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A new hidden gem near the metro for staycationers awaits! This newfound oasis combines the best of both worlds: the bustling energy of the city and a tranquil retreat for your ultimate relaxation.
Conveniently located by the highway, Thai Cons Club is a pet- and kid-friendly hotel resort and spa. It features a sprawling recreational space and ample parking space for up to 30 vehicles. In case you’re arriving without a car, fret not! The resort got you covered with an e-bike service that’ll take you to your reserved villa, all while treating you to a scenic ride.
It offers not one, not two, not three, but four beautifully designed villas to choose from. Each is equipped with a separate KTV room where you can sing your heart out without disturbing the peace in the other rooms.
Photo credit: Facebook/Thai Cons Club
For large gatherings, Villa 3 is the perfect choice, with rooms that can accommodate up to 25 guests. What truly sets it apart are its two private swimming pools, which allow you to have your private slice of paradise amidst the beauty of nature. You can enjoy an overnight stay in Villa 3 for P15,000 on weekdays and P20,000 on weekends.
Once you step inside, an aesthetically pleasing loft-style interior will greet you. It also comes complete with a two-door refrigerator to store all your delightful treats. From the kitchen, which is a true work of art, to the spa-like comfort room and the stylish exterior, every detail has been carefully curated for your comfort.
Looking for more options? Consider Villas 2 and 4, both capable of hosting up to 20 people. These villas are priced at P13,000 on weekdays and P18,000 on weekends. Alternatively, Villa 1 offers a cozy retreat for up to 15 guests, with weekday rates at P10,000 and weekend rates at P15,000. For the updated villa pricing, you can message them on Facebook.
For inquiries and reservations, you may call 09352237232 or drop an email to [email protected].
Location: 8760 ME Cagayan Valley Rd., Purok 5, San Roque, San Rafael, Bulacan
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Dive back into the world of fun and wonder for kids and kids-at-heart, as Museo Pambata is reopening its doors this December!
Following its renovation and temporary closure, which began in 2022, the Philippines’ first children’s museum is set to make a soft reopening on Dec. 6 this year at its location along Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
The reimagined Museo Pambata will offer new experiences and interactive spaces. This includes a modern Bahay Kubo, which transforms the museum’s herbal garden into a space where visitors can experience a traditional Filipino home.
Another new space to look forward to is the “Balay Yatu,” a brand-new building that will feature artworks made from various regions in the Philippines and will be home to the museum’s gift shop and cafe. The space will also be used for Museo Pambata’s events and activities.
The museum will also feature revamped mainstays, such as its iconic “Bahay Pukyutan” outdoor play space, among others.
The reopening comes just in time for the museum’s 30th anniversary. To celebrate this, Museo Pambata is also holding a series of activities for parents and kids, such as the “Isla Pambata” exhibition and “Dulaan Pambata” performances starting this month.
The newly revamped Museo Pambata is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with tours held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It is also available for private group reservations, rentals, and private events on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
For more updates on Museo Pambata’s reopening, follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
Location: Museo Pambata, Roxas Boulevard cor. South Drive, Manila
Opening Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM (Friday to Sunday) | Tuesday to Thursday for private groups and events
Admission Fee: P300 (Friday), P450 (Saturday & Sunday), Free (Children 2 years old and under)
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The Christmas season is already here and there is no better time to start ticking off our Christmas gift list! Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is commonly known for its great dining atmosphere and Instagram-worthy places for your pictures, but it is also the perfect place to find your family, friends, and loved ones unique and thoughtful presents this holiday.
So, grab your shopping bags and let’s explore the must-visit store destinations that will make your holiday season extra special!
If you’re shopping for someone who loves to get lost in stories, Fully Booked on Bonifacio High Street is the ultimate destination. From gripping thrillers and inspiring memoirs to coffee table books that double as décor, its shelves are packed with titles to suit any reader's taste. Aside from that, Fully Booked has also stationery, arts and crafts materials, eye-catching journals, and some cute, personalized stuff. And guess what? It’s the kind of place where you’ll find yourself adding a little something for yourself, too!
Location: Ground Floor, B6, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, Metro Manila
Head straight to Gentle Monster’s flagship store at Shangri-La at The Fort, if you are looking for something to give to your fashion girlies out there. Known for their avant-garde designs, these sunglasses and optical frames are the epitome of high fashion. Trust us, this is one Christmas present they’ll be talking about long after the holidays are over. Time to explore the store and unleash your inner Jennie Kim with their cool and artistic shades!
