The Happy Scamper

5 Must Do Things in Manila

traveltym — Mon, 5 Sep 2011 12:53:00 GMT

Manila. Capital of the Philippines, city of billboards. A lot of tourists opt to skip staying here altogether, but there’s a reason why Filipinos flock from all corners of the country to try their luck here. Is it crazy? Definitely! But I bet you won’t be complaining of any lack of character in this place either.

So from a true blue Manilenos perspective, here’s a top-5 list of things to do for a fun and eventful stopover:

1. Catch an Ateneo-Lasalle game. Someone once said it is the most modern version of tribal warfare you will ever see in the Philippines. What is it, you say? It’s college basketball, of course! It’s serious stuff where I'm from and best illustrated by an article that appeared in the New York Times some years ago.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/sports/23rivalry.html

2. Eat balut – People mistakenly think that Filipinos eat balut as a matter of course. In fact, not a lot of people do, but they will try to get you to eat it anyway because seeing looks of disgust on foreign faces is so much fun. As one of the few locals that actually eat balut (fertilized duck egg to those who aren't in the know), I assure you that they’re NOT THAT BAD. If you give it the old college try, we’ll appreciate it. But if you actually keep it in, we’ll respect you for it.

3. Visit old Manila – One of the biggest complaints about Manila is the fact that there’s not a lot of history to be found here. So when in town, make sure to visit one of the few places that actually have the old buildings still intact. Strolling along on your own is the cheap option, but joining a tour (which locals are also wont to do) is another popular choice. Ivan Mandy and Carlos Celdran are favorite tour guides.

http://www.oldmanilawalks.com/

http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/

4. Check out homegrown talent – Filipinos are known the world over for their singing prowess. So when in Manila, make sure to make a stop at places that feature local bands. There are plenty! Who knows? You may just be inspired enough to hop on over to a videoke joint right after.

5. People Watch – Nights out in Manila, which locals like to refer to as “gimmicks”, can be quite the production depending on what kind of place you go to. It always changes, but as of this writing, people-watching is best at Greenbelt on weekdays and Resorts World on the weekend.

Oh I’m sure I’ll have a lot of people giving me their own two cents about the best things to do in Manila after this. Obviously there’s more to Manila than just these 5, and I know you’ll soon find that out for yourself when you get here.

Do's and Don'ts in the Philippines

traveltym — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:58:00 GMT

There are plenty out there that categorize the Philippines as an exotic destination. So as a public service to those who are interested in braving the foreign frontier that is my backyard, I compile a few tips here to help you survive as soon as you touch down:

1. DO pack light clothing. The Philippines is a tropical country and rains are usually preceded by humidity like nowhere else. DON’T come without being prepared. The Philippines is also prone to typhoons that, even with warnings from the weather bureau, always manage to surprise us with how intense (or mild) they turn out to be.

2. DO learn key phrases in Tagalog. We appreciate it when foreign people make an effort and will reward you by teaching you more. For your own sake, DON’T repeat everything we teach unless you’re positive of what they mean. We admit to getting too much of a kick out of hearing bad words spoken in different accents.

3. DO visit Philippine beaches because that’s what we’re famous for. But DON’T think that seeing the tribal north is any less rewarding.

4. When hosted by locals, DO eat when you’re offered food. People that get offended when guests refuse to eat actually exist here, so best be on the safe side and have a little something. In cases where someone is in the middle of eating his own meal, DON’T be surprised when you’re invited to partake in it. It’s just something Filipinos do and you’re not actually meant to take him up on that offer. (Though if you really were that hungry, I’m sure you’ll be given a fair share too.)

5.DO greet friends like a local. “Beso-beso”, or making your cheek come in contact with another’s, is a common way to greet a friend here. But DON’T be shy to show us how YOU greet close friends. We are always interested to learn how other people do it.

