All aboard
MANILA, Philippines - We know how the MRT/LRT system works. It’s just like any other train, stopping at designated hotspots around the Metro and helping people get to their chosen destinations. But imagine if the stops weren’t just random locations scattered all across the cities?
Young STAR will take you on a different route around the best places in Metro that are far from your usual travels. You might not know that there are hidden gems around your very own neighborhood. We’ve got you covered all the way from art galleries, cool shops, restaurants, and fun activities. Put that beep card into good use and hop on for this journey.
Art by Maia Puyat
Pinto Art Museum
A quaint gem hidden in Antipolo, Pinto Art Museum is a favorite for both the frustrated artist looking for inspiration and the excited Instagrammer craving new spots to snap. It hosts a wide range of art pieces from paintings to sculptures, making sure to highlight the talents of Filipino artists. –– Maia Puyat
Pinto Art Museum is located at 1 Sierra Madre Street, Antipolo, Rizal.
Metropolitan Museum of Manila
Originally built in the ’70s to host international art exhibitions, The Met has become a haven for Filipino heritage. Their already diverse collection ranges from colonial Hispanic art to exhibits centered on global contexts and experiences.
Metropolitan Museum of Manila is located at BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Malate, Manila, Metro Manila.
Macuha Art Gallery
Macuha’s main goal is to give emerging Filipino talents that extra push hosting their work through its spaces, exhibitions and galleries. What sets Macuha apart from the other, larger museums is that all the pieces showcased are part of a personal collection. It’s a bit of a trip to get there for most but it’s worth the journey.
Macuha Art Gallery is located at 3210 Antonio H. Ozaeta Street BF Resort Village, Las Pinas, 1740 Metro Manila.
Mind Museum
Mind Museum hosts over 250 hands-on, interactive exhibits. There are five main galleries, including a hall commemorating world-renowned Filipino scientists. The standouts are the Atom Gallery, which introduces visitors to the big world of the tiny atom-sphere, and the Life Gallery that focuses on, well, life.
Mind Museum is located at J. Y. Campos Park, 3rd Ave, Taguig, Metro Manila.
National Museum
Built in the heart of Manila, the National Museum is a sight to behold. Already a piece of art with its architecture, it hosts a massive collection of artifacts that date back to the BC era. Walking through its exhibits is like time traveling, with statues from the oldest churches in Bohol to merchandise from ancient Japanese vendors. National Museum is located along Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila.
CCP Museum
The Cultural Center of the Philippines is basically the Philippines’ No. 1 go-to stop for everything cultural. The CCP features works of Filipino traditional artists both to help the average Filipino achieve a deeper understanding of how artistic expression has played a vital role in our history and to preserve Filipino artistic traditions.
CCP Museum is located at CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Magdalena Jalandoni, Malate, Pasay.
Food by Maia Puyat
Freezer Burn (BGC)
Freezer Burn’s main attraction is their compost desserts, which expertly balance unique ice cream flavors like ketchup and mayo and cookies and junk food with delicious hot desserts like peppered French fries and Nutella donuts.
Freezer Burn is located at G/F B2, Bonifacio High Street, 11th Ave. cor. 28th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
Fat Butchik
Fat Butchik is an unassuming paradise for hipsters on the hunt for the next big hole in the wall. It sits on a roof deck in the BF Homes area and boasts a delicious selection of comfort food (think: burger sliders. Inasal skewers, and cheesy sausages) and a simple yet delicious selection of cocktails, it’s definitely a great place for a “chillnuman” amongst friends.
Fat Butchik is located at 364 El Grande Ave, Parañaque, Manila.
Milk Box
Milk Box is a sugar lover’s haven, offering a wide selection of desserts in flavors like dulce de leche waffles, pumpkin spice milkshakes, and so many variations of cookies and cookie dough. And if that’s not enough, their desserts are accompanied by a glass of their signature cereal milk ice cream.
Milk Box is located at The Garden, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
The Yard
With 30 unique stalls that each cater to a different food craving from chocolate drizzled French fries to sushirritos, The Yard in Xavierville Avenue has it all. It’s a great place to go with friends to pig out so make sure to come with an empty stomach – you’ll need the extra space.
The Yard is located at 83 Xavierville Avenue, Quezon City.
Toyo Eatery
The brainchild of chef Jordy Navarra, Toyo is a modern Filipino restaurant that features all your favorite Filipino classics but given contemporary twists. We recommend the Grilled Belly and Loin of Bangus. There’s also a bar available for the foodies who like to pair their greasy meals with a beer or two.
Toyo Eatery is located at the G/F Building C, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave, Makati, City.
Amo Yamie Crib
Specially designed for students as the perfect “hohol”spot, Amo Yamie Crib is both whimsical and delicious. They go above and beyond with their desserts and milkshakes like our favorite one the Wizard of Oreo milkshake, which is a cookies and cream lover’s dream come true.
Amo Yamie Crib is located at the 2nd floor of 2125 Gordi Plaza Building, Legarda Street, Quiapo, Manila.
Shopping by Marlly Bondoc
Hub: Make Lab
Over the years, Escolta has become something else and what used to be the Saturday X Future Market @ Escolta, has now been developed to a more stable and sustainable space. The Hub is an incubation space for creative start-ups, whether it’s arts and crafts, clothes and accessories, DIY wares, vintage goods, or refurbished antiques.
Hub: Make Lab is located at the Ground Floor of First United Building, 413 Escolta St., Manila.