Location: Shangri-La at The Fort, Manila, 5th Avenue, Taguig City
The shoe treasure hunt starts inside Unit 5, Active Fun in Bonifacio Global City! Aftermarket PH is the ultimate show shop you will return to for the rare and limited-edition kicks you are looking for. Here you can score Yeezys, Air Jordans, Air Dior, and more. Perfect for your guy friends (or boyfriend) who are obsessed with collecting shoes! They also have a stylish streetwear collection that you can consider buying to pair with the shoes you’ll buy for them.
Location: G/F, Unit 5, Active Fun Taguig, 9th Avenue, Taguig City
Located on the 3rd floor, this cozy haven for board game enthusiasts is packed with options for every type of player. Whether your loved ones enjoy intense strategy games or light, laugh-out-loud party games, they have it all. Here at the Gaming Library, you’ll find timeless classics, modern board games, and even hard-to-find titles that feel like hidden gems. This is the perfect place to shop if you want to give them not just boxes of games and pieces of cards but also bonding moments and hours of fun.
Location: 3rd Floor, 9th Ave, Taguig, Metro Manila
Still can't decide what to give them this holiday season? Time to head to Bonifacio High Street to find great presents!
With a wide mix of high-end boutiques, trendy shops, and specialty stores, this mall is surely a gift-hunting paradise where you’re guaranteed to find unique treasures for everyone whether it’s stylish clothes, the latest gadgets, or handcrafted home decor. There is no doubt that you will not go home empty-handed and tired of the Christmas shopping!
Location: 11th Avenue, Taguig, Metro Manila
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With over 5 million foreign tourists coming into the country each year, the Philippines has always been a prime tourism destination, with famous beaches such as Boracay and Palawan remaining at the top of everyone's must-visit lists.
Fortunately, tourists are spoilt for choice as five Philippine resorts were included in the 2025 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. They're located in El Nido, Palawan; Panglao, Bohol; Mactan, Cebu; and Boracay Island. Check out which resorts made the cut:
This wasn't the first time that this hotel was awarded by Condé Nast. In 2023 and 2024, the Condé Nast Johansens award-giving body recognized Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay as the "Best for Families."
The resort is located at the exclusive Station Zero development and has grown to become a favorite for the affluent in Manila and foreign travelers alike. The Crimson Resort & Spa offers a private white-sand beach and exclusive airport-to-hotel transfer to/from Caticlan via speedboat.
The Saffron Cafe is one of the stars of this establishment, showcasing a fine selection of international cuisine. Guests can catch the resort's wide array of breakfast offerings here from 7 AM to 10:30 AM.
"We love the prime beach-front location and event facilities that allow for exclusive use of the entire property," the Condé Nast report said.
Room rates start from P12,500. Learn more about the hotel's room types and book them here.
Nestled on the quiet end of the white-sand Alona Beach in Panglao, the Amorita Resort has grown to be a favorite for romantic getaways and honeymooners.
The "little darling" combines superb service with natural hospitality, something that has always brought guests back to the hotel. The staff are also noted to be "particularly skilled" at organizing romantic dinners, with the hotel offering a "timeless package" for special occasions. The fact that this is the 6th time the hotel has earned the title from Condé Nast says something.
Visitors are also able to enjoy the vistas of Panglao, Bohol and watersports from the hotel swimming pool. Amorita Resort also offers tours to the Chocolate Hills, eco-adventure parks, and nature reserves.
Deluxe room rates start at P14,800. Learn more about Amorita Resort's hotel rooms here.
Location: Amorita Resort, #1 Ester A. Lim Drive, Brgy. Tawala, Alona Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol 6340
Best Value Experience Spa: Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan
Condé Nast Johansens describes Mactan as "one of the best locations for diving, snorkeling, sailing, and cultural adventures." Much like its sister hotel the Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay, the hotel is perfect for any kind of holiday, and you can get exquisite treatment from head to toe.
Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan also prides itself for "having everything you need" – three restaurants, a children's activity area, a luxury spa, and a wide selection of accommodations.
The Aum Spa offers outdoor pavilions and cabanas surrounded with lush greenery and the smell of dayap calamondin and orange blossoms wafting through the air. Visitors are also welcome to try the eight indoor therapy rooms in the complex, including sauna and steam rooms, separate male and female jacuzzis, a spa pool, and a yoga/Pilates room.
Deluxe room rates begin at P8,500. Find out more about the hotel room offerings here.
Palawan is beloved locally and internationally for being the country's last nature frontier, owing to its well-preserved ecosystem and scenic views. In the heart of El Nido, lies The Funny Lion, an "oasis of fun and excitement" right smack in the town's historic center.
