Press Releases
Jul
Best Luxury Hotels in Manila
The Best Luxury Hotels in Manila Metro Manila is home to quite a number of luxury 5-star hotels—and all you really need is to pick the one suited to your sophisticated taste. From traditional ones, to hip ones, to quirky ones, and to the impossibly posh ones (a hotel suite with your own swimming pool), the capital city of the Philippines offers a pretty wild variety of grand hotels. Here are the15 best luxury hotels in the metro. They are naturally pricey, but it is worth the comfort, the luxury, and the extraordinary experience. 1. Manila Hotel One Rizal Park, Manila City, Metro Manila You want an old, historic hotel? Then Manila Hotel is definitely the choice for you. If you’re the romantic type, or a history buff—or you just want to show off staying in the same hotel that the King of Pop, or The Beatles, had once stayed in. By checking in to Manila Hotel, located along Manila Bay, it’s like stepping back in time to relive its history. Built in 1909, during the Americanization of the Philippines, and chiefly to rival the Malacanang Palace (the official residence of the Philippine president), Manila Hotel has its share of a colorful history. In World War I, Manila Hotel was occupied by Japanese troops, and they even set fire to it during the Battle for the Liberation of Manila. On July 6, 1986, a group of military officers loyal to deposed President Marcos took over the Manila Hotel. The architectural renovations the hotel underwent also boasts of renowned architects—in fact, they are some of the greatest architects locally, like Andres Luna de San Pedro (son of iconic painter Juan Luna), Ildefonso Santos and Leandro Locsin. Manila Hotel also has a history of famous guests, including former U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, Michael Jackson, John Wayne, The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harisson), Ernest Hemingway, Sammy Davis, Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, and General Douglas McArthur, who resided in the hotel during his tenure as the Military Advisor of the Philippine Commonwealth from 1935 to 1941.It was also known to host other world leaders and historical figures. Today, the Manila Hotel has 570 rooms, which includes the three-bedroom McArthur Suite (the exact room where the General took residence), and The Penthouse—the most expensive suite on the 18th floor, complete with its own private swimming pool, decorated with Philippine antiques, and has a spectacular view of the Manila Bay, Rizal Park, and the old historic walled city, the Intramuros. Manila Hotel has a complete set of guest facilities, including a 24-hour full-menu room service and concierge, laundry service, hair salon, airport transfer, limo and luxury car rental, a helipad, a medical clinic, a Business Center with Internet access, and more. You can also use the state-of-the-art outdoor pool, the garden with an awesome sunset view, and the Health Club. And if you wish to relax in a spa, visit the Manila Hotel Spa found by the bay.You will never run out of dining options either—with a glorious selection of cuisines, from Chinese to European— among Manila Hotel’s three restaurants, three bars, and a delicatessen. WEBSITE: http://manila-hotel.com.ph/ 2. Nobu Hotel City of Dreams Manila, Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Entertainment City, Parañaque City, Metro Manila Image courtesy of nobuhotelmanila.com If you are looking for a relaxing, zen-like ambiance, with an Oriental elegance to it, then Manila’s Nobu Hotel (the very trendy and world-renowned Nobu hospitality franchise) is for you. Or if you’re a casino-hopping adventurer—because it is located within the 15-acre luxury integrated…
Jun
Top 15 markets you must visit in Metro Manila
Image courtesy of insights.looloo.com The 15 top markets in Metro Manila, Philippines With new shopping malls and hip, trendy restaurants constantly popping around in Metro Manila, marketplaces still remain popular tourist attractions. No surprise, as markets not only offer cheaper alternatives to goods and services, but a diversity of products, both local and international, handmade, retail, wholesale, that make marketplaces a popular shopping destination. Also, today’s markets also offer activities and other gimmicks, which attract visitors from all social classes. The modern market is no longer a space for consumers or shoppers, but promotes another kind of experience that no shopping mall can replicate. Here are our picks of some of the best markets in Metro Manila that will gratify more than your shopping urges. 