What To Do in the Philippines

The Travel Adventures of Bex Davis

from the files of busybee621

Our first featured guest in OUR MELTING POT is fondly called Bex. She is originally from New Zealand but works in Korea as an English teacher. She visited the Philippines last month and left us a lot more impressions than we expected.

I was not in the hostel when Bex arrived but our short conversation over the phone gave me an inkling how decided she was to keep her impossible 3-day itinerary in Manila and other "nearby" provinces before heading off to Boracay Island. I wasn't doubting she could do it because there were obvious indications that our guest came prepared. We were just there to support or maybe spoil (?) her (as she later described in hostelworld). In the process, we saw her presence as an opportunity to learn important tips on WHAT TO DO IN THE PHILIPPINES from the mettle of a first-time traveler in this country which can surely benefit other guests that would come after her.

But Bex who has round, beautiful eyes that looked strict at first has a light, bubbly, spontaneous, no-big-expectation persona. To me, she perfectly represents a true traveler, in contrast to a mere tourist. She immersed herself in the culture and adopted to the same beat of the locals almost immediately. In her first taxi ride within Manila, Bex was asked how many years she's been in the Philippines. The taxi driver's eyes were wide with amusement when she responded: 5 hours. :-)

Going back to Bex's impossible itinerary. She intended to cover Corregidor, Villa Escudero and Pagsanjan falls in her 3 days in Manila. For any one of those 3 pit stops, the journey was to be made in the morning on her last day in Manila, before flying to Boracay at 16:30. Corregidor, fortunately or unfortunately, did not materialize but on her trip to Pagsanjan, she took an exciting turn to Los Banos and Mt. Makiling. Thanks goodness that her last day in Manila didn't bring her feet to far away places. But in all the time she was here, she was able to visit all the big malls: Glorietta, Greenbelt, Powerplant. She had gone to Intramuros, Coconut Palace, Ayala Museum and the Hobbits Bar in Malate (which we only heard for the first time from her). Bex experienced street dining with us at Som's. On her last day, at 12:50nn, she appeared in the hostel, left in a jiffy to squeeze in a local movie at 13:10 which she thought was hilarious. She wasn't probably at the edge of her seat even as it was important to be riding a cab by 15:15, but we were. We just telephoned the hotel managers in Boracay to inform that she was arriving late in the night. We didn't know what happened after until we met in facebook this October.

So, let's sniff a portion of the conversation she had in facebook with a friend as it would tell us some of the meaningful and exciting THINGS TO DO IN MANILA or IN THE PHILIPPINES.
September 29 at 11:50am

Grace Schafer

So, what did you think (about the Philippines)?

Bex Davis

I had the time of my life. I saw so many interesting things, met so many interesting, generous people, didn't get into any scrapes. Though sometimes it was a bit scary, the people i met really looked out for me. Had an absolute adventure. I'm hooked and going back next year after my contract ends. Oh and the food is soooooooo yummy!

I got to Ayala museum, Coconut Palace, Mall of Asia, Intramuros, Villa Escudero, Pagsanjan falls with a wee excursion to Los Banos as i met a guy on the bus who was eager to show me the town and join me in my adventure (yeah i know a big risk but it paid off). I also saw a movie called Kimmy Dora which once i got into it was hilarious. Got toBoracay and had a mad time with the wind, the rain and the locals there. Climbed into a bat cave which i later found out was full of snakes, ate the most delicious food on the beach and held a monkey. Yup i didn't want to leave, and almost didn't due to the typhoon in Manila. But things calmed down enough by the time i was due to leave, though my flights were delayed. I have made so many contacts and there is so much more i want to see, such as I didnt get to Corregidor. Also i wanted to see Palawan and so many things in the north like the rice terraces and the indigenous tribes. Yup the Philippines rock!

Grace Schafer

Phew. I'm so glad that you had a good time. Not a lot of people I know go to the Philippines for a holiday. People used to back in the 70s and stuff. Those people always talk about it like it was the most fun experience of their lives. Glad you liked the food too. It's pretty darn healthy. I remember eating fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Glad you went to Borocay. Too bad about the weather. But you get that. Let me know when you plan to go up north. There's some stuff i should probably give you a heads up on.

Yay for the Philippines!
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END OF (A HAPPY) STORY.

Is It Safe in the Philippines?

Tom stayed with us in OUR MELTING POT last week and shared his very unsual observation of Metro Manila. "I'm curious, but it seems all these bad things, fears, negative perception of the Philippines that I harbored in Europe or elsewhere are actually in the mind of the Filipino people. In reality, the Philippines or Manila, in particular, is a big, loud but safe and charming city.

