Philippines Guide

One of the oldest learning institutions in Manila, and in the Philippines, is the University of Santo Tomas, or UST. Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal studied Medicine in this centennial university. Other heroes and some Philippine presidents also graduated here. A short trip to this historic university captures the grandeur of the past in the present setting. It traces history back in 1611.

UST, or fondly called “uste” by generations of benefactors, was built in 1611 on approval of no less than King Philip II of Spain. Named after St. Thomas Aquinas the Dominican priest, UST was first situated inside the Intramuros Wall (Manila at the time was a walled city) as a convent and seminary. It mostly offered courses in theology, philosophy, grammar, logic, the arts, and other related courses.

In 1871 it began offering Medicine and Pharmacy. Later in 1927 UST was transferred in a 220,000 square meter lot in the Sulucan Hills in Sampaloc, Manila where it now sits right at the corner of Espana (or Quezon Boulevard Extension) and Lacson Avenue (former Forbes avenue). Well, the hills are gone today and UST campus in Manila is on a flat ground clustered with old and new buildings, a hospital, and abundant trees and parks. Other courses were eventually offered. Plans are made for an upcoming UST Laguna, General Santos City, and even Sri Lanka.

The main building was built also in 1927. This historical building in Manila allegedly boasts of being one of the first earthquake-proof buildings in the Philippines and Asia. This historical building in Manila is said to sway with earthquake motion. It is styled in classic Baroque architecture, of perfect symmetry, with an interesting look-out tower in the middle.

In World War II, the conquering Japanese Army converted UST campus into a prison camp. Lots of Filipino and American soldiers were imprisoned and reportedly tormented here. It was one of many buildings damaged when Americans attacked to liberate Manila from the Japanese. After restoring this historical building in Manila, other buildings were added, like the popular UST hospital.

Today, besides having its grand history preserved in the walls of its historical building, UST Manila boasts of some 35,000 students, state-of-the-art learning and medical facilities, a modern gym, managed parks and greeneries, and other modern amenities. Its remarkable historical, scientific, and medical museums are often field trip destinations of other schools. The air of past and present grandeur can still be had in a short visit there.

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Coming from the countryside into Manila a traveler may be astounded by the distant sight of thick smug that overshadows the metropolis. Can any spot in Metro Manila still offer fresh, woodland air? The good news is that there still are. One of them is right smack where greeneries still abound.

A refreshing experience of the woods and its wildlife in a safe environment. Quezon City harbors such a place. Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife was started in the mid Martial Law years (late 70s to early 80s). It’s an 80-hectare city forest reserve for woodland and animal life. It is along the Elliptical Road in Diliman, Quezon City, across the Quezon Memorial Circle.

From downtown Manila travel takes, via the Espana-Quezon Avenue route, some 45 minutes to an hour. Public transportation plying Quiapo to Philcoa or Fairview will never fail to drive past this Philippine tourist spot in Quezon City. It’s right at the very tip of Quezon Avenue right across Kidney Center and Lung Center of the Philippines.

Named “Philippine Parks and Wildlife” in the Marcos administration, it was changed to “Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife” in the reign of President Corazon Aquino. This Philippine tourist spot in Quezon City boasts of a number of caged wild animals and tree and plant species, plus a vast playground, deeply shaded promenades, a man-made lagoon, eatery, huts and cottages, among others.

Lots of school excursions, tourist trips, movie and commercial shooting, and casual visits are scheduled in this Philippine tourist spot in Quezon City. Even health buffs like joggers and volleyball and badminton aficionados frequent it, especially in early mornings. Picnic grooves and huts are best for outdoor meals and helpings are available at the eatery beside the lagoon.

The lagoon is littered with benches at its edges under big tree shades. A sunken amphitheater is at its bank. It is a favorite hang out of lovers, book readers, bonding families, idle visitors, and students rehearsing a drama or concert. Others celebrate religious fellowships there and display public communion with their Creator. The lagoon has an extended covered port where curious visitors can venture farther and nose around for what may be hiding in the lake.

Life activities of men, the wilds, and nature burst with vibrancy at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wild Life. This wooded haven standing right in the midst of business affords travelers with an accessible Philippine tourist spot in Quezon City.

