From Binondo to BGC in One Day… Manila Surprised Us 🇵🇭

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]Manila continues to surprise us at every turn. Every time we think we understand this city, we end up somewhere completely different. So, today we're testing that. Today, we're hitting different parts of Metro Manila to really understand how much this city can change in just a few miles. Let's see what happens.

[00:00:19]We're doing breakfast in Dominando, which is crazy because this is actually the oldest Chinatown in the world. I think this place was built in like the 1500s, which is insane because the atmosphere here is crazy. It's literally like Chinatown in the middle of a busy street because there's cars passing by on one side, food vendors on the other, and then just tons of people and motorbikes going all the way in between.

[00:00:43]I'm dodging one right now. Sorry.

[00:00:46]It's crazy here. But we're going to try to find something really filling for breakfast because we have a super long day ahead. Let's go try to find some dumplings.

[00:01:00]Everywhere you look, you're going to see a red lantern, a dragon, or something in the form of a bun. And I love that. We got here early, and lines are still wrapped across the buildings. I am so nervous that we're not going to be able to find something in time. This is one of the most famous spots here to eat.

[00:01:21]And the line is wrapped all the way around back there.

[00:01:27]>> What's the first Chinatown you've ever been to?

[00:01:30]>> I bet it's the same as mine.

[00:01:31]>> I feel like the first time I ever went to a Chinatown market, it was in New York City.

[00:01:35]>> Same. I feel like everybody that's their one Chinatown they've been to. New York City.

[00:01:41]>> We're getting Taiwan dumplings. This looks crispy, doughy, salty, and like a sweet sauce on the top.

[00:01:48]>> Look at this Taiwanese goodness. is about to meet an African mouth.

[00:01:55]>> This is definitely not breakfast, but I don't even mind. Yeah, the texture of the the dough is exceptional.

[00:02:05]>> It's warm. It's crispy. The chives in there. I love this.

[00:02:10]>> We're about to try this famous egg tart place, but I have no idea where the line starts. Everybody just kind of clunk together.

[00:02:20]What did you get for?

[00:02:22]>> I don't know. I just poison it.

[00:02:24]>> I got this steamy bun bow.

[00:02:27]>> That's not a bun. It looks like a bun bow. That >> looks like a bun bow. I don't even know what meat's in here, but it looks so soft and squishy. So, I got one. And then I got an egg tart. This place has been open since 1988. So, I'm I'm expecting that it's really really good.

[00:02:42]So, they have asado balabolo. I'm butchering that. And cheese ham. And I have no idea which one I got. So, this is going to be a surprise.

[00:02:55]Oh, I think this is cheese hair. Oh my god, the textures. It's cheesy, chy, oniony taste and like meaty flavor all enclosed in this gooey doughy bun. And it's so steamy hot.

[00:03:14]Next up, my egg tart. Nothing says breakfast like dessert after a dumpling.

[00:03:26]It's so eggy and creamy on the inside.

[00:03:29]Vanilla, eggs, cream, crispy crust.

[00:03:33]Delicious.

[00:03:47]Such a nice transition to be into the air condition. Another thing that I love doing is going back and forth between older more rustic and like rich history parts of the town into the more modern new spots. It's just such a culture shop.

[00:04:03]>> Sophisticated.

[00:04:03]>> Yeah. Sophisticated, upbeat.

[00:04:05]>> This place is absolutely huge. And it's not built like your typical mall where it's like square or rectangular shape.

[00:04:13]Just like a oval shape. Everything's like circular in here.

[00:04:16]>> Yeah.

[00:04:17]>> And there's a lot of people with suitcases. So, I wonder if there's like a hotel or something connected to this.

[00:04:23]>> I wonder what's going on. There's tons of people here with suitcases. Where are these people going with the suitcases?

[00:04:27]Cuz everybody in front of us has a suitcase right now.

[00:04:30]>> Yeah. It literally just keeps going.

[00:04:32]Like there's a whole section over there and then when you turn around, you have this whole section over here.

[00:04:39]>> And that's not even including the upstairs and downstairs. And then there's more.

[00:04:44]There's more upstairs and downstairs.

[00:04:48]It just keeps going.

[00:04:51]This place is huge.

[00:04:52]>> Oh, this is the movie theater.

[00:04:54]>> Yeah.

[00:04:56]>> Oh, wow. This is so cool.

[00:05:00]Wa.

[00:05:02]This is like super futuristic.

[00:05:04]>> This is probably the coolest movie theaters we've been in. It smells like butter.

