Sweet stomping grounds for slow weekends
All of us hanker for those two precious days that mark the end of a busy work or school week.
Mondays through Fridays may find us enduring rush hours, scrambling to get tasks done and scampering to meet deadlines. But on Saturdays and Sundays, we let out a long sigh of relief, slow down and gather our bearings.
But wanting a slow weekend does not always mean
being cooped up at home. It’s also the perfect time for low-stress activities like going on leisurely walks, finally trying out that new coffee shop you came across on Instagram, visiting an art gallery or taking the time for a hobby you’ve been neglecting.
Inquirer Property has come up with a few neighborhoods in the metro that are the perfect setting for slow weekends.
Barangay Kapitolyo
Pasig City
There’s a certain calmness among its streets—it’s sometimes baffling whether you’re indeed in Metro Manila.
Although situated near busy Shaw Boulevard and the bustling central business district of Ortigas Center, Barangay Kapitolyo has that unmistakable laidback, suburban vibe—just the place when you want a change of pace on your rest days.
Kapitolyo’s streets have long been the base of small mom-and-pop restaurants and cafes, long before these became a trend. Curious foodies would troop to this barangay in Pasig on weekends, eager to try out cozy brunch spots they’ve heard about from friends.
The place has a thriving arts and crafts scene as well, starting with Kapitolyo Art Space, if you’re looking for some inspiration before diving into another busy workweek.
New Manila
Quezon City
If historical places and Art Deco architecture excite you, head to New Manila in Quezon City.
Formerly the most exclusive village in the metro, New Manila’s wide tree-lined avenues is said to be the blueprint of today’s swanky neighborhoods. Rich in history, it gained prominence in the ’30s until the ’70s as the neighborhood of the country’s elite, politicians and movie stars.
Its tree-lined roads are ideal for leisurely walks that may allow you to discover a gorgeous Art Deco structure or two. You can also join guided walking tours led by local historians if you want to see the decades-old mansions and institutional buildings up close.
Antipolo City
Rizal province
Antipolo City, in the province of Rizal, is close enough that you can get there in under an hour, yet it’s still tucked away enough that you can have your fill of an unhurried weekend.
It has everything, too: restaurants that serve hearty meals, art galleries that spark creativity and relaxing nature.
Because the city sits higher than Metro Manila, it is teeming with restaurants that offer unobstructed views of the metropolis such as Vieux Chalet Swiss Restaurant, Tahanan Bistro and Kaulayaw Cafe. Art enthusiasts escape to the sprawling Pinto Art Museum.
Antipolo Cathedral, or the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, is likewise a favored destination of the religious, thus earning its designation as the “Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines.”
Salcedo Village
Makati City
Weekends here are quiet and easygoing, a stark contrast to the buzzing, fast-paced energy that charges its streets on weekdays.
Makati City’s Salcedo Village has become a preferred weekend escape of Makati residents and non-residents alike, thanks to its tree-lined streets, specialty cafes and the Saturday market at Jaime C. Velasquez Park that highlights local farmers and small businesses.
Whether one is on the search for a delicious brunch spot, is wishing to buy local artisanal products or simply wants to lounge at the park with a rich, satisfying cup of matcha in hand, Salcedo Village offers a slow weekend respite.