7. DO have a taste of the only burger chain in the world that has ever trumped McDonald’s: Jollibee! But DON’T make the mistake of thinking that this is the only thing we have going for us when it comes to food. Adobo and balut you’ve probably heard of, but these are just two out of many delicacies that make up the Philippine gastronomic experience.

8. DO travel in local style. The jeepney has long been a symbol of the country and its people’s creativity. There have been concerns of late that the art of jeepney making is slowly coming to a decline, so make sure to hop on before the streets are clear of these colorful modes of travel. DON’T be too trusting of taxis in the metro. But of course you already knew that, right?

9. DO be a sport when it comes to videoke. Doing it with friends is fun and definitely safer than news on the infamous “My Way” killings will have you believe. And DON’T take it too seriously. We promise that your effort should make up for any lack of talent and will be enthusiastically applauded.

10. DO travel beyond the beaten path if you are keen to discover a more personal experience of the country. If you stick to the big malls and the usual stuff, DON’T say I didn’t warn you.

11. DO pack nice clothes for an evening out. It’s true that you can wear flip-flops and shorts on a regular basis, but Filipinos like to make a big production out of a night out or a “gimmick”, which is what we like to call it. Come prepared to avoid sticking out like a sore thumb, but DON’T feel bad if you forget the fancy threads at home. We understand and are used to seeing backpackers in the city all the time.

12. DO get married in the Philippines if you are truly in love. As of 2011, we are the only country in the world where divorce is still illegal. And obviously, DON’T take that last part seriously:)

Of course the most important DO of all is to travel with Filipino friends if you have them. Not only will they guide you through the dos and dont’s listed above, but they will also take you to the best places and make sure to show you the best time ever. DON’T be shocked if you end up wanting to stay longer than planned…

My Travel Writing Scholarship 2011 entry - Journey in an Unknown Culture

traveltym — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:44:55 GMT

Siem Reap Hangover

I was trying to soak it all in.

It was to be my last stroll through Pub Street and I just wanted to make sure I remembered every little detail that I loved so much about this place. See originally, I pictured Siem Reap to be a sleepy little town that just happened to exist under the shadows of its most famous landmark, Angkor Wat. Obviously I’ve changed my mind since.

In fact nothing in my past research ever prepared me for the feelings I would eventually have about Siem Reap. I’m a city girl, after all. Logically, that should mean that I gravitate towards the most bustling cities that smell most of success. But I imagine that Siem Reap surprises a lot of people that way.

Take your necessary day trip to Ankor Wat, for example. You will be advised to avoid the throngs of tourists by getting up extra early for an unspoiled experience of the biggest religious structure in the world. But what they don’t tell you is that pretty much everyone else has got the same idea. Siem Reap welcomes about a million tourists every year and you are sure to bump into a lot of them when you are about to go tomb raiding.

The civilization that gifted us all with Angkor Wat may be dead, but Siem Reap is teeming with new life. If you ever wonder how to get your own dramatic Angkor Wat photos in these conditions, the answer is to tap the person ahead of you. It’s widely recognized as the signal to dutifully get out of someone’s shot. You’re certainly going to be doing the same thing for someone else at some point in the day.

I would understand if people were exasperated. But strangely enough, in this little corner of the world, people don’t seem too bothered. Perhaps there’s something about this place that turns us into more relaxed versions of ourselves. Where we view little children who try to sell 1-dolla anything as really charming instead of potentially annoying. Or take comments from your driver/tour guide to check out a huge billboard of their King’s face in the middle of town because “he is still single!” as funny instead of just a little bit strange. As if there was ever a chance of that actually happening!

I’m not the only one who’s been charmed by this city. People from all over the world have decided to abandon their old life to set up shop here. All for different reasons, I’m sure. But I’m guessing it’s all centered around the theme of possibilities. People have called it Siem Reap’s cultural reawakening. And maybe there really is something in these big old temples that’s calling us to be a part of it. I could’ve sworn that I heard it!

The tuktuk driver might be taking me away from Siem Reap for now, but I already know I'll do everything I can to eventually make it back.