Finally found the time to visit this museum during my most recent stay in Manila…read more The museum consisted of four floors. Ground floor had the ticket desk, bathrooms, the gift shop and a separate coffee stand was outside. The recommended starting point was the fourth floor and then make your way back down. I'll highlight my favorite sections of the museum: Reuniting the Surigao Treasure on the 4th floor was a joint exhibition with Banko Sentral Ng Pilipinas. It kicked off with a nice video introduction before entering to see the large collection of gold objects. It was well organized and documented. The women's waistbands had to be the highlight and were exquisite. The manton de Manila exhibit on the 3rd floor Main Gallery was quite beautiful with many finely handcrafted wraps. The Diorama Experience on the 2nd floor mapped out the Philippine history from prehistory until it established independence from the US as an international recognized country. There was an app to download if you wanted a VR experience as you followed the dioramas. It's centrally located in Makati and worth seeing. I spent almost 2 hours exploring.

I came here the day after I visited the Intramuros area of Manila. I wanted to further my lessons…read morein my own culture, but this time through art history and to get a view of the native people before the Spanish colonized and influenced the culture. I actually haphazardly ran into this museum a few days before just roaming through an upscale mall. It is very modern in location and in design. It is its own building on one of the corners of the mall complex, so it has its own entrance, don't have to go inside the mall itself. P750 admission for general and sure there is discount for seniors and students. That general price is like $14 US. The layout here is vertical versus just 1-2 floors. Here there are 4 floors and you start at the top and work your way down. We did this in 3 hours but one could easily be in here for 4-5 hours, if you read everything and put on headphones. Top floor was mostly a 'gold' exhibit depicting that these islands were a source for gold and thus became part of trade route for the seafaring people (Austronesians) that roamed the areas from mainland Asia to all the islands in Polynesia to Madagascar and the western coast of Africa. So within all this traveling you can see how so many influences can evolve culture from art to technology to language. These travel savvy people thrived from even 4000 years ago to about the 17th century when colonialism started to form modern countries. There was also a section on the clothing many tribes had during these times. Like these are the people who the Spanish fleet met upon arriving. 3rd floor was an art gallery but for Filipino artist mostly from the 1800s to the mid 1900s. Most of the exhibit showcase Fernando Amorsolo who was granted a national award for his depiction of rural life in the early 1900s. I was incredibly moved by this exhibit, as with just brush strokes he was able to capture a whole moment, that seems so everyday yet so symbolic of the culture. Some were more impressionist like where up close it just seems more abstract, but the further you get a clearer picture emerges. And he was also able to do some realistic portraits where it seemed like I could talk to the image. Lol. I think there is a lesser admission fee if you only wanted to view this floor only. 2nd floor is more like a history museum chronicling the timeline on when and how the Spanish came to colonize the islands, and how the country eventually claimed its independence in 1898. Very enriching experience for me and glad some of my family were willing to view it with me. 5 soul quenching stars!

Salcedo Village is the place I chose to live and to raise my baby. Before making this decision, I…read moretook many aspects into consideration. One of them was the possibility of doing everything without a car. I mean, I can go walking everywhere I need - the market, the mall, the restaurants, the cafes, the laundry. All services I need are available. Here's a list of things I do and that are just a few steps from my place: I go to the pilates, I go to gym, I take a walk in Ayala Triangle Gardens or Jaime Velasquez Park, I go to many wonderful restaurantes (La Creperie, Wild Flour, Tsumura, Mendokoro Ramenba, Poco Deli, Blackbird and so on), I grab a coffee at Starbucks or CBTL....everything without a car! Salcedo Village hosts two lovely parks (Ayala Triangle Gardens and Jaime Velasquez Park) that are green oasis in the middle of Makati's busy Central Business District. This single fact would already justify living here, but there's much more :) The location is very good, it's easy to take a jeepney and MRT/LRT, it's full of expats and also filipinos enjoying the best in Makati. Oh, and it's close to Makati Medical Center, in case you need. So, when visiting Manila, don't forget to highlight on your map this fantastic area bordered by Ayala Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, Makati Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue.

If you want the same dainty and homey feel that Legazpi Village gives you, then look no further…read morethan across Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village Salcedo Village almost has the same ambiance as Legazpi Village but with more of a homey, residential feel added into it. They have more condominiums and apartments lining the streets than offices so it is easier to relax and unwind here. Couple that with a wide array of restaurants they have in the book, and you'll find yourself coming here everyday after work. Must tries are: 1. Coffee in Commune 2. Homecooked meals in Simple Palate 3. Wines in Terry's Selection 4. Dessert in Claudette's If you happen to drop by on a Saturday, visit the Salcedo Market which offers fresh produce and local and international foods!