[00:05:08]>> Yeah.

[00:05:09]>> Popcorn. And this little ambiance that they got here.

[00:05:12]>> Yeah, I like that.

[00:05:13]>> I love this.

[00:05:14]>> The little blue white. This is so cool.

[00:05:16]>> I think this is the coolest movie theater I've ever been in.

[00:05:22]>> I have been chasing these two jerseys specifically all over Asia and I missed my opportunity to get these in Bangkok.

[00:05:31]And so now I don't think I'm going to do that again. I'm going to try these on.

[00:05:37]I have been wanting these jerseys for so long, specifically because we have a Italy trip coming up this October. And so now I'll get to wear my jersey there.

[00:05:47]It looks so good. And they had my size in extra small. But here's the crazy thing. When I got to the register, there was an option to pay for this purchase in my currency or Philippine pesos. And me being American, I chose my currency and it added an extra $10 to the purchase. So, if that ever happens to you, just go ahead and choose the Philippine peso because it took off $10.

[00:06:10]I actually voided the whole transaction then repurchased it. So, sorry to that lady. She was so patient. Consistent mall theme in Asia has been overwhelming. They're all so huge and I feel like we never even make it through half of any of the malls that we go to cuz they're giant and you get lost.

[00:06:28]There's so much. There's so many floors.

[00:06:30]They're like tall and wide at the same time. So, it's just so much to take in.

[00:06:35]It is such a beautiful day. And another thing that I've been loving at this mall is how much light comes in. It's not super like closed in. There's peaks of light coming through. So, it made us want to come outside. And you can see the bay from the top and everyone's just out here soaking in all the sun. There's swings out here. It's just such a nice vibe. I love the Philippines.

[00:06:58]>> What I've noticed is like it's not really hot here. The sun is shining and it feels like it's supposed to be super muggy and humid, but it's not.

[00:07:07]>> I am a suburban girl. I grew up in the outskirts of a city, a small city at that. So, I've always kind of like been drawn to smaller cities and like suburb areas, quieter places, but being here is making me really love city life because it's a mix of big city but like calm suburban vibes. And I love that here.

[00:07:28]>> I was expecting it to be way hotter.

[00:07:30]People talk about Manila and they say it's super hot, but it's perfect weather. I think it's the perfect time to visit the Philippines right now in March. Dessert 39.

[00:07:44]>> That's why I said it.

[00:07:48]>> Honest review. What does that taste like?

[00:07:50]>> This is basically water.

[00:07:52]>> Did you hear me say I can't wait for you?

[00:07:57]>> Whoa. Is it sweet?

[00:07:59]>> It's way more moist than it looks.

[00:08:02]That's a good carrot cake.

[00:08:03]>> It's crazy how some parts of the Philippines or some parts of Manila just feel so similar to America. Like this fall, it feels like we're at Green Hills Malls in in Nashville.

[00:08:15]>> Yeah, there's not a huge culture shock.

[00:08:17]>> Yeah, it's not.

[00:08:18]>> It's probably because of the language.

[00:08:20]>> Yeah.

[00:08:21]>> Everybody or a lot of people here speak English >> and a huge like western especially American influence. Yeah, >> it feels it feels like very familiar.

[00:08:30]>> Yeah, feels like another state in the US.

[00:08:32]>> It does feel like another state. That's why I've been noticing Florida, >> California, because it's really just a mix of what I've seen before, but just Philippine edition.

[00:08:41]>> Yeah, >> the mall was the perfect pickme up before we transition back into some heat. Right now, we are back at the Intramirus Walled City. Is that what it means?

[00:08:56]>> The city within the walls.

[00:08:57]>> City within the walls. And this place is huge. So, we're waiting on our guide to come and pick us up to give us a little personal tour around this place. It is beautiful. There's so many people out here right now. And I'm so excited.

[00:09:10]>> There's There's our guy. Look at this guy. Primos. What's happening? How you doing?

[00:09:15]>> Philippine Lamborghini. It's made from Philippines only.

[00:09:19]>> Let's go.

[00:09:20]>> So, if we were walking around this place, it would take 7 hours. Yeah, >> good thing we got a tour. It's going to be like 2 or 3 hours maybe.

[00:09:28]>> Welcome to Old Manila, sir.

[00:09:30]>> Thank you.

[00:09:31]>> They say I look like James Harden.

[00:09:33]>> This is my idol.

[00:09:34]>> You like Jim?

[00:09:36]>> Learn it.

