Tag Archives: Manila

Accommodations: You Are Safe At The Manila Hotel

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The historic hotel partially reopens in time for its 108th anniversary with upgraded
hygiene protocols for guest safety; and launches special anniversary promo

Just a day before the historic hotel’s founding anniversary, The Manila Hotel plans to partially open its doors to its valued guests, with the famed Café Ilang Ilang, the Lobby Lounge, and the Delicatessen resuming operations on July 3, 2020. A rebirth of sorts after months of following the government’s quarantine protocols, the hotel has adjusted along with the rest of the world in navigating the “new normal,” and puts a high premium on the well-being of guests.

With the lobby shining bright anew signifying eternal hope, The Manila Hotel commemorates its 108th founding anniversary on July 4 by welcoming guests with an enduring brand of service that is now focused on enhanced health, hygiene, and sanitation protocols in line with DOH guidelines.

As the hotel prepares for the reopening, Atty Joey Lina, the president of The Manila Hotel, assures the public, “You are safe here. We have taken every precaution to heart so you and your loved ones can have peace of mind when you visit or stay with us.”

To its valued guests who are waiting for Café Ilang Ilang to open, The Manila Hotel offers its 108th Anniversary Promo that gives the first 108 customers for the first 108 days of its reopening (including Saturdays and Sundays) a special dining rate of only Php1,250 for lunch, and only Php1,550 for dinner. Café Ilang Ilang likewise returns with a new system for dining where guests can “order and eat all you can,” meaning they can order as much food as they want from the selection of dishes at a fixed price. Continue reading →

Postcrossing Philippine’s Meet-up At Fort Santiago

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Manila, travel, educational places for children to visit, parks

I managed to attend the Postcrossing Philippines meet-up last summer. It was a good thing someone agreed to do childminding duties so this mum can take her off on a Saturday. I was never comfortable taking public transportation whenever I go to Manila, but it was a good thing I got there without incidents. I arrived around lunchtime, just in time to try out this restaurant that serves affordable Filipino dishes nearby.

Manila, travel, educational places for children to visit, parks

It has been ages since I last visited Fort Santiago, and it is one of the most important historical sites in Manila, so I was really excited to visit the place again after a very long while. The postcrossers took a spot in one of the tables in the park and exchanged many happy stories, trivia, and information about our favorite hobby. We also exchanged postcards and busied ourselves signing up our Fort Santiago meet-up cards, which will be sent out to our other postcrosser friends who never made it to the meet up that day.

Manila, travel, educational places for children to visit, parks

Of course, we never failed to take as many photos of our meet-up, as well as the cards we brought that day and our lovely meeting place.

Manila, travel, educational places for children to visit, parks

Too bad we were not able to explore more beyond the citadel of Fort Santiago, but walking around the park in one hot summer afternoon is really quite a treat. The scenic view, the lovely trees and the beautiful ambiance is very relaxing, too. The interesting music blaring from nearby, most probably played by instruments from guitarcenter.com, also adds to the delightful experience.

Manila, travel, educational places for children to visit, parks

I hope I can go back to the place again soon with the little man. Am sure he will enjoy running about and exploring the place. And I will bet my hands, he’d ask for coins to throw at the nearby water.

Our meet-up sure is one enjoyable experience, it is amazing to meet the people whom I only swap postcards with in person. It is also quite a thrilling experience to meet people of like mind and who share the same passion.

Fort Santiago is in Intramuros in Manila. The park is open between 8am-5pm on weekdays and are closed down on weekends. Admission is at Php75 only and I think they charge less for kids and for those travelling in large groups.

Celebrating Chinese New Year In Binondo

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travel, destination, Manila

We don’t really celebrate Chinese New Year at home that is why I was thrilled to experience it where all the festivities and the magic happens, in Binondo, Manila.

We checked out the Binondo Church first while waiting for the rest of the tour group who went on to explore some places while waiting for us. We saw the iconic purple engine sponsored by the famous Eng Bee Tin chain of shops. The little man experienced dragon and lion dances for the very first time and he was quite enamored with the colorful performers. Later on in our tour, we even get to  witness a different kind of dragon dance, with fireworks this time.

Chinatown is teeming with people who want to partake in the festivities, as well as with vendors selling charms, fruits and other wares related to Chinese New Year. I bought the little man a snake balloon, which we had to throw away after a few hours when it was punctured and carrying it around became inconvenient. We ambled on to Ongpin Street to see the famous Chinese stores there and went ahead to explore the Chinese Temple on Teodora Alonzo Street.

travel, destination, Manila

It was my first time inside a Chinese temple. It sure has a different ambiance from the Catholic churches that I visited. We tried lighting Chinese sticks {incense} and prayed. Chinese temples also have huge statues of revered characters in Chinese worship, a photo of our National Hero Jose Rizal and comes with free popcorn and soft-served ice cream! Jared actually enjoyed snacking on popcorn while eyeing these cool tiger statues we saw outside the temple. Another unique feature of the temple will have to be the elevators. No need to take the flight of stairs to get to the 2nd 3rd and 4th floor where the temples are located. Continue reading →

Our Intramuros Pasyal Sunday Experience

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travel, educational places for children to visit, Where-to-Weekend, Intramuros, Manila

the little traveler at the event’s marquee

I mentioned about the Intramuros Pasyal Sunday in one of my previous posts and it is a good thing that the day coincided with our Postcrossing Philippines meet-up, so were able to hit two birds with one stone: meeting my postcrossing friends and enjoying one lazy Sunday in the streets of Intramuros!

travel, educational places for children to visit, Where-to-Weekend, Intramuros, Manila

cat, cards and postcards. is it obvious the shop owners loves cats? she’s not selling them, though! 🙂

travel, educational places for children to visit, Where-to-Weekend, Intramuros, Manila

Oh and one other thing, we were also present to show our support to two fellow postcrossers who decided to venture on selling postcards and other collectibles at the Sunday Fair. I got myself a couple of John Paul II  and Pheepoy FDC’s, since I already have copies of most of the postcards they have on sale that day!

travel, educational places for children to visit, Where-to-Weekend, Intramuros, Manila

a rocker + his beautiful dog, which we got to pet…

travel, educational places for children to visit, Where-to-Weekend, Intramuros, Manila

these are just too cute for words!

travel, educational places for children to visit, Where-to-Weekend, Intramuros, Manila

notebooks, papers, rubber stamps + other items for arts + crafts

An entire portion of the Walled City was closed to traffic that weekend to give way to street musicians, some even had headphone amplifier at musicians friend and similar cool musical gears, interesting activities like zumba, food trucks, and an array of shops selling a multitude of different items, from local woven products, to handicrafts, rubber stamps, stationery  and other cute items, and these humongous bubbles, which my little man enjoyed very much that I just had to get him a set!

travel, educational places for children to visit, Where-to-Weekend, Intramuros, Manila

Mananzan Handicrafts, where an assortment of Filipiniana items are available, including hard-to-find Philippine map cards.

We also got the chance to explore some parts of Intramuros and visited Mananzan Handicrafts just outside of Fort Santiago, where we were able to get some of these hard-to-find Philippine map cards.