On one of my first walking tours in Manila with Jing Ordoña, he greeted me with a question: “Are you ready for some long walking?” I said yes. I should have asked how long. By the time our New Manila walking tour ended, my phone was registering more than 32,000 steps. The bigger surprise was how much history could be found in a neighborhood I thought I already knew.

Probably the only museum in the country that gives visitors the option to get drunk—or, for the lightweights, just a little tipsy; for novice drinkers, slightly hammered; and for spirits enthusiasts, a little more cultured—Destileria Limtuaco, housed in a historic stone building on San Juan de Letran Street in Intramuros, lets guests sample six selections from its extensive portfolio of handcrafted spirits.

For years, Manila has functioned as a layover - a city travelers pass through on their way to the country’s more photogenic islands. Independent tour guides hope to change that. Following the launch of the Intramuros Administration’s “Don’t Skip Manila” campaign, various historical walking tours that aims to reintroduce the capital as a destination rather than a pit-stop are now being offered to tourists and residents alike. The overall message is simple: the nation’s stories abound here.

Seated on a mat laid over the cool sprawl of lawn of MiraNila, a heritage house and events place in Quezon City which now holds outdoor film showings and a house tour as part of its offerings, I stretched my legs, letting my sock-covered toes press into the softness of the earth. Overhead, the night shifted in slow, deliberate movements, with the nighttime skies parting just enough to unveil a waxing crescent moon. On the huge screen set up on MiraNila’s spacious front yard, Greta Lee’s Nora leads Teo Yoo’s Hae Sung through the bustling streets of New York City in Past Lives—a film driven by the weight of life’s what-ifs.

Although I've visited Intramuros multiple times—excluding the time I was baptized at the Manila Cathedral—I've never gone on a thorough loop exploring its every nook and cranny. Once, I biked to Papakape, an artisan coffee shop inside Fort Santiago. Another time, I indulged in the flavors of several spirits and whiskey at the Destileria Limtuaco Museum, while at other times, it was on a date to Museo de Intramuros or attending a friend’s wedding at San Agustin Church. I’ve never really explored the whole of Intramuros like a curious tourist before.

As modern home aesthetics trended on social media via the popular Home Buddies group on Facebook, a replica of a typical 19th-century mansion in Intramuros reminded visitors that not all olden things must be forgotten. The Casa Manila Museum in Intramuros offered a glimpse into the lifestyle of affluent Filipino families dating back to a century ago. Featuring antique furniture pieces and ornaments made in China and Europe and by local artisans, complemented well by its impressive stone-and-wood structure, one could easily come to the conclusion that not even IKEA could hold a candle to home living during colonial times.

After a visit to the National Museum of Natural History failed to materialize because our online reservation was bumped a couple of hours into late afternoon, my friend Louise and I decided to just explore Intramuros. This was more than a year into the pandemic, and certain restrictions were still in place when visiting establishments such as museums.

My not-so-fond memories of passing through Jones Bridge were always associated with grinding traffic, so I never appreciated the bridge’s neo-classical design by architect Juan M. Arellano, nor the three arches resting on the two piers. First constructed in 1920 spanning the Pasig River to connect the Binondo district to Padre Burgos Avenue in Ermita, the bridge had undergone numerous reconstructions. The most tedious of them all was in the aftermath of the Liberation of Manila during the tail end of WWII. Another restoration was done in 1998, but still, the bridge remained an afterthought to most pedestrians. It was only in 2019 when Manila Mayor Isko Moreno injected twenty million pesos for a redevelopment of the Jones Bridge.

The renovated 1940 neoclassical Agriculture and Commerce Building wowed everyone when it reopened as the National Museum of Natural History in May 2018—thanks to an arresting design element addition. Not even a week later, social media was flooded with photographs of the museum’s imposing atrium, which resembled a DNA helix. Architect Dominic Galicia and interior designer Tina Periquet collaborated to bring the Tree of Life to fruition as the centerpiece of the museum.

Exploring the city of Manila is like opening a box filled with ukay-ukay (pre-loved) clothes and other objects. It may take you quite a while of digging before you start finding things you actually like. Because this city’s gems aren’t always noticeable at first glance, it takes extra effort to discover Manila’s true allure. From the core city of Manila to the rest of its vast metropolitan area, one can find a myriad of charms hidden in every nook and cranny. By knowing where to search and expanding your zest for discovery, you can easily enjoy Manila with all its rich history, culture, art scene, food, and friendly people.

I used to think Hotel Benilde was simply a high-rise playground building for culinary and Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) students from the College of Saint Benilde. I am guilty of downplaying the establishment as merely having the basic necessities needed for elevated education, assuming it was still not up to par with industry standards. Oh man, how mistaken I was—when, after stepping foot inside its lobby, I quickly noticed how everything is run professionally, just like the other fancy hotels I’ve been to.

Contrary to initial belief, the Philippines is a country teeming with culture and heritage, often overlooked in favor of our Southeast Asian neighbors. Thanks to the steady resurgence of conservation groups and the various programs of the Department of Tourism, culture trips are quickly gaining the attention of modern travelers.

Near Metro Manila alone, one can easily list down a solid selection of historical landmarks and destinations actively preserving our rich set of culture and traditions. For those looking to confidently bring their balikbayan relatives and foreign friends to a place that best epitomizes the Philippines’ unique character, check out this partial list of must-see, culture-laden destinations near Metro Manila.

A few months ago, I landed a 900-word article writing gig that paid me a decent sum on top of a full-board three-night stay at the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel at the Fort in Taguig. Of course, I did nothing but completely relax, get a soothing massage, and try out the premium restaurants located inside the towering property. Where I happily had dinner on my first night was the highly acclaimed Raging Bull Chophouse and Bar.