1. Legazpi Market Herrera st.cor Legazpi and Salcedo V.A. Rufino St, Makati City, Metro Manila Opens 7:30 AM up to 2:00 PM. (Every Sunday only) Image courtesy of tripadvisor Located at the Legazpi Car Park inside Legazpi Village, the Legazpi Market is the biggest weekend food market in Metro Manila. It also earned a reputation as one of the best markets in the metro for its wide array of foods and artisanal goods, both local and foreign. The market only opens on Sundays, which makes it pretty crowded but still very much enjoyable. Like a once-a-week treat. The diversity of foods that you’ll find in Legazpi Market is what makes it so popular; from regional dishes, Asian cuisine, to Middle Eastern, American, and Spanish fare. If you’re a noodle lover, you’d be delighted to find that tere is even a stall that serves a wide selection of noodle dishes in Southeast Asia. Truly a foodie’s paradise. But the bestseller of all in Legazpi Market is Imang Salud’s classic ensaimadas. An ensaimada is an authentic local delicacy; bread baked to a fluffy, golden glow sprinkled with the special queso de bola (Edam Cheese). Don’t let the price of the ensaimada scare you, because each serving is generous enough to make this popular merienda (snack)—inherited from a generation-passed recipe—truly a bang for the buck. But make no mistake, as Legazpi Market also sells more than just food. Although about 70% of the products are food, you’ll also find an assortment of clothes, handicrafts, fresh produce, accessories and more. And it is important to take note that the items sold in Legazpi are not available in malls; they are unique products, which keeps patrons going back again and again. The market also exudes a neighborly ambiance, where regular patrons bond over food and shopping that the market came up with the tagline, “Eat, Shop, and Mingle.” Established in 2005, the outdoor market started with only around 40 vendors, and now it has nearly 200 vendors. Patrons are a delightful mix of locals, celebrities, tourists, expats, shopping and food enthusiasts. 2. AANI Weekend Market FTI Complex, Taguig City, Metro Manila Opens 5:00 AM up to 5:00 PM (Every Saturday and Sunday only) The history of the AANI (Weekend Market has become complicated due to its frequent changes in location. From the TESDA Compound at the South Superhighway service road, it is now located at the FTI (Food Terminal, Inc.) Compound (both in Taguig City). The 74-hectar land, which exudes a charmingly rustic and provincial ambiance, is a dream market for foodies, chefs, aspiring chefs, and gardening enthusiasts. The market boasts of high-quality produce that come from various regions of the Philippines, including produce from the Cordillera highlands, like sub-tempered vegetables, like violet cabbages, salad tomatoes, and sitsaro, as well as fresh bounty from various, neighboring seas. The organic…
Jun
Top 10 Historical Tourist Attractions in Manila
Top 10 Historical Tourist Attractions in Manila Metro Manila, of course, isn’t like the place it was 400 years ago. Like any modern city in Southeast Asia, the capital city of the Philippines is populated with malls, highways, skyscrapers and establishments, solidifying its status as an urbanized community. People come to Manila to work and have fun, but of course, a place’s history never fades. There is a colofrul story behind some of Manila’s historical tourist spots, and we want to share them with you. Here are 10 historical places everyone should give a visit not only for its historical background, but also to its beauty that people managed to protect for years. 1. Rizal Park Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila City, Metro Manila Image courtesy of everystockphoto.com Going for a historic trip around the metro will not be complete without visiting Rizal Park, formerly known as Luneta. Rizal Park is located along Roxas Boulevard, and situated by the Manila Bay, It is recognized as one of the largest urban parks in all of Asia and features some of the most important events in the history of the Philippines, one of which was the execution of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal on December 30, 1896. The urban park was renamed Rizal Park in his honor. Built in 1913, the monument of Rizal, made of bronze and granite, is the park’s centerpiece and among the most famous sculptural landmarks in the Philippines. It is important to note that the monument does not only feature the statue of the revered hero, but his remains are also in there. Visiting dignitaries are almost always expected to lay a wreath at the monument. The exact place of Dr. Jose Rizal’s execution is just near the monument. You will see sculptures of Rizal, along with