It’s surprising to learn that popular tour guide and cultural activist Carlos Celdran has only been living in Manila for eight years.
“I grew up in Makati and I’ve been coming back and forth to Manila since I was in college back in the ’90s,” he informs Coconuts Manila over email. His love for and knowledge of the city, not to mention his many initiatives here, however, more than makes up for it
Carlos has slowly put Manila back on the radar, of young ones, especially, arranging free barter tours, cooking up hipster-friendly events like the car-free “Pasyal Sundays,” and Instagramming the shit out of the city’s cool watering holes. Of course, we had to ask his recommendations.
BEST THING ABOUT YOUR LOCALE: My favorite part about Manila is that it isn’t “fake.” It isn’t controlled by a large corporate entity. It’s not a controlled space like BGC or Makati. It is what it is; either love it or leave it.
BRUNCH: The Vinyl Brunch at V Hotel! (1766 M Adriatico St, Ermita, Manila; +63 2 328 5553. Daily 10am-2pm). We just reintroduced brunch last Sunday, and it will happen through all Sundays of May. It’s not a buffet, it’s a proper brunch with things like arroz caldo made from oats. There’s a mega platter with waffles, salad, bacon, and egg, and you can have a mimosa or a bloody mary with it. It’s done by Chef Eric Capaque. We’re inviting vinyl enthusiasts because there’s also a vinyl trade or swap. Prepare about PHP200-600 so all price ranges are covered.
COFFEE: For coffee, I recommend Advo Café (G/F Ramon Magsaysay Commercial Complex, Dr F Quintos St, Malate, Manila; +63 2 7082366. Daily 6am-11pm). It’s right next to the Diamond Hotel. We support local farmers and help indigenous people. I like it because you don’t just get good local coffee, you actually also get to help out. It’s not really a branded or franchise coffee shop. It’s a small mom-and-pop thing. A cup of coffee will set you back PHP50. Banana muffins are at PHP40.
LUNCH: I think Ristorante delle Mitre (470 General Luna cor Real Sts, Intramuros, Manila; +63 2 5595220. Daily 8am-8:30pm) is my most surreal choice here. It’s right in front of San Agustin church. It’s a non-profit, managed by the Monestary Cathecists of St. Therese so nuns cook your food. Yes, it’s prepared by holy hands. “Delle Mitre” means bishop’s hat so it’s a place for bishops to dine and the menu is named after bishops. Look for the yellow awning.
DINNER: Sev’s Café (Legaspi Towers 300 basement, Roxas Boulevard corner P Ocampo St; +63 2 2392327. Mon-Sat 7am-9pm) is cute and has good food—all organic and all homemade. It’s good for dinner (calederatang Itik will set you back PHP180; the pili pesto pasta, PHP130) and it has good performances. Howie Severino actually owns this place. It’s the home of Speak Out Philippines. Paul Zialcita practices his drumming here, too.
DRINK: The Bar 1951(1951 M Adriatico St, Malate, Manila; +63 917 8583009. Tue-Sat 6pm-2am) is my only choice for now. It’s owned by Butch Aldana. This was Penguin. It has the best music and drinks in Manila. It’s number 1 on Trip Advisor!
All photos from the establishments’ respective Facebook pages
Reader Interactions