I don't quite understand it, but the Filipinos seem to project these fears almost everywhere. You see them as warnings inside the rest room: watch out for your valuables. They greet you at the Metro stations: beware of pickpocketers. The dispatcher at the taxi stand gives out flyers that tell you: call this number to report erring taxi drivers. Surprisingly, I've already been in the Philippines for two weeks but the "predictions" have yet to happen to me; I don't even think they will ever happen to me. But the fear is palpable. Warnings are still everywhere. Amusingly, no one appears willing to take the responsibility. It seems like saying: if something bad happens to you, then I told you so... because I thought so. However, simply because I told you, no way can you hold me liable for your misfortune.

In the more famous European capitals such as Barcelona, Rome, Paris, thieves or snatchers are common place, especially in the street of Las Ramblas, the Roma Termini Station, or the Eiffle Tower in Paris. But hardly are the tourists forewarned because after all, even if it's government's thrust to ensure the safety of travelers, securing oneself is also a personal responsibility.

Anyway, back to the Philippines. Lonely Planet warns travellers that the most common scam in the Philippines involves drugging a tourist's drinks or food and then robbing them. With the gravity and the "commonality" of the warning, would anyone ever risk coming to the Philippines if s/he is in the right frame of mind?

But where do you think this is coming from? If you are just doing your thing and enjoying yourself, it can and WILL NEVER happen to you in the Philippines. But if you take out prostitutes or associate with society's trouble-makers and let all your defenses down, then in Manila or elsewhere, you are vulnerable. It all boils down to choice and ways of behaving or conducting yourself. But Lonely Planet is not irresponsible with its statement. Yet I strongly suspect that this is a product of an ordinary Filipino's tendency to magnify the negativity. Too bad, the rest of the world catches it.

Tom continued. Lonely planet also wrote Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is a dismal introduction to the country: lines are often long at immigration; the airport is old and decripit. Be prepared to deal with the unscrupulous taxi drivers.Well, I flew in to Manila via Asiana airlines and landed at the old NAIA Terminal I. Guess what? I actually thought I was at the wrong airport when I arrived. There was no chaos. No long queues. I even thought the airport was very organized. Terminal 1 was old, not magnificent, not state-of-the-art. It was not beautiful. But it was not bad either, in fact far from being detestable. So again, don't you think the Filipinos are feeding these impressions to the entire world?

In reaction to what Tom said, I referred him to the statement of Ben Beiske, a blogger in travelblog.org, who recently visisted Manila and met with my friend Lili. "The guidebook had called Manila airport dirty, chaotic and dark. I was expecting the worst, but instead after arriving here from Taipei I found it super-clean, well sign-posted and modern. Maybe they have recently upgraded it or I arrived at a different terminal? Leaving the airport, I braced myself for the usual army of taxi drivers and other hawkers but I found -- NOTHING. ??? Not a single person approached me? And I had time to get my bearings. How nice!

So, I continued. The change of perception requires a gargantuan change in mindset or consciousness in every Filipino. But that's almost an impossible task. So we're just starting in our hostel. We're here primarily to promote everything good about our country and about the Filipinos in general. The reviews made by tourists, turned friends, who stayed in our hostel, are a living testament to it. And so this is a mission we would like to carry out for as long as the need is there. We want more Bex Davis of facebook, a recent guest in the hostel, to say: THE PHILIPPINES ROCKS, or Peter Wall who wrote us: we found everyone that we met in the Philippines extremely friendly and helpful.

Our islands are incomparable and are touted as paradise. Yet those island-pearls are not exactly our greatest treasures. Our gentle, caring people are! Our people, because probably of the long history of colonization, can be likened to diamonds trampled upon in the streets. If no one dares pick us up, we might just as well pick up ourselves and show the world that the Philippines is not only a safe place to be. This is the best place you can be. You can in fact immediately call this your home.

