Museums in Metro Manila

I couldn't say this any better. Click on this link to see an excellent list of Museums in the Philippines and try to go to each one.

http://www.philstar.com/young-star/2013/05/31/948161/x-marks-spot-field-guide-museums-manila

And for more information on the National Museum.

The Ayala Museum has a very interesting display of Colonial wear in the Philippines on loan from Austria.  How odd you would think but it seems that colonizers were only interested in our tribal garb that no one sought to preserve the beautiful fusion of our indigenous materials, fashion elements and European style of the time.  And their Gold display even has a solid 80 pound gold sash that a very powerful chieftain wore!

Basic Things You Should See in the Philippines.

Traveling in the Philippines is becoming more of a must see for many tourists. They ask their travel agents what is the best thing to do here in their stay. Here are some things that you sure want to do before you leave the Philippines or if you are leaving in the Philippines and want to do only the best activities and the best places.

Of course, Boracay is already a given when you talk about the wonders of the Philippines. This is actually one of the first stops you should visit in your trip to the Philippines. Your travel agents might give you some pointers on what to do here. Just looking at the blue and clear beach and that white sand, all the problems from the stressful city will be diminished. Do not forget to try out their famous isaws or chicken intestines. It is so delicious! You should try it.

Philippines has many antique churches that symbolizes the Filipino's love for God. Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan is said to be granting every wishes from its first time churchgoers. Also, the Barasoain Church in Bulacan which is standing strong since 1859 is a holy place where you can solemnly thank and pray to God.

Ask your travel agents to take you to the historical Intramuros in Manila. You can see the remnants from the World War II. It is an amazing location to ride that unique calesa or a horse drawn callash to tour you in the streets in Intramuros.

Also, above all of these, do not ever forget to try out the Philippine's native food, the Balut. Balut is always said to be one of the most exotic food in the whole wide world. It is a fertilized duck embryo boiled in its egg. It may seem 'gross' for most people from the foreign lands. But trust the Filipinos, it is delicious and so fun to eat.

Have fun in your trip to the Philippines!

The Alcoholic Drink Travel List

Filipinos are very proud of their culture and heritage.  There are many products that we can produce and even compete with other countries that are originally produced and manufactured. Filipino Food, designer clothes, shoes and even skills are already fast gaining popularity worldwide.  Recently, we had wines and homegrown alcoholic beverages in the Philippines that are slowly invading international market.

The more popular Filipino wine is the lambanog, which is also derived from coconut sap that has undergone a special kind of process. While tuba is reddish, lambanog is colorless.  You can have the best lambanog in Lambarnog Baresto which serves the best lambanog in town. Located in A. Bonifacio, Liliw, Laguna, this place is worth the drive to try their flavored lambanog with some exotic dishes like the Teriyaki Frog. Hobbit House in Arquiza St. Manila does not just bring you the unique ambiance, it also offers great tasting and carefully fermented lambanog. The authentic Lambanog has an alcohol content of 80 percent proof, and is now produced on large scales penetrating the world market.  It is also available in a variety of flavors such as pineapple, mango and blackberry.  This is a unique alcoholic beverage of the Philippines that can stir up your spirits.

Tuba, the native liquor of Filipinos is mostly found in rural areas where lots of coconut trees abide.  It was popularized in the year 1950’s but was not really commercially produced.  Tuba has a reddish cloudy color taken from fresh coconut sap and has a real sweet taste with alcohol content and naturally carbonated. It is considered a fresh wine since you have to consume it barely 24 hours because it ferments easily and turns into a native vinegar gradually.

Basi is another Filipino wine that is taken from sugarcane.  This is a traditional native alcoholic beverage from the Philippines that is also popular among tourists.  The extracted juice from the sugarcane is boiled, combined and mixed with different fruits and barks of trees and undergo fermentation process for around three months and a year to age in an earthen jar. The product result is light brown in color and has a sweet, sour flavor. It can be mixed with other cocktail drinks to enhance the taste.

Other native and original wines are Duhat wine, an exotic alcoholic beverage in the Philippines which is famous in Ilocos Region and had become a part of its customs and traditions to date. Tapuey, is a form of rice wine, which is fermented by adding yeast to half-cooked sticky rice. Bugnay, a form of wild blackberries are also one of the patronized Filipino wines, with all the alcohol content that can lift up the moods of alcohol drinkers. Filipinos had also discovered Santol wine, which is a good alternative for imported white wines.  Truly, Filipino wines are original and interesting, and can even compete in foreign market.

Check out these blogs on getting a drink in the Philippines, Bar Fly and Anothermug.

Partying in the Philippines, Eastwood, Quezon City

One of the best luxuries that life can offer is to simply relax and have a great time with your friends. Now if you are looking for the perfect places to have some fun, I would commend you to visit the different clubs and bars in Eastwood. Eastwood is known for being one of the best hotspots for the best clubs and bars in the Philippines. Three of the best clubs around the area are Club Dredd, Club Circa and Eden Nightclub.

