Welcome to Manila
We began our Manila adventure with a smooth 6 seater Grab ride from the airport to Taguig for PHP174.07 (≈ MYR10/USD3/EUR2). Traffic was heavy, and the 10 kilometre journey took almost an hour, but it gave us a gentle first look at this huge city — a historic capital at the centre of a massive metropolitan region.
Checking In at One Uptown Residence
We reached One Uptown Residence at 3:30pm and completed a quick contactless check in, with a short registration stop at the office next door. Our home for two nights was a cosy studio on the 16th floor, right along 8th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). With Uptown Mall, The Mind Museum, and Mitsukoshi BGC all within walking distance, the location was perfect. At RM231.44 (≈ USD58/EUR49) a night, it was great value.
Exploring Our Little Gem in BGC
Inside the unit, we saw why guests called it a gem. It was clean, modern, and thoughtfully designed, with a functional kitchen and strong air conditioning. The building’s facilities were another highlight — especially the beautiful outdoor pool. Everything felt fresh, convenient, and well maintained.
A Tattoo Plan Takes a Turn
After settling in, we took a Grab to Artside Tattoo for PHP174.07 (≈ MYR15/USD4/EUR3). I had planned a Sampaguita framed in a postage stamp to mark our Manila trip. But on the way, Instagram showed me the exact design already tattooed on someone else just a week earlier. The disappointment hit hard, and by the time we arrived at 4:45pm, a voice inside told me to turn back.
Still, the visit wasn’t wasted. We got a close look at a typical Manila suburb — simple streets, friendly locals, and the everyday rhythm of life far from BGC’s shiny towers.
Back to BGC and Out for Dinner
A Grab ride back for PHP158.62 (≈ MYR10/USD3/EUR2) brought us home to freshen up. By 6pm, we headed out again and chose the easiest dinner option: Uptown Mall, just steps away.
Dinner at El Corazon
Sharing Cat’s tiny umbrella, we braved the drizzle and rode the escalator up to a row of eateries. El Corazon, serving Filipino Hispano cuisine, caught our eye. We ordered:
- Paella Valenciana
- Campeador
- San Mig Light
- Mango Shake
- Minatamis na Saging (a desser?)
Our first Filipino meal came to PHP2,031.52 (≈ MYR133/USD33/EUR28).
Mid meal, the Uptown Mall Dancing Fountain exploded into a fire and light show — water jets, colours, and bursts of flame synced to music. Running every 30 minutes from 6–9pm, it turned dinner into a lively spectacle.
A Pricey Cable and Retail Therapy
Inside the mall, we searched for a Micro USB cable for the Lumix GX9. After several stores, Huawei finally had one — at a shocking PHP800 (≈ MYR52/USD13/EUR11). We paid, feeling thoroughly cheated.
Thankfully, BENCH/ lifted our spirits. We bought a small umbrella and two shirts for Brendan for PHP1,198 (≈ MYR78/USD19/EUR17). From a tiny tee shop in 1987 to 600+ stores today, BENCH/ is a true Filipino lifestyle empire.
Ending the Night
After more browsing, we walked back to our apartment. Steps for the day: 7,077.
Tomorrow, we visit another tattoo shop — and this time the design will be uniquely mine. A Sampaguita, the rising sun from the Philippine flag, and the iconic Bahay Kubo all combined into one beautiful sketch. We would book a Sunday appointment, and we could hardly wait!
(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)
📍 Location:
NAIA Terminal 1 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/oywsbSPUoAPzLA6h8
One Uptown Residence BGC - https://maps.app.goo.gl/8uFP2hgS9eTR3P6E9
Uptown Mall BGC - https://maps.app.goo.gl/8uFP2hgS9eTR3P6E9
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