Filipino meals: Isa pa (One more), please!

By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

Filipinos are food lovers! They take regular meals thrice a day; one in the morning (around 8:00 am), another at noon (12:00 nn), and one more for dinner. Aside from that, they have in-between meals and snacks which they call merienda. The country’s staple food is rice, so expect having rice every meal if you plan to dine in local style.

So, if you’re on the road to Philippines, be sure to open your palette and get ready for a gastronomic romance with the country.

The Sinulog Festival in the Philippines: PIT SENYOR & Grateful Hearts!

By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

PIT SENYOR! The Sinulog Festival is one of the most interesting times of the year for Filipinos; especially for the devotees of the Holy Infant Jesus of Cebu.

Wherever you are in Cebu, you’ll be reading and hearing the catchy phrase ‘Pit Senyor!”’all over. Pit is a contraption of the Philippine vernacular ‘Sangpit’ meaning ‘to call upon’. Senyor, on the other hand, is an endearment to the Holy Infant Jesus of Cebu. Sinulog means ‘like water currents’ movement’; it actually describes the dance movement of the festival.

The festival takes place in Cebu, the second largest city in the Philippines. It takes place every third Sunday of January but when you’re there, you’ll experience a weeklong celebration involving just about everyone! This year, an estimated 3 million people flocked to join Sinulog to give thanks and praise to the Holy Infant Jesus.

Christmas in the Philippines – A testament of tropical rejoicing!

Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

The Philippines, being the only Christian nation in the whole of Asia, takes joy in the celebration of the Yuletide Season. It is the time of the year when Jesus Christ is believed to have been born by Mary, with Joseph, in a manger.

But unlike in other Christian countries where solemnity is the ‘it’ word for the occasion, this country celebrates with laughter, booze, karaoke, and yes, with fireworks in many homes!

Filipino Christmas Recipe: Puto Bumbong

By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

Your Christmas in the Philippines won’t be complete without being able to taste the locals’ signature rice cake. It is named after the bamboo tube in which it is steamed. If you’re aching to try this at home, prepare your steamer and wrap that apron around so you can do this step-by-step guide to this piece of heaven.

Splurge, Shop & Enjoy Good Steals in Metro Manila

By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

The Philippines’ largest city Manila has got a lot to offer, and definitely, great shopping steals are among those that top the list. Shops that range from high-end to budget mushroom all over the Metro, giving endless options to shopaholics. Below is your no-nonsense guide to shop according to your budget and wants.

1. SM Mall of Asia (MoA) - the fourth largest shopping hub in the world according to Forbes' World's 10 Largest Shopping Malls, located at the Bay City, Pasay City, Philippines. Occupying a land area of 42 hectares, MoA houses a range of interests; from shopping to entertainment, conventions, and recreational facilities.

Aside from housing a huge number of shopping options, MOA's top features include the Philippines' first Olympic-sized ice-skating rink, the biggest in Southeast Asia. The mall also houses the first IMAX theatre in the Philippines which raised the standards for movie viewing in the country.

Great Dining Spots in Metro Manila: Restaurants for Every Craving

By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

Being a bustling convergence point in the Philippines, Metro Manila has so much to offer to a traveller’s pursuit of good food. Generally, the types of food that Filipinos enjoy are versions of different dishes from other countries; this is because of the country’s colonial history. Nonetheless, the varieties are delectable although they vary at some degree, mostly depending on the budget.

Here is a list of restaurants that are making waves among locals and tourists alike.

Where to Stay in Metro Manila, Philippines

By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

The Metro Manila is the political, economic, and social center of the Philippines. It is a sprawling metropolis that is composed of 16 cities with Quezon City being the largest and Makati City being the premier business hub of the country.

There is an endless list of hotels in the area; most of them offer free breakfast meals and provide good service to guests.Below is a number of the most recommended hotels when in Metro Manila.

Easy Budget

One can get a good deal at G Hotel by Waterfront. The place is located strategically in Roxas Boulevard that has good access to financial districts, shopping havens, and golf courses. Its black and white minimalist interiors offer a totally relaxing ambiance.

The hotel also offers a good array of continental meals. Best of all, just across the hotel, a guest can get a good view of one of the world’s most beautiful sunset, when the sky turns crimson red occasionally, at Manila Bay.

G Hotel by Waterfront

Tel.: (63-2) 559-0888
Fax. : (63-2) 559-0129
Email: corporateoffice@waterfronthotels.net

Introduction to the Philippines

By: Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan

The Philippines or the Republic of the Philippines, as it is officially known, is a country located in Southeast Asia in west Pacific Ocean. It is an archipelago that has 7,107 islands. Its capital is Metro Manila; interestingly, it is the only Christian region in Southeast Asia.

The country has three major islands; Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. In the north across Luzon strait is Taiwan; in its West across the Celebes Sea lies Vietnam. The Sulu Sea, which is located in the southwest sits across Borneo.

Being a tropical country, it enjoys a tropical climate, with the occassional torrential downpour or even cyclones. The archipelago is endowed with abundance in flora and fauna, making it a perfect nature-trip respite. When you get to the Philippines, these are some of the highlights: