My college barkada introduced me to the brilliant idea of renting a beach house in Tali and staying…read morethere for the weekend. We would usually scour the internet for great houses that are rented out by the owners, and then we would leave on Saturday morning and head out to Nasugbu. What's great about these places is that they are fully-furnished, and some of them have great stuff, too! I have gone on such weekend trips to Tali exactly six times, and every time, my friends and I have rented a different villa. You know, just to keep things fun and exciting. We have stayed in really creepy and haunted places, and we have also stayed in really awesome, very well-maintained houses. I just love how we don't have to bring anything anymore, since most of the beach houses are fully equipped with great stuff that you can use for cooking. I love preparing food for my friends because I hate seeing them endlessly bingeing on crap food like chips and stale pizza, so we always pool our money, stop by a supermarket in Tagaytay and then shop for an entire weekend's worth of food and groceries. The villas in Tali are usually fitted with nice stoves and a fully-equipped kitchens, so preparing meals in a jiffy is such a breeze. You don't have to worry about food going bad either, since there is usually a fridge where you can keep stuff fresh. Most of the time, though, the best beachhouses are actually still a couple blocks away from the shore, so you would really have to walk or drive just to enjoy the beach. Moreover, there isn't really much of a "beach" to enjoy, because the shoreline is actually pretty short, just a small cove that is partially sheltered by the surrounding bay. It is also advisable to make sure that you have all your supplies and sundries before you even go inside the gated community, because going out for groceries is such a hassle. There isn't any well-stocked store for miles. This is a pretty nice place to just hang out with friends. If you don't have snazzy memberships in nearby Punta Fuego or Pico de Loro (Hamilo Coast), this is not too bad an option if you just want an idyllic weekend getaway.

Tali is a popular seaside resort community in Nasugbu, Batangas, about 2-3 hours away from Manila,…read morejust a short distance from Tagaytay. The place is a private subdivision so you need to have a homeowner with you or at least advisement from wherever you're staying. It's not totally private though! You can go online and just look for beach house accommodations, since many of the residents there already put up their own houses as B&Bs or inns for those who want to go to Tali Beach. It's a really nice place, like how you'd wish it would be if there were beach cities in Manila, hahah. Not overly developed either so it's pretty peaceful. Here, you have a whole village full of summer houses and instead of the regular playgrounds or village parks, they have a beach! However, the beach here isn't exactly fit for swimming. It's rather small, rocky, and full of corals. There's no long, wide stretch of sand where you can lie down and sleep or sunbathe. But they do have gazebos and small open spaces to hang out in with the water splashing about beside you. If you wanna go swimming, better go back to your accommodation. This is why most houses there have swimming pools already. People like to do water sports around there though, so don't be surprised to see boats and jet skis in the houses inside the village. It's also normal to spot people just casually kayaking and standup paddle boarding all around. There aren't really any organized water sports services, you just do it on your own. Of course, there's also the popular Tali cliff jump you have to try at least once! They have great, clear blue waters that you can dive safely into and then you just climb back up easily through the big polished rock boulder beside the cliff area. Just be careful not to touch the sharp rocks/corals by the side of the boulder! Only grab the ropes by the ladder area.

We got reservations for a 1-hour morning session during the Valentine weekend and we were glad it…read morewas not as packed as I expected. They have amazing stuff here - dodge ball trampoline, foam pits, side trampolines, and even a dunk trampoline! The trampoline park helped me do some exercise without feeling like it's a chore. I had fun at the same time had a 1-hr cardio workout that's not bad at all. The staff was very kind to us first timers and they taught us well how to use the facilities and do freestyle on our own. There was even a tutorial video for safety that's a plus for parks like this. As for logistics, the park is located at Greenfield area near EDSA cor Shaw Blvd so it's easily accessible. Parking lots are also available nearby (I parked at the open lot across it). Hopefully I'll go back here with my friends and relatives to exercise and enjoy at the same time :3

Poorly ventilated place. Needs a big window for some fresh air or a/c. Could have been more fun…read more The reception area was so dim & dreary. Needs more work.

