Why do people keep coming back to Manila? According to the cast of Bongga Ka, ’Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical, there are plenty of reasons to love and discover the metro. One can start with its museums, continue through an old neighborhood or quiet café, and end with Filipino comfort food and a relaxing night out.
The idea takes its cue from Hotdog band’s “Manila,” the nostalgic classic featured in the musical. Like the song, the cast’s recommendations celebrate Metro Manila beyond its traffic and busy streets.
Atasha Muhlach
Start with a historical and cultural tour
For Atasha Muhlach, who plays the titular role Annie Batungbakal, the best way to understand Manila is to see how the old and new continue to live beside each other. Her first stop is the National Museum of the Philippines, where visitors can get a quick introduction to the country’s art, history, and heritage.
“I would take them to the National Museum of the Philippines. It’s really good to see the effort they’re putting into preserving part of Philippine history. To see all of that and learn about different aspects of the Philippines is really nice,” she shared.
Sam Concepcion, who plays Romer, would stretch that museum visit into a full cultural itinerary. “If it’s something more historical or cultural, you’d probably bring them to Intramuros, bring them to Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown or to Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo, and the National Museum.”
Slow down at a quiet café
After walking through museums and old neighborhoods, the next assignment is simple: find a great coffee spot. Jeff Moses, who alternates as Romer, likes exploring the quieter cafés around Salcedo Village in Makati. “Marami silang coffee shops na hindi masyadong matao. Masarap iyong coffee. Iyon iyong mga pinupuntahan ko.”
KD Estrada, who plays the character Burn Rivera, has a similarly relaxed option for anyone staying in the South. “Kasi, as a South boy, mahirap maghanap ng go-to place, and we always go out of our way to meet people. My friends are from the North, and my work is always in the North, so I barely have time to go around the South. But when I’m in the South, I usually go to Westgate because it’s very chill. May mga cafés diyan, and I like to eat around there.”
Meanwhile, Concepcion’s quiet spot comes with burgers. He recommends Flipside in Pasig for an easy meal away from the busy restaurants. “You know what I like? Burgers. What’s the burger place called Flipside, near my place in Pasig.” He added, “It’s nearby. There are so many burger spots these days; I think that’s one of the quieter ones.”
Try Filipino food
For Anthony Rosaldo, who also plays the character Romer, the obvious answer is sinigang. The fun part is choosing which version to order. “Ako, sinigang. Paborito ko kasi siya, at marami siyang versions. May sinigang na baboy, may hipon. May sinigang sa bayabas, may sinigang sa miso.”
Moses goes for another Filipino favorite: chicken inasal that reminds him of home. “Filipino food, siyempre, taste of home—inasal. May kinakainan kami sa QC, tapat ng Bo’s Coffee around the Scout area: Bacolod Chicken Inasal. Sobrang lapit ng taste sa Bacolod.”
Estrada also brings visiting friends out for inasal, even if it means making the trip to Makati. “Kung first time talaga, I’ll go out of my way and bring them to Makati, tapos Chicken House Express.”
Unwind before heading home
The cast’s idea of relaxing is refreshingly simple: eat, talk, and shake off the day. For Moses, Brotzeit at Newport World Resorts has become a go-to post-rehearsal hangout.
“Brotzeit, siguro, dito. If it’s theater, magkakasama kami. Doon kami nagpa-“pagpag” from the characters. Quick catch-up before umuwi, before we leave our workplace. After kumain and mag-bonding. Isa siya sa mga places na late magsara rito sa Newport. Masarap iyong food and masarap iyong kasama, siyempre, kasi kami-kaming mga katrabaho.”
Estrada has the same habit. “If it’s here in Newport, usually Brotzeit. Naging tambayan. Parang debrief namin as characters, and then we get to be ourselves for a few hours.”
Rosaldo’s recovery plan is quieter and particularly useful after rehearsals and workouts. “Since nagre-rehearse ako, madalas din akong mag-workout. Medyo athlete era ko ngayon, so nag-HYROX ako. Iyong pinaka-unwind and relaxation time ko is when I go for massages.”
Simply no place like Manila
The landmarks and restaurants give those visiting plenty to do, but the cast agrees that Manila’s strongest pull is the people. Muhlach points to the warmth that visitors often remember after they leave. “At the end of the day, we’re very family-oriented, warm, and welcoming. It’s so nice to be proud to say that this is your community.”
Whenever abroad, Estrada misses even the parts of Manila that other people might consider chaotic. “Honestly, when