Located 30 minutes away from Makati on a good day, BF Homes Parañaque in Metro Manila’s south side also has the distinction of being the biggest subdivision in Asia, encompassing Parañaque and Las Piñas. Enter its heavily guarded gates (there’s more than five of them scattered everywhere) and you’ll probably find no reason to leave. It’s a virtual food hub, with all kinds of cuisines brought in by its multicultural settlers: Filipino, Korean, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Thai and Italian. There’s also an array of coffee shops (what could be the city’s first artisanal café), pubs, boutiques, and salons, some of them housed in what used to be residential bungalows. This subdivision used to be sleepy and a place you wanted to get away from, but with traffic getting worse in Metro Manila and a new generation of residents, BF Homes has made it into our list of hotspots.
FRIDAY
2pm. Check in at Casa Alfonso Bed & Breakfast (NGM 1 Building, 346 Aguirre Ave; +63 2 5196103; from PHP3,500) The charming ambiance of this 12-room bed and breakfast will immediately make you feel like you’ve stepped out of Metro Manila. Train your eyes on the attractive black-and-white floor tiles in the lobby and choose between the wrought iron staircase and the scenic elevator to go up to your room. There are lots of design touches that you’d want to Instagram and discuss with your best friends while sipping a cup of fresh tarragon tea at their ground floor restaurant, Favori. If only you asked them to come along!
4pm. Walk over across the street to Chung Family Mart and have a bite of the creamy Melona popsicle from Korea for a little under PHP50; all their flavors have a melon base, and we recommend both mango and honeydew. Then hail one of the tricycles (PHP25) plying the streets to Pergola Mall (Aguirre Ave corner Gaches and Escoda Sts; +63 2 6592335) where you can shop, eat, drink, get pampered, or all of the above. Get a manicure, foot spa or facial at California Nails & Day Spa (2/F Pergola Mall; +63 2 8072571 ; 8201569 from PHP120), or just watch the world pass by while savoring a kopi bun and Kopi O at Kopi Roti (G/F Pergola Mall; +63 2 4092874). If shopping is your therapy, have a quick look inside TOPS or Funky Plum Vintage, both on the second floor.
SATURDAY
7am. You have a busy day ahead so tuck into a light breakfast of toast, eggs and coffee – it comes free with your room at Casa Alfonso.
8am. Lay out the mat. Catch a yoga class just in time at The Yoga Place (11 Rosal St, Tahanan Village; +63 917 822 6197; classes from PHP250). It’s a great way to flex your muscles and exercise those limbs; plus the heated room will make you sweat buckets and feel ‘detoxified’.
10am. Cool down with a fresh fruit shake or coffee at Conti’s, a BF Homes landmark (61 President Ave, +63 2 807 3888). If you’re feeling indulgent, try the Mango Bravo or any of the desserts that have made them famous citywide. Lunch time, head over to Kafe Yen (289 Aguirre Ave, +632 358 5271, meals from PHP200). Helmed by a Thai-American chef from California, they’re known for must-tries like crab Rangoon, orange chicken, Cali spring roll, Massaman curry and pad thai.
2pm. Walk over to The Artists Gallery & Cafe of Cynthia Jamlang (190 Aguirre Avenue; +6 32 825 8810), and indulge your four other senses with paintings, sculptures and repurposed furniture on display. If you’re lucky, you might chance upon the owner herself who will gladly show you her quirkily-designed second floor boudoir. The gallery is her home too, after all.
4pm. Forget about taking a siesta. A cuppa at Magnum Opus Fine Coffees (115 Aguirre Ave; +63 939 9200701) will help you stay awake. Their expertly-crafted artisanal coffee, prepared by the young barista-owner, is sure to tickle your tastebuds. Pair your drink with their double chocolate fudge cookie – it’s to die for! While hanging out, update your status with (free Wi-Fi) or admire the paintings on the wall, made by upcoming artists.
6pm. Have a light early dinner at Sensei Sushi Bar (268 Aguirre Ave; +63 2 754 9526; cash basis only). For a Japanese fusion restaurant, it is relatively affordable. Six pieces of gyoza with soy mustard emulsion is PHP155, pork ramen is at PHP285 and a serving of crispy Philly roll (with salmon & cream cheese) is at PHP185. Afterwards, head on for drinks at Mulligan’s Irish Gastro Pub (61 Aguirre Ave; +63 2 8567972) Blend in with the crowd watching football while enjoying your San Miguel, Stella Artois or any of their extensive wine and beer selection.
SUNDAY
8am. Relish the PHP198 buffet at Big Plate (Caltex Station, Elizalde corner President Ave; +63 2 8363832). The wide selection of native breakfast food is sure to fill you up for the day ahead.
9am. Check out and enroll for a day class at DnK gym (290 Aguirre Ave; +63 2 8266383) or at Yellow Corner Sports and Martial Arts Gym (48 President Ave; +63 2 659 0744). Lift weights, learn to box or simply do cardio exercises at any of these two places.
11:30am. Come early enough to avoid the noontime crowd at hole-in-the-wall Zark’s Burgers (2/F J32S Bldg, 35 President Ave). Yes, after that sweaty workout, you probably deserve their Stone Cold Stunner, a double bacon cheeseburger at PHP185 which comes with hand-cut fries and iced tea. There are several burgers on the menu plus all kinds of sinful things like wings, ribs, hotdogs and desserts.
2pm. After checking out of your hotel, save some space in your tummy for dessert. BF residents often congregate at Larcy’s Cupcakery Cafe (178 Aguirre Ave; +632 799 4174). The cupcakes, from PHP70 each, are delish and it’s definitely one place to indulge one’s sweet tooth cravings.
Photos: Jojo Mamangun except for Casa Alfonso lobby (topmost) and old BF Homes entrance gate (above, used with the permission of jafopix/flickr)
MORE STAYCATION GUIDES TO METRO MANILA:
– Friday, Saturday and Sunday in San Juan
– Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown
– Friday and Saturday in Divisoria and Tondo
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