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Eliciting memories of the past, not only of departed souls, but vital historic events, is the Himalayan Pilipino in Quezon City. Inspired by themes of Philippine myths and heroism, this beautiful park attracts not only the bereaved but numerous local and foreign tourists who relish in the quiet environs of this tourist spot and delight in capturing nostalgic scenes in the cameras.

Located south of Quezon City near the hilly portions of Diliman and Fairview, this beautiful park is a daily hang out of joggers and visitors from all walks of life. A 15-minute taxi ride from Quezon Memorial Circle to this tourist spot will necessary pass the business district of Visayas Avenue down the commercial area of Tandang Sora Avenue and into interior roads with numerous directional posters unmistakably of Himayan Pilipino. By the way, Tandang Sora area is another historical place where Philippine heroine Tandand Sora in the Katipunan days really lived.

Entering this beautiful park, a long fortress-like wall and gate welcomes the visitor to this tourist spot. The wall is inspired by the historic Wall of Intramuros in Manila and reminds the visitor of a glorious past when Filipinos sacrificed life and limb to liberate the Motherland. Inside this beautiful park are monuments and murals that send the imagination back to the heroic moments of history. Not far in this tourist spot is a monument commemorating the uprising of the Katipunan against Spanish aggression in 1896. The monument is inspired by the monuments in Grace Park and the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City. It features the raised bolos of Katipuneros and the waving flag of the Katipunan.

Somewhere in this tourist spot is a concave wall mural of Tandang Sora, the aforementioned Quezon City heroine who risked her aged body for wounded Filipino insurgents. In the concave wall mural are apartment-type niches of Tandang Sora’s descendants, some dated recently. Not far from this is the huge picnic shed inspired by the Ifugao hut. Indeed, it’s like a huge Ifugao shelter with descending steps to it. This awesome structure in this beautiful park permits gentle winds to crisscross in it for a refreshing linger, and overlooking is a lively lagoon of lilies and aquarium fish. In the middle of this man-made pond is a monument depicting the very moment when the mythical Malakas and Maganda, local versions of Adam and Eve, was coming out of a giant bamboo tree split by lightning.

Himlayan Pilipino is indeed a beautiful park worthy of becoming an official tourist spot in the very heart of Quezon City.

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Makati City, Philippines is the business district of the country. If you are going here for business purposes or for pleasure, staying at the Makati Prime Tower Suites is a good idea. Located at the heart of Makati City with 110 service suites, this hotel is a good choice for short or long-term stay. Hotel rooms like executive studios, suites with one or two bedrooms and luxury penthouses are available. All hotel rooms in the Makati Prime Tower Suites are fully air-conditioned.

The Makati Prime Tower Suites has easy access to the Domestic and International Airports due to its strategic location. Bar-hopping at night is not difficult at all. If you are into a shopping spree, popular malls like Ayala Center and Power Plant Mall are just nearby. This hotel also has function rooms that can accommodate up to 45 people. A hotel like this is a great venue for company meetings, conferences, and family gatherings.

The Makati Prime Tower Suites is located at Kalayaan Avenue Corner Mercado St., Bel-air, Makati City, Philippines.

There are five types of hotel rooms available in Makati Prime Tower Suites. These are Studio Suite, One-Bedroom Suite, Two-Bedroom Suite, Penthouse Suite, and Presidential Suite. All hotel rooms have air-conditioning, cable television, internet connectivity, balcony or deck, shower with bathtub, telephone, private toilet and bath, and free breakfast.

A Studio Suite hotel room has a queen-sized or twin beds with a maximum of 2 guests per room. It’s lowest rate is at USD $38.

A One-bedroom Suite hotel room also has a queen-sized or twin beds. If you want an extra bed you just add $10. It has a maximum of 2 guests per room and the lowest rate is at USD $48. The Two-bedroom Suite hotel room has a queen-sized bed with an additional $10 charge for an extra bed. Lowest rate is at USD $68.

A Penthouse Suite hotel room has a bedroom with a spacious living room. The lowest rate is at USD $78. The Presidential Suite hotel room has two bedrooms with the lowest rate at USD $88.