[00:09:36]>> I like LeBron James, >> sir. Intramurus was came from a Latin word.

[00:09:41]>> Okay.

[00:09:41]>> Where intra means inside Muros means walls. Okay.

[00:09:44]>> So, we're now inside of the walls. As you know, mom and sir, the intramuros before is the only Manila or the old city of Manila.

[00:09:51]>> I see. Because we have here also some of the government agencies like Bureau of Immigration, Commission on Election, Department of Labor and Employment and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. So that's why the Intramurus being called the only city Manila or the old city Manila. So welcome to old Manila.

[00:10:07]>> Thank you so much.

[00:10:08]>> You are couple mom sir.

[00:10:10]>> Ah my wife >> already married >> three years.

[00:10:14]>> You are a very cute couple.

[00:10:16]>> Thank you very much. It's very kind. So, the Manila Cathedral Church, it was seven times destroyed and eight times renovated during the wars and calamities.

[00:10:25]>> Wow.

[00:10:26]>> It's literally a wedding going on here.

[00:10:28]People are actually getting married while there are tourists in the back just taking photos. But it's so beautiful in here. The architecture, you can see so beautiful in there.

[00:10:40]>> Right now, we're still walking through the streets of the inside of the Intramos. And people live here. There's masses and weddings going on here. And right now we're just walking on the cobblestone roads and it feels so historic. Hello.

[00:10:56]>> Being inside the intramaros, the biggest difference right now from where we just came from in the PA bay is this area feels so lived in. The bay was very, very nice. Very beachy and calm coastal vibe. Right now, this feels like we're in somebody's backyard because so many people live here and they're walking around. This is their neighborhood and I love being in the middle of it. This is such a contrast from where we just came from. Even like the unevenness of the road that I'm walking on right now. It's just a drastic difference from the super smooth pavement and the pave at the mall. This feels so cultured and lived in and it's such an experience.

[00:11:34]>> What's one thing that you would want anybody to know about the inter murals that you think is misunderstood? They thinking that some of the tour guide here like us community tour guide they think that we are scammers because they're not understanding about that duration time >> because we offer the 350 each person for every 30 minutes because it is for every 30 minutes. So if you going to consume more hours so that it will be consume more um money right?

[00:12:07]>> Yes. So that's one that don't think us to be. Yeah.

[00:12:12]>> We're ending our tour here back in front of the university. And that was so much history, so much like knowledge from that guy. They were really good.

[00:12:21]>> What we're learning is like going to these countries, you realize that the war has really affected >> people here in Southeast Asia. And you get to see the like the remnants of World War II, which is really, really sad.

[00:12:33]>> It is sad. But these people >> are resilient.

[00:12:37]>> Resilient. and they built so much from it. And I really thought that this place was going to be like a a historical site where we come and look at things, but people live here. People go to school here, people get married and have church within these walls. It literally is a city within the walls.

[00:12:52]>> Even our tour guy, he's he's been living here for like the past 18 years, like all his life. So, people are living here and it's been a really really positive experience walking these walls.

[00:13:02]>> Yeah. Even if you're not a huge history buff, coming to places like this is so key on trips like this because it really gives you experience and knowledge about the place that you're at and you learn to appreciate it more.

[00:13:12]>> Yeah, >> this part of town is definitely going to look familiar. This is where everybody comes to get all their Instagram res, their cool Tik Tok shops, all the bougie looking cafes and shops. That is where we are now. And you can definitely feel the difference in this area, especially under your feet.

[00:13:36]>> Tell me why certain spots in the Philippines just feels like I'm still back in Minnesota. Of all the Southeast Asian countries that we've been to, this is the one that gives me more resemblance to America.

[00:13:47]>> It does. It's not like super like a shock factor being here because multiple parts of the city kind of look like places.

[00:13:55]>> Looks exactly like we're Yeah. Exactly like downtown Minneapolis. If you're somebody who's thinking about moving abroad, when you come here, you won't have to worry about feeling homesick cuz there are so many restaurants and western influences like we're seeing a Denny's. We're seeing Texas Roadhouse and like what was the other place?

[00:14:14]>> Uh, >> Olive Garden.

[00:14:15]>> Olive Garden.

[00:14:16]>> So, if you're a fellow Big Back and you want to see some American restaurants, I'm just saying >> if you're a Big Mac, you need to stay away from American restaurants. I found this place on Tik Tok called Fully Booked. And it's fully booked in here.

[00:14:29]>> There's a lot of books.

