Metro Manila by design

Summer is the best time to visit—and revisit—notable spots across Metro Manila. I make it a point to bring the kids along so they can appreciate what we have.

I challenged my design team, composed of Gen Zs and millennials, to think of cool places to hang out on weekends where they can enjoy themselves while soaking in the area’s design character.

Bahay Modernismo

Visited by Ar. Art Progio

Located inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, Bahay Modernismo is a heritage museum run by the Quezon City government. Housed in a bungalow converted into a museum, it features donated furniture, accessories, artworks, and other pieces that reflect Filipino midcentury modern architecture and postwar culture.

Styled and furnished with period details, including kitchenware, the museum offers a vivid glimpse into how people lived during that era. Admission is free, and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday starting at 9 a.m.

Each room has its own theme. The common area takes on a modern look accented by vintage pieces, while the home office is described as an exercise in “domesticating masculinity.” The children’s rooms are filled with prints of Filipino movie legends, along with vintage wooden toys and table games. The master bedroom, interestingly, features a sewing machine and fashion pieces from the period.

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Visited by Mia Almeda

Located at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle Gardens is open at all hours, welcomes pets, and is best explored on foot.

The site once housed an aviation school at Nielson Field, which was leased from the Zobel de Ayala family. Today, it is one of the city’s most beautiful urban parks, accessible from three major roads namely Paseo de Roxas, Makati Avenue, and Ayala Avenue through the Ayala Triangle building.

The park regularly hosts festivals and art events, adding to its cultural appeal. Monuments and newer installations, including the McMicking Memorial designed by Leandro V. Locsin Partners, make the visit even more worthwhile.

It is a place worth visiting even at night—whether for a picnic, a walk with the dogs, a stop at one of the nearby bistros, a look around the book kiosk, or simply to enjoy the geometric landscaping and get some exercise.

Karrivin Plaza

Visited by Thomas del Prado

Located along Chino Roces Avenue, Karrivin Plaza features galleries offering free admission, open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Among the galleries are The Drawing Room by Jun Villalon, Artinformal by Tina Fernandez, and Aphro—each offering its own mix of contemporary art and decorative pieces.

At the entrance stands Karrivin Studios (Building A), a six-story commercial building that houses offices, galleries, and libraries.

The complex is home to Metiz by Chef Arlo Gregorio, a Michelin-selected restaurant serving Filipino fine dining, as well as Automat, another concept by the same chef. The Alley at Karrivin meanwhile features the well-known Toyo, along with Inato, Brujo, AzukiToyo, and several cafés. It also houses Design Story, a multibrand shop for furniture and décor, with a café called Three Squares.

Digital National Art Museum

Visited by Trisha Guazon

Located at Manila Ocean Park, this digital art museum is a nature-inspired feast for the senses, brought to life by cutting-edge technology. Each space is immersive, allowing visitors to see, smell, and hear a range of moving digital art installations.

Escolta and Binondo

Visited by Nikke Jane Ocenna

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Both Escolta and Binondo are rich in heritage and culture, making them ideal for a walking tour best enjoyed on a sunny morning.

A good starting point is HUB Make Lab at the First United Building, a creative hub where local artists and makers showcase their work and craft. Among its most interesting features are the murals on the concrete walls by different artists, as well as the ceiling installation by Leeroy New.

Binondo, meanwhile, is famous for many things, among them Ongpin Street, which is lined with eateries, jewelry shops, feng shui stores, and other long-standing businesses. Quentin Paredes Road also offers a pleasant walk leading to Binondo Church.

Las Casas Filipinas

De Acuzar Quezon City

Visited by Franco Capalongan Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is an events venue that also includes a museum and a restaurant. It showcases colonial Spanish architecture through heritage houses reconstructed from various parts of the country, creating a distinctive Filipino-Hispanic township.

Pasig River Esplanade

Visited by Joshua Aspa

The Pasig River Esplanade forms part of Manila’s urban renewal efforts, transforming the historic riverbanks into a lively public space. It blends recreation and heritage, offering a new destination where people can reconnect with the city’s waterfront.

Stretching 25 km, the esplanade features a row of uniform food kiosks, neoclassical-style lamp posts, pop-up festivals, and some of the best sunset views in the city.

The author is the founder of Chat Fores Design Studio, an award-winning and recognized interior designer known for redefining and elevating spaces. She specializes in residential, hospitality and amenity spaces for different real estate companies. Chat has also collaborated with international design firms to create residential interiors in Manila