My trip to the Philippines wouldn't have been complete without visiting Intramuros…read more We took a rideshare and our driver dropped us off on Soriano Ave & General Luna St. As soon as we got out of the vehicle, a tour guide approached us. He had one of those pictorial cards and pointed to the photos of where his stops would be. His tour price was reasonable. We signed up with him right on the spot. It was half walking and half riding around in an e-cart. He was a seasoned tour guide and knew his way around Intramuros. The e-cart driver was a safe driver too. We stopped by top destinations like Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Baluarte de San Diego. I'm glad there were interpretive signs at each spot. We saw some kalesas too. Our guide was accommodating and flexible with our time. He also directed us to restrooms as needed. It was a good private tour. Right place, right time. We took a lot of photos. We were able to pay him in cash money Philippine Pesos after the tour ended. Something to think about when touring Intramuros is that it gets pretty hot. I would recommend bringing a handheld electric fan and/or an electric neck fan, a power bank to charge electronics, a UV umbrella, water and snacks. Wear good shoes, light clothes, and put on sunscreen as well. If it's your first time Intramuros, there is a lot to absorb. You can always return and explore on your own, at your own pace once you know the lay of the land. Intramuros was a good place to visit for Philippine history, culture, and architecture.

My cousins brought me here when I visited, and this place contains so much of the Philippine's…read morehistory with the Spanish invasion. So much sadness for those who were tortured and killed to even the death of the country's hero. It makes you appreciate your own life and the freedom you have. If you'd like to learn more of its history, it's definitely a place to visit when you're in Manila.

My family and I always enjoy museums-- no matter if they're…read moremodern art or classic, natural history or science/tech; they're all good in their own way. We were finishing up a day trip in the Antipolo area and had to pass by the Pinto MODERN ART Museum. First thing I will say is this museum is NOT for senior citizens. It's a lot of stairs and awkward walking/spaces. My parents and Tias/Tios did not like that. Another negative would be the lack of air flow in the buildings. It was almost stifling in a lot of areas. And we all know that when the air is hot and sticky, the mosquitos come in droves. So even when you're walking around TRYING to appreciate the artwork, you become preoccupied with swatting the mosquitos trying to drain your blood. It was very annoying. Other than that, it's an interesting collection of MODERN art. Definitely NOT for everybody's taste. The architecture of the buildings were amazing though! We really enjoyed imagining the heyday of those houses/buildings. It can be a bit confusing navigating the different buildings; the museum definitely needs to update their signage. Especially during the dusk /evening hours, outdoor signage was greatly lacking and was frustrating many people who were trying to go towards the "exit" --and NOTE, this museum is majority an OUTDOOR/Open-air museum, with a LOT of stairs/steps; NOT good for people with mobility issues. :( The staff were friendly enough and somewhat polite; and for that, they get the 3stars. Otherwise it's an interesting experience and probably NOT for everyone. They do have an eatery on site for those who get hangry when they get lost in the maze. ;)

A very beautiful museum that combines nature ant Art as a form of healing! Recently visited this…read moremuseum with my friends and I was in awe because I felt so serene while visiting the museum and touring it grounds, you can see soft vintage beds and couches all scattered around its vicinity, we asked our tour guide why is that so and he said because they believe art and nature could both heal the soul. We also visited their cafe and the food was okay, salad was drenched in their dressing but overall I like the aesthetics of the cafe, felt I was in Greece.

The south girl finally goes to Tiendesitas. And likes it…read more We always pass by this area on our way to a relative's house, but I was never really interested in going there. Why? Well, most of the things I heard about Tiendesitas was that it has a Pet Village, and the first thing that came to mind was the foul canine smell. I'm not exactly an animal lover. Anyway, we got invited to a friend's party in one of the restaurants in Tiendesitas, and I decided it's time to check the place out. I'm glad that I gave it a try. The place has a very Pinoy feel, which I liked. It's easy to navigate your way in the shopping center because the stalls are segregated into different villages; if you're looking for clothes, go to Fashion Village. If you're hungry, head straight to Food Village. If you have allergies like me, steer clear of Pet Village (but I still went, to my daughter's prodding). My favorite would have to be the Antique Village, they sell a lot of handmade and locally-made products. I can't believe I'm just discovering Tiendesitas now. I'll probably be back soon to explore the other villages. This is a nice place to bring tourists. Make them eat dirty ice cream and ride a kalesa around the area.

