What BalikBayans Can Do When They Get Back To The Philippines
I learned Reyna would be coming back to the Philippines. I wondered where would it be a good idea for her to go here in Manila. I asked some people: Where would they take their balikbayan (people who return to the Philippines after a long absence) friends? What could they do here on vacation?
Here’s what some of them recommended:
- Paradise Resort sa Malolos, Bulacan – I’m not familiar with this place but it must be pretty good.
- Villa Escudero – A popular place down south of Manila. If you want a taste of Philippine culture, this is the place to go. The waiters and dancers are dressed in Native Philippine clothes. They’ve got a man-made waterfall. At the base of the waterfall there are tables where eat-all-you-can dinner and lunch is served.
- Tagaytay Highlands
- Greenbelt – is a mall in Makati City.
- Greenhills – Another mall in San Juan/Mandaluyong area. This is know known for displaying the puppet shows that were once shown on COD in Cubao.
- GatewayMall – A new mall in the heart of Cubao, Quezon City. It is rather small compared to the another malls but this one is well designed. It is easily accessible because the walkways from the MRT/LRT train stations go through here.
- Mall of Asia – considered the biggest mall in Asia (in terms of floor area).
One of my friends took his balikbayan brother to watch the local bands:
- Sugarfree (plays Pinoy Rock Music)
- Hale (Slow Rock and love song musicians)
- Orange and Lemons (known for the song “Pinoy Ako“)
- Brownman Revival (plays Reggae music)
He also recommends getting them breakfast at Tapsi Ni Vivian in Marikina which is known for its tapsilog – a meal composed of garlic rice, eggs, and beef strips. Quite delicious.
Hi Joz….definitely those are great places to enjoy and spend for…additional for Villa Escudero is its museum (I think it’s the largest collection nationwide)…the lifesized dioramas were made by my stepfather who just died Nov. 1, 2005…some of his artworks are here: http://mtevangelista.tripod.com.
As for what our balikbayans can do, let me add on the investment side (since spending side is what you covered)…It is a well-known tendency that Filipinos abroad would always want to come home even when they’ve reached their senior years.
Why not invest instead on a new real estate property? For themselves, for children, for family…or family-to-be… :) At least, their stay will not just pop in a bubble but will have long-lasting remembrance and worth. :)
Hi again, Jozz…
would just like to thank you…when I started to click on Reyna Elena’s link, I got stuck there…been laughing my heart out since then…
Cecile Cinco aka C5
http://house-lot-laguna-cavite.blogspot.com
hi everyone,
when i have a chance to go vacation in philippines i will visit the original lrt the first lrt line baclaran to monumento .i really miss my work and my co worker ofcourse…now that 1.2b was approved for the p3 project ,i want to go back again to philippines and operate those new modern train..
hi cecile,
hope you don’t mind asking something..do you know someone having a name Monique S. Cinco? her father came from bulacan..maybe you are related..hope to hear from you..thanks!
russell
Hi Russel, I’m sorry, I don’t know any from my husband’s side, a name Monique S. Cinco. How about you, do you know someone by the name Bong Lorilla? I forgot the real name. He used to be my officemate at DENR-LIUCP.