AFTER a sun-soaked getaway in Boracay, our group of Malaysian influencers and media representatives packed away the beachwear (temporarily) and traded it for sneakers and cultural curiosity as we flew back to the capital city of the Philippines: Manila.
We checked in at Bay Prime Hotel, our comfortable base in the capital. Strategically located and refreshingly modern, it provided a cozy spot to recharge between Manila’s many adventures. Our reintroduction to city life came with a hearty lunch at Mang Inasal grilled chicken, unlimited rice and a welcome reunion with air-conditioning. Then, it was off to explore.
First stop: Venice Grand Canal Mall. With pastel buildings, arched bridges and gondolas serenely floating past coffee shops, it felt like we had stepped into a Manila-meets-Milan mashup. While no one sprang for the gondola ride, we took enough photos to pass as Italian travellers.