The Makati Prime Tower Suites also offer their facilities and amenities with warm smiles of their experienced, professional, and friendly hotel staff. The hotel’s facilities and amenities include a cafe and restaurant, 24-hour internet connectivity, outdoor swimming pool, hotel room service, 24-hour transportation, car rental service, laundry service, parking facilities, safe deposit box, foreign exchange counter, minimart, hair and beauty salon, and massage service.

If ever you visit Makati City, the Makati Prime Tower Suites is the perfect place to stay. Your comfort and convenience is rest assured.

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In the center of Makati City, Philippines, Makati Shangri-La stands as a hotel of luxury and comfort. The hotel is about 20 minutes away from the International and Domestic airports of Manila. Makati Shangri-La stands as an award-winning hotel in the Philippines.

Makati Shangri-La has 699 beautiful and spacious guestrooms and suites. The international restaurants in the hotel serve world-class food. The private lounges offer gracious services. All hotel guests are received in internet-ready rooms and have an entry to Makati Shangri-La’s spa and fitness center.

Due to Makati Shangri-La’s location, hotel guests are a few walks away from Makati’s shopping malls, bars, and restaurants, and business centers. This makes the hotel an ideal place to stay for business and family vacations for both local and foreign tourists.

Makati Shangri-La is situated in the corner of Ayala Avenue and Makati Avenue in the business district of Makati City, Philippines. On each floor, the Zen waterfalls welcome the hotel guests as they walk into comfortable and spacious rooms which ensures a good night’s sleep.

Makati Shangri-La rooms are furnished with a 21 inch TV and entertainment system. Cordless headphones are available upon request.

Makati Shangri-La’s Standard Room features in-house movie channels, satellite/cable television, broadband internet access, mini-bar, coffee/tea making facilities, electronic safe, in-room fax/printer/copier, voice mail, IDD telephone, full-size executive writing desk, separate shower and bath, Shangri-La toiletries, and hair dryers.

The Horizon Club of Makati Shangri-La has a much higher level of comfort, convenience, and service. The hotel room benefits include private check-in/check-out at the Horizon Club Lounge, full use of the Horizon Club lounge at daytime, checking out late, buffet breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, evening cocktails, daily international newspaper, suit pressing, DVD entertainment system, fruit juices, and coffee during the daytime, and concierge service.

Makati Shangri-La’s Suites let you live in a contemporary Asian spirit. The hotel’s standard Suite features include broadband internet access, satellite/cable LCD television, in-house movie channels, DVD entertainment system, mini-bar, and coffee/tea making facilities. Other Suite features are electronic safe, voice mail, fax/printer/copier, IDD telephone, executive writing desk, separate parlor or sitting area, kitchenette with separate dining area, hair dryer, Shangri-La toiletries, and Iron with Ironing Board.

The hotel room rates in Makati Shangri-La regularly starts at $225 USD. The hotel’s restaurants offer a unique blend of Western and Asian cuisine. The lounges and bars of Makati Shangri-La both have the relaxing and socializing atmosphere while enjoying the hotel’s refreshing beverages.

Makati Shangri-La has spa facilities and a health club that gives the hotel guests the opportunity to be physically fit, healthy and relaxed while staying at the hotel.

For comfort, leisure and relaxation while here in the Philippines, Makati Shangri-La can give you these. The Makati Shangri-La is the ideal place to stay whenever you visit the center of business in the Philippines.

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As a photographer, there will be a constant need for a change of scenery. If you’re tired of the same old scene in your town, traveling would be a great change from monotony, and Metro Manila would be the ideal place for someone like you.

There are a million things that can catch your fancy in a place like Metro Manila, and everything is just an hour or two’s (depending on the traffic) worth of travel away. Manila is very diverse! You can be in the slums one second and then be in the very heart of the Philippine economy in a few steps.

This is what makes the Philippines such a great photograph resource. It has so much to offer to any photographer who travels there. If you’re an urban life photographer, there is so much emotion that can be captured in the streets of Tondo, Cubao, Quezon City, and even downtown Manila.

