As a student of Ateneo, I barely have the time to chill and relax because of how requirements keep…read morepiling up on me. Most of the time I just stay in the library to study for an exam or to finish a presentation for one of my classes. With all the responsibilities I have to deal with, there are times that I just wish I could relax in one of the really nice places in campus to temporarily relieve myself of stress. One of those places is the Zen Garden. Ateneo Zen Garden is based on the Japanese rock garden. It is a stylized landscape that uses small rocks, bushes, gravel, and sand to recreate an image of a peaceful and calming symbolic garden. At first, I didn't really appreciate it because a lot of students stay there during lunch time and sometimes, organizations would use it for their activities. But when I was finally able to view it without the people and the noise, I realized that the Zen Garden can actually make you feel a sense of inner peace (WOW DEEP).

The Zen Garden of the Loyola Schools will always have a special place in my heart. Being a graduate…read moreof Ateneo, i have some fond memories of this place where i would walk everyday to get from one class to the next. It is also where some of my toughest days in college took place as i joined group study sessions with my classmates. The Zen Garden, for me, is a trademark of Ateneo's dedication to molding their students and giving them the utopian society that taught us how to value rules and policies which keep our surroundings clean and green. It is also meant for their students to value reflection and discernment when facing challenges or simply contemplating your existence and purpose. Zen Garden is one of the many places in Ateneo where students seek refuge as they face daily challenges. This is where they get to spend time with their friends and have conversations with some of the brightest minds of today's youth.

This humble park sits in the heart of Ortigas' business center, and no doubt pretty popular for…read morehumans "native" to the area. But it was more than just a park to me (or to my friends). We had a lot of crazy memories here. Most notable would be one summer night when we got kicked out of my friend's house...after having a noisy marathon of Supernatural and pigging out on home-made tacos (gee, if I was the man of the house, I would've kick out the crazy kids outside my room too!) Anyway, we packed up our food, the huge grocery bag of chips and drinks and dips and headed off to--you guessed it--Ortigas Park! We actually looked like hobos having picnic outside the surrounding upscale foodplaces, which is kinda embarrassing, but not one of us gave a shizzle. And who would've thought having a picnic there is allowed? The guards patrolling the area were giving us weirded-out looks but not one told us to get the party out. Perhaps because we had our own trash bags? Hey, we love the environment! It was a funny night, until it rained, and we all have to move to Strata for shelter and eventually back to the condo. Ortigas park isn't just fun at evenings, though. I love staying there during mornings too! In my lonesome, I chill here with a sketchpad to brainstorm on new dresses. The daylight just brings out my spirit all the time, and if I'm feeling for some coffee, I will just hop right in Coffee Bean. I wish Ortigas Park will remain essentially the same, and not built-on, somehow. Because that would totally suck. It's one of the few parks that holds a dear place in my heart!

Oritgas Park is slightly less "extravagant" and quite smaller than other parks in highly urban…read moreareas, like Ayala Triangle Gardens. There's not that many people there, there's fewer trees, and the only establishments are the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf there, unless you wanna walk towards Ortigas Jr Road and their assortment of Fast Food Restaurants. But that's exactly why I love it. When it comes to parks, I like quiet ones. Ones with fewer people, where I could sit with some coffee and listen to some music. And that's exactly why Ortigas Park is probably the park for me. I absolutely love looking at the waterfall, the ambiance of the wooden benches, and basically how completely quiet the place is during the night time. It's also a really solid study/work spot for me. I've written 3000 words on one of those Coffee Bean tables before. If you like quieter places, then I suggest Ortigas Park!

