Try This!
Have Fun sa Tag-Ulan
Why tell the rain to go away if you can still go out and play? The Philippines, if not covered in heat, is completely dripping wet. We have a climate of extremes but that should not stop anyone from exploring the country and having fun, with caution of course. Since more people travel during summer and are accustomed to staying at home or going to school during the rainy season, prices tend to be lowered on these days – and that include airfares, hotels, resorts, and other establishments.
Why not take advantage of these? Aside from seat sales and promos, there are also activities best enjoyed during this time of the year.
Hot spring swimming
One of the amazing natural wonders of the Philippines worth seeing is our hot springs. These are natural pools with warm therapeutic waters. And we have so much beautiful natural hot springs scattered around the country. Pack those swim wears and head to one this weekend!
Hidden Valley Spring in Alaminos, Laguna
How to get there: An hour and a half drive from Manila towards South Superhighway. Take Exit 50 and head to Batangas. Upon reaching the Y-intersection, take left lane heading to Alaminos. Upon reaching Alaminos, look out for the Caltex Station on the left side of the road. In approximately 200m, take a left lane following a Y-intersection. From there, follow the signs heading to Hidden Valley Springs.
Rates: Contact the hotel for the rates as prices vary depending on the room type and dates.
Marinduque Hot Spring Resorts
How to get there: Take the South Luzon Expressway to. Exit towards Calamba and continue onto CALABARZON Expressway. Follow signage to Dahican Rd. Take ferry to Santa Cruz. Upon reaching Santa Cruz, turn left towards Marinduque Circumferential Rd and continue to follow it. It is along the national highway near the boundary of Buenavista and Torrijos.
Rates: Morning tour: P50.00 per person for 5 hours of stay; afternoon tour: P70.00 per person for 5 hours of stay
Closing time is 10 pm. Cottages and rooms for overnight stay are also available. You may check the rates with them.
Mateo Hot Spring in Irosin, Sorsogon
How to get there: Take a bus from Manila to Bulan or Matnog, Sorsogon. This will pass by the town of Irosin. Other long distance buses and local buses terminate at Sorsogon City Central Bus Terminal. From here there are several jeepneys that go to the different towns of Sorsogon. Ride a jeep going to Irosin. The resort is about 20-30-minute ride from the town proper. It passes by the national highway along pastoral fields and then a short section of dirt road towards the resort. You may rent a tricycle from the town center for 50 pesos or less.
Rates: Day tour: P35.00 per person; night tour: P40.00; children below 4ft.: P20.00
Room rates ranges from P600-2,200.00 for air-conditioned and P400-1,100.00 for non-air-conditioned; cottage rentals ranges from P130-700.00 for a cabana.
Indoor sports & activities
When bad weather prevented people from leaving the house, we have invented indoor games and sports for our amusement and activity. And such amusements have been developed over time, throughout the world. Below are some of the unconventional sports you may have always wanted to try.
Fencing at Ezkrima
Give fencing a try. Ezkrima Fencing Club conducts fencing lessons to all ages.
Address: Roof deck, Goldland Millenia Tower, Escriva Drive, Ortigas, Pasig City; or San Jose Village Clubhouse, along Alabang-Zapote Rd. across Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City
Rates: P500.00 for one hour; P5,250.00 for six sessions. Basic fencing equipment not included.
Website: http://www.facebook.com/ezkrima
Parkour at Ninja Academy
Give Naruto a run for his money (or ramen?) with your new found skills from Ninja Academy, Manila’s first and only indoor parkour facility, brought to you by Philippine Street and Workout and Calisthenics Association (PSWCA).
Address: #155 Dr. Sixto Antonio Ave., Pasig City
Rates: P350.00 for one day for first-timers; P290.00 for one day for students; P3,150.00 for a 10-sessions pass for two months. They also have monthly and annual rates.
Website: http://www.ninjaacademy.ph/
Archery at Kodanda Archery Range
Nope, this is not where Katniss nor Legolas trained to be master archers. But you could.
Address: 1230, 24 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
Rates: P580.00 per hour for one session
Wakeboarding
While being towed behind a motorboat, wakeboarders ride a short but wide board (that resembles a surf board) and maneuver or perform tricks while on water. Despite being an outdoor activity, this can still be enjoyed during rainy season since the bodies of water in wakeboarding parks in the country are lakes where no threats of tidal waves are apparent.
