Time for summer fun in the city
MANILA, Philippines – The warm summer season, for most, usually means taking pleasure in serene, tranquil sunsets by white sand beaches or enjoying month-long vacations in countries that are far cooler than Metro Manila and its stifling heat. But what if you’ve got summer classes in school, have an important project to finish for work or don’t have the extra cash to spend on a vacation outside of the city? Well, being stuck in Manila isn’t all that bad — there are dozens of different, exciting things you can do to stave off the boredom and the heat. So, before you give up on having an enjoyable summer in Manila while all your friends plan trips to Boracay or Hong Kong, check out the following activities that you can do to have a fun summer in the city.
• Explore old Manila. Take a new, refreshing look at the old city with performing artist/travel guide Carlos Celdran. His famous Manila tours combine historical facts, a little humor, and a lot of interesting bits on Philippine art, architecture, food, and important figures. Explore Intramuros, Binondo, and Escolta, the Cultural Center of the Philippines on foot while learning more about your heritage and history. These walking tours are definitely much better than taking a history class!
• Take up a unique sport. Put your neighborhood liga or those weekend basketball games aside. Take up something different this summer, like flag football (a tamer version of American football) or the Ultimate Frisbee. Look for clinics or you can even ask friends if they play informal games of football or Frisbee near your area.
• Brush up on art. Visit the most extensive museum of Philippine contemporary and modern visual art — the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. Guided tours to current exhibits as well as the Met’s permanent exhibits are available for free all year round. You can also immerse yourself — literally — in Philippine modern art in the interactive stations of the Met, where you can pick up, hold, and touch whimsical art pieces.
• Be a good, responsible Pinoy by volunteering in NGOs. Lend your time, skills, and resources to help the less fortunate, animals, and Mother Earth. There are several NGOs that accept and need volunteers. Help abandoned or abused dogs and cats by signing up to volunteer for the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). You can also volunteer at the Women’s Crisis Center to help abused women and children or even in different outreach programs sponsored by your school or office.
• Go on a vintage shopping spree. Scour the streets of Cubao for funky, second-hand dresses, shoes, hats, and bags. You might even find vintage toys or even classic, retro-style furniture. Head south to Bangkal, Makati and walk the stretch of Evangelista for old lamps, reconstructed tables, vintage typewriters, sewing machines, and even affordable chandeliers and droplights.
Balance and manage your time and all these activities with Cherie Paris watches — funky timepieces perfect for an active summer. Cherie Paris watches are water-resistant and feature scratch-resistant faces. They also come in various designs and colors, and feature different functions that make them ideal for any summer activity in your itinerary.
Cherie Paris watches are available at all SM Department Store branches and at the Urban Time Flagship Store in SM North EDSA annex.
