Creatively Cool Manila “STAYCATIONS”

"With several more long weekends coming up in 2012, you might be asking yourself, “What else is there to do if I want to have a different kind of weekend but don’t want to travel and deal with airport lines, traffic jams, and all the hassle of moving in and out of the metro?” The answer is simple and could be just as enjoyable: have a staycation!


The word “staycation” is a portmanteau of the words “stay” and “vacation”, which means that you can have the same vacation experience right near where you live. Whatever your inclination might be, there’s more than enough in Manila to feed both your body and your creative soul. Here are some ideas to make your staycation just as fun—or even more so, sans the traveling headaches—as a trip out of town.

1. Get the “Greenwich Village” experience at Salcedo Village, Makati.

Salcedo Village might not be the “bohemian capital” that the famed New York village had been, but with its mix of leisurely residential pleasures, art galleries, and upscale dining establishments, it’s got enough attractions for the laid-back, the indulgent, and the artist-at-heart. For our wedding anniversary weekend, my husband (a musician) and I (a writer/poet/doodler) booked a room at the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences. We enjoyed the hotel’s homage to Picasso and its art exhibits spread throughout the hotel, and also enjoyed its proximity to the Salcedo Village Saturday Market. Come Saturday morning, we hopped over to the Saturday Market and sampled some French, Spanish, and Middle Eastern dishes, bought fresh flowers and a lot of other goodies, viewed some Art in the Park (opening again on February 18!), and felt like we were truly away from the city. For dessert, it was off to chocolate heaven at Chocolate Fire. Other places we enjoyed within walking distance of each other were: Apartment 1B, which serves “gourmet comfort food” and also acts like a mini-gallery of contemporary artworks; Blanc Gallery, an art gallery showcasing some of the best by Manila’s young contemporary artists; and even the Goethe-Institut library (great for lovers of German language and culture!), right next-door to Picasso.

2. Bring the Singapore vibe closer to home at Bonifacio Global City.

One of the things that my brother and I love about Bonifacio Global City is how it makes you feel like being in parts of Hong Kong or Singapore while being close to home. For this urban-inspired staycation, try Best Western Premier F1 Hotel, which offers all the comforts of a contemporary business hotel without breaking your wallet. While there, have your fill of homemade treats and unique finds at Mercato Centrale (operating behind S&R), or shop for other inexpensive finds at Market! Market! For more upscale pleasures, spend the day shopping at Bonifacio High Street or dining at Serendra (my favorites: Chelsea Market Café, Balducci, Gaudí, Abe, and ECHOstore and the newly opened ECHOmarket). Have your dose of pampering at The Spa Wellness at the Fort (for couples, try booking their ultra-luxurious villas), then stay up all night having great conversation over wine at Cav. If you’re more of a party animal, head over to the Fort Strip for late-night drinking at Draft or, if you’re lucky, some serious clubbing and hobnobbing at Privé. For the arts-inclined, check out Arts in the City (beside the NBC Tent), MO Gallery (MOS Design building, where the Bo Concept and Natuzzi showrooms are located), or the numerous galleries on the second floor of the Serendra Piazza. You will also have a wider range of dining options at Burgos Circle, also within Bonifacio Global City, and at the nearby Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill.

3. Enjoy “green luxury” at Cocoon Boutique Hotel in Quezon City.

A “green” boutique hotel right in the heart of Quezon City? Yes—you read that right. Cocoon Boutique Hotel is a newly opened upscale accommodation at the Tomas Morato area, literally just a stone’s throw away from Tomas Morato and Timog Avenues. Fusing contemporary Filipino design with the design and the sensibilities of a true eco-friendly hotel, Cocoon promises to be exactly that: a cocoon and an urban sanctuary right in the middle of a bustling city. Snuggle up in 400-thread count, 100% Egyptian Cotton bed linen and 90% Goose down duvets—which really make a difference when you want to enjoy a good night’s sleep—enjoy a languid, refreshing dip in its rooftop pool (which makes you forget that you are in Quezon City), give yourself five-star pampering treatment at Iris Spa Deluxe (located at the 2/F) go for cocktail-and-pastries pairing at Paire (located at the G/F), or have a hearty Italian meal in the midst of a “Kitchen Battle” at Il Duelo (right beside Paire). If you’d like to step out of the hotel and continue on with your “green” theme, hop over to Greens Vegetarian Restaurant and Café, a charming garden-themed nook right on Scout Castor Street. Another resto we love in that area is Romulo Café. If you’re up for more creative dining and café adventures, head over to Maginhawa Street in Teachers Village for a delightful smorgasbord of art, café concepts, and a truly laid-back vibe.

4. Feel cultured in Manila.

A mash-up of both the Philippines’ colonial past and its contemporary future, Manila is a great place to get a healthy dose of culture. Book your stay at Midas Hotel, a luxurious hotel managed by Genesis Hotels and Resorts, the same property managers as the famed Bellarocca in Marinduque. Aside from featuring outstanding contemporary design by Ivy and Cynthia Almario, the hotel serves some of the best buffet meals in the metro (and one of my personal favorites). In the afternoon, head over to Harbor Square (CCP Complex) to have coffee by the bay and watch Manila’s famed sunset, then catch a show at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Some of the notable shows to catch within the first quarter of 2012 are Mamma Mia (until February 12), Filipiniana Sunsets (until February 29), and Chabet (until March 31, featuring the iconic visual artist Roberto Chabet). Cross over to the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and view its permanent gold and pottery collections, or catch any of the traveling exhibits that happen to be on display for that weekend. On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, walk with one of Manila’s favorite tour guides, Carlos Celdran, as he reveals what Intramuros would say “If These Walls Could Talk!” Another great tour to take would be the Binondo Food Walk by tour guide Ivan ManDy. If you’re looking for something equally educational but not as tiring for young children, hop over to Manila Ocean Park for some underwater discoveries.

5. Savor space in the suburban South.

For someone like me who grew up in the South, it’s easy to wax nostalgic about the good ol’ days when current mall sites used to be rolling hills and trees. Still, the suburbs come with their distinct vibe and laid-back flavor, and Alabang will always be a great place to consider for a staycation, sans the southbound traffic. For a slice of indulgence, stay at the Vivere Hotel, which combines luxury and hospitality and has been ranked highly by travelers from all over the world. Guests here love Vivere Skyline, the hotel’s al fresco restaurant located on the building’s 31st floor and which offers a magnificent view of the southern skyline. Of course, there are also numerous dining favorites in either Alabang Town Center, Westgate Center, or Festival Supermall in Festival Alabang. Some of the area’s homegrown favorites include: Omakase (Susana Arcade, Madrigal Avenue), The French Corner (Westgate Center), Sophia’s Mediterranean Deli (Westgate Center, if you’d like to try Mediterranean halal cuisine), Aussie Café (BC Group Center, Filinvest Avenue), and Union Jack Tavern, a “tavern, restaurant, and English grocery) (2/F Festival Supermall), among many others. Another haven to check out in the South is Serenity Place at Westgate Center, which is an urban sanctuary of soulful indulgences such as Sujivana Salon, furniture and jewelry boutique Bohemian Nation Trading Co., and BoNa Coffee Company, among others.

To some of us, these “destinations” may be just within the neighborhood and may present no cause for excitement. However, to the city dweller who is frequently confronted with a lot of traffic, a lot of stress, and a lot of pressure, “no excitement” could sometimes be a good thing. The familiarity of being close to home with the added feel of being on vacation (and without rush-hour Metro Manila traffic) may be just what some of us need to relax and recharge for busy days ahead."


by  Niña Terol-Zialcita
 / February 20, 2012