Monte Vista is my college organization's go-to resort for spontaneous (usually overnight) swimming…read more For 100 pesos/pax, you can go nuts in any of their 16 mineral hotspring pools and 8 giant slides! And I mean giant! You can see them from miles away! The resort is never really crowded, especially at night, so it really felt like we rented the whole place. They also have private AC rooms for that Snorlax friend who falls asleep when buzzed. I've been thinking a lot about Monte Vista these days, what with this oppressive Manila heat. I'd sell my soul for a day (or night!) of splashy, flashy, fun!

Just a reminder for everyone who swims in this pool or wants to swim here, you cannot wear board…read moreshorts in this pool. Now that that's out of the way, if you're a resident of Merville, you get to swim in this pool for a small fee. If you're not a resident of Merville, look for a friend or a relative who is and bug the person to accompany you to the pools. It's summer now and the pools are full of children. They're there all day long and I can't blame them. It's too hot not to get yourself into a pool. Oh, you know how from afar you can sometimes smell the chlorine coming from the pool? Well, you can't smell the chlorine of the pools. It doesn't mean that they don't put chlorine. It just means that it isn't that strong. There are always lifeguards watching the place and reminding everyone to be on their best behavior. It's safe here and really clean. So jump in and cool off at the pools.

great pool for lapping though water 70% of the time really blurry. HOWEVER, staff should be…read moreeducated on the MATERIAL (modern athletic shorts (and shirts) today are polyester tricot (dazzle) or microfiber polyester double-knit or twill and are fine for pool chemistry and filters) rather than the FIT of the swimwear. Not everything TIGHT is for swimming.... likewise not everything LOOSE is NOT for swimming. I've seen swimmers in tees, sandos, cycling shorts and leggings made of cotton but were allowed cause it's TIGHT fitting .... and swimmers not allowed for LOOSE shorts EVEN if MATERIAL is for SWIMMING. Don't get stuck in the past!!

I've been going here almost every week to surf the wave pool if I can't go out of town to chase…read moreocean waves which is often. Well, if not for the Philippine Surfing Academy holding Club Manila East as its main venue for its surf programs, I don't think I'd give this place a second thought. But weirdly enough, my toddler daughter loves it here because of their kiddie pool which has an equally fun kiddie slide and baby fountains for extreme toddler enjoyment. Although I always have someone with my kid to make sure she doesn't drown or get kidnapped. Their lifeguards can be negligent. Anyway, on full weekends, the bathrooms are overused and disgusting but do go for the surfing. It's super worth the workout and the price. You'll definitely get hooked. Another review for Philippine Surfing Academy later on but for CME, the place isn't exactly the cleanest or most sosyal hang out spot. There's lots to do but keep your expectations low if you won't be surfing the wave pool.

Located in Taytay, Rizal, Club Manila East, or CME as it is most commonly referred to, is quite…read moreaccessible to anyone who lives in the metro. I've actually been here a couple of times, sometimes with friends and sometimes with family. Without a doubt, I can say that CME is actually a pretty fun place. There are many pools for different experiences, such as the lap pool, diving pool, kayaking pool, and the wave pool, where you can get lessons from a certified surf instructor from the Philippine Surfing Academy. I personally enjoyed the kayaking around, which was really relaxing. If none of those are your things, you can play beach volleyball at their court, or ride the zip line for just P150. The overnight settings are adequate, but nothing special. The place has many function halls and the like, which are great for company seminars, orientations for team-buildings, and conferences.

The urge to slim down has became a need. Well, its all fine to be chubby (and cute, I must say) but…read moresome medical condition somewhere at the lower back needed me to slim down. My rehab doctor said that one of the ways to safely get those muscles working and burning unwanted fat is to swim. At first, I didn't know where to swim. I mean, I'm not comfortable taking off clothes in a public space, really. I looked and asked people on where to go swimming in a public pool with a few people going there. A friend suggested to head on to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Commissioned Officers' Club Swimming Pool (AFP COC Swim Pool). When I went to the swimming pool place, I was giddily happy because no one was there except for Sam, the caretaker. He told me the rates and what time the pool opens and closes. A few days of swimming and Sam and I were comfortable with sharing our lower back problems, and eventually, fellow swimmers would also share why they were swimming. It was a community of people in AFP COC where you feel you belong right away because they cheer you when you finish a handful of laps without stopping, invite you to triathlon events, and hang out for a quick and healthy dinner.

