23 Places for American entrepreneurs to visit in Metro Manila

Hello from Dubai — I just arrived here after 3 months in Philippines (spent 5 months in Philippines in 2018 total), and here are my top choices for you to check out if you are looking for good food, a good time, and good networking. I wrote this on the flight with Cebu Pacific, which is a great budget Philippines airlines, too, if you haven’t booked your flight yet ;)

I have sorted it by city, and I do recommend you stay in Makati City, or my second Choice for you would be Pasay City.

Makati City:

1. Startup PH, a facebook group were you can find startup events or even hire someone if you’re visiting to recruit for your startup.
2. Knightsbridge Residences for lodging. It’s a well maintained luxury building in a great location.
3. Pasha, best hookah spot.
4. Polilya, hot spot in Población (area of Makati) for cocktails and close vicinity to other nightlife.
5. Spektral, attached to the Beacon for wifi and a craft beer. Walking distance to Greenbell Mall.
6. Raid the Fridge, this is actually an event put on by Kickstart.ph.
7. Soban K-Town Grill, Korean BBQ at Greenbelt 3.
8. St. Marc’s Cafe, Great spot to work if you don’t have a coworking membership.
9. Acceler8, the coworking space where I spent the most time. They also have tons of great events.

Pasay City:

1. Dampa Seafood, check this pic on instagram. Buy fish from local fishermen, then take into a restaurant that cooks it for you.
2. Lydia’s Lechon, Lechon is a roasted pig and one of the most popular dishes in the Philippines. Cebu city is the top destination for Lechon, but Lydia’s Lechon is a close 2nd!
3. Nuat Thai (not only in Pasay), a straight forward massage parlor with good prices without any monkey business.
4. Food Treat Tayo, one of my favorite nightlife spots when I lived in Pasay city for one month. Great prices, and about two dozen food choices.
5. Mall of Asia (MOA), the first tourist destination I saw in Philippines, and of course a must see. It’s huge and there’s tons to do!
6. Baclaran Shopping Center, probably the place where you’re going to get the best deals, and also see some of the most eye opening sites in Metro Manila. Keep your wallet in your front pocket, and don’t worry too much. Buy some socks or milk tea, and if you are a westerner, you can probably buy it for 50–90% of the price you are first given.

Taguig City

1. Market Market, one of my favorite shopping areas. The perfect balance of great local prices, without the feel of too much dirty or lack of security.
2. Victory Church, walkable from Market Market, has English service at 6 and 8pm — get there early.

Pasig City:

1. Silantro, in Kapitolyo, which is the only spot in Pasig I’ve been to besides my friend Alex’s place (he used to work for Kickstart)

Actual Manila

1. Intramuros, a fantastic walkable historical site — also walking distance to department of immigration if you plan to renew your visa to stay longer than 30 days.
2. Americans in Manila Meetup Group (often meet in Makati of course)

The following are a bus ride outside of Manila (for less than ~$4)

1. Tagaytay City and Taal, one of the most active Volcanoes in the world, which you can hike. Best with a group of 3+.
2. La Union, a great beach destination that also has a small startup scene.
3. Bagiuo, a destination for fellow cold weather seekers / Coloradans. This city is in the mountains and has a great breeze if you get sick of the heat and humidity.

Whew, that’s it! Leave a comment if I missed somewhere, and I hope you have a blast in Philippines. Message me when you book your ticket, I just might be there!

Originally published at: https://www.mattholmes.io/blog/23-places-for-american-entrepreneurs-to-visit-in-metro-manila