All rooms, which were separated into Cub (Twin rooms) and King (King-size bed), lead to a veranda overlooking the courtyard pool. The pool is near the hotel's in-house restaurant, Hunt Restaurant, and its poolside bar.
The hotel also offers opportunities for relaxation at the Sea Tree Spa, ranging from Filipino massage therapies to bathing rituals, all using locally sourced natural ingredients.
The Condé Nast Johansens Award for Excellence is the hotel's first recognition since its opening in 2022.
Cub room rates start from P14,080. Read about The Funny Lion's room offers here.
Location: The Funny Lion, Balinsasayaw Road, El Nido Town, El Nido, Palawan
When we were younger and asked about the beach, somehow, we'd always think of Boracay first. However, there's more to the white powder sand beaches and crystalline blue waters that makes Boracay a prime tourist destination.
It's the kind of service and hospitality that we offer to everyone — and Shangri-La Boracay tops the list.
The Shangri-La Boracay is Boracay's "first and only" deluxe resort and is a "private paradise surrounded by natural beauty." Within the stunning interior adorned with abaca and capiz shells, lies Chi, The Spa, the hotel's 10-villa detached spa complex and sanctuary.
The spa draws inspiration from the origins of Shangri-La, where personal peace, enrichment, and well-being are key to relaxation. Offering a range of treatments including their signature Philippine Hilot Massage and Aromatherapy Swedish Massage, Chi, The Spa ensures the best treatment and service to all of its guests.
Deluxe Room rates start from P25,900. Find out more about Shangri-La Boracay's 219 room and villa offerings here.
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The winter season is in full swing, and it looks like Cebu Pacific (CEB) is offering a special holiday treat for travelers hoping to visit the magnificent Land of the Rising Sun.
Starting Jan. 16, 2025,the country's leading budget airlinewill operate flights from Manila to Sapporo three times weekly – every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The carrier is the first and only Philippine airline to offer direct flights between these two cities, which will cut down the usual travel time by five hours!
CEB urges you to make that trip happen with an exclusive flight promo that will surely make your holiday wishes come true. From Nov. 13 to 19, travelers may book flights from Manila to Sapporo for as low as P1,488 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges. Travel period is from Jan. 16 to Mar. 29, 2025, which perfectly coincides with the winter season!
You may use existing Travel Funds to book flights, as well as avail of other add-ons. CEB also offers several payment options, including credit or debit cards and e-wallets.
Photo from Website/Cebu Pacific
What are you waiting for? Make those holiday plans a reality and make it a belated White Christmas! Book your flights here.
Sapporo is the largest city on the island of Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture of Japan. The city is famous for winter activities so if you’re dreaming of a White Christmas, this is the place to be. From skiing and snowboarding at the Teine Ski Resort to sledding and building snowmen at the Takino Suzuran Hillside Park, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Oh, and let’s not forget the famed Sapporo Snow Festival every February which highlights a variety of snow and ice sculptures around the city. It’s one of Japan’s most highly anticipated winter events and an experience worth flying for!
Follow Cebu Pacific on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram for updates on travel deals.
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Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is not just a haven for activity seekers but also for food explorers like you! With so many cute and cool dining places in the area that are good for your taste buds, we’ve chosen the top five food spots you should visit with your family and friends. Check them out!
Eesome
Instagram/eesome.manila
First on the list is Eesome.
This restaurant is known for its impressive mix of international cuisine with a sophisticated and relaxing dining ambiance! From fresh plates of seafood to a variety of meat dishes, expect a good dining experience that will surely fill your tummies that are made with locally sourced ingredients.
Aside from the restaurant, Eesome features a retail shop where you can discover a variety of clothes and accessories. It also offers a café where you can linger and sip a cup of their artisan coffee and at night, the space shifts to a vibrant night-life destination where you can unwind with their special drinks.
Location: Bellagio Tower 2, Forbestown Road, Taguig City
Store hours:Monday to Sunday from 9 AM to 11 PM
Key Coffee Kissaten
Instagram/keycoffeekissaten
Japanese café Key Coffee Kissaten is the answer to whether you want to go out on dates or just want to take a simple coffee break by yourself. The place offers a comfortable “Western-style” ambiance with touches of history and heritage, offering Japan’s pioneer hand-drip coffee flavors and jazz music. The Mitsukoshi BGC branch also comes with great Japanese flavors with Western cuisine influence on their food menu.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 12 MN
Burnt Bean
Facebook/Burnt Bean
Want a barbecue party with a fine dining twist? This wood-fired bistro restaurant offers an all-day dining experience with a wide variety of wood-fired meats, seafood, pasta, and salads. Among their premium cuts of meat, a standout on their menu is the 48-hour beef ribs known for their tenderness and rich smokiness. Another foodie favorite that you shouldn’t miss is their Potato Pave, which is made from buttery layers of baked potatoes topped with bacon foam and cheese.