After seeing the Binangonan-Angono Petroglyphs, my travel companions and I hastily went down to…read morecatch the Laguna de Bay sunset from Angono Lakeside Park. The park was definitely a happening place, and a popular place among locals. When we arrived we saw a lot of people sitting and talking, and many children running around or playing in the playground. We also saw a row of restaurants which I later found out serve fresh catch from Laguna de Bay. Even here you will find an artwork, particularly of a sculpture of two mermaids. These are said to be the goddesses of the lake. We walked farther out, away from the crowds, and found a tranquil spot with boats and water hyacinths, though no flowers were in bloom then. From here we watched the sunset and took photos. All was calm, and it was the perfect ending to our day of Angono art tripping.

Because long beach trips are impossible with families with infants, we just settled for a day at…read morethe waterpark with some of our friends last weekend. We had our (una at) huling hirit sa tag-init at WaterCamp Resort in Kawit, Cavite. The place was okay, it was a big waterpark (I like saying that word because it reminds me of the movie Grown Ups) with adult and kiddie pools with slides, and a wave pool. The shower rooms were clean and relatively well-maintained considering there are a lot of people coming there. Guests can choose to stay in tables or cabanas according to their budget and there are several areas for grilling, so families can definitely bring their baon, or order from the restaurant inside (which I wasn't able to try, unfortunately). I liked that the place is very family-friendly; it's ok to swim in t-shirt and shorts (as long as there's no metal) and they're very strict about prohibiting alcoholic drinks in the vicinity. I had a slight issue about breastfeeding my four-month old baby in the cabana, but I'm pretty much used to nursing in public by now. The entrance fee was reasonable (240 for adults, 210 for kids) for the place is big with lots of amenities. My daughter had the BEST time swimming there. She just swam and swam until she was too tired and fell asleep. She was so happy that I think an hour drive going to the place is absolutely worth it.

Whenever my friend, Mica, and I get bored of the Belvedere Park, we end up in Merville's…read moreContinental Park. This park is more secluded and there are fewer cars that pass by this place. It's also a great place to just hang out and talk because the airplanes don't really pass overhead. Yes, the noise of the airplanes can be heard but not as bad or as loud as the sound you'll hear when you visit the Belvedere Park. When the airplanes pass, you don't have to stop telling your story to your friend. During the rainy months when Mica and I visit the park, we end up here because there's a little gazebo that has a roof. There are no tables or chairs, so we just sit around on the floor and have a little picnic. At night, children don't really visit the park. There are times when people come to play basketball or practice some dance they need to perfect. Another thing, you can smoke in this park and they won't tell you to stop. Bad for your lungs. But, oh well.

Looking for something different to do over the weekend? Why not try karting? It's a great way to…read moreget that adrenaline rush in a safe environment. Whether you're a beginner driver or someone who has been on the road for years, it can be an extremely satisfying activity. Just imagine, stepping on that gas pedal without regard for speed -- the faster you go the better. It truly is exhilarating. City Kart provides a 700-meter clean track with challenging technical turns and ramps. They use imported, professional-grade karts that make it safe to try. With the design and balance of each kart, it is physically impossible to overturn a kart. They are also big on safety so you will have a briefing on what you should and shouldn't do. Each rider is also fully garbed in the standard safety equipment which includes a track suit and a helmet. If you are one with a competitive nature, you might enjoy a fun race with friends. They have top-of-the-line monitoring systems that can be tagged with individual names and speed records. It really is a great way to spend a few hours with family and friends.

It is pricey but it's in the city! I love the race track it very challenging. The race cart is just…read moreso-so it's not new but it's maintained. I've been going back to these place for 4th time already and it's just fun.

