manila

El Camarín de la Virgen: Hidden Cultural Treasure of Santa Ana, Manila

Posted on June 2, 2023

Most of the well-known heritage gems of Manila are concentrated in the historic walled district of Intramuros, but the neighborhood of Santa Ana in the southeast portion of the city, near the Makati City border, hides a exceptional heritage structure also worth visiting. Constructed from 1720 to 1725, the Santa Ana Church – officially the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned – stands out among other Spanish-era churches in the country – for having the Camarín de laRead More→

Pan Pacific Manila: The Philippines’ First and Finest Butler Hotel in Malate

Posted on January 27, 2017

The moment I received the email confirming my stay at Pan Pacific Manila, a 236-room five-star luxury hotel in the entertainment district of Malate in the city of Manila, I knew they took their customer service seriously as they boast to be the “first and finest butler hotel” in the Philippines. The booking confirmation arrived with a guest preference form which queried me about my room preferences in careful detail down to my choice of fruit and room scent. AmongRead More→

Fête de la Musique Philippines 2016 caps off in historic Intramuros, Manila

Posted on June 24, 2016

After a successful first-half run at A Venue Mall and Greenbelt 3 in Makati City last June 18, the Philippines’ 22nd Fête de la Musique – an annual festival of music celebrated worldwide – capped off with the second half of the celebration last night, June 23, within the historic walls of Intramuros, Manila. It was a modest, intimate – and almost romantic – affair, as the venue was held at the gardens of Puerta Real along the southern edge of the walled city.Read More→