A year ago I came up with a travel itinerary for a guy I really liked so I thought maybe I can come up with one for Jason Segel should he decide to visit the Philippines. Since I am a true sucker for traveling, travel "plans" is one of my specialties as, come to think of it, I do not really make plans in strict-itinerary sense. Call it a rough guide, a draft map, a shot at the moon. Trust me --- the said guy that I liked claimed that he had an incredible time. And so did I.
But of course, the main difference is that I was actually traveling with this guy that I really liked, and Jason Segel, well, he does not even know I exist.
As I am currently a bored gal thinking of places to go, might as well go the blog venue, take the fantasy of Jason Segel, and write away... eh?
MANILA
Never underestimate Manila's notoriety for traffic, pollution, population, and yeah, maybe a bit of so-called "eyesores" here and there. They're all true. I've lived in Manila all my life and these things still amaze me. I went to work this morning and spent almost three hours on my arse driving, all the way from the suburban north to an office tower in Makati. Three hours can already take you to Subic or Clark field. See, urban traffic is really bad. Those who protest or get offended have nothing better to do but to protest. So we agree--- it can be hell driving around Manila.
And so does driving in LA.
So what I am saying is that as traffic is horrendous in this city that I love/hate, this opens up more chances of spontaneous explorations! Discover side streets and "secret passages". The initial intention to drive all the way to Quezon City for the best street foods courtesy of the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines can lead to a sudden reroute to Taguig where the infamous balut (duck embryo-egg) is made. Or you can get a small paper plate of Chinese noodles for ten bucks somewhere in Quiapo, that place where Andrew Zimmern of Bizaare Foods visited for the show's episode on the Philippines. Or there is always the Manila Bay and the restaurants where you can purchase your fresh sea food and stalls will cook them for you for a fee.
See, wherever you go, there is always something that Manila has to offer. And I guess this is something Jason Segel will love based on the following points:
1. Jason Segel is a musician --- Manila has one of the best (secret) music scenes in the world. Whether Jason is up for some nice and serious loungey music in the city, ie Sinosikat in Martini's at the Mandarin Oriental or some serious unsigned underground music, Manila is the best place to fulfill one's hunger for a diverse auditory hunger. Independent bands play in venues such as Saguijo, Bside at The Collective, 70s Bistro, and a host of others in various parts of the metro. Music veterans play in venues like the Music Museum and hotel bars, retro music is the surefire Friday tunes in RJ Bistro at the Intercontinental Manila, and for the clubbing experience, talented DJs have been spinning in places like M Cafe, Repuliq, Time, and a host of others.
See, if you are a brilliant musician like Jason Segel, Manila is a great place to explore. Besides, I can imagine him hanging out with the likes of Ely Buendia, Jugs and Kel, and even Sammy Asuncion. Naaaakks.
2. Jason Segel is an actor --- okay, so commercial-movies-wise I am not sure if this is Jason Segel's cup of tea (sorry), but I guess he'll have a blast watching "indie" films. From the quirky Maximo Oliveros to the latest Quark Henares film on rock and roll to... say, a Brillante Mendoza film. Come on! We have incredible undiscovered talents here, these treasures come in secret handfuls!
3. Jason Segel, I would assume, likes to eat (and drink) --- Manila will never be far behind when it comes to culinary experiences. And drinking, of course! Wine bars like Cav and Barcino's are great places to just open a nice bottle and unwind whereas local stores sell the latest flavored drink based on the local vodka. You name it, Manila (and the rest of the Philippines) is very much in the wave that can please one's palate and attack one's liver. Yowza.
4. Jason Segel, I would assume, likes to see things --- Manila has the most astounding ("astounding" in different meanings, haha) scene in the world. All sorts of buildings, all sorts of people, all sorts of things to do... which includes sitting in traffic for an hour to go someplace that is fifteen minutes away on Sundays... seriously. Manila is the place to be.
So, on this (imagine) Manila vacation with Jason Segel, here is my Top 5 things to do:
1. Take the walking historical tour with Carlos Celdran, etc. Walk should include Intramuros and the Chinese cemetery.
2. Eat and drink our way around the city.
3. Ride public transpo to see the real Manila (MRT, LRT, PUJs, tricycle, sidecar... taxi?)
4. Walk the stretch of Roxas Boulevard from the Manila Bay to the Sofitel (end the journey with a nice drink at the poolside bar)
5. Participate in a noontime show and play games. I would highly recommend Eat Bulaga... and then maybe we can visit the one on the other network!
So there you have it. This vacation will definitely mix Hangover 2 and Lost and Translation. Where else can you have an experience like that?
So come to me, baby.
PS - Oooohh, 30 minutes more and I then I get to go home. Will continue thinking of silly things!
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