Finding a resort close to Manila is becoming a challenge these days. For when the hot springs,…read moreprivate pools and resorts of Laguna seem too far, one can always go to Rizal. Good thing a friend of mine discovered Punta De Fabian in Baras, Rizal, accessible via a less-than-two-hour-drive from the heart of Manila. For a "swimming pool collector" like me (and "mamaji" from the Life of Pi), the two swimming pools (one is an infinity pool) of the resort are heaven on earth. Sadly, one was undergoing repair the last time we went there, but that's probably longer a concern now. What I like about these pools (and the resort in general) is that it is not at all crowded. They seem to be doing a good job managing the booking schedules and venues, as the pools and dining areas are never overcrowded, at least in the three times we were there. One additional reason for me to come back again and again is the size of their rooms. You and your friends can literally do cartwheels inside. In one room we stayed at, the bathroom was the size of a studio apartment, no kidding! If you want a tranquil place for your R&R, this is highly recommended!

This resort is my favorite resort in bulacan because of clean pools and amenities. Also, the staff…read morewere very accommodating, they will assist you starting from the entrance until the end of your swimming. Many pools and activities. And much safer because of many lifeguards anywhere around the vicinity. My favorite part was the big wave, it's really fun because almost all of the guest were enjoying the waves. All in all Amana has a well trained staff. Also, they are checking your bags upon entry because they don't allow deadly weapons and alcoholic drink or any liquor but instead they offer mineral water inside of the resort and I find it really good for securing all guests.

My brother-in-law invited me to join him in one of his regular swimming sessions at the Makati Aqua…read moreSports Arena (MASA). It was an impromptu invitation so I was not prepared. In fact, I just brought basketball shorts with me. I was thinking that since it's a public pool, the regulations would be flexible. I was wrong. The regulations here are strictly observed. One must wear proper swimming attire when using the facilities. I could understand the puritanical rules because the swimming pool is well-maintained and everyone present that day appeared to be serious swimmers. MASA looks very much like the big swimming pool at ULTRA. But a smaller pool for children is also available. Makati residents need to pay PHP 50.00, while non-residents are charged PHP 150.00 for the use of the facilities. MASA is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 8:00am to 12:00 noon and then from 1:00pm to 8:00pm. They have clean changing rooms and lockers you can use for a fee. It was a cloudy day when we went for a swim. At first, my brother-in-law was allowed into the pool. But when lightning started to appear in the skies, everyone was instructed by the lifeguards to get out of the water. I was impressed that the guys at MASA were not only strict with the swimming attire, but with the safety of the swimmers, too.

YMCA Binondo is possibly one of the best places you can get your swim on if you're into exercising…read morewithout the sweat, like me (I'm not a swimmer though, but I can probably swim 500 meters or so, with coffee breaks in between lol--kidding!) Anyway, the first time I went here was when a humble triathlete had a swimming fundraising to help out street animals. Being slightly involved in the event, I found out that YMCA allows these kinds of things to be held there, provided that there are proper arrangements (permits, letters, etc) made like two months or so in advanced. It's a plus, because when they know it's for a cause, they will allow you to use the pool! The 25-meter pool is located at the ground floor, which is the only area I've actually explored in the place. It's the perfect place to do your laps though, especially on a Sunday morning when the pool is almost vacant, or at least during the Sundays that I've been there. The catch though--the water is super cold! For people whose bodies are not used to swimming in these waters, you'd end up shivering after a bit--like me!

This family-owned resort is the perfect place for a weekend getaway with family and friends. It's…read morejust a short 1.5hr-2hrs drive away from Manila, making it very easy to get to. Awilihan can be rented for the entire day or for overnight stays. The place can comfortably accommodate 30 people (max). The rental fee is already inclusive of the use of the house (airconditioned rooms with beds, pillows and showers), the pool, sports facilities (badminton, basketball and billiards) and the use of their pool. You can opt to bring your own food or order food from them for a reasonable fee. The entire place overlooks the Taal Lake and there's always a nice cool breeze, making it the perfect relaxation spot. I have taken my family and friends here and all of them love the place so much. Once you enter, you immediately feel comfortable. The atmosphere is very relaxing and homey and it just makes you want to lounge around. Although there's no beach to swim in, their swimming pool is enticing enough to make you want to jump in one you see it. I love how the whole place is secluded... away from the traffic and the noise of the city. I always recommend this place to my friends and family because you really can't go wrong with Awilihan! It really is paradise!