[00:14:30]>> There's so many books. And the thing is, even if you're not a reader, I feel like you can find some of the coolest things in bookstores. Like just like the cutesiest little gifts. I don't know. I just love going in bookstores and just looking around. I'm not going to pretend like I'm a reader, but I really wish I was.

[00:14:45]>> See, I need a cooking book, like a recipe.

[00:14:48]>> Everything is about food for you. We've been walking for quite some time now and we have just stumbled upon a food market, like street food style in the BGC. This is called Fiesta Market and I think it's so cool that a super modern area like this has something as culturally rich as a outdoor food market. It looks so good over here and it's so packed. This is like a jackpot for us right now. I cannot wait to see what we find. And I'm curious to see, is this place connected to a mall. Oh my god, this area looks like the vendor section. So, you can buy like snacks, you can buy um packaged goods. It's just amazing. This place is so layered. I love it here. Look at this.

[00:15:39]And if you haven't noticed, the sun is now gone down and it's nighttime. And I love the vibes of Manila at night because it's so safe and everybody's out. Everybody's talking, walking around. There's families everywhere. And it feels safe. There's like security in their guards, but it feels like they're just here for our protection, you know, not to like keep anything bad from happening. Or maybe that's what they're for. But it feels really safe out right now.

[00:16:05]>> This is like a onestop shop. You have food, you have clothes, you have jewelries, you have a little carnivore ride thing for the little kids. You have a stage there. People are about to get on and sink.

[00:16:16]>> And you haven't even been over there yet. There's a whole another section of food vendors.

[00:16:20]>> This is wild. I think one of my favorite things I've seen so far is like the McDonald's right next to like the little food market here. If that is not the contrast we've been talking about all day.

[00:16:32]>> Yeah, >> it's crazy. You have this McDonald's here in the mall. And then you have this beautiful food market right next to it.

[00:16:40]>> Beautiful. Is insane.

[00:16:45]>> Oh my god. Let's see what the Philippines know about mac and cheese.

[00:16:51]Oh my god, it's sweet.

[00:16:58]This tastes like they dumped ketchup and tomato sauce. It's basically ravioli.

[00:17:05]Not my favorite.

[00:17:08]>> I'm gonna try the coconut water >> at all. What I was expecting.

[00:17:11]>> Yeah, I was not expecting that. That's like >> Oh my god, why did I do it again? We love sweets when they're desserts.

[00:17:20]>> I like my dinner to be savory. So, >> I like the savory foods to be savory.

[00:17:24]That No, that that's a miss for me.

[00:17:26]That's a >> I would give this a >> I'd give it a four >> just because I like mac and cheese. I like what it is. I like what it represents. But the flavor, >> no.

[00:17:39]>> This is my first time ever eating a crab like this. I'm just going to go for it.

[00:17:49]>> The crab.

[00:17:50]>> The crab redeems like this entire meal.

[00:17:53]>> The first thing I taste is when you eat shrimp and you eat the tail piece.

[00:17:57]>> That is this exact thing. Like fried shrimp tail.

[00:18:00]>> Yeah. It's salty. It's crunchy. This is what This is what I want when I when I think about savory, crunchy snack.

[00:18:08]>> I could just throw these back like popcorn.

[00:18:10]>> Oh yeah. This is like potato chips of the seas.

[00:18:12]>> Mhm. Yeah. That is a very flavor. The crispiness, the crunchiness, the meatiness in the middle, and the little salt batter that they dipped it in.

[00:18:21]>> 10 out of 10.

[00:18:27]As if we haven't been to enough places around Manila today, we are here at our last stop for the night and we are in the urban city of >> Maki.

[00:18:40]>> This area is super urban. You'll see a lot of foreigners in this area, too. But it's a little bit a little bit more urban than some of the places, but a little bit less modern than BGC. So, it's right in the middle. And we're coming up at a street food market. It's 8:50 p.m. and this place is still still open, still pretty alive. There are a lot of people out here. There's music going and I see food stalls.

[00:19:06]>> Huh?

[00:19:08]>> James Harden.

[00:19:09]>> Alo James Harden. Thank you. Thank you, my friend.

[00:19:16]>> Yes, >> that's a new one.

[00:19:20]>> So, that place is a vibe. The music is going. I got somebody to tell me I look like James Harden.

[00:19:25]>> And someone just said I look like Tyler.

[00:19:27]>> Somebody says Anna looks like Tyler >> and Moana.

[00:19:30]>> And Moana.