Spanish soldiers, depicting the momentous event when Rizal was executed, which ultimately sparked the Philippine Revolution against Spain, on December 30, 1898. Other than Jose Rizal, other national heroes and significant figures in Philippine history are honored in the Rizal Park. Filipino priests Mariano Gómez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, collectively known as Gomburza, were publicly executed at Luneta as well, on February 17, 1872. They were garrotted, igniting rage among the Filipinos in the late 19th Century. Jose Rizal’s revolutionary novels Noli Me Tangere, and its follow-up El Filibusterismo, were in memory of the Gomburza. Another statue found in Rizal Park is that of Lapu-Lapu’s, regarded as the country’s first hero. Rising 40 feet high, Lapu-Lapu’s monument can be easily spotted. He was a native Visayan chieftain in Mactan, Cebu, and historically known to be the first ever Filipino to resist Spanish colonization, leading the battle against the Spaniards led by Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese captain, in 1521. Within Rizal Park, on Roxas Boulevard, situated right in front of the Rizal Monument, is also the famous Kilometer Zero (KM 0). It serves as the basis and point of origin from Manila to different cities/ provinces in the Philippines. Just a walk away from Kilometer Zero is the the Independence Flagpole, also in front of the Rizal Monument. The Independence Flagpole is the tallest flagpole in the Philippines, standing 150 feet tall, or 46 meters. It also the site where the Philippines’ full independence was proclaimed under the authority of United States’ President, Harry S. Truman. Other significant features and tourist attractions of Rizal Park are that of the La Madre Filipina statue, which depicts Filipina motherhood; Musical Dancing Fountain, famously known as the biggest dancing fountain in the entire Philippines, boasting of a show with fireballs, waters skyrocketing up…
May
Southeast Asia Backpacking Budget – Ultimate ( Stress Free ) Guide
The (stress free ) ultimate guide to budgeting your backpacking trip, gap year or holidays in South East Asia Ancient temples, pristine landscapes, turquoise waters, tropical islands, soaring mountains, lush jungles, peaceful cultures – Southeast Asia is a region that has it all. And with such low costs to travel in the area, there is no wonder that this is usually the first destination for most young backpackers. But just how much do you need to backpack in Southeast Asia? As part of our goal to help all people come to this spectacular part of the world, we’ve put together this ultimate guide to backpacking in Southeast Asia on budget, complete with the how much accommodation costs, what you might spend on food, transport prices and a list of the most popular activities in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines. Whether you are coming for a week or a year, have $10 a day to spend or $50, this will give you an idea of where you will be spending your money. All prices are in US Dollars, unless otherwise noted. Pre-Travel Costs Before you come to Southeast Asia, there are a few things you need to purchase and organise. Some of these can be as cheap or as expensive as you like (i.e. luggage, clothes, etc), but there are some that are pretty standard. The most expensive things you will be looking at are flights to Southeast Asia, and travel insurance. Flights Continually check websites such as Skyscanner, Expedia, Kayak and others in the lead up to your trip. As a rule of thumb, buy your flights as early as possible. But flights to Southeast Asia can work out very cheap if you are flexible with your dates (weekdays are usually cheaper), here is a rough budget for your flights. Flights from Europe: $300 – $500 Flights from North America: $500 Flights from Australia: $150 – $400 Flights From South America: $600+ Flights from Asia: $50 – $300 Flights from in Southeast Asia: $30 – $100 Insurance A wise man once said that if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. You might think that you have “nothing worth stealing” or that healthcare is cheap in Southeast Asia. But what if you are permanently injured in a motorcycle accident? Or you get decompression sickness while scuba diving? Or perhaps one of your family members falls ill and you need to go home in a hurry (yes, some travel insurance companies cover you for this!)? This is why you seriously need to consider it. And don’t worry – you can get cheap travel insurance for Southeast Asia! We recommend World Nomads, which is one of the most comprehensive travel insurance companies on the market, and have policies aimed towards backpackers. Editors note there are many other insurance policies available. Choose the right policy for you and shop around and ask questions before you make a choice. 