Victorinox and Alamid Café Xpress combine coffee, art and travel gear! by Aileen Santos and JC Ansis       When In Manila, Aileen Santos and I had the chance to attend the launching of the Victorinox Seefeld Collection and a Coffee Art Exhibit at R.O.X., Bonifacio High Street last June 2. The Seefeld Collection is the latest line of convertible travel bags from Victorinox that are lightweight and versatile for traveling adventures, much like [...]

  When in Manila make sure to enjoy a culture filled and historically informed weekend in Intramuros. This is probably one of the most affordable yet noteworthy weekend destinations in the Philippines. With these things said, when my photo buddies and I decided to do a photo walk the first thing that came our minds was Intramuros.     Intramuros is probably the oldest district in Manila since it was established by the Spaniards in [...]

Have YOU registered for the MERRELL ADVENTURE RUN? Challenge the adventurer in you on this one-of-a-kind off-road run. Race through dirt trails, steep climbs, boulders, and a flowing river at the Merrell Adventure Run and feel a different kind of adrenaline high!   LAST 8 DAYS to register & invite family and friends to this one of a kind trail run on June 18, 2011! Visit the Merrell stores in Trinoma, Market Market, Festival Mall and Marquee [...]

    When in Manila, the pressure and stress of everyday life seems to lull all over the place! A good way to overcome all these negativities would be to eat healthy and to exercise. One great form of exercise and action towards clean living would be to practice yoga. Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual discipline that allows you to find your center and find tranquillity.       Last May 15, I was joined [...]

When in Manila you can see Indian communities’ Sikh Gurudwara and Hindu Temple under a common roof ! They are a sight to cherish. Take a detour from Makati  and go towards the Mahatma Gandhi Street in Paco.     Perhaps in other parts of the world this happens…but I have personally never encountered this kind of physical proximity between the temples of India’s mainstream religion ‘Hinduism’ and its minority (2%) religion ‘Sikhism‘. One upholds [...]

    Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located  just a hop, skip and jump away from  BGC’s High Street and Restaurants. Designed by Gardener A.Dailey of San Francisco, this memorial is the most beautifully lanscaped site in Bonafacio Global City, Manila. Tomorrow, May 29 2011, Sunday is THE day to visit and participate in the Annual Memorial Day ceremonies that will begin at 7.30am. Boy scouts, volunteering expats and Philippines American Guardian Association have [...]

When in Manila, be sure to visit the town of Lucban in Quezon Province during the 15th day of May to join in the celebration of the Pahiyas Festival. It’s a festival to honor the patron saint of the farmers, San Isidro Labrador, for giving them bountiful harvests throughout the year. Pahiyas is also one of the most awaited and celebrated Harvest Festival in the Philippines which I, WhenInManila.com contributor Rikki De John de Castro, [...]

BGC Passion Parade BGC has been celebrating seasons by highlighting people’s zeal for the arts, music and sports through innovative activities like outdoor orchestra, art tours, and alleycat bike race — all held as part of the ‘BGC Passionfest.’   This summer, in its commitment in igniting and nurturing people’s passions, BGC has become totally unstoppable.   On May 28 and June 4 at 5PM, in cooperation with One Serendra and Two Serendra, BGC will [...]

  When In Manila, after having been out to sea for days, the Manila Bay port is the perfect place to park your Nimitz Class Supercarrier and escort Destroyer and Cruiser type vessels holding a total of over 6000 sailors and marines… just in case you had one of those…     I just wanted to say thanks to the American Embassy for inviting me and Hannah of FlairCandy.com over for an exclusive tour of [...]

    If you’re asking: “What is there to do in Manila on a Sunday night?” or “What kind of nightlife is there on a Sunday in Manila?” then you’ve come to the right place!     When In Manila, I just discovered the most laid back place you can hang out on a Sunday Night! Check out the Reggae Nights at The Collective in Makati as hosted by the B-Side Bar.     No [...]

