Malate, Manila

I stayed here for one night and I regret it. It's dirty and not much to see outside of Robinsons Mall. Loads of hostess bars targeting Japanese or Korean men.

Skip Malate, believe me, you aren't missing anything.

If war memorials interest you, check Malate's Pieta. It's definitely not as famous as its Italian counterpart and World War II memorials in the Philippines like the American cemetery and Corregidor Island are much celebrated for a reason. But this humble, artful and emotional statue captures so well the sorrow of Manila when it lost its civilians to American-Japanese aggression in the 'opened' city.

in this catholic church, mary is a patroness to expecting people / couples - and mostly for anyone who has a pregnancy / fertility / female issue. but whether you're in for that reason, or another, or even none at all, it is a must to at least visit this district's catholic church.

it's within the tourist area anyway so go for it. malate church is much more interesting in daylight. so make sure to take a glimpse at least on its ancient and intriguing facade before you catch that hyped manila bay sunset.

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Ermita and Malate are particular favourites with visitors from all over the world. Consequently, everything needed to proivde services to these visitors is also available here: from inexpensive accommodation to the finest hotels, restaurants, shops, travel agents, moneychangers, you name it. The area may not be crowded with travellers like Khao San Rd in Bangkok, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. In the last few years Malate has become a favourite with those in the know, and the wide selection of pubs, music bars and bistros is especially popular with better-off Filipinos.
There's a remarkable phenomenon taking place around Adriatico St., J. Nakpil St., Maria Orosa St. and Remedios Circle in Malate. In old, restored buildings in this area an upmarket pub/bistro scene has established itself which has a genuine, nostalgic feel to it.
The pedestrian zone along the paved promenade reaching from the US embassy to the Manila Yacht Club is the pride and joy of Roxas Boulevard. Numerous park benches under the palm trees invite you to rest your legs, and at about 5pm, in good time for the magnificent display of the sunset, the open air restaurants raise thier shutter to serve barbecued delights and cold drinks. Later in the evening, when the strip is illuminated by lamps and the air reverberates with the sound of live music, eg in Anthology by the Bay, it doesn't take long for the party atmosphere to take hold.

Housed in one of the restored historic Hispanic houses in Manila, Sanctuario Spa is really a destination locals and tourists who crave for relaxation or simply would want to try something refreshing.

My husband and I went there to try their Xiamen Foot Reflexology. For 660 pesos (per person), this one hour treatment was really worth it. Apart from the expertise of the therapist, the ambiance really contributed to this great experience. We had the reflexology under a Filipiniana-inspired canopy placed on one side of the garden. It was really interesting that for a moment I forgot I was still in the city.

I got hold of their brochure and I find some of their treatments priced a couple hundred pesos higher than the other stand-alone spas, but I think the charm of the place and the good service compensate for it.

Sanctuario also offers the Filipino remedial massage that we call locally as "hilot." They also have acupuncture and other alternative treatments. However, I would like to come back and try their chocolate or coffee body scrub and also their wading pool and soaking tub.

Ballroom dancing/Salsa Dancing! I understand you may laugh, because if you would say I was going to try ballroom dancing? Well let's say I would of died laughing!

On my quest to try something new every night, I mistakenly went into a ballroom/salsa dance hall right across the street from the the Malate Pension house. If you can dance a little bit, and are not afraid to try something new! You have got to try this! What I found out is that there are roughly 2,500 to 3,000 dance instructors in the Philippines, many of whom are young men and women barely out of their teens, but seasoned dancers. They staff there was awesome, as was the time I had!

Another old church with an old world feel. It is right across Rajah Sulayman Park and The Aristocrat Restaurant on one side of Roxas Blvd.

Cross the street and you're looking at Manila Bay where you can watch amazing sunsets...everyday...

The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic...a legacy left behind by the Spaniards after having been here for 300 something years.
Scattered everywhere you'll see beautiful churches new and old like this one.