The Old Manila: Intramuros

Pretty long post hiatus post, I know. haha

Let me share to you the beauty of Intramuros. Probably some have visited this place at one point in their lives, some of you haven't, and some just never had the chance to do so. 

Being the TV and Pinoy movie enthusiast that I am, I know for a fact that Intramuros has been a venue for so many movies such as Mikee Cojuanco and Aga Muhlach's Forever, and Aga Muhlach and Dayanara Torres' Basta't Kasama Kita, Albert Martinez's Rizal, Kristine and Jericho's teleserye Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas and lots more. Grabe noh? haha

It may seem like a huge place during your first visit but once you're familiar with the roads and landmarks, it'll be easier for you to navigate and you'll realize there's no need to ride the Kalesa other than the tourist-y effect.

Plaza Roma right in front of the Manila Cathedral

Manila Cathedral- Sharon-Gabby wedding, Cory's Wake

You'll find at least one Guardia Civil in each major place of attraction. 

Don't hesitate to ask them for suggestions or directions. Most, if not all are very nice.

Ana & Carms; Casa Manila- Basta't Kasama Kita and Jose Rizal

Casa Manila's guardias double as tour guides. They are very accommodating and suuuuper funny! they have jokes about the places they are assigned to. You have to visit to experience the humor. Fifty pesos entrance fee applies. 

Inside Casa Manila there's a cafe called Barbara's. 

It's a very cute place- perfect for coffee or dinner dates. They serve pasta and I dunno what else. My friends and I just ordered soda because it was a hot day.

Beside Barbara's is a quaint shop called The Papier Tole Shop. The store keeper greeted us as we walked by. He invited us to see his store but we declined. But when Ana and Carmela stopped by the art gallery (can't blame them...they're fine arts students hehe), I went back to the shop. Interesting finds- I got a woven paper wallet and an organic anti-stress rub. Well, my real mission was to just see what's inside. Simply put, I wanted the store keeper to feel that his job is important and people appreciate it. But it turned out to be a worthy visit. He chatted with us, told us about the stuff they sell, how long they've been there. Being a business graduate, I was naturally curious who buys from the shop. Manong said most of his customers are balikbayans and locals (like me, haha).

From Casa Manila, you'll see the San Agustin Church and museum. this church seems to be very in demand for weddings. Every time I visit, there's a wedding. hehe We didn't enter the museum anymore because we were excited to visit other places. (Museum: Fifty pesos entrance fee)

Fort Santiago. 50 pesos entrance fee for students. 70 for adults.

Manila Cathedral in the afternoon sun.

The Arc (main entrance)  in Fort Santiago 

Inside the Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago

At the dungeons. That's Pasig River behind us.

Off to THE view.

At Ravellin de la Puerta Real de Bagumbayan. This is the location of Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas. And also the Ateneo Blue Eagles' cover for Lifestyle Asia.

 The view from Muralla: Intramuros golf course and The Manila Hotel

From Intramuros, take a cab to Mall of Asia and revel in A nice sunset at Manila Bay to cap off the day. This is the view from the mall's bay area.

For a day trip getaway, visit Intramuros and learn more about our history. 

*photos of me are by Ana Gagarin. Thanks Ana! :)

Iloilo City- The City of Love

What better place to start my travel blog than my home town Iloilo City!

Iloilo City is home to the most malambing (sweetest) Filipinos in the country. Ilonggos are naturally thoughtful and mellow- even when we're mad. haha I wasn't born in Iloilo, my parents aren't from Iloilo but I had my elementary and secondary education here that's why I consider myself pretty much an Ilonggo.

My 10 day stay in Iloilo was mainly focused on sleeping, revisiting my favorite restaurants, tagging along with mom whenever she'd do work at the shop and doing office work for dad. Warning: This first post is all about the restos I've eaten in. I actually had to rethink if this was a travel blog or a food blog. But then again, food is a crucial part of the travel. haha

Please forgive my photos as I am still shy to take shots of the places. I promise to improve the photos in my next destinations.

I arrived at the Iloilo International Airport around 7 in the evening. This new airport in Sta.Barbara, Iloilo is 45 minutes away from the city. From there, we headed to Imay's Bar and Restaurant- one of the relatively new restos in Iloilo City.

Imay's is located in Smallville. It's sort of like an Eastwood City or the Fort Strip - a wide area lined with restaurants, bars, cafes, ktv's, and a business hotel.

My favorite dish here is the Lengua. click the menu for a closer look.

The following are the other places I've eaten in during my stay.

Balbi's

Mom and I went to the shop. Before going home, we walked to Balbi's. A hole-in-the wall dining place that's known for their palabok and dinuguan.  That on the photo is the owner. The lady is Mom- paying for my order. haha

 Merienda at Iloilo Bird House

Iloilo Bird House is located in the same building as Balbi's only that this one is located in the building's facade and Balbi's is a little hidden. This snack house is known for their thin pizza. The place has 5 tables that can seat less than 20 people at one time. I guess that's the charm of the snack house. On the walls hang photographs taken by the owner which are being sold for 1500-ish per piece. I didn't take a photo coz maybe it was not allowed. I believe the owner has been into photography since the age of film SLRs. His old photog magazines are in a small box and are sold at 20 pesos each. haha

A very 'kind' gesture that makes you feel less guilty after eating.

Check out how thin that pizza is.

That's the gay personnel of the snack house. He's nice. And that one in red is my dad who loves taking photos too when he was young.

Ramboy's Manukan and Lechon

It's my first time to eat here. My high school friends were the ones who chose this place. I super loved their liempo (crispy and yummy!) and calamares. I am a sucker for great tasting calamares and this one sure passed my standards. The only problem I had here was the ventilation. It was pretty small place, they had no built in fans so it was quite hot when we ate there. Plus the flying creatures (aka mosquitos) were something to be bothered about. Nonetheless, I loved the food.

Nothing But Desserts, Smallville 

We walked to this new dessert place after dinner. It's sort of like a little dessert cafe that has a Manila feel to it. The desserts had very nice presentations but the taste didn't match its appearance.

I can actually say that KFC's chocolate mousse tasted better. Sorry NBD! I hope they improve the taste of their desserts. Those above cost like 110 pesos each. On the other hand I bet their gelato was good because during the 30 minute stay we had, a looot of people came in and out of the place to grab a cup of gelato.

BREAKTHROUGH Restaurant, Villa

Breakthough is a 5 minute drive from our house. It's a beachside resto that's famous for so many things! It's a must for visitors and balikbayans to come at eat here. Must try's are the lechon, pantat (hito in Tagalog and catfish in English), Kinilaw, and the bangus sisig. Dining by the beach is also refreshing. You'll see manongs selling sweet kakanins, and kids skim boarding by the shore. This place is packed during weekends.

Oh, don't think of swimming though. The beach isn't 'clean' to swim in so don't bother bringing your bikinis and trunks. haha

Mom, Dad and Joop ordering our food

The lechon plate I could not resist. haha!

Kids skim boarding.

Other restaurants I recommend (and ate in) are:

Wok's Cooking- stuffed tofu, fried dumplings and salt and pepper spareribs

JD Bakeshop- the Roadhouse branch. Their mushroom soup is to die for. The fried chicken is an all-time favorite.

Ted's Batchoy

Mang Inasal - (both Ted's and Mang Inasal have branches in Manila)

Will post my last few photos of Iloilo soon.

Come and visit Iloilo- lots of food choices to taste and picturesque destinations that'll surely make you want to come back for more.

Til the next destination,

Adz