Before, my family used to go to Tiendestias all the time - it was the new thing, an open air mall…read morethat sold budget finds. When the heat in Metro Manila in general got more unbearable, my famlily and I stopped going here, but the recent changes making it into a mall with more air conditioned areas, has got us going back. I like how Filipino the place is. I don't think you can find any other place as comfortable - both in proximity, security, and affordability - that offers Filipino finds like Tiendesitas. The Pet Village is one of my favorites; before, we used to have to go all the way to Cartimar in Pasay to find pet products at a cheaper price. Fashion Village has more of a "tiangge" vibe that I very much enjoy. I'm not sure if higher end brands will be opening in the mall area soon though, but I hope the vendors just move into there.

Literally was in a grab car when I saw a sign of this event so I checked it out. ₽250 for…read moreseniors/students and ₽350 general admissions. Love the fact that someone decided to reused the extras wrist bands from last year for this year but turn it inside out. The transformed parking garage into many galleries was neat, thank god for a/c because maynila heat Issa killer. I enjoyed tea with the parents along with dessert to rest our tired feet from all the walking and art overload. My favorite was the archipelago exhibit featuring the vodka and gin lol.

Many art events happen in February. It's the month of art, after all. Now, I go to a lot of…read moreexhibits and conventions but this is one of my favorites. I mean, IMAGINE ALL THE PIECES AND INSTALLATIONS I'M GOING TO SEE. The Link is actually perfect for such events. Just think about the wide, open space that can be filled with booths and art installations. This year's event occupied two floors, so imagine how long it took me to view all of them. Admission isn't free, though. I believe I paid around Php 150 for the entrance, and there was an option to buy an accompanying booklet for the same amount. Looking back, I should've gotten it. I regret being stingy at the time. Oh well, there's always next year. And oh, students of Makati do not need to pay, so if you study there then it should be fine.

It feels kind of cool that we have a museum in my school, though I rarely visited it during my…read morecollege days. It was only after graduation that I became more interested in art and culture, especially culture. It was the temporary, one-time exhibits I was after, not so much the permanent ones. One interesting exhibit I attended was on the goddesses in Philippine mythology, mostly paintings of the artists' interpretation on the appearance of the goddesses. Another one I heard of was on okkir and other art and architecture in Mindanao. Thus, visiting Vargas Museum every few months or so will never be a boring experience as there is usually always a new exhibit you can check out. For the sights you see, the price is quite cheap, at P20 for students and P30 for those who are not. There is also a cafe at the side of the museum which you can chill in before or after your visit.

Vargas Museum is one my favorite places in UP Diliman. I go here to think, to hide from the rest of…read morethe world, and of course, to soak up all the enlightened good vibes that only an art-meets-history collection can give. It houses a lot of artwork, coins, stamps, historical papers, and other memorabilia owned by Jorge B. Vargas, a fellow Isko. He is this awesome guy who declined presidency during the Second Philippine Republic (why, Jorge, why). Anyway, the museum also showcases works by renowned Pinoy artists such as Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. Awesome, right? My favorite piece is Wings by Alfredo Juan Aquilizan. I absolutely love it. I love the way it moves me. Wanna know a secret? In my many daydreams, it's the spot where I'm supposed to meet my soulmate. He'd be there, staring in awe at those wings. Then, he'll turn his head to the right and see me smiling. Hello, stranger.

It's a cute and quaint museum. There are 3 floors of exhibits and the main one right now was the…read moreBenCab exhibit which was actually super cool cause it was sponsored by Samsung digital lol. We mainly came to just educate ourselves more and this is where I learned about the most famous name in the Philippines aside from God, Jesus, and Ayala: Rizal. They have buildings, parks, streets, you name it after this guy and the yuchengco museum had an entire floor dedicated to this guy and what he did for the Philippines. It was super cool. They have a good selection of paintings on the first floor including several Vincente Manansala's which are a big deal here (at the Ayala museum they had THREE huge rooms dedicated to Manansala's Art alone).

If you work or live in Manila and didn't know that the RCBC building was a cultural center, I'm…read morehere to tell you! The RCBC building at the end of Ayala Avenue has a fine arts theatre that has a lot of plays and shows and a museum! I've personally gone to the Yuchengco Museum quite a few times and I really like it there. Their permanent collection isn't so extensive but I enjoy how they always have new exhibits and even workshops. At least once a year they have the Habi exhibit and trade fair where entrepreneurs from around the country come together with local textile. I absolutely love this! I always come out of there with yards of textile for myself. There was once even a talk they gave about different tribes and what their patterns mean, it was a great experience! I love learning about our culture (especially when translated to textile) and I'm glad that there are venues like these that provide the opportunity to do so.