[00:19:31]>> Two completely different looks, but I'll take it.

[00:19:38]>> After having a Chinese breakfast, we're going to end with a Filipino dinner. I'm so excited. How do Philippines Filipino people think about American people?

[00:19:47]>> Very cool.

[00:19:48]>> Of course.

[00:19:49]>> 100%. really >> because Philippe was under American for 48 years.

[00:19:54]>> Oh, >> we're under American for like Liberia.

[00:19:57]Same thing.

[00:19:57]>> Okay.

[00:19:58]>> Yeah. Right.

[00:19:58]>> So, it's a good relationship.

[00:20:00]>> That's why all the Filipinos speak English. Those day when I was young, uh not too many people speak English because you have to be have money go to school.

[00:20:08]>> Oh.

[00:20:09]>> So, they if you speak English, they mean you're wealthy. You're okay.

[00:20:13]>> Okay.

[00:20:15]>> We have bulo here. It almost smells like the broth in >> I'm going to start with the broth.

[00:20:22]Vietnamese style.

[00:20:28]>> It went straight to the back of my throat. Oh, but it tastes so savory and rich. I taste the meat in the broth. And that's that's how you want your broth to be. It's salty. It's savory. It's meaty.

[00:20:41]And it's not too oily. I This is This is This is really good already.

[00:20:45]>> This kind of reminds me of pepper soup.

[00:20:48]for my West African friends out there.

[00:20:54]>> That is nice. The rice is soft. The meat is super super tender. And that broth is just the right amount of savory, but it's incredibly spicy. This is probably the most spiciest thing we've had in Vietnam so far. I mean, we've had in the in in the Philippines. My goodness. I'm so used to being in Vietnam.

[00:21:13]>> That was delicious.

[00:21:16]This was like pepper soup in the Philippines. It reminded me of Liberia and I love I love this meal for that.

[00:21:28]That wraps our day here exploring more of Manila. And oh my god, I feel like we know this city now. We've been to the Nando, we've been to Pasad Bay, we've been to the Intramos, we've been to BGC, we've been to Makati. I know there's so much more that we haven't seen, but I feel like we really got a good chunk of Manila and we know a little bit more than we c than we came here and started with. So, I think my favorite part of the city that we visited today, >> I'm just going to be honest, it was BGC.

[00:21:59]>> Really, >> it was BGC. I I really I really want to be like, oh, it was one of the older parts, but honestly, BGC is so wellbuilt. I love the history behind it.

[00:22:11]I love the fact that it's so layered.

[00:22:14]There is like the bougie part, there's the food part, there's all these malls.

[00:22:18]It's so walkable. It's so clean. It's so fresh.

[00:22:22]>> Yeah.

[00:22:22]>> I would be lying if I said it wasn't my favorite part of the city.

[00:22:25]>> I think my favorite part has to be the interactions with people, with the locals.

[00:22:29]>> Yeah.

[00:22:30]>> Filipino people are some of the most friendliest people I've ever met.

[00:22:34]>> And every interaction today was >> was something that was special. Whether it was somebody telling me I looks like look like James Harden.

[00:22:41]>> Whether it was someone telling you that you look like Rihanna >> or Tyler >> or Tyler or Philippine girl.

[00:22:48]>> Okay.

[00:22:49]>> Everyone was just was just special. A lot about >> what makes you love a place or feel welcome is the people >> and the Filipino people here has really made us feel welcome here. And today all the interactions were really really cool. Really enjoyed it.

[00:23:05]>> That's true. And I think I learned from that is that >> you can't you can't say that one place is one thing because one place has so many different layers and we experienced that today going all throughout the city. You don't come to one place and do one thing and eat one food and >> be with one type of people. You need to go all the way around. And I'm so happy we we got to do that. I I love the experience that we had today. I think one of my favorite experiences was also talking with William at the restaurant we just had because he knew so much >> and being able to be like a well-rounded person and knowing a little bit about his culture too just made me feel more full in that conversation and not just like a tourist coming to visit. So I really had a great time today. I'm so excited for the rest of our journey. But if you haven't already seen our other videos here in Manila, go ahead and check those out. We'll have those linked somewhere. Subscribe to the channel so you can see what we do next. Like this video if you enjoyed it and comment down below what we should do while we're still here in Manila.

[00:24:04]>> And hit the bell notification so you're notified every time we post our video.

[00:24:08]>> Yes. And we have so many more coming. So we'll see you guys in the next one.

[00:24:11]>> Peace.