MaRoy's Suites Guidebook

BF Homes, dubbed by Philippine media as the biggest “village” in Asia, covers the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa. Out of all the busy commercial areas in BF, Aguirre Avenue is probably the most notable food hub. You want Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, Thai? BF offers a wide spectrum of restaurants serving Pan-Asian cuisine. Are you in the mood for dessert, coffee, tea, or snack? BF got your cravings covered. Name it, BF has it — from humble “isawan” place (Mang Raul’s BBQ) to fancy restaurants to bars to quirky shops.

Another interesting place, particularly for art lovers, is Kulay-Diwa. Established in 1987 by Roberto San Agustin Nolasco, this privately-owned art gallery aims to discover and promote the artworks of emerging Filipino and other Southeast Asian artists. If you are up for some art appreciation day, reserve and confirm your slots three days in advance, especially if your group exceeds 10 people, because the area can only hold a maximum of twenty five people. Location: 25 Lopez Avenue, Lopez Village, Sucat, Parañaque Operation Hours: 10am – 5pm (M-F)

If your squad is feeling a bit adventurous, Filinvest has challenging bike trails too. Actually, the whole area is bike-friendly; bikers are acknowledged by traffic regulators. On the way to ATC, as I was waiting for the traffic light to turn green, I saw a signboard announcing car-less Sundays — from 5am to 10am, major roads (Filinvest Avenue, Commerce Avenue, Corporate Avenue, and Parkway) are closed to vehicles to give priority to those who want to jog, walk, play, or ride a bike. So, if trail biking is too much for your group to handle, you can opt to go on a leisurely morning ride around

Probably the most iconic attraction in Las Piñas, the Bamboo Organ was declared as the National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines in 2003. It’s a great place to learn about history, culture, and music. Its cradle, the St. Joseph parish Church, is equally noteworthy. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the museum too! Going here is like taking a 3-in-1 blast to the past — the church, the museum, and the Bamboo Organ.

I know this isn’t your idea of a typical chill time with the squad, but it’s something that we always recommend to barkadas. Believe it or not, within Metro Manila is a protected area, serving as a bird sanctuary and nature reserve. Declared as a Ramsar Site for Wetlands of International Importance in 2013, the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area is rich in biodiversity and is an important conservation site.