I haven't been in the Philippines for the past 12 years. What am I missing?
By gabesmom
@gabesmom (1246)
United States
April 10, 2007 10:38am CST
Hi to all Pinoys and Pinays! I've been living in the US for 12 years now. I'm planning to visit the Philippines with my husband and baby soon. I'm anxious to find out the latest. Please fill me in. Thanks!
6 responses
@erikbench (169)
• Philippines
10 Apr 07
elections (again) will be held on the second monday of may..
the latest is that more entertainers want to run for public office..
1 person likes this
@25th_Stargazer (887)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
In addition to that, we also have Richard Gomez, Nadia Montenegro, to mention once popular artists. We can't blame this people, they are used to fame. As if being or having been famous once is not enough, they also want POWER.
1 person likes this
@gabesmom (1246)
• United States
10 Apr 07
I heard from a friend who has TFC that there are several celebrities running for office. She mentioned Ate Vi, Boyet de Leon, Manny Pacquiao, and Cesar Montano. Don't they have better things to do? I hope they're working for the people's good. It's about time for the Philippines to improve its image and economy.
@ozzydee70 (465)
• Germany
10 Apr 07
How i wish i could be of help, i been out of the country for half a year now. but 12 years ago there's still no baywalk, Mall of Asia (they said its the biggest mall in asia) Rizal park and Intramuros is a lot better now. Puerto Galera is one fine and affordable beach. there's many more... i knew fellow pinoy will enumerate some to help you!!
1 person likes this
@25th_Stargazer (887)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
Puerto Galera is still one of the most popular destination for beach lovers. The "in" thing now, however, is Boracay.
1 person likes this
@gabesmom (1246)
• United States
10 Apr 07
I've heard of the Mall of Asia. It sounds interesting. Baywalk? Not familiar with it at all. I remember Puerto Galera. I hope it's still clean, the way it was years ago. Thanks, I'm sure you're homesick. I was so homesick the first year I've been away. It got better as time went on.
@jsae29 (1120)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
Twelve years! That's kinda long! But nothing much has changed since then. There's a new airport....if you'll fly thru PAl you'll see it. There's a bigger one but still under dispute. SM Mall of ASIA - you got to see this, it is the biggest mall in asia, that's according to them. You also got to experience the nightlife at Roxas Blvd. They made some changes in it...and it looks great now. Other than that..i will just let others tell you.
1 person likes this
@cefaz_21 (2596)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
Hi! a lot has been mentioned by the above respondents specialy powchee whom I think had almost enumerated everyhting new around Metro Manila, and like what they've said it's very different now.
We have malls everywhere,traffic is even worse I think..of course you can use MRT in Edsa but be ready because it is always crowded as in super duper crowded specially during rush hours.
You'll be surprised to see a lot of parks (mini-parks) around Manila, it's where the Mayor put all the people taxes I guess.
Quiapo(near Quinta Market) is still the best where in you can buy cheap Filipino products..so try to visit it also.
1 person likes this
@gabesmom (1246)
• United States
10 Apr 07
I'm not looking for anything in particular. But if you have to take someone around Metro Manila and neighboring towns, where would you take him/her? Are there any new tourist destinations? Where can you buy souvenirs? I'm sure I'd get lost with a lot of street name changes as well as new forms of transportation. Which areas are the new hot spots(nightlife)? How about places that are kid-friendly?
@p0wcheee (97)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
*I'd probably take the person to Mall of Asia (MOA) near the edsa rotonda. It used to be a reclamation area. The place is SO BIG you could spend the entire day there and you would still not be able to cover all spots.
*It's also near the Bay Walk (Roxas Blvd.) --- you can get some night life here with all the live performances of bands and a places to eat too. The baywalk area (actually including the Luneta Park) in the morning is where people usually excercise or spend time with their families. Ah yes, Greenbelt area, Libis and Malate area -- the night's hot spots. Hmmm, there's also this one also called Metrowalk (Ortigas) -- full of bars and restaurants most active during the night. :) You can go to comedy bars as well. There is Zirkoh (Greenhills, i forgot the other branch) or Club Mwah! (Mandaluyong), Ratsky (am not sure if the spelling is correct, but it's in Quezon City).
*If you want to visit historical spots, Intramuros is the choice. I think there are alot of stores there selling souvineers and a lot of restoration has been made to make the place beautiful.
*You can also go to Fort Bonifacio and visit Market!Market! (mall) , Esplanade (combination of restaurants and specialty stores) or Fort Strip (mostly restaurants).
*But if you want some place to relax and somehow the kids could still play around my choice would be Tagaytay. I like Sonya's Garden.
*I think that if you will be commuting by train there is the LRT, LRT 2 (the newest) and MRT. And there are FX now. (I'm not really good with commuting though. Ahaha.)
*funny thing is, i can't think of place that is kid friendly. Ahahaha. I'll think about it and get back to you.