I used to run a lot, and then life happened, and now I'm a bum. Luckily, I live near UP and I could…read morewalk there, which can serve as my warm up before I do a round or two around Sunken Garden. PROS: It's not a garden at all, but it is a sunken field. UP legend says it sinks a few inches every year because of the mosh pit and rocking and jumping that occurs during the UP Fair; Traffic's one way so it makes it safer for pedestrians crossing the road. Also, there's a bike lane and jogging path which people who attempt to get fit like me (and those who are legitimately fit already. WEYW.) can frequently use; Start at the Oblation in front of Quezon Hall as your inspiration to look better naked as you begin your run. Then, you see the breathtaking acacia trees lining Sunken and it does look like a leafy tunnel. CONS: Pets and skateboards are not allowed, according to the signs. But I still see the occasional pooches which I am always tempted to pet; I'M SORRY I COUNTERFLOW WHEN I RUN! Yes, I even make eye contact with those coming past me. It's just that if I run in the same direction as the cars and jeeps like everyone, the smoke from the vehicles hit me smack on the face. By the time you reach Vinzons where all the jeepneys are, it gets hard to breathe so I'd rather run against the tide of people and vehicles. If you happen to see me, and you have to run around me as I pummel towards you, I apologize in advance. TL;DR: I can exercise without having to pay anything! Also a good place with relatively clean air for general tambay and walks.

You can take the probinsyana dog out of the province, but you can't take the province out of the…read moreprobinsyana dog. Born and raised in the boondocks of Misamis Oriental, I had to take my poor Storm to the big city so she can see a proper vet. She was literally fresh off the boat and was missing the green, green grass of home terribly so we decided to take her to UP Sunken Garden. After a gruelling two-hour cab ride where Storm was literally shaking in fear (so many metal beasts!), we finally got to UP, where there were free-range grass and tall trees for miles around. I could see my little doggy tear up at the sight of all the green, and she wasted no time running around and taking it all in (translation: she started peeing all over the place, claiming the entire garden as her territory). It took a lot of coaxing and passionate promises of regular trips to her new kingdom to get her into a cab and back to the concrete jungle of Makati, but at least she had her day of fun. Here's to more days of fun in her doggy future.

In a country where there are more Condominiums and malls every 5 Kilometers, I'm glad that Ortigas…read moreand Company, the developer of Capitol Commons built a park between Estancia Mall and Royalton Condominium. The people walking around with their dogs, some are jogging at night. These things are just refreshing to see in the heart of a very busy business place in Pasig City. It just relaxes me after a long day when I roam around the area, just watching and sitting on the benches observing people (not the creepy type) especially their pets. I hope to bring my dogs here next time.

The new Capitol Commons park is a welcome oasis in the middle of the otherwise greenery-barren…read moreOrtigas. It offers respite to urban-dwellers who need a break from the city, to jog, play with their children (to make up for the sprawling home lawns that the city cannot provide), walk their dogs, or just chill out. It is busiest during the mornings for health enthusiasts, and then at night for that, and everything else. Just across the street is Estancia -- a new mall and development so fresh that only less than half of it is open. Although, it shows much promise, with the array of high-end retail stores and up-and-coming restaurant concepts that it offers. Parallel to the park are also other restaurants, which are great for families, but, for the most part, better as after-work and weekend watering holes for groups of friends.

I swung by Ayala Triangle Gardens after a long day at the office last week, and man, it was exactly…read morewhat I needed. Grabbed a spot on one of the benches under the big trees, cracked open a book, and just let the city noise fade into the background while kids ran around laughing and joggers zipped by. The air actually felt fresher in there compared to the rest of Makati--huge green escape right in the middle of all the concrete. Ended up staying longer than planned, got an iced latte from one of the cafes, and watched the sunset hit those colorful "Make it Happen, Make it Makati" letters. Felt so peaceful and alive at the same time. Five stars, no question--I'll be back whenever I need to recharge without leaving the CBD.

Just got back from a quick evening stroll through Ayala Triangle Gardens and honestly, it never…read moredisappoints. After being stuck in back-to-back meetings all day, I needed somewhere to clear my head without fighting traffic out of the CBD. Found a quiet corner near the fountain, plugged in my favorite playlist, and just watched the lights start twinkling as the sun went down. The place was alive but not chaotic--couples walking hand in hand, groups of friends laughing over takeout, a few serious runners circling the paths. Grabbed a cold calamansi drink from one of the stalls and sat there longer than I meant to, feeling the stress literally melt away. That big colorful "Make it Happen, Make it Makati" sign glowing against the skyline is such a vibe too. It's the perfect little pocket of calm in the middle of all the hustle. Easily five stars--can't wait to swing by again soon.

