

Let me continue my piece on Cafes Brewing in Manila. 

Tous Les Jours

History: In 1958, CJ began the milling business as a leading food and service company in Korea.  Since the, CJ has been developing various kinds of flour in top quality.  Tous Le Jours is the bakery of a whole new level from the beginning.  We use the top quality flour from CJ’s leading technology.  It is known to be a neighborhood artisan bakery.  Enjoy various kinds of bread freshly baked from the oven everyday.

Being a fan of Korea, the feeling inside the bakeshop brings back the days during my visit in Seoul, Busan and Jeju.  Reminds me so much of their rival bakeshop Paris Baguette.

2013 Jan: Brewing in Manila

I’m not a coffee lover or should I say coffee is not healthy for my heart.  But with a lot of shops brewing here in the city, should I still not give it a shot?  Coming from three-peat short trips in South Korea in just 10 months, I started to yearn for coffee.  Initially because cafes there are everywhere. 

In 2006, I had a drink with my colleagues in Max Brenner, Greenbelt.  That was the most expensive coffee I ever had, 500php for a cup of white chocolate.  This week (2013) I noticed that it also started brewing in Mall of Asia, but this time with more affordable price.  This is also brewing in other countries such as USA, Australia, Singapore and Israel. http://www.maxbrenner.com/branches.html

Philosophy: Chocolate, more than any other food is integrated in to many aspects of our lives. It is a symbol of contradicting emotions and sensations. On one hand, it is the most romantic gift; on the other hand it is a commodity which is traded on the stock exchange. It is sold like a prestigious piece of jewelry carefully selected from a glass case but also as an addictive snack available at every corner store. It is tasted like a fine wine and licked off of fingers dipped straight in to the bowl. It is sexy, nostalgic, and forever an object of fantasy for children and grownup children. These diverse chocolate associations are the inspiration behind Max Brenner's new chocolate culture. (http://www.maxbrenner.com/about.html)

Across Max Brenner’s location in MOA, is espressamente illy (which is also present in NAIA Terminal 3).  I got familiar with this shop when I saw it from Hong Kong International Airport and Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan. 

Origin: Francesco Illy founded illycaffè in 1933.  His 1935 invention of the illetta, considered the blueprint for modern espresso machines, revolutionized coffee preparation.  His innovative method of packaging, based on pressurization, enabled illy’s initial exports to Sweden and Holland during the 1940s.  Francesco Illy’s method remains the standard for preserving and enhancing coffee’s freshness during transport and storage.  (http://www.illy.com/wps/wcm/connect/en/company/illycaffe-history)

Last year (2012), after attending an expo in SMX I got surprised when I saw a tarpaulin saying future site of “Caffe Bene”.

Their Story: It all began in April 2008 at Eastern Seoul where Caffe Bene's first-ever store was opened. Founded by Mr. Kim Sun-Kwon, who has been notable for his other successful franchise endeavors. Since then, Caffé Bene has grown to more than 800 stores making it the Largest and Fastest Growing coffee shop chain in Korea.  In fact since it started, almost every other day a Caffé Bene shop is opened – continually even today.  Conquering the Philippines, Filipinos can now rave about the difference of Caffe Bene and get acquainted with so much reasons why the Bene brand has grown this far.

Their Brand: Bene means "good or well". European feels accentuated by Korean touches. Friendly, warm and cozy ambiance. Various menus and great coffee! (http://www.caffebene.com.ph)

2012 Nov: Philippines: Go Hotels in Mandaluyong

Go Hotels (http://gohotels.ph)
Location: UG/F, Robinsons Cybergate Plaza, EDSA cor. Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City

An inexpensive and very decent hotel for every Juan and foreign travelers brought to you by the Robinsons Land Corporation (Gokongwei Group).

Found in several locations in the Philippine provinces: Bacolod, Dumaguete, Puerto Princesa and Tacloban.  

Opened two years ago (2010) in Cyber Park Mandaluyong, I was able to grab their promo for a queen room worth 435php only (which is normally at 1088php).  As what I think the first inexpensive boutique hotel not motel (especially in the Philippines) I'm eager to review this.  Of course it took me sometime to visit the area since spending money for a room where I have my own bed and house to sleep in the metro is odd.

