The best thing about visiting the National Museum of Natural History in Manila is that admission is now permanently free for all—foreigners and locals alike. This came to pass after the museum's board observed an increase in visits, especially from the younger population, every time the organization offered temporary free admission in the past during certain special months—such as National Museums and Galleries Month. Now, with the venue freely accessible year-round, the agency hopes to spark everyone's interest in the country's indigenous flora and fauna.

Just recently my sister and I had to go to Divisoria to buy wedding supplies for our brother. That place has everything—and that is not an exaggeration. Aside from the bargains that had made us feel very proud of our shopping skills, my favorite part of our buying spree was walking over to nearby Binondo for lunch (and later on, dinner as well). Dimsum, stir-fried noodles, and glutinous rice pudding are just some of the mouthwatering fare you can look forward to at this Chinatown.

I have a furry housemate who's always keen to explore new places, and this is one of our favorite spots—the wide space, the soft green grass, and the nearby restaurants make it perfect for lazy Sunday mornings. And since the venue is known to be pet-friendly, your canine buddy is most likely to make new friends here as well.