I’ve heard quite a few friends describe Manila as frantic and traffic ridden on an average day. But come Christmas time, traffic is at a standstill and chaotic with a liberal dose of Christmas carols wafting from the side by side malls. All things considered though, there is nothing like Manila during the holidays…fun, chaotic, alive, reverent and charming.
The season started ( for me at least) officially two weeks ago with more than a few European embassies celebrating their National Days…Spain at the Marriot, Belgium at the Shangri-la Makati, followed by two more that am sorry I didn’t get to. Then the hotels got their holiday spirits on and lit up Christmas trees around the city… our current favorites being the décor at the Conrad Hotel ( one of the newest hotels in the city), the Diamond Hotel along the bay, Sofitel’s Christmassy lobby dominated by swathes of red poinsettia and the classic Manila Peninsula.
Another event on the same night was the launch of Sabores / Flavours That Sailed Across The Seas at the National Museum in Manila. Very well curated and researched , the exhibit traces the ingredients that found their way to the Philippines during the galleon trade in the 1600 and 1700s. The exhibit is certainly worth a visit . It runs until February 5, 2017.
Speaking of which, for our readers planning to visit Manila soon, I’ve got more than a few suggestions of places to try and things to do while in the country.
Adding more zing to the local food scene is Agos by chef Myke Tatung Sarthou. Agos is a restaurant that traces our roots through the galleon trade. It opened at the ground floor of Mall of Asia last October to rave reviews. Chef Tatung also penned a bestselling cookbook Heart to Platter, a well thought out compendium of classic Filipino dishes and why our food is the way it is. Kudos to chef Tatung!
For more casual dining, try Sweet Ecstacy. They have 3 locations so far… Katipunan, Jupiter St., Makati and UpTown Parade at the Fort. All the burgers on their menu are absolutely delicious and worth every calorie. Our favorites are the double cheeseburger ( love it that its priced below Php300) and their fried dill pickles. They’re a good break from the hams, callos and other Christmas food.
And so the holiday season begins dear readers ! There’s so much to do , see and eat this season! And so little stomach space!
I wish you all a Blessed Christmas! Send me an email at sandeesm@yahoo.com or follow me on Instagram @lemonadeideas. Would love to hear from you.