Location: Unit 204, Upper Ground Floor, C2 Building, Bonifacio High Street Central, Taguig City
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 11 AM to 10 PM
Recovery Food
Facebook/Recovery Food
Call your late-night crew and head over to Recovery Food!
This dining destination is perfect for a post-party meal, early breakfast, or just a simple go-to place for your cravings. Their menu specializes in comforting food bowls, breakfast plates, soups, sandwiches, and other Asian-inspired dishes designed to restore your energy. Don’t miss out on tasting their signature dish of all time: Tapa de Morning!
Location: 31st Street Corner Rizal Drive, BGC Stopover Pavilion, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (24 hours)
Harlan + Holden’s Because Coffee
Facebook/harlan + holden coffee (one bonifacio)
In line with our modern culture, this coffee shop operates a fully cashless system where customers can pre-order via the Harlan + Holden Coffee app, perfect for saving time and skipping the line! The café also stands out with its minimalist interior and a glass-enclosed tree as its centerpiece inside. For their drink menu, the Sea Salt Latte is one of their unusual drink varieties that everyone should try. It combines espresso and creamy milk with a touch of sea salt, giving your coffee a refreshing twist.
Location: 5th Avenue, Taguig City
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 7 AM to 10 PM
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Looking for a ghostly adventure this October? Every place has its haunted accounts, and the Philippines is no exception. There are several horror
stories across the archipelago that tell of supernatural sightings from the ghostly apparitions roaming abandoned houses to mythological creatures found in mountain provinces or by the rivers.
If you have a penchant for the eerie and mystical, you might want to add these haunted places to your bucket list. That is…if you dare.
Balete Drive
Photo from Website/The Ghost in My Machine
Most countries have some kind of urban legend about a lady dressed in white and in the Philippines, the most famous is the “White Lady” of Balete Drive. People would often warn drivers never to drive alone through this two-lane street lined by Balete trees, as they just might find an extra passenger in their backseat.
The story behind this ghost-tale-turned-urban-legend varies. Some said that the White Lady was a young girl who died in a hit-and-run while others thought it to be a woman who died in the Spanish colonial era. Either way, it was believed that her body was buried near the massive Balete tree at the center of the street. It’s no longer there, but smaller trees remain lining the side of the road.
Balete trees are considered bad luck in folklore and are believed to be the dwelling places of supernatural beings like diwatas (fairies) and the kapre (tree-dwelling giants). In the comic and Netflix
series, “Trese,” they are often used as sites to perform magical rituals.
Location: Balete Drive, New Manila, Quezon City, Metro Manila
The Manila Film Center
Photo from Atlas Obscura
Have you ever seen “The Phantom of the Opera” musical? Remember how a phantom figure haunts the famed Parisian opera house? We have our own version in Manila located in the heart of the Cultural Center Complex in Pasay city.
The Manila Film Centre
was a pantheon-style cinema built for the 1st Manila International Film Festival in January 1982; a project led by the former first lady Imelda Marcos. It was reported that the construction of the theatre was rushed, and over 4,000 laborers were forced to work around the clock. On Nov. 17, 1981, a tragedy occurred. The accident happened around 3 AM when the scaffolding collapsed and trapped dozens of construction workers under quick-drying cement.
Despite the tragedy, the festival pushed through but not without strange experiences from its guests which ranged from smelling weird scents to feeling cool winds that sent goosebumps along their skins despite being indoors. Some even allegedly saw the deceased workers appear before them — Yikes!
The theatre was abandoned after the 1900 earthquake but was rehabilitated and leased in 2001 to the producers of “The Amazing Show.” There was a rumor that went around that one of the performers was murdered and that her body was dumped on the steps. Let's just say she joined a new company of haunting performers in this cursed theatre.
Location: The Amazing Show, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay, Luzon, Philippines
Ozone Disco
Photo from YouTube/Mad Onion
Next on our list is a tragedy about a party that has gone wrong. Perhaps it’s the reason why our parents told us never to hang around nightclubs.
Back in the 90s, there was a popular nightclub in Quezon City called Ozone Disco
which was the hottest place to be at that time and was frequented by young people — mostly students. On Mar. 18, 1996, one of the deadliest nightclub firesin world history occurred in this very venue, trapping hundreds of patrons.