During our visit to the Philippines from Dec. 23rd thru Jan. 10, 2018, one of the things on our…read moremust do list was to zipline somewhere in the country. We thought it was going to be during our visit to Palawan, but we ran out of time. After celebrating 2018, we had a free day on Jan. 2nd, so I Yelp'd zipline adventures close to our barangay and what popped up was Sandbox. Even in a foreign country, the Yelp app was useful as Filipino Yelpers gave positive reviews. The quantity of reviews was lacking because I believe Yelp isn't widely used in the Philippines, but hopefully me being the 4th review will be of assistance to others. Sandbox was going to be experienced by my nephew, my brother-in-law, my cousin, my kids, and myself. We were all excited about finally ziplining in the Philippines. Sandbox is located in Pampanga and close to Tarlac, specifically Porac Access Road, Alviera, Porac. You know you're getting close to Sandbox once you come upon new home construction and development. We parked in a dirt parking lot and could see from a distance everything that Sandbox offers. All of us were excited as we walked towards the entrance of the park. We could see the many outdoor attractions and couldn't wait until we tried them all. As you walk towards the entrance, there are small businesses where you can grab snacks, drinks, or eat lunch/dinner. Admission to Sandbox is affordable, ranging from a high of $15 (American dollars) per person to a low of $9. There were 4 packages you can choose from, which include items you can do for each package. We chose the least expensive package, Package C ($9), which included the Sandbox entrance fee, the Giant Swing, Zipline, and Free Fall. The reason I gave Sandbox 3 stars was because the one thing that we wanted to do, which was the Zipline, was not operating. C'mon people, we flew 16 hours and this Filipino giant endured a cramped and uncomfortable flight from the United States to zipline in the Philippines, but to no avail. The Zipline was down the day we visited due to some inspection. Not sure if it truly was down, but I did see a cluster of Filipinos gathering around the zipline with clipboards. Bummer. We still decided to try out Sandbox because there were other attractions that looked fun. My daughter and I experienced the Giant Swing together and had a blast. The swing is a two-person ride where employees manually lift the seats to a good height and they release you to where you stomach goes into your throat. Next we did the Free Fall, which looks intimidating from a distance. You're clipped onto a rope via the harness you're wearing and then you step off a ledge. The kids were really nervous about this attraction and showed their nervousness with audible sounds of distress as they floated down to the ground. Since the Zipline was down, we got to substitute another attraction, which was the Rappel Wall. As we were waiting our turn to scale down the wall, another guest decided it was too high for her, so she decided not to do it. That display of fear added some anxiety to the kids, but they all handled the wall like Bosses. Besides the attractions, there are some good photo opportunities, but you're not going to spend a long time here at the Sandbox. We had a good time at the Sandbox, but just know that it won't be an all day affair. One thing I forgot to mention is that the Sandbox employees were friendly and provided really good customer service. For the price, it truly was affordable fun. We would have had a greater time and I would have given a more glowing review if the Zipline was operational. With the minimal amount of attractions, there shouldn't be any reason for the attractions to be down especially the Zipline that Americans like us were hoping to try in the Philippines. Oh well, maybe next time.

Looking for an outdoor adventure? Sandbox is the place to go! It offers unique activities that are…read moresure to attract groups of friends, office mates, and families alike. For some who do not like to go to waterparks or the usual amusement parks, Sandbox is the best option. Awesome location by the way, especially since I drove to this place. With only a few minutes away from the major highways and about 1.5 hours away from Manila sounds like a great deal to me! I highly suggest to rent a van for those who are in large groups as the area is not likely to be accessible by commuting (though I saw some tricycles going in the Sandbox parking area). I went here with my boyfriend on a Sunday morning and we saw how the line to the entrance quickly became so long (so better be early!). We were offered with several packages of rides and we chose A (giant swing, zipline, rapeling, drop, rock climbing, aerial walk and mini golf) and it's definitely worth the money (650PHP). Regular rates cost about 100 - 150PHP per ride. Weather was great for us (we got lucky): cloudy with little chance of rain so at least it was not scorching hot. The downside is that outside food and drinks are not allowed here. I think it's best to bring an ice chest in your vehicle so you can stack up on cold drinks. They have a snack bar that I feel got overwhelmed especially when some of their food/drinks got out of stock. :( Maybe have more snack establishments to accommodate everyone's hunger and thirst? Expect the area to be dusty and hot (and physical!) so bring the necessary personal care (cap, shades, lots of fluids, extra everything). Sandbox is still on its way to expand with more rides and activities, so I hope that they will offer more exciting treats in the future! I will definitely go back here with my friends. :)