Club Dredd, located at Eastwood City Walk 1, E. Rodriguez Ave. (C5), Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City, Metro Manila is a one of the longest open club in the area, operating for almost a decade. People keep on coming back to this place because of the pleasant ambiance. In Club Dredd, you can enjoy with a php200 – 499 budgets. Well it isn’t that big like the rest of the clubs but this place has band facilities and even offers various Filipino cuisines.

In the other hand, if you wanted to enjoy the night with a big bang, Eden Nightclub is also open for a night trip. Eden Nightclub is Manila’s newest night club which opened last August 2012 and is located at Eastwood, in the space where Manor super club was housed. Unlike any other clubs, Eden Nightclub has three different room areas namely EDEN nightclub, VENOM Shooters Bar and GARDEN Outdoor Lounge. This club has definitely a lot to offer. Eden is open during Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. During these days, you would surely enjoy the different freebies that they offer. During Wednesday Vixen, Eden Nightclub offers free entrance for ladies all night and open bar for ladies until 12 midnight. And you can also enjoy their Forbidden Fridays and Saturday Surrenders. Another club that will surely rock you night away is Club Circa. It is located at Unit G6, Eastwood City Walk 1, E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. Circa is definitely one of the best bars and clubs in the Philippines. With the best booze of music, people can’t get enough of the splendiferous ambiance that the club offers.

Enjoy the best night of your life in Eastwood where you can find a lot of the best bars and clubs in the Philippines. So what are you waiting for? Book now and rock your night, with the best music, drinks, food and best crowd ever!

Want more party options?  Check out Barfly, a bar and club guide.

Cheap Hotels in Quezon City

If you are a fan of standards and hotel chains, then you should try Eurotel or Sogo. These chain of cheap hotels offer affordable overnight stays. The rooms and the bathrooms are clean and you never have to worry about room service because these hotels employ enough employees to make your stay comfortable. They also offer rates for short-time check-ins, this is perfect for those who do not intend to have a long sleep and are just looking for a place to freshen up and take a nap. Eurotel takes its name from the elaborate designs of Europe. Thus, the lobby and the rooms exude an elegant feel. The rooms also have a picture of scenic views of Europe for a realistic European feel. On the other hand Sogo’s interiors take its cue from Japan’s minimalist philosophy. The rooms and the rest of the hotel has a zen feel because of the simple rooms without much frills. Eurotel and Sogo both have several hotels scattered around Quezon City area.

Another chain of cheaphotels in Metro Manila perfect for families is Fersal Hotel. Like Eurotel and Sogo, Fersal also has several hotels in Quezon City. Fersal hotels also have good locations and are easily accessible. I have stayed at Fersal Cubao and I can honestly say that their rooms have an exquisite feel. Fersal also has a good reputation in providing quality accommodations and is highly recommended by locals and tourists alike. 

If you are looking for some unconventional cheap hotels, I also suggest The New Camelot Hotel in Mother Ignacia Street Quezon City as well as Stone House Bed and Breakfast at E. Rodriguez Avenue Quezon City. Both of these hotels have rustic and classic feel which is a break from all the white walls of other cheap hotels. The New Camelot Hotel has a castle theme and the rooms will surely make you feel like royalty because of the detailed designs and the comfortable beds. Stone House on the other hand has rustic exteriors but cozy interiors, and even the bed and the service is also cozy. Stone House also has a lovely roof deck where you can lounge in whether day or night.

On another note: Quezon City, Luxury Hotels  

El Nido and Bohol Philippines

People from all walks of life love to travel, take a break and have a vacation.  We all dream of a place where we can have some relaxation and just enjoy and commune with nature.  After all, we deserve to spoil ourselves from time to time. Others may want to consider elsewhere out of the country, but before doing so, check out the different beautiful spots in the Philippines first.  You maybe amazed by these unexplored tourist spots waiting to be discovered and the already famous ones where you have not visited yet. You may try to coordinate with a local travel agency in the Philippines; there are several vacation packages that are available for everyone.  You can even invite your friends and relatives abroad to come and check out the different tourist spots in our country.

To name a few of these amazing places are El Nido in Palawan also known as the country’s “Last Frontier,” with its breathtaking landscape of cliffs and rocks, blue waters, white sand and the astonishing wildlife.  Anyone will surely enjoy exploring what El Nido can offer; the most famous Boracay Island, which takes pride with its crystal clear waters, white sand, and the wherein one can experience the spectacular sunset. Swimming and diving as well as island hopping are some exciting adventures one can experience in Boracay; Bohol islands, which is equally famous of the white sand, rich in culture and history, with its chocolate hills and the Philippines Tarsier, the worlds tiniest primate.  A visit to the different heritage around the island is also a must; an extraordinary experience on the Philippine culture.  These are only the tip of the iceberg.  With the help of a travel agency in the Philippines, one can avail of these opportunities to spend a fulfilling vacation.

There are several choices for places and tourist attractions where you can spend your hard-earned money.  If you want to relax, enjoy and just be adventurous, there is an unending list for you to choose from. The list just goes on and on, and there are even places you never imagine existed, waiting to be discovered. You are just a click away to your dream vacation; ask from a travel agency in the Philippines, and they are more than willing to give you the assistance you need. Pamper yourself and have fun, you deserve it.