How To Make Your Jeepney Ride Fun and Interesting by JC Ansis     When in Manila, you’d need to be a blind, deaf, hermit to not notice the number of jeeps / jeepneys that roam around the streets every day. Everywhere you look, multi-decorated jeeps are always blowing their horns and picking up passengers. Thousands of people all over the country ride jeeps. Whether they’re on their way to school, to the office, to [...]

  When In Manila, you need to head over to Hong Kong Disneyland and see the absolutely magical fireworks display show they have!     Only in Disney can you feel the magic, see the magic and hear the magic, all in one night of fire and lights in the sky! The nightly show boasts music from your favorite Disney movies while Disney fireworks brighten the Hong Kong Disneyland skyline.     The “Disney in [...]

When In Manila, make the entire Philippines your playground! Try out this revolutionary way to stay fit and have fun! Try out some Parkour Philippines!   PARKOUR is discipline based on fast and efficient crossing of an environment by techniques with the purpose of being useful to others and oneself. Parkour Philippines is a community organization that aims to spread the art and discipline in the local scene through regular training sessions and introductory workshops. [...]

  When In Manila…. head over to the beautiful island known only as Bohol to see the smallest monkey in the world: the Vince… The Philippine Tarsier!     The Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is often described as “the world’s smallest monkey”. Although purists point out it’s not a monkey, its classification is obscure. Some taxonomists consider tarsiers to be a distinct taxonomic suborder among the primates. Other taxonomists classify the Philippine tarsier along with [...]

    When In Manila., and the summer heat wave gets to you, then there’s only one place to be…. the summer party capital of the Philippines, internationally known only as the beautiful island of BORACAY!   Though a typical island stay would consist of doing “NOTHING” and lots of it… Boracay (not to be called “Bora” according to many yuppie purists) is quite different. There’s just way too much fun to be had on [...]

      I was invited for a weekend of rest and relaxation at the Jewelmer Golden Pearl Farms of Palawan. I got to stay at the beautiful, nearby Flower Island, very close to the Pearl Farms. Here’s my photo journal of that wonderful stay on Flower Island.     We had a very exotic cottage right by the beach!     Flower Island was a wonderful retreat with breathtaking views. You can even take [...]

  When In Manila, and in need of recharging your “happiness meter,” then there’s really only one place to go! Head over to the happiest place on Earth: Hong Kong Disneyland especially now to celebrate the Hong Kong Disneyland 5th Anniversary and see the exclusive Flight of Fantasy Parade!     It’s only fitting that I pay this place a visit. I mean after all, I host the radio program that claims to be “The [...]

Bucket list: Climb a volcano and swim in it’s crater…. CHECK!   When In Manila, after taking a trip to the heart of a volcano and back, why not then relax with a massage, a hot ash body wrap and a thermal mud bath.   First of all, check out my post about my climb up Mt Pinatubo to bathe in her captivating crater lake here – http://www.wheninmanila.com/mt-pinatubo-crater-lake-day-trip-hike/   Now, after that half day ride [...]

My senses were overpowered with sheer wonder. Breathing became more of an option as my focus tuned into various other sensations that needed immediate attention. The rain tapped my shoulder and asked that I feel the cool shower from the heavens, the lake lured my eyes with its beautiful blue-green gaze and the wind seduced me with an aroma of tranquility. I was at the peak of Mount Pinatubo. The once devastating and vengeful mountain [...]

When In Manila, going to Bohol is really a MUST DO! Bohol has another reason to attract tourists — a 480 meter zip line with a name you won’t forget! I wrote about the Bungee Swing Plunge the other day, which was the most adrenalin pumping ride I’ve been on recently! Check out the video on that Bungee Swing Plunge – http://www.wheninmanila.com/bungee-swing-plunge-at-danao-adventure-park-bohol-philippines/ Well, here’s the other really fun extreme ride you can take at the [...]