Book Go Hotels Mandaluyong in Agoda

Setting expectations!  An excerpt from their Confirmation mail:
Value Hotel Concept with 8 unique selling propositions:
            1. Hotel quality beds
            2. Hot & Cold rain shower
            3. Wi-Fi access
            4. 22-inch LCD TV with cable
            5. Safe and secure environment
            6. Convenient location
            7. Access to transport
            8. Fun and friendly

Each room is fully air-conditioned and equipped with a 22-inch LCD TV with cable, in-room intercom system, option of two (2) single beds or one (1) double bed, full vanity mirror, two (2) pillows, duvet, intercom, in-room safe, bath towel, hot and cold shower, single-use soap and shampoo, and tissue paper.

Rooms are not equipped with the following: room service, radio, wardrobe, bathrobe, hairdryer, mini-bar, tea or coffee making facilities, or drinking glasses. 

Let’s start the stay-cation review!

The receiving area is spacious with entertainment TV and several comfortable seats.  Designed in yellow and while with some flower accents on the side.

2012 September: Manila, Philippines: The Phantom of the Opera

Bought few months ago when it was still on 20% discount as offered, tickets for The Phantom of the Opera is available from 1820Php to 7280Php (https://www.ticketworld.com.ph).  Originated as a novel from a French writer, soon became a musical, then was adapted in film.  Catch the musical show in CCP Main Theater (CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) Manila which started last August 25 and is extended until October 14, 2012.

Directed by Harold Prince, the musical is a classic!  The grand orchestra is participated by some Filipino artists.  The stage is amazing as expected, I must commend the scene when Phantom is rowing a boat going to the cellar or his hiding place.  The smoke effect is very good, the candle light-like and the boat moving alone are remarkable.

Chandelier that fell on the Stage

In summary, its about a Phantom, known as a ghost or the Angel of Music, who has fallen in love to a girl named Christine but soon also learned how to let go of that love so she can be with her childhood friend, Raoul.  For full text of the plot, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera#Plot

the performers taking their bows

Outside the theater, there are memorabilia that guests can buy for their souvenir.  Posters and banners were all over the area waiting for photo opportunities.

In Text: “The Phantom wears a traditional evening tail suit and cape… The black silk in his suit comes from the United Kingdom and is used for all Phantom suits worldwide…”

 

Congratulations to all the men & ladies, the artists, and musicians behind this fantastic musical.

2010 June: Shanghai: Visa Preparations

Visa Application: China

Visa is required in any parts of China for Filipino travellers. We first need to prepare the long list of requirements before we can continue our Shanghai dreams.

Here are the requirements as of June 2010:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Passport picture or 2x2 (white background)
• SSS Contribution History (You can print what is posted in your contributions in http://www.sss.gov.ph/)
• 2 valid IDs (Should be with photo and signature; this could be a driver’s license, SSS id or Company ID)
• Employment Certificate (Get this from your Company HR, take note that this will take 3 – 7 days processing)
• ITR (A photocopy of your recent ITR will do.)
• NBI Clearance (should specify that this is FOR TRAVEL PURPOSES. You can get this from NBI or other NBI authorized stalls, there is one in Park Square Makati or Megamall)
• Round trip plane ticket- Tour/Hotel Voucher- Bank Certificate dated at the same month that you are applying for the visa (range of 75-100k as a minimum will do. Bring your bank passbook if possible.)
• Application Form (You will get this from the Embassy Guard for free)
  

For full details of the visa application you can go to this link: http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/lsfw/hzqz/t171818.htm

Once you’re ready, wake-up early on the day you are submitting the requirements. You should be at the venue like 6am or earlier. I’m telling you that the queue is too long. Following is the location of the Chinese Embassy Consul Office in Makati.

Consular Office, Chinese Embassy in Manila, Philippines (Visa, Passport, Notarization & Authentication)
Address: 2nd & 3rd Floor, the World Center, 330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel: +63-2-8482396, 8482395

We arrived at around 7:30am on the day we are submitting the requirements, first queue will be combination of all the travellers (Filipino or Chinese). Upon entering the office (at 8am), a customer number will be distributed between: New Visa Applicants, Claiming of Visa, and Passport Application/Renewal (for Chinese). After getting the application form from the Guard’s Desk, we filled the necessary information and waited for almost 3 hours. We were served at around 11:30 and they finally accepted our requirements.

Rules in the Embassy:

• follow your line,
• be attentive on your turn,
• keep your voice low,
• do not take photos; and
• do not make or accept mobile calls.

Single entry at normal processing costs 1400php. A slip will be given to you on your return date (normally, after 3-4 days) on when to claim your visa. Again, the same way, be there the earliest possible time to avoid the long queue and long waiting.

Or if you don’t want to go through this tedious process of visa application, why not go through travel agencies. But here expect a more expensive price of visa processing.