This is one of my favorite parks in Makati. While they are more strict than other public parks…read more(like Legaspi Active beside it or Salcedo Park), it is really well maintained. They have areas where you can quietly sit and draw or listen to music (with a headset, of course), grassy areas where kids can run around or appreciate the artsy structures, there's also a gazebo on top of a man-made pond with koi. This park closes at certain hours of the night and has a guard roaming around (so it's pretty safe), it has three entrance doors and piped in music when it is open. Smoking is not allowed inside the park as are pets. This is a great stress-reliever when you feel like taking a walk in a peaceful setting in the middle of the work day.

I'm a big fan of parks. I grew up in the province, and there are days when I miss seeing green…read more This verdant oasis in the middle of Makati was a welcome sight, I tell you. I used to work in the Asian Institute of Management, and I used to take long walks during my lunch break because I didn't have any friends and I didn't want to spend an hour alone in the office. Eventually I stumbled into Washington Sycip Park, and started going there everyday, with my lunchbox and drink, to sit on a bench and enjoy another great day to be alive. It didn't matter if it was sunny, there were great big trees forming a leafy canopy over the park that kept things fresh and breezy.

I have too many good memories here at Worlds of Fun. From the haunted train ride to the bump cars,…read moreeverything was magical specially because it was a time I spent with friends and I was at a point where the biggest problem I had was my first crush, it was indeed a good time. Looking back I was thankful that they've put up small amusement parks like these in malls where kids can easily go to, not just this one in particular but also in other malls too. As a child, we couldn't afford to go to big ones on our own because: 1. we didn't know how to drive and 2. our baons weren't enough to cover the expenses to go there. Unlike most kids nowadays! Worlds of Fun though, they're really budget friendly. Give a kid a couple of hundred and he'd be all set for the day. I also loved playing arcade games there though that wasn't my main focus. It was the haunted train ride that still haunts me to this day (scaredy cat!).

When the baby boomers of the previous generation had children of their own, the demand for places…read moreto take the little toddlers rose considerably, leading to some malls and supermarkets or other major shopping establishments to create mini-carnivals which catered to the young and the young at heart. I don't know if this is something unique to the Philippines, but when you're not up to travel all the way to Star City or Enchanted Kingdom, Worlds of Fun may be a very viable option for you. Boasting mini roller coasters and smaller scale carousels, as well as a plethora of modern, digital arcade games, this area provides children with multiple worlds of fun to go to! Designed in a grandiose fashion that I still find impressive (the entrance gateway is in Egyptian style, for example), the area manages to make something affordable and reasonable look like a lot of fun, even to a young adult like myself, who may be secretly wishing to have the ability to go back to those carefree times.

1. It is a good place. Very organized and very clean . 2…read more You wont believe that they have a great forest in the middle of the town 3. Lot of birds 4. They could have made it better, by putting some bird feeders and other attractions.

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.

Marikina River Park is like a shapeshifter…read more In the morning, it is like a fitness park. At some point during the day, it's like a playground and sometimes even a place for dating. At night, it caters to the nightlife of the Marikenyos or anyone who wants to come and visit. In the morning, people come here to walk, jog, or bike. Personally, I love early morning walks and I am glad that in Marikina I can do that along the riverside. I can enjoy the smell of grass and breathe in fresh air. Looking at the river also adds to the relaxation because the view of any body of water is refreshing to the eye. Sometimes, I jog here to burn calories but I end up eating breakfast for it is hard to resist the call of several makeshift stores serving breakfast meals - goto, okoy, fried lumpia, tapsilog, hotsilog. There are also sights to see in the River Park like the image of Marikit-na, the lady after whom legend says the city has been named. There are two arcs surrounded with some greenery, the Roman Garden and the Chinese Temple Park. If you walk a little further, you may see the life-size carabaos near SM Marikina. Also, there are days when a boat is available to transport you from one side to the other for a very small fee (if I remember correctly, it's not even more than PhP 5). In the afternoon, I see from the bridge above children running around and playing with each other. There are also some afternoons when you can find couples or groups of teenage friends sitting on some of the benches there. At night, the River Park transforms into a night-out place. The makeshift breakfast stalls are no longer to be seen. Gone are the children playing around the park. Once it gets dark, the bars take centerstage. Just choose among those that line up the Sta. Elena side of the park and enjoy the view of the river while having a drink in one those bars.