With our present situation, when the quarantine had most of us staying inside our homes for our own safety, people have devised a number of ways to feel even the slightest sense of normalcy in these tumultuous times. From going on business and office meetings, ordering food from restaurants you usually frequent to, down to watching theater productions, these are just some of the little ways that help get us through this uncertain situation–no small thanks to the power of the Internet.
True, going online enables us to get a semblance of how life was before the pandemic, and that includes going to places you could visit on the regular, either by driving or by commute by taking the LRT-1. But being in isolation, technology allows us to virtually go places.
If you wish to take a tour around the city while on quarantine, we’ve rounded up a virtual guide to wonderful sites to Manila:
Check out museums online
Museums might be closed now, but through the Internet, you can always learn and marvel at artifacts and pieces of history found in our museums. A number of museums have displayed their exhibits online. The Museo de Intramuros, Ayala Museum, and Presidential Museum and Library in Malacanang Palace have partnered with Google to put their works online, to ensure you’ll never run out of new things to learn at home.
Watch CCP shows, concerts, and plays on YouTube
Those looking for a more educational form of entertainment can now turn to the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ YouTube account, to witness high-resolution archival recordings of numerous productions staged at the venue. Subscribe to their official page to see a growing list of full shows uploaded slowly.
Order your favorite food from Binondo
One good thing that’s worth mentioning is that a number of restaurants have already reopened for delivery! This includes some of your comfort food from Binondo, like Eng Bee Tin, Ying Ying Tea House, Sincerity, Chuan Kee, and Salido. Ordering from these establishments is also a great way to support employees displaced by the quarantine.
Shop and Support Filipino merchants online
For local food and products, show some support on the partnered regional merchants in the online leg of the Philippine Harvest? Consumers can order directly from the respective social media accounts of participating merchants, and products will be sent to consumers via available delivery services such as GrabExpress and Lalamove, while practicing social distancing.
Related: DOT and SSI Show Support to Philippine Food Producers in Online Philippine Harvest
ikotMNL is a tourism campaign launched by the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) in 2018 to connect foreign and local travelers to Manila’s rich history, cultural heritage, and top food destinations by riding the LRT-1 to areas such as Intramuros, Binondo, Quiapo, and many more. Like LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1 and follow @officialLRT1 on Twitter.
Get info on Manila’s popular tourist spots, as well as important LRT-1 updates such as announcements, train schedules, crowd status, and more through the ikotMNL app which you can download for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.