First Day in the PHILIPPINES 🇵🇭 MANILA is INSANE (shocking changes)

The hosts express their excitement about returning to the Philippines, their favorite country, after more than seven years. They plan to visit old favorites and new destinations over the next month or two, potentially extending their visa. Their journey began in Manila, a city they once considered home for six months, and they are eager to explore it in 2026 to see how it has changed. Upon arrival, they were pleasantly surprised by the efficient airport process, including a Grab terminal for taxis, similar to Bangkok. They are staying in Legazpi, a new area for them in Makati, which was a quick 10-minute drive via the improved Skyway. They note significant improvements in Manila, including better traffic flow, more traffic wardens, and a greener appearance, suggesting the city is often overlooked compared to places like Singapore or Bangkok. Their accommodation, Citadines Benavidez, offers impressive views of Manila Bay and incoming and outgoing planes, highlighting its excellent location close to the airport. They describe the Makati skyline as continuously growing and are ready to explore the main streets. They mention that tourists typically stay in three main areas: Pasay (near Mall of Asia), BGC, or Makati. Legazpi, where they are staying, is described as clean, modern, hip, and full of speakeasy cocktail bars and coffee shops. They observe two immediate changes: the "Mini Mart" is now "Uncle John," and there are city bikes, similar to London's Lime bikes, which are a practical solution for navigating traffic. A short walk from their hotel is Greenbelt, their favorite mall in the country, which they describe as an oasis with lush greenery, lakes, fish, and restaurants. They note that Greenbelt has been upgraded, with some sections having been rebuilt. They discover a unique brutalist-style church, the Chapel of Niño de Paz, which resembles a dome or bunker and is circular with brickwork and cement. They then head to Centro, a modern Filipino restaurant that they believe offers a contemporary take on traditional cuisine, similar to Manam, which they visited previously. They note that prices have increased due to inflation, with the pound now exchanging at 80 pesos compared to 65 four years ago. They order "tong poutine" and sizzling tofu. The "tong poutine" is described as stringy, garlicky carabeef cheese, similar to mozzarella. The sizzling tofu, served with calamansi, is praised as an excellent beer snack, costing around 900 pesos (just over £10), which they consider slightly expensive for the Philippines but justified by the modern take on cuisine. They appreciate the modernization of Filipino cuisine, making dishes like "sisig" less overwhelming for tourists. They then walk along Makati Avenue, which they find stunning and green, noting the Blackbird restaurant built on Manila's old runway. Craving something sweet, they decide to visit The Peninsula, one of the oldest hotels in the city (over 50 years old), known for its beautiful lobby cafe and the most famous and expensive halo-halo in the country. The hotel's lobby is described as a museum-like, highly photographed spot. They order one halo-halo, which costs 990 pesos before tax (around £15 or nearly $20), making it the most expensive they've encountered. The halo-halo is massive, containing leche flan, ube, ice cream, rice crisps, beans (chickpeas), and jelly, all meant to be mixed. Despite its unusual combination of ingredients, they declare it the best halo-halo they have ever had, even though it was too large for two people and resulted in a bill of 1,085 pesos with taxes. Their next mission is to find a Philippines National Football Jersey at Ayala Circuit Mall, as they've struggled to find one in markets due to basketball's popularity. They locate a store called Downfield Philippines, which has many football jerseys, but only the away jersey for the Philippines is available, and only in a small size. They decide to order the home jersey online. Feeling full from the halo-halo, they opt for a local jeepney ride in Makati. They pay 13 pesos per person and learn the crucial phrase "Paraboy" to signal the driver to stop. The ride is described as cramped but an adventure, offering a glimpse into local transport. They end up near Guadalupe, close to the nightlife district of Poblacion. They revisit the City Garden hotel, where they stayed seven years ago, noting it was an expensive choice at the time. They then head to the Firefly rooftop bar at City Garden, which offers expansive views of the city, including Manila Bay and BGC, and is surprisingly affordable. They order two San Mig Light beers for approximately £3. For their next adventure, they try the Angkas motorbike taxi app, similar to those in Thailand and Bali, and are even provided with hairnets for their helmets. The motorbike takes them to the Mall of Asia area to take a sunset cruise. They discover the "Cruise by the Bay," which costs 200 pesos per person (£5 for both) for a 30-minute ride. They initially think they have the boat to themselves, but others join. The cruise offers views of the bay and the Accor Casino, Hotel, Waterpark, and Beach Club. After the cruise, they walk along the bay to a newly revamped public beach in Manila, complete with a boardwalk and pebbly sand, which offers an unobstructed view of the sunset. They are impressed by the redevelopment and the number of people enjoying the view. To end their day, they seek a sunset beer spot at The Manila Hotel, the city's first premier hotel, dating back to 1912. They enter the Tap Room, an old English-style pub, where they enjoy two draft San Mig Lights for 190 pesos each (just over £2), marveling at the affordability and historical ambiance. Finally, they head to George and Onie's Filipino Restaurant in Salcedo Village for dinner. This chain restaurant offers a modernized take on Filipino comfort food, aimed at making traditional dishes more approachable. They order a variety of dishes, including Humba Baked Pasta (pasta with frankfurters and spinach), Sisig Fried Rice, Fresh Lumpia (a giant spring roll), and Tofu Sisig. They particularly enjoy the crispy pork belly in the Sisig Fried Rice and the soft tofu. They also try the Panoy Mac and Cheese, which is described as a sweet bolognese, reminiscent of Jollibee's spaghetti but more refined. The meal costs £24 for enough food for four people. The hosts conclude their first full day in Manila impressed by the city's positive growth and changes. They plan to explore more of the city before heading to the islands.