We have several wake parks in the country that welcome day tours and overnight trips.
CamSur Watersports Complex
Address: Provincial Capitol Complex Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
Rates: P165.00 hourly rate, P460.00 for half day, P750.00 the entire day and P590.00 for night rate from 5-9:00pm
Website: http://www.cwcwake.com
Nuvali
Address: West Diversity Blvd., Nuvali, Calamba, Laguna
Rates: Varies per hour – P250.00 for one hour of day ride, P350.00 for one hour of night ride.
Website: http://republ1cwakepark.com/
Decawake Clark Cable Park
Address: Jose P. Laurel Ave., Angeles, Pampanga
Rates: P400.00 for two hours, P700.00 for four hours, P1,000.00 for 8 hours
Website: http://republ1cwakepark.com/
Food tripping around the country
Face it, we, Pinoys, love to eat so much that we have food trip itineraries whenever we travel and food trip destinations all around the country. We have an interesting and mouth-watering cuisine that CNN has once labelled the Philippines as the second best food destination in the world.
Binondo Food Wok
Led by history buff and foodie, Ivan Man Dy, this is 3.5 hours food trip around Binondo is rich not only with food but with history and culture trivia too. Delicacies include dumplings, hopia, and of course, noodle soups.
Rate: P1,300.00 per person
Contact: (02) 711-3823 or email fun@oldmanilawalks.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Old-Manila-Walks-108497547617
Mel’s Davao Food Tour
Led by Mel Pangan, this is a 5.5-hour food fest of Davao’s fresh produce and traditional cuisine from breakfast, lunch, to merienda.
Rate: P2,250.00 per person
Contact: (047) 361-3544 or email melsdavaofoodtour@yahoo.com.ph
Eat Your Way through Pampanga
Pampanga is famous for its gastronomes. Try the best ones in this whole day food tour lead by Bryan Ocampo. Stops include Guagua, Santa Rita, Mexico, Magalang, and San Fernando and local delicacies include longganisang Guagua, tibuk tibuk, and tidtad among others.
Rate: P2,900.00 per person
Contact: +639178.993.948 or email bryanocampo@gmail.com
Website: http://www.mangankapampangan.com/
Museum and gallery visit
Our country is not only rich with natural resources and gastronomic delights; we are also rich in art and culture. That is evident in the various art displays all around the country, even in random places. We also have numerous national artists in several art disciplines. Local artists are also on the rise. Find a weekend to learn more about our arts and culture by museum hopping around Metro Manila
National Museum
National Museum’s mission is anchored on the “basic philosophy that the Filipino nation is kept unified by a deep sense of pride in its own identity, cultural heritage, and nature patrimony.” Here is the chance to get to know our own and be wowed of the masterpieces of our forefathers.
Address: Taft Ave., Ermita, Manila
Rate: Open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am-5pm. Student rate is P50.00, senior citizen is P120.00, and adult is P150.00. Free entrance for all on Sundays. On some months, they give out free entrance passes so watch out for announcements on either their website or Facebook page.
Website: http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph
Pinto Museum
This museum is a beautiful contemporary art piece on itself. From sculptures to paintings to a 4-poster bed on the lawn, Pinto Art Museum is sprawling with wonderful art displays. Walking around is a treat both on the eyes and the heart. Its green lawns, white walls, and color burst of artworks are truly relaxing. You can even book the entire place for a day or two for pre-nuptials, weddings, or just a simple pictorial.
Address: Sierra Madre St., Grand Heights Subdivision, Antipolo
Rate: Regular entrance ticket is P180.00, P150.00 for senior citizens, P100.00 for students with ID, and free entrance for 3-year olds and below. Pinto is open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am-6pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Pinto-Art-Museum-281376918562097/
Ayala Museum
A house of art in the heart of the metro, Ayala Museum is a breath of fresh air amidst the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila. It is a host to a number of amazing visual and contemporary arts including masterpieces of several national artists. There are also different themed exhibits and galleries every now and then.
Address: Cor. Makati Ave. and De La Rosa St. near Arnaiz Ave., Makati City
Rate: It is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am to 6pm. P150.00 is basic admission for a regular resident and P225.00 for full admission. Discounts for senior citizens and students apply. Teachers get free admission year-round upon ID presentation.
Website: http://www.ayalamuseum.org/
Disclaimer: all photos above are Google images. For more information on each location, you may visit the individual websites provided.
