One Piso
5 things to do in Manila
Over the course of my nomadic journeys across southeast Asia, I have certainly picked up a few tricks of the trade, as well as a general sense of appreciation for each unique type of adventure certain regions can provide. Here then are the five things that I believe every international traveler that lands in Manila must do!
1.)DO check out seaside. Its also known as Ross BLVD and it makes for a very pleasant and potentially romantic walk at night with your special someone. It is kiddy corner from the American Embassy, so there is plenty of security around and it happens to only be one block from the nicest mall in that part of Manila, the multi-story Robinson’s center. It is also less then a block from the Hyatt (which is attached to a huge casino with very classy entertainment and bars) so it puts you at the heart of nearly everything!
TIP: Don’t go by yourself at night. Its not really dangerous, but seaside does get crowded, and at night it can be easy to get lost. If you do go near sunrise, the view of the sun ascending on Manila bay is breathtaking, also take a handful of pesos for the buttered corn and other goodies that vendors will solicit you with.
2.) DO take advantage of the cheap regional flights on Cebu Pacific. If you are downtown near the Robinson’s Center, there is actually one located on the ground floor (as well as in a hundred other spots around the city, so location is relative). If you plan right you can get a 2 or even 3 trip adventure out of your stay in Manila. I have gotten tickets to Hong Kong AND Vietnam on short notice for less than 100 USD! and with all the embassies in the the area, securing a visa is as easy as 1…2….3!
3.) DO use metered taxis. If the guy starts to try and say that traffic is heavy and that you’ll work out a fair price, you are probably about to pay at least double. It happens in every major city in the world, but is ESPECIALLY common in Manila.
4.) DO buy a cheap local phone. Instead of running up a high international phone bill, just buy a cheap phone in one of the malls for 10 dollars USD (yes, you should always barter) and throw a 500 piso smart card on there (should cost about 480) and that will be all the local text messages you need for a 2 week stay plus a few international when you need them. All incoming calls are free, so just text international and let them burn the coin if you are not near a place to buy more “load.”
5.) DO use the money changers at the mall. Although roaming the black market can sometimes find a more generous exchange rate, the money exchangers in the Robinson’s are usually honest, up to date, and guaranteed not to hand you anything counterfeit or have somebody awkwardly eye balling you…plus you will save a ton of time!
About the Author
My name is M. Gwapito and although I have a deep passion for writing, i’m not typically spotted with a pen and a pad! Generally I can be seen in a Makati bar enjoying Manila Nightlife! It is always the day after where I have to nurse a vicious migraine where I turn to the comfort of a pad and a pen for relief!
“Pira-pirasong Piso” (Documentary by Jay Taruc) 1