San Agustin Church and Taal Volcano

Had the chance to visit the oldest church in the Philippines, San Agustin Church on one Sunday by myself. Turns out that the first Sunday in December every year is the Grand Marian Procession, where people will gather around the "Wall of Churches" in Intramuros, Manila, from afternoon till night and that really affected how I was going to get a cab to leave the place.

Well, I didn't know about all that and happily visited the San Agustin Church by myself. Alas, found out that some couple was also holding their wedding ceremony that day and I couldn't enter the main hall. Not an issue though, as I witnessed one of the most beautiful wedding scenes in my life from the top of the church hall. So all's good! So now, let the pictures do the talking!

Main hall. There was an on-going wedding and I only managed to get this picture before being turned away

The museum area when visitors first step in

Yea tombstones

Going up the second floor

Choir and organ area where I can overlook the main hall

Waiting for the bride....

Just look at the train of the gown! So gorgeous!

Grand Marian Procession

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On another occasion, we also made it a point to visit one of the world's smallest active volcanoes: Taal Volcano.

Before going to the Volcano, we needed to go through a short lesson with the staff. Then it was a 20min boat ride to the island. As usual for Volcano attractions, they would offer the option of self trekking or horseback riding. Obviously in that kind of weather, we chose the horseback riding that takes us about 30min to the top.

This was the view that greeted us at the top. Honestly, having been to large volcanoes like Mount Bromo or Kawah Ijen, the view here couldn't really compare. 

However, because Taal Volcano is special: The crater lake on Volcano Island here is the largest lake on an island in a lake on an island in the world. It was worth visiting since I was there!

Because the view from the free spots weren't magnificent enough, we had to pay an additional fee to go up another route that promises a better view. Had to climb up a narrow path here. If u accidentally trip and fall to the sides here u would tumble off the cliff and hit the rocks beneath. 

Well, it was true, managed to get some nicer photos here since there are no barricades here. But it was scary shit to be sitting at the edge.

So that's all for my Manila adventures! 

To check out the food I had there, click here.

Also check out the VLOG I did for the Manila trip!

https://youtu.be/uMOaPh1LZPU

Manila Eats

Finally, documenting some of my eats while working in Manila in 2018. These are some of the notable ones I visited. The cafe scene is Manila is better than I thought, and hotel desserts are realy affordable for the SGD!

Yardstick

Lobby Lounge, Okada Manila

Casa Armas Malate

Mang Inasal

Alimango House

Wild Flour Bakery & Cafe

Giligan's

Little Flour, City of Dreams

Cafe Society, City of Dreams

Seafood street somewhere

Cafe Maxims

The Wholesome Table

Hineleban Cafe

Yardstick

One of my very first hipster cafe experiences in Manila. The cafe was crowded when we visited on a Sunday!

The Hummus and Mushroom, Chicken Waffles, Iced Chocolate and Yardshake were decent!

PHP 932.80/2pax

Universal LMS Building, 106 Esteban, Legazpi Village, Makati

Lobby Lounge, Okada Manila

We don't really go to hotels in Singapore for our dessert fix. But when in Manila, u can do so freely, because the price is cheaper! Can't remember the prices for these, but it was definitely around SGD 5-8 for 1 slice of cake here. For such a high end hotel and such pretty desserts, u won't get anything like that in Singapore!

New Seaside Dr, Tambo, Parañaque

Casa Armas Malate

Came here on recommendation of a foodie friend. This Spanish restaurant is in the middle of a seemingly ulu and dark area so we were a bit worried while our GrabCar driver was making his way there. But once we went into the restaurant, it was filled with expats and locals alike. The starters, mains, and dessert were all good!

PHP 2313.64/2pax

573 Julio Nakpil, Malate

Mang Inasal

This is a fast food chain all over the Philippines that serves Filipino cuisine. It is REALLY CHEAP. And there is also an option for unlimited rice top-up. BUT if there's something I hate about Filipino food, is that they lack vegetables. Just look at my miserable plate.

Less than PHP 100 for this, can't really remember

Various locations

Alimango House

Stayed very near Newport Mall, so one night, me and the colleagues decided to come here and look for some good food. Ended up at this place and had some western food. Not sure if it's just in Philippines, but whenever we order spam fries, there are only a few pieces of luncheon meat, and mostly potato fries. I thought spam fries meant that the whole plate would be full of spam? Haha, that's a mystery I would never know.

PHP 2230.86/3pax

4/F, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, 1309 Newport Blvd, Pasay

Wild Flour Bakery & Cafe

Love this cafe, as they offer pretty neat brunch items and desserts. AND u can people-watch on a weekend as all the good looking people seem to hang out here at Taguig City.

PHP 1838.57/3pax

Various locations. The one we went to was at G/F Six/Neo Building, 5th Avenue Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Giligan's

We came here for some Filipino cuisine, and the food was pretty good!

PHP 938/3pax

Various locations

Little Flour, City of Dreams

We were at City of Dreams and wanted some affordable food. Ended up in a foodcourt called The Garage Gastro and did not realise this stall we went to was actually the same people behind Wild Flour Bakery & Cafe.

PHP 1001/3pax

Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard Entertainment City Manila, Parañaque

Cafe Society, City of Dreams 

Yet another hotel dessert stop. We shared one cake and ice cream after having our meal at Little Flour just cos it was cheap to have taitai dessert sessions in Manila hotels.

PHP 380/3pax

Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard Entertainment City Manila, Parañaque

Seafood street somewhere

I really forgot where this place was, except that it was near the place where Chinese people would always hang out. Also, heard from them that the place is pretty dangerous so... might as well not come here if u are not with locals after all. Just wanna say, I love the concept of choosing your own seafood and getting the restaurants to cook it for u (not that I am a pro at choosing them though).

Cafe Maxims

The final hotel cafe on my list. Resorts World Manila is super near my apartment, so we loved coming here to just walk around, even though the shops are probably too high end for us to buy anything.

Newport Blvd, Pasay

The Wholesome Table

This cafe was packed on a Sunday night. But with such good food and ambience, I can see why.

PHP 1252.68/2pax

Various locations, but I went to G/F Infinity Tower, H.V. Dela Costa corner Leviste St, Salcedo Village, Makati

Hineleban Cafe

Was on a solo trip to go shopping at the malls nearby and thought I would drop by this cafe. It was here where I tried the Sansrival cake for the first time. This is a Filipino layer cake made of buttercream, meringue and toasted cashews. Super sweet, but I loved it so much!

Can't remember how much I spent here but the cake was PHP 200

Kalayaan Ave, Makati,

And that's all, stay tuned for some of the sightseeing places in Manila next!
San Agustin Church and Taal Volcano

And here's the YouTube link to the VLOG I did for the Manila trip!
https://youtu.be/uMOaPh1LZPU