If you’re more of a lifestyle photographer, you can visit the sprawling estates in Forbes, Rockwell, Corinthian Gardens, and the like. There are also new trendy spots like Bonifacio High Street and Serendra where a high-class lifestyle is what they offer.
Manila is especially wonderful for those who like to take pictures of architecture. Almost around every corner is a church, and the design of the churches in the Philippines vary in influence, era, and material. For the more modern eye, Makati and Ortigas Center, and Fort Bonifacio are abound with structures that are bound to give you a beautiful picture.

For the nature lover there are tree-lined streets in New Manila and in the campuses of University of the Philippines Diliman and Ateneo de Manila University. There are also botanical gardens in Luneta and Pasig.

For the photographer who can never miss a good sunset, an afternoon at Roxas Boulevard is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss. Manila Bay is famous for its golden sunsets, wherein the colors of the sky come alive in such a breathtaking manner.

For someone who likes skylines especially at night, there is a beautiful view of Manila from a spot in Antipolo, which is less than an hour’s travel away. An amazing play of lights can also be seen on the various bridges in downtown Manila that are built over Pasig River.

Lastly, for the photographer who likes portraiture, Manila is the best place for that purpose. It is a melting pot of different races be it Asian, American, or European. Nobody looks the same because hardly anyone is purely from one race only, therefore providing variety.

We’ve given some examples of why the Philippines is a great place for photography, but you’re sure to find more. Just be ready with your camera in hand because you’ll never know when that moment will come and be exactly right for the perfect photograph.

Tags: Filipina, Diving, philippine-beaches, Philippine Islands, scuba diving, Boracay, Travel Philippines

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EDSA, Philippines is a main avenue that cuts across cities in Metro Manila. A tourist lodging in this metropolis is likely to encounter vibrant highway EDSA in the course of travel. One might as well get to meet this busiest longitudinal avenue online before being face to face with it.

EDSA, or Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, is some 54 kilometers (or about 25 miles) long. It stretches from the Andres Bonifacio Monument (“Monumento”) in Caloocan to Roxas Boulevard in Manila—about three hours travel. But it is just about an hour in light traffic. EDSA used to be North and South Circumferential Road after its construction in 1940. The Americans later changed it to Highway 54 after World War II. In 1959 it was renamed EDSA.

EDSA cuts across five cities: Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, and Caloocan. Aside from public buses and private vehicles, overhead light rail transportation is also available from Taft Avenue in Pasay to North Avenue in Quezon City. Called Metro Rail Transit or MRT, commuters can now enjoy an appreciably shortened travel. From both terminal ends travel can only take some 25 to 30 minutes.

EDSA MRT stations are elevated high by two to three levels (about 6 or 10 meters high) accessible to commuters by escalators, elevators, and stairs. These EDSA MRT stations are highly commercialized with food and accessory stalls and concessions. A lot of them are even connected to major malls. North Station in Quezon City is attached to Tri Noma Mall. Cubao station also in Quezon City is linked to Farmers Plaza. Shaw station in Mandaluyong is joined to Star Mall. Ayala station in Makati is connected to SM Makati.

Maintenance and security are well managed. Exits and entries are manned by trained security personnel and K-9 sniffing dogs. A commuter check point is at these sites. Rest rooms are well kept by building maintenance.

Aside from the city skyline and intermittent show of skyscraper clusters, EDSA takes one to several historical places, luxury hotels, and malls. Aside from those already aforementioned, there’s the EDSA Revolution Monument and Shrine, EDSA Hotel, SM Mega Mall, ABS CBN Channel 2, GMA Network Channel 7, Camps Crame and Aguinaldo (sites of the world famous EDSA Revolution), Shangri La Mall, and Ayala Avenue revealing a patch of Makati business centers, among others.

EDSA is a microcosm of the whole metropolis. Once seen, one gets a good idea of how Metro Manila is.

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In rush hours (7 to 10 in the morning and 5 to 8 in the evening) heavy traffic along EDSA in Quezon City can create many choke points. A particular concern is the area right in front of SM City and Tri Noma Mall onwards to Balintawak also in Quezon City. What’s one of the best alternative routes to avoid heavy traffic going to Quirino Avenue?