La Mesa Eco Park has been on my activity list for quite awhile and I've finally decided to go with…read moreMr. V for a Sunday outing. We were really excited to go there (although the drive is a little far from Makati) after reading quite a few reviews. We were looking forward to doing some outdoor activities on a beautiful summer day. The Park is smaller than expected but I must say the flora is beautiful. But what a disappointment for the activities. I agree it was a Sunday, but boy the place was crowded and noisy! It was packed with people gathering over food, loud music and screams at the picnic area. And there was only one food stall in the whole park. We were looking forward to rent a bike so we could ride around but you are actually not allowed and the track is basically a circle around a tree. How many rounds can one do for an hour around a tree! The zipline, boating in a lagoon, wall climbing were nowhere to be found (I assume they closed those activities). And the pool was so crowded it would be impossible to swim in it. As for fishing... Well it's in a small pond full of garbage and I doubt anything can be caught. It's definitely not a park where one can enjoy walking around and relax. There is a small trail in the forest but it's really small and takes not more than 10 minutes to walk around. We were really disappointed because we expected a park with nice activities and it really wasn't so. And definitely not a place to have a relaxing and peaceful day.

What elements are essential to make a paradise?…read more Different people would have different lists, but surely a constant feature would be flowers and trees, available food or meals, and fun activities. La Mesa Ecopark has all those three things together. First, flowers and trees. The Ecopark is a forest garden, meaning it's not a garden planted and arranged by a hired gardener but a garden growing out of a natural forest. The land area is quite vast, accommodating various species of plants and flowers such as Ipil-Ipil, Narra, Waling-Waling, Dancing Lady, Dendrobium, Birds of Paradise, and many other indigenous flowers. Second, you wouldn't go hungry walking around the vast space that is La Mesa Ecopark. No, you don't have to eat the flowers. There are many concessionaires stationed in strategic spots, offering to the hungry visitor foods that are close to the Filipino's heart such as inihaw, halo-halo and ice cream. Lastly, since every person is a child at heart, there must be fun activities. The Ecopark features zip lining, target shooting, paintball, bungee jumping, and trampoline. These activities would surely leave you breathless or shrieking from mixed excitement and fear. So come to Ecopark if you wish to recapture the wonderland of youth!

If you want to reenact that Tom Cruise rock climbing scene in Mission: Impossible 2, one possible…read moreway to do that is via wall climbing. We have to at least start with a harness and a belayer. Otherwise, we might fall to our untimely demise without those two important things. BaseKamp is stationed at the 5th floor of Market! Market! welcoming wall climbing hobbyists and enthusiasts. They offer lessons at P3500 for 9 sessions. It's 2 hours per session, so you'll really get those arms toned in no time. A single climb with a belayer is only P50. Imagine that! And I've always thought that this sport is expensive. For unlimited climbs for adults with belayer is P340; P140 without a belayer. They even encourage kids to try this sport out! If your child is between 7-13 years old, then he or she can try wall climbing already. An unlimited climb for kids without a belayer is P110 while with one, it's P310. It's also open from 12nn-9pm.

You know how Superman has his Fortress of Solitude he retreats to every now and then? Well, I have…read moremy own, too. Granted, it's not made of ice and doesn't have a statue of Jor-El and Lara holding a globe of Krypton, it is my place of solace. Post-class hours, pre-class hours, and sometimes even during class hours, you'll find college me here. To say that this park is beautiful is an understatement. Seriously, it's almost offensive! Freedom Park (aka F-park) is beyond beautiful, it's ineffable. Anyone who's ever been, can attest to this. But hey, you don't have to take our word for it, go on a roadtrip to Elbi this weekend. Bring a blanket and a telescope. You're welcome.

I lovr this place. You can bring your own food then enjoy the scenery of the campus. There are also…read morelots of people around so it is easyto meet new friends