1 Week Insurance: $40 – $60 1 Month Insurance: $100 – $170 3 Months Insurance: $200 – $300 6 Months Insurance: $320 – $500 1 Year Insurance: $1000 – $1400 Average Daily Budgets Shooting Water Guns At Songkran Festival In Bangkok, Thailand As a rough estimate, we have broken up our Southeast Asia Backpacking Budget Guide into “Broke Backpacker”, “Backpacker” and “Flashpacker”, so you can see what type of traveller you fall into. Of course some people travel for a lot more, and some people travel for a lot less. It all depends on how luxurious or basic you like to travel. Travelling as a couple,…
May
Manila attractions, essential places to visit in Manila
Manila Attractions – Image courtesy of manilahums.weebly.com Top 10 tourist attractions in Manila, Philippines. Manila, the chaotic, congested capital of the Philippines, and also known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” is usually just a stop-over for tourists planning to see the exotic, scenic provinces of the Philippines. However, you must not underestimate Manila and its many charms. Manila, the center of education, business, and transportation, may have a reputation as a crowded, polluted, traffic-crazy, and poverty stricken city. But beyond the still-harmless haze of pollution, the sporadic traffic, the shantylands, Manila has a lot of hidden gems—and you’d definitely feel sorry if you miss them in your trip to the Philippines. Manila is developing quite rapidly and offers a lot of rewarding experiences. From stunning architecture dating back to the Spanish colonial period, megamalls, museums, art galleries, and amusement parks, it’s definitely easy to have fun in Manila. There are many things to love about this city, plenty of things to see and do, and here are just 10 of the best Manila attractions. 1. RIZAL PARK Located along Roxas Boulevard, by the Manila Bay, Rizal Park is also known as Luneta. This is a major tourist spot in Manila and definitely a favorite leisure area for Filipinos. Rizal Park was named after the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal whose remains are enshrined in the park with his bronze-and-granite 100-year-old monument an imposing sight, constantly reminding the Filipinos of Rizal’s fight against the Spanish colonization. Just 100 meters from his monument is the exact location where Rizal was executed, re-enacted by statues. The 58-hectare urban park is one of the largest in Asia, perfect for picnics or simply removing yourself from the city’s noise and pollution. The park features a musical dancing fountain, a giant raised-relief Philippine map in an artificial lake, and artworks from famous Filipino artists. Also, check out the marble marker Kilometer Zero in Luneta—the point of origin for gauging the distance to every province and city in the country. 2. INTRAMUROS Also known as the “Walled City,” Intramuros is the oldest district in Manila. Built in the late 16th century by the Spanish colonial government, Intramuros (Spanish for “within the walls”) protected the city from foreign attacks. It’s a series of stone walls and forts enclosing a pentagon-shaped area 0.67 sq km in size, with a fascinating collection of courtyard houses, stone palaces, monasteries, convents, and schools. In 1951, Intramuros underwent reconstruction due to the damages caused by WWII, specifically during the battle to recapture Manila from the Japanese Imperial Army. At Intramuros, you can enjoy a very old-fashioned calesa ride, a horse-drawn carriage first used in the 18th century. Also, you can visit the Intramuros museum, Fort Santiago, and check out other historically significant plazas, monuments, churches, and public buildings. Casa Manila in Intramuros is also a must-visit—the house is a recreation of a typical upper-class colonial home in Intramuros. Delight in the antique furniture inside, artifacts from the Spanish era, artworks, and basically imagine a wealthy existence during that period. An entrance fee is required in Casa Manila: Php75 for adults; Php50 for children. It is open from 9am to 6pm. You can also enjoy an afternoon of golf at the Club Intramuros Golf Course, and shop for souvenirs and local art in stores and galleries making these options one of the more popular Manila attractions. 3. FORT SANTIAGO Image courtesy of www.philippines-travel-guide.com One of the most important historical sites in Manila, Fort Santiago is a citadel, as well as Intramuros’ main tourist attraction. Located at the mouth of the Pasig river,…