Visiting Manila, Philippines
Why Manila?
Alexa and I are hosting our vow ceremony in the park that my parents were married in 1987.
My father was born in Manila (1958) and grew up around the military camp grounds of Fort Andres Bonifacio, modern day Bonifacio Global City. He returned to the city for college at the University of the East (BS) and UE College of Law (LLB).
Alexa’s grandfather, Cirilo Casals, attended La Salle University (BS) and University of the Philippines (MBA), while starting his family with Rosalinda Torres Casals, and eventually became a Professor at University of the Philippines.
Mandares & Maria Valeria DornagonCirilo & Rosalinda CasalsPlan Ahead - Starting Now
We recommend you start by booking your flight to ensure a good travel rate, as these can fluctuate depending on your preferred airline. Philippine Airlines and United Airlines offer direct flights from the U.S. to the Philippines. Other airlines with one-stop flights in Asia are Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong) and Korean Air/Delta (Seoul).
For hotels, we pre-negotiated a group rate at The Peninsula Hotel in Manila, with prices starting at $169 a night. You can book via the link below.
AIRLINES & HOTELS
Manila is a short flight away from islands such as Boracay (1 hr), El Nido (1.5 hrs), Cebu (1.5 hrs), and Bohol (1.5 hrs), world-renowned for their beaches and resorts.
If you are planning to stay in Asia, Manila is a short flight to other major cities such as Tokyo (4.5 hrs), Seoul (4 hrs), Hong Kong (2.5 hrs), Singapore (4 hrs) and Hanoi (3.5 hrs).
Dress Codes
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We ask that all guests dressing in Black-Tie adhere to these guidelines and do not interpret them casually.
He/They: Only a black tuxedo, or a formal black suit with a white shirt and dark colored tie. Black shoes.
She/They: This means wearing a floor-length evening gown in a formal fabric.
Events: Ceremony + Reception
As Manila will be hot during the day, please dress lightly for the ceremony but know that the reception will be optimally cooler!
Please do not wear sneakers to any of the evening events, but feel free to pack them for dancing later in the reception! -
He/They: Barong Tagalog in classic colors such as beige pina. To match the black-tie look, please dress in black (or dark) slacks + black shoes.
She/They: A Filipiniana/Terno Dress (butterfly sleeves) or Maria Clara style. Think classic!
Events: Ceremony + Reception
As Manila will be hot during the day, please dress lightly for the ceremony but know that the reception will be optimally cooler!
Please do not wear sneakers to any of the events, but feel free to pack them for dancing later in the evening! -
He/They: A suit in a dark color (grey, navy, or black). A sharp t-shirt or collared shirt without a tie works!
She/They: Cocktail dress, formal but short or midi-length
Events: Welcome Dinner, Drinks -
He/She/They: Show us your best tropical-city outfits!
Events: Good-Bye Brunch
Our Travel Guide to Manila
Neighborhoods
Manila is best explored in pockets by day, as traffic can be highly unpredictable (we say this as New Yorkers). Generally, it’s too hot (90+ F) to explore the city on foot. We recommend downloading the car app Grab for transportation around the city. Uber is also functional.
Makati-Legazpi Village
Makati-Rockwell
Bonifacio Global City
Intramuros
We recommend traveling in groups around Manila, as some neighborhoods are more welcoming than others. Wear breezy clothing, carry minimal personal belongings and leave valuables (passports, jewelry, etc.) securely in your hotel room.
Malls are popular for offering air-conditioning and protection from the day’s sun. Below, we’ve curated a list of sites, shops, restaurants and more that connect to nearby malls.
Makati
This part of town is at the heart of our itinerary. The Peninsula Hotel, Manam at the Triangle and Blackbird are directly across the street from one another.
We recommend starting at Greenbelt Mall and Glorietta Mall, both of which are located on Makati Ave.
Top restaurants, such as Toyo Eatery and Metiz, both of which were named Top 50 restaurants in Asia, require reservations more than a month in advance. Use the messaging app Viber to make reservations at these and other restaurants throughout the city.
Toyo Eatery *
Metiz *
Wildflour at Greenbelt *
Manam (Greenbelt)
Kitchen’s Best
Cosmic Poblacion (Vegan)
Ayala Triangle Garden*
Ayala Museum
Silverlens
White Walls Gallery
Finale Art File
UNIVERS *
Commonwealth
Jos Mundo (make an appointment)
Bombvinos Bodega*
ITO*
78-45-33
The Alley at Karrivin*
Rockwell
Rockwell is a neighborhood in Makati that’s so plentiful with things to do, we broke it out on its own. We recommend starting at the Rockwell Powerplant Mall.
The next neighborhood over is Poblacion, home to great restaurants and bars — send us your recommendations after you explore!
The Test Kitchen *
La Chinesca *
12/10 Izakaya
Wildflour at Rockwell
Nikkei Rockwell*
Japonesa
KamposArtes Gallery
Galerie Joaquin Rockwell
Annex House *
Good Sh*t Coffee
OTO
Alamat Filipino Cuisine
BGC
Bonifacio Global City is the most recent modern development in Manila, outside of the Metro Manila area in Taguig.
We recommend starting at SM AURA or the CK Uptown Mall.
Gallery by Chele*
WILD Plant Based Cafe Bar
Wagyu Studio*
The Mind Museum*
Burgos Circle Park
Metropolitan Museum
Carl Jan Cruz (make an appointment)
AKIMBO
Signet Mitsukoshi
Eesome *
Gentle Monster Manila
Elephant Grounds Manila
The Back Room
Bank Bar
Intramuros
Intramuros is a glimpse into Old Manila under Spanish rule. Created as a structure to defend the city from invaders, the name translates to “within the walls” and is a walled city, unlike any other part of Manila.
Fort Santiago*
Jose Rizal Shrine*
Manila Cathedral
Nearby / outside of Intramuros:
Rizal Park + Jose Rizal Monument*
National Museum of Fine Arts
National Museum of Natural History
National Museum of Anthropology