A Quezon City Life
August 24, 2010 11:45 AM Subscribe
I am gearing up for a probable move from NYC to Manila. I've been looking at the artist-run spaces there and looking for info on possible areas to live. We will be moving to Quezon City. Does anyone have any ideas or resources regarding where we should live within QC, and interesting things to seek out there/in Manila generally? I've already found Green Papaya, Big Sky Mind, Cubao X, and 18th Ave. Space.
I am an artist and my partner is a lawyer. We're definitely not luxurious folks looking for a slick professional complex, but if that's mainly what we have to work with that's okay, I'd just like to seek out the most unique/creative area within Quezon City if such a thing exists. I should clarify that we are up for anything, and aren't just seeking a recreation of something we've experienced before. Some extra info: we are both active but occasionally hermetic, a spry mid 30s, neither of us are Filipino, we don't have kids yet, we love industrial/attic/garage spaces (even if we can't get them), and let's assume that there will be no legal complexities regarding our residency there. (Bonus points for any vegetarian resources...) Many thanks for your time, in case anyone out there actually has info on this fairly specific subject!
I am an artist and my partner is a lawyer. We're definitely not luxurious folks looking for a slick professional complex, but if that's mainly what we have to work with that's okay, I'd just like to seek out the most unique/creative area within Quezon City if such a thing exists. I should clarify that we are up for anything, and aren't just seeking a recreation of something we've experienced before. Some extra info: we are both active but occasionally hermetic, a spry mid 30s, neither of us are Filipino, we don't have kids yet, we love industrial/attic/garage spaces (even if we can't get them), and let's assume that there will be no legal complexities regarding our residency there. (Bonus points for any vegetarian resources...) Many thanks for your time, in case anyone out there actually has info on this fairly specific subject!
Response by poster: Funny stuff! Well, technically I lumped a whole lot of things under the term 'vegetarian,' but really we have religious dietary restrictions, meaning we wont be eating meat out and about. But I am not overly concerned about that aspect, though I enjoyed your explanation!
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 12:52 PM on August 24, 2010
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 12:52 PM on August 24, 2010
I lived in one neighborhood in Quezon City (Katipunan) for four years while doing the college thing so my contribution: check out what the schools are doing. Ateneo de Manila and University of the Philippines always have something going on, be it an art exhibit, a play run, a dance concert. Across the street is Mag:net cafe, where there's always something going on, too. Click here for their list of monthly activities. Sometimes you get lucky and score a film screening or poetry reading.
Something else along the lines of Cubao X but in Makati: the collective.
http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2010/04/the-collective-maluggay-makati.html
Some people have likened it to a free-for-all glorified bazaar, but ymmv.
Your best friend when it comes to manila food and travel, Our Awesome Planet. Check out their search results for vegetarian food.
posted by drea at 3:10 PM on August 24, 2010
Something else along the lines of Cubao X but in Makati: the collective.
http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2010/04/the-collective-maluggay-makati.html
Some people have likened it to a free-for-all glorified bazaar, but ymmv.
Your best friend when it comes to manila food and travel, Our Awesome Planet. Check out their search results for vegetarian food.
posted by drea at 3:10 PM on August 24, 2010
The Philippines is a chicken and pork lovers paradise (lechon ... lummy kaayo), but Manila has some truly amazing street markets stocked daily with fresh produce and vegetables. I'd strongly suggest going localvore as imported fresh doesn't fare too well (e.g., I never once found decent lettuce, apples were hit or miss, etc.) but be prepared to deal with very recently dead animals right next to some truly knee-weakening fresh fruit.
posted by nathan_teske at 8:31 PM on August 24, 2010
posted by nathan_teske at 8:31 PM on August 24, 2010
Is there any reason you dont want to live in Makati or Ortigas?
QC isnt bad but I think Makati or Ortigas are more centrally located and have more
foreigner-friendly amenities than QC.
posted by Fiat124 at 9:05 AM on August 25, 2010
QC isnt bad but I think Makati or Ortigas are more centrally located and have more
foreigner-friendly amenities than QC.
posted by Fiat124 at 9:05 AM on August 25, 2010
Response by poster: Fiat124, that does seem to be the case. The problem is that my partner will be working in QC, and it seems like traveling from Makati or Ortigas to QC every day would be terrible. Does that sound correct, or might the commute be doable? Also, I got the impression that maybe the universities in QC might lead to more artsy things than Makati (where I have an image of slick, professional-vibed expat life...) Is my impression off? Thanks for the answers so far.
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 12:55 PM on August 25, 2010
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 12:55 PM on August 25, 2010
Best answer: The commute between Makati/Ortigas and QC is not fun. EDSA can be a parking lot even early in the morning, especially if they are doing roadwork. C-5 can be a little better but its really a crapshoot.
If your partner does decide to commute, will they be driving themself or will you have a service/driver? A driver makes a commute MUCH more bearable (my employer provides a driving service), and if your partners employer doesnt provide one, you should really consider hiring your own.
I think youre right about the art life in QC. Thats not really my scene but the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila are both there, so there is probably more arty stuff there. And yes, Makati does seem to have a more professional vibe.
If you'd like to know more, feel free to ask here or memail me.
posted by Fiat124 at 2:00 PM on August 25, 2010
If your partner does decide to commute, will they be driving themself or will you have a service/driver? A driver makes a commute MUCH more bearable (my employer provides a driving service), and if your partners employer doesnt provide one, you should really consider hiring your own.
I think youre right about the art life in QC. Thats not really my scene but the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila are both there, so there is probably more arty stuff there. And yes, Makati does seem to have a more professional vibe.
If you'd like to know more, feel free to ask here or memail me.
posted by Fiat124 at 2:00 PM on August 25, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
ha! you realize you're moving to a country where it's sometimes easier to come out to your parents as gay than it is vegetarian, right?
posted by lia at 12:27 PM on August 24, 2010