My friends and I spent some time in Intramuros right after our food exploration in Chinatown last September --- as we waited for another pal to join us that afternoon. We actually dropped by the Silahis Art & Artifacts to help pass up on time. And from there did we see firsthand some of the most interesting Philippine artifacts, books, cultural handicrafts, sculptures, paintings and more.
The Silahas Center is the building on the left (the one with the brown exterior).
I had the privilege of experiencing Carlos Celdran's (Manila's Tourism Consultant) FREE #VivaManila Walking Tour with several Pinoy Travel Bloggers last September. It happened right after our stopover at the Silahis Art & Artifacts in Intramuros.
THE BEST THING'S IN LIFE ARE FREE!
Carlos Celdran's Free #VivaManila Walking Tour definitely made this statement stand out. Why? Because other than giving out a free, no-frills tour around the City of Manila, he also graced us with his very boisterous yet down-to-earth character. Of course, the project itself is one to commend since Carlos' team (Mayor Joseph Estrada the guys at the Manila City Hall) aims to restore what the Filipinos once loved about the Philippine capital. Moreover, the tour was created to inform everyone that the bustling city is very much a walkable destination. You can certainly go from one interesting place to another just by using your feet and your wandering soul.
Ever since the "no plastic" rule was implemented in several parts of Metro Manila, I've already made it a point to bring an eco bag whenever I leave the house. But even before the rule was put into effect, I would already place a foldable mesh bag inside my purse. And it would always come in handy whenever I'd buy stuff from the mall or from the grocery store. But I enjoyed carrying all sorts of stuff even more when I received my very own Baggu Shopping Bag.
It has been a yearly thing for me and Rubel to do our Christmas shopping ahead of time (as early as November), so we could avoid the rush of people scurrying to buy their last minute gifts. I particularly dislike the long lines at the cashier, and the body-bumping moments with the thick crowd. But what I've never really liked during the holiday rush is the commute whenever we visit the mall. We don't have our own car, so we'd usually ride a Jeep or Cab when going home. Then again, it also becomes a tiring thing to do when you have to wait in line just to get a taxi, when you so desperately want to go home and rest. Yes, cab's also have long queues during the holidays. And it's always the same scenario, so don't be surprised when you go around the Philippines in this time of year. But when we heard about this certain Taxi app, we knew we had to try it. So we did come Christmas morning.
When I decided to end an almost 3-year relationship, starting over felt like the most difficult thing to do. It took me almost a year to finally start dating again. I mean, it was the hardest thing for me to go through, knowing that I got used to being with just one person all those years. But God was kind enough to find me someone who easily took away the “dating inhibitions” out of me.
As I was reading through a book that my Kuya gave me (The Secret by Rhonda Byrne), a lot of meaningful concepts were discussed about seeing everything on a positive note. Skeptic as I was at life at that time, I read and eventually followed each principle. And quoting from the book, “the essence of The Secret is the Law of Attraction."
Planning for a trip to the Summer Capital of the Philippines? Make sure to pack your bags with some warm clothing to combat the low temperatures. Don’t forget to make a list of the places to visit in Baguio for you to be guided as to where you should go. It really is easy to tour the city without joining a tour group. You’ll have nothing to worry about.
BenCab Museum
Among the city’s newest attractions, the BenCab Museum has only opened its doors to the public in recent years. Home to national artist Ben Cabrera, the museum features a number of his masterpieces, including some quirky erotic art pieces. The museum is also set in a lush park which makes it ideal for relaxation.
Budget Biyahera is about finding fun and distinct food and destinations, accommodations, products/gears and activities that people can enjoy on a ‘regular’ person’s budget and schedule.
