How to spend a day in Rockwell

MANILA, Philippines -  Rockwell is rife with hotspots — old and new —worth a peek.

This summer, skip a day and spend it with us. Here, a list of the must-buys, must-dos and must-eats.

Dress up on a Friday, get a free movie

The stylish folk at Power Plant Mall

They say like attracts like. Well, Rockwell tends to attract the kind of people who like to dress well. On what they’ve dubbed “Sartorial Fridays,” Rockwell has roving staff members to reward some of the well-dressed folks — “young and old,” they’re quick to assure — with movie passes. So show up on Fridays with an outfit and no plans, and a free movie might be in your future.

Enjoy the events at The Rockwell Tent

The Rockwell Tent is regularly home to events — product launches and fashion shows are staples of the location’s schedule but it’s the bazaars that tend to draw folks with its list of hip vendors and below-the-radar shops. The Tent often gets booked for big company parties, but it’s been known to host weddings and even birthdays.

Get a buzz at Barcino’s

A wino’s best friend

It’s easy to get drunk — but get drunk on the cheap? It’s possible, according to Barcino’s (tel. 846-9423) Rockwell manager Uri Singla, who hails from Catalan. Their cheapest bottle retails for P395, which is more than enough for a good night. But for people who prefer their buzz a little milder, indulge in the wine hub’s sangria, which goes for P300 a glass (so big you could swim in it) or P900 a pitcher with friends. Yuri recommends dining on the restaurant’s well-received paella, while swigging the sangria.

Dine on Lu’s porkchop

The restaurant’s been on the block (make that Joya Tower) for little over a year and it’s gotten a loyal following thanks to its porkchop — a large hunk of pork that’s served pink with a side of sweet potato mash. Worth the calories.

Munch on the Best Taco at Pancake House

Pancake House (tel. 403-0114) has what they call the Best Taco. Yes, that’s actually what it’s called on the menu. For someone who grew up on Pancake House fare in the ’80s, it kind of lives up to the name. The crisp taco shell, fresh tomatoes, onions and lettuce, ground beef and shaved cheese tastes just like my childhood — which might be why it’s the best taco ever. It’s a time machine in a taco shell.

Watch the sunset from Rockwell Club

The view from one of the poolside lounge chairs on a breezy afternoon is one of the most relaxing in the Makati area. At The Rockwell Club (tel. 756-1516/897-8310), located just off the side from Power Plant Mall, is a small oasis in the middle of the city, filled with kids giggling and doggy paddling in the large, blue-tiled pool and lined with cobblestoned walkways and tall palm trees that wave with the wind. At 5 p.m., when the sun sets, it’s one of the best seats in the house.

Shop the summer sale at Itsie Bitsie

The boutique (tel. 897-1821), located at Joya Tower, is chockfull of must-wear finds, such as NY designer Mara Hoffman’s printed bikinis, Roberta Freymann oversized bags (large enough to carry a child and playdate partner) along with a mix of American and European labels. Owner Ines Prieto even designs her own bags. A beautiful cracked tiger penshell clutch with tigerprint is a little pricey at P17,015 but so lovely it’s worth every penny. If that’s out of your budget, consider their insane summer sale with bikinis originally pegged at P4,940 currently retailing for P700. Tunics, tops and shorts are at a fraction of the price, according to Prieto, that they’re being sold below cost.

Have a sundae at The Ice Cream Bar

There’s nothing like a nice decadent sundae to while away the summer heat. At The Ice Cream Bar at Joya Tower (tel. 403-0891), you’ll find towering delicacies designed to tempt the tastebuds like banana caramel crunch, made with caramello con pastillas, vanilla and butterscotch ice cream with banana slices, crumbly streusel and caramel syrup, and chocolate overload, comprised of moist chocolate cake with three scoops of cookies ’n’ cream, vanilla and tsokolate ice cream topped with Belgian chocolate sauce.

Relax with a massage at The Spa

There’s a new treatment at The Spa (tel. 470-6868) called the Anti-Stress Detox Wrap, a purifying, stimulating and anti-stress ritual designed to invigorate and energize. The 60-minute session is designed to stimulate your system’s cleansing and leave your skin toned and hydrated. It’s a good mid-week reward for the work weary.

Chill out in the greenery

Rockwell is one of the few developments that allow you to breathe and enjoy the outdoors as well as indoors. With its laid-back ambience and cool hotspots, it serves as a neighborhood lynchpin and hangout in one.