Makati Cinema Square
Makati Cinema Square has one of the best thrift shops or ukay-ukay locations in Manila. It’s been around for ages but with so many new malls popping up, MCS still remains the ultimate thrift shop.
Makati Cinema Square is located at Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.
The Collective
The Collective is a creative compound for people to appreciate arts, visuals, and music. Various independent stores, art galleries, and restaurants are situated here. It’s similar to the vibe of Cubao X, where clothes, books, rare collectibles, vinyl records, furniture, among others are sold at afforable prices.
The Collective is located at 7274 Malugay Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City.
Heima Brixton
Heima is a home and lifestyle store which offers a wide selection of hip and colorful pieces of furniture. They also accept custom-made furniture and curated products like inspirational wall decors, portable turntables, Instax cameras, vinyl records, and refurbished typewriters.
Heima Brixton is located at Unit 103, Three Brixton Building, #3 Brixton Street, Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
Cool Japan Shop
The Japanese art of decluttering and organizing is difficult to do once you enter this haven for hoarders, the Cool Japan Shop. Just like its name, the shop offers a wide range of cool items, and whether you’re a makeup junkie or just fond of cute items, you won’t leave empty-handed.
Cool Japan Shop is located at 2/F SM Light Mall, Madison Street, Mandaluyong City.
Cubao Expo
Shops and restaurants come and go but Cubao X always stays as a haven for collectors and art buffs. Clothing, furniture, vinyl records, novelty shops, vintage or thrift stores, art galleries, restaurants, cafes and all other quirks and eccentricities are here. ––MB
Cubao Expo is located along General Romulo Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City.
Zaril Lifestyle Store
Online shopping has made our lives easier but the inability to personally check the product is probably one of the biggest cons. In Maginhawa stands a physical space for online shops to showcase their products. Zaril collaborates with different online shops and gives young entrepreneurs the exposure and opportunity to make it in the industry.
Zaril Lifestyle Store is located at 97 Maginhawa Street, Teacher’s Village, Quezon City.
Bookay-Ukay
Bookay-Ukay makes sure that you’ll feel a different experience compared to the bookstores inside the malls. Bookay-Ukay doesn’t only sell secondhand books but also offers new titles, magazines, CDs, local zines, and offbeat books which we don’t often find in other bookstores.
Bookay-Ukay is located at #78 Maginhawa St., Teacher’s Village East, Diliman, Quezon City.
Activities by Marlly Bondoc
Ball Pit Manila
“Adult-ing” can be pretty much exhausting and we all deserve to de-stress every once in a while. So what’s more fun than being a kid and taking a break from all your responsibilities even just for an hour? Ball Pit Manila is a playground with 80,000 little plasticballs, exclusive for adults (16-year-olds and above) who want to get away from the stress.
Ball Pit Manila is located at 101 Urban Avenue, Makati City.
City Kart Racing
Here’s your chance to relive your Mario Kart dreams through City Kart Racing (CKR). CKR is a 700-meter go-cart racetrack that caters to both beginners and pros. No need to worry about your license or your driving skills, ‘cause neither are necessary. Helmets, race suits, and gloves are provided. Safety first!
City Kart Racing is located at Circuit Makati, Barangay Carmona, Makati City.
Ride Revolution
Spinning makes your cardio workout less boring and is a high-intensity, low- impact, and full-body workout on a bike. Ride is an indoor cycling studio that offers 50-minute classes inside a dark room with black lights, upbeat music, and an instructor who will push you beyond your limits. Trust us.
Ride Revolution is located at 3/F Steps Dance Studio, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City.
Flying Trapeze Philippines
If you’re a risk-taker, fond of adventure, and ready to conquer your fear of heights à la Cirque du Soleil, Flying Trapeze Philippines (FTP) is here to give you that much- needed adrenaline rush. FTP is the first and only full-scale flying trapeze rig in the country where you can experience leaping off from a 25-foot-high platform while holding onto a bar for dear life.
Fying Trapeze is located at Lot 11-A Federacion Drive corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City.
Jump Yard Indoor Trampoline Park
Jump Yard has various activities inside the 2,000 sqm space such as: cage ball, dodgeball, slam dunk basketball, wall climbing, swinging in foam bars, and diving in a foam pit. It’s the perfect place for young adults to loosen up and release their stress.
Jump Yard Indoor Trampoline Park is located at Frontera Verde Complex, Ortigas avenue Corner C5, Pasig City.
Gandiva Archery & Café
An indoor archery range stands right on the seventh floor of a high-rise building in Ortigas. Gandiva is for people who want to de-stress and unleash their inner Hawkeye. Instructors brief each archer on shooting basics and after your set, you can also dine in their café which only serves a vegetarian menu to promote optimum fitness.
Gandiva Archery & Café is located at Unit 703-705 One Corporate Center, Julia Vargas Cor. Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
Cinema ’76
Missed seeing a movie in theaters? Cinema ’76 gives you the chance to catch it again. Cinema ’76 is a small cinema house where cinephiles watch Filipino classics or indie films that didn’t get picked up by distributors or screened in cinemas.
Cinema ’76 is located at 160 Luna Mencias St, Barangay Addition Hills, San Juan, Metro Manila.
Rak of Aegis
Featuring 20 songs including both lesser-known and iconic songs such as Halik, Luha, and Basang-basa sa ulan, the cult-fave musical Rak of Aegis is back this season to churn out some OPM feels.
Rak of Aegis will run until August at PETA Theater Center, 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.