The small nightclub was reported to have a limited capacity of 35 to 40 people but on that night, they offered a graduation promo which had students flocking to the venue. 350 guests came through those inward-swinging doors that fatal night, but not all of them were able to get out.
Stories told of how sparks started coming out of the ceiling which the people thought were just special effects. The DJ at that time, Marvin Reyes, tried to warn them about the fire, but the equipment started shutting down and a power outage ensued which caused mass panic and a stampede.
People believed that ghosts and shadows still wandered around the nightclub's location from time to time and that after the tragedy hit, some passersby claimed to hear music playing and figures dancing on the site.
You can no longer find traces of the nightclub as it’s been replaced by a restaurant but who knows? Ghosts do like to linger. Perhaps they’re still around the area or have found a new club to haunt. (*searches nightclubs in QC area*).
Location: 57A Timog Avenue 1103 Quezon City, Metro Manila
Laperal White House
Photo from Website/The Poor Traveler
This house in Baguio has a mysterious and gruesome history. The caretakers of this humble home allegedly saw a White Lady and a small child roaming within its walls. This mansion was also reportedly used as a torture chamber by the Japanese during World War II. There was even a story of a worker committing suicide there.
Safe to say, the house's history is full of death which makes it deserving of a spot on our chilling list. How it’s become a fine dining restaurant today is beyond us, but it’s true. Joseph’s is an upscale dining spot in the city serving continental and contemporary French cuisine. I suppose this goes to show that even the most haunted mansions can get a makeover. But just how much it could mask its dark history is for you to find out.
Who knows? Maybe booking a table will give you more than just a thrilling dining experience.
ICYDK, this mansion is located in Teacher’s Camp which is also a notorious haunted spot in Baguio said to be a place where headless priests, white ladies, and blood-soaked women roam. On the bright side, you can find some of the most affordable accommodations here (as long as you don’t mind sharing a room with some restless spirits).
Location: 14 Leonard Wood Road Brgy. Cabinet Hill - Teachers Camp, Baguio City 2600
Clark Air Base Hospital
Photo from Website/Army's Crypt
Considered one of the most haunted places not just in the country but the whole world by Ghost Hunters International, this abandoned hospital sits in all its ruined glory inside the Clark Freeport Zone. The hospital was used during World War II and the Vietnam War where a sheer number of dying soldiers were treated. Due to this, death and trauma cling to the spirits present within its walls and are believed to wander through them to this day.
Locals have heard mysterious voices, whispered echoes, and screams. It’s a popular place to go ghost hunting with several vlogs up on YouTube featuring content creators experiencing paranormal activities. The hospital was also featured on National Geographic’s “I Wouldn’t Go In There” series.
Location: Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Clark Airbase Clark Field, Clark Freeport, Mabalacat, 2010 Pampanga
The Narra Bridge
Photo from Facebook/UP Los Baños
The University of the Philippines Los Baños is infamous for its spooky tales filled with ghostly encounters and paranormal activities. The school is located at the foot of Mt. Makiling, which is believed to be home to many engkantos (mythical spirits).
One of its scariest spots is the Narra Bridge, also known as the “never-ending bridge.” Why? Rumor has it that people who have tried to cross it at night have found it to be seemingly endless! It has been the site of several car accidents with drivers finding themselves driving aimlessly until they meet their demise. Yikes, talk about reaching a dead end!
The Narra Bridge also served as a battleground between Filipinos and Japanese forces during World War II, which resulted in death and suffering. Many believe the ghosts of these soldiers still roam the campus as we speak.
Location: University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Batong Malake, Los Baños, 4031 Laguna
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Having commuting blues? Don’t prefer riding motorcycles? Fret not, because motorcycle taxi and delivery service Angkas has launched its new four-wheel service, Angcars.
Now in its beta phase, Angcars offers passengers an option to book a car ride. Currently, the feature is only available in selected areas, including Makati City, Bonifacio Global City, Mandaluyong City, and Pasig City.
Booking Angcars is easy. There’s no need to install another app, too!
To book, all you need to do is open the Angkas app, pin a location within the said areas, and click on the “service type” tab. In this tab, you should be able to see three options: Passenger, which will let you book a motorcycle; Padala, their package delivery service; and finally, Angcars, where you can book a car.
As of this writing, only four-seater cars are available via Angcars. However, the company is eyeing to launch rides with six-seater vehicles as well, which will be called “Angcars Plus,” Angkas Founder Angeline Tham told reporters during the Management Association of the Philippines 22nd International CEO Conference last Sept. 10.
For those who are outside the Metro, worry not, because Angcars will also be rolled out in more areas soon!
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