What Our Guests Say About Us

So after all it's not just about offering cheap accommodation in Manila that makes us the preferred backpacking corner in the Philppines at the moment! To all our guests who have stayed with us, thank you for all the support!

by Bex Davis (New Zealand), 23 Sept 2009

I felt totally spoiled by Our Melting Pot. For a young woman traveling by herself in a foreign country it was safe, clean and the staff simply amazed me with there warm welcome and generous spirit. While I was there, there was only one other guest, I think if the shared room was full it

would be a bit on the cosy side, but still worth it for the help and advice of the staff, they really took care of me. I hope to stay there again when I'm next in Manila.

by Anja Jetter (Germany), 28 August 2009

Clean quiet hostel, firm bed, fresh sheets, great water pressure, close to 2 major shopping centers with food places for $4-8. Hostel is a condo unit so security is great. Breakfast is basic (noodles, soft rolls, coffee). No reading lamp per bed, but loved that each bed had quaint little curtains w/c gave me an excellent sense of privacy. Very helpful staff - Ronald, Joel, Macy, Lani - if you need any info abt where to go, what to eat =) Way better than my US hostels, so i\'d totally recommend it

by Jason Willock, 11 July 2009

I had one night in Manila so I decided to try the Makati area. It's the heart of the city, where the business section is, and where there is also some nightlife. I stayed in a new hostel Our Melting Pot. It had been a while since I had been in a hostel, and this one was great. It was brand new, I was one of there first guests, the owners were very friendly, and it had a great location. While the air in Manila is still polluted, and it is not the cleanest of cities, there is a certain charm to it, and I quite enjoyed it. There were all sorts of restaurants and bars on the same street as the hostel, which was just a loft apartment converted into a hostel. Short walk to shopping malls, restaurants, and nightlife. There is a seedy area in Makati as well, which was interesting to see, it's just a bar street with bar girls, and unlike Thailand, where the majority of the visitors are European, most here where American. Although there are also tons of Korean bars as well. I didn't stay out very late, as I was tired from the long day of travel, and exploring the city, so I didn't get to see the street in full action, but I am sure it was colorful!I had a great dinner at a Biker Bar / Restaurant (across the hostel) that had a huge BBQ outside, and I think the owners were Canadian, as there were some Canadian Flags around and about. It was called The Handlebar I recommend it!

by Charlene Diane Albert, [Female, 21-25], 25th July 2009
Prior to Our Melting Pot, I had never stayed at hostels before, so I was quite anxious about how my first experience was going to be. Lots of what-ifs ran through my mind - what if this, what if that. But as soon as I checked into OMP, my mind was put at ease! Not only did I find the hostel's atmosphere clean and cosy, the big plus was getting to know the owners of OMP themselves. Everyone (Ronald, Joel, Liza, Kidz & Lani) were so friendly, so helpful and never hesitated to lend a helping hand when I needed one!The hostel is also in very close proximity to convenience stores, ATM machines, 24-hr fast food outlets, shopping malls and bars, so for someone who would rather walk and not take the public transportation like me, it was a huge bonus. For P750/night, I think the OMP is definitely a steal! I hope to come back again in the near future on my trips back to the Philippines....

by Zbigniew & Mikhal, Poland [Male 25-30], 12th August 2009

Excellent hostel just in the heart of Makati. If you're looking for a good night sleep (and not a loud party-hostel) in a decent price this is your destination. Really nice breakfast included. Staff is very helpful. Just the opposite you have a BBQ bar and few affordable Korean restaurants. Would certianly recommend it!

by vivienpalles1291, Canada, 12th July 2009

Clean, modern hostel, accented with impressive local interior. In a safe, quiet section of the village that is close to everything, especially the night life, fine dining restos and the Power Plant Mall. Right across Handle Bar-- a clear hit among tourists. Minus factor: I'm not comfy sharing rooms with strangers(guys) coz they ain't got exclusive dorm for women. Cheap place by Makati standard. Helpful staff.

by rhalos1098, Australia Male 41+ 09th July 2009
This hostel came as a surprise to me. I needed an affordable, decent bed & breakfast in Makati yet all I could find were 2 or 3-star hotels which cost US$30 per person. I stumbled upon a local promo about the hostel's opening week & risked being the guinea pig. The young owners are unbelievably helpful. I tell you: get this place if you wanna maximize your stay in Manila. And yes, breakfast is modest.

by Ailsa, Philippines [Female 41+], 24th July 2009

Who would have thought you would find a gem of a place in an area where everybody knows accommodation is expensive. These young enterprenuers have stumbled upon a bright idea. I had no idea what a hostel would look like since I badly needed a place to stay.... The pictures you see give no justice to the ambiance this hostel has... warm and comfortable... you ought to try this place... you'd be surprised... you would end up having the urge to come back... I SURE DID....!

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And so yes, staying with us, you enjoy the city in a different light in the company of likeminded individuals even as you get the best deal for a cheap accommodation in manila.