One of the wisest alternative routes is to take the corner of North Avenue and EDSA right between SM City and Tri Noma Mall and head south a bit to Mindanao Avenue. This route may slow down a bit right in the mall areas but past that into Mindanao Avenue is a guaranteed fast lane that will avoid heavy traffic. Aside from the two modern malls showing off commercial grandeur, the ride also gets past a refreshing patch of greenery from the Veterans Memorial Hospital Golf Course at the onset of Mindanao Avenue.

This is one of the alternative routes that offer not only easy and wide access to Quirino Avenue but also worthwhile stop-overs for a snack bite or cooling soda to refresh one from an exhausting long drive. There is the Mercury Drug Center, Tropical Hut, and a KFC outlet. Not far are the Circle C and Cherry Fooderama for a quick shopping, Max’s Fried Chicken, and several classy Chinese restaurants. Mommy’s Restaurant offer one of the finest native delicacies in town.

Turning right on Mindanao Avenue to further avoid heavy traffic, this alternative route takes one to more resting and snacking spots. A Jollibee outlet with its brilliant welcoming displays is just at the corner of Mindanao and Tandang Sora Avenues which themselves can serve as alternative routes to avoid heavy traffic. Across this corner is a 7-11 all day all night mini-mart clustered with other eateries.

Not far ahead is the Perpetual Help Church, and finally the big Splash Manufacturing Corporation that signals one’s proximity to Quirino Avenue. In all, the travel from EDSA to Quirino Avenue via this alternative route takes a mere 20 to 30 minutes, a much shortened travel to avoid heavy traffic.

A traditional trip from EDSA to Quirino Avenue via Balintawak takes some one to one and a half hours of gruesome traffic. So taking this alternative route to avoid heavy traffic is all worth it. It even provides time for quick snacks or shopping or a take-home dinner for the whole family.

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What’s the fastest travel option to get from Manila to North Quezon City, and vice versa? Take the Quezon Avenue-Roosevelt Avenue-Congressional Avenue links.

There are various travel options from Manila to Quezon City, and vice versa. There’s the Blumentritt-A.Bonifacio-Del Monte travel links, and the E. Rodriguez-Aurora Boulevard travel links. But these travel options are often breeding grounds of unwanted choke points and bottle necks countless times of the day. Heavy traffic almost suddenly builds up any time on these thoroughfares.

After extricating oneself from heavy traffic along Espana, exit the Welcome Monument (boundary of Manila and Quezon City) by taking Quezon Avenue towards Pantranco or Roces. Just travel past Welcome rotunda and it should be lots of traffic relief. Quezon Avenue should be allowing more cool wind against the face. This travel option leads to a U-turn slot at Roces to double back Quezon Avenue then turn right to Roosevelt Avenue.

Roosevelt is easy driving until the intersection at Del Monte. The traffic light there seems lethargic at times but past that is a travel option exhilaratingly smooth all the way to Del Pilar crossing. Del Pilar is haunted by some undisciplined motorized spooks that clog the intersection. Mostly are construction and delivery trucks from nearby factories. But past that, even along the busy frontage of Munoz Market, is fast and easy driving. The continuous flow that cuts off the main junction of EDSA and Roosevelt through a U-turn slot accounts for this, and vehicles end up smoothly double backing EDSA to either go straight or turn right on Congressional Avenue. We turn right.

Congressional Avenue is simply a motorist’s dream—well, except for some oblivious jeepney drivers, that is. They like lingering in the middle of the road, chatting or waiting forever for passengers. They’re stashed only at the starting point of the stretch, anyway, and past them (and some tentative road diggings) this travel option leads swiftly down Mindanao and finally Visayas Avenue. From Visayas it’s easy travel to various parts of North Quezon City.

This trek from Manila to North Quezon City, or vice versa, takes only about an hour to travel. Other travel options would take at least an hour and a half—or more in a really big traffic build-up, especially in rainy season.

A journey from Manila to North Quezon City shouldn’t take so much of one’s precious time. With clever and safe on-hands and on-road maneuvers plus the quickest travel option in town, it should be a touchdown in no time.

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