YES, IT'S MORE FUN...

...in the Philippines thanks to pub and grub crawls, street art and a stroll through Manila’s old walled quarter.

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You’d have heard it by now. In 2012, the Philippines’ tourism board designed a catchy slogan, ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’, propelling the country forward as the destination for those seeking adventures. And with over 7,600 islands vying for attention, it is quite a pity that most choose to skip exploring Manila.

In all honesty, I’m guilty of being one of them. I’ve visited the Philippines three times in five years and Manila has always been a mere transit point.

But that changed during my four-day trip to Manila in May.

Mention to a local that you’re from Singapore and chances are, you’ll hear how then-president Benigno S Aquino III had cherished his bilateral relations with our late minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew.

That, and how Bonifacio Global City (BGC) — the city’s financial and lifestyle district — is somewhat modelled after Marina Bay and its surroundings.

Along with international luxury boutiques, restaurant chains, five-star hotels and private apartments, BGC is also home to numerous mixed-use developments (MUDs).

BGC is also casually known as The Fort, as historically, this was the area where the US government set up its military base.

It’s also why Shangri-La at the Fort was named as such. The MUD — which opened in March 2016 — comprises a two-storey retail mall and a 59-storey skyscraper comprising 576 rooms and suites, 97 serviced residences, 98 private residences, six restaurants and bars and get this, an 8,000sqm fitness hub, the largest in Manila.

Of course, you didn’t visit Manila just to hole yourself up in the hotel.

LIFE IS EVERY BIT AS COLOURFUL ON THE STREETS OF MANILA

To ease yourself into the city, Bonifacio High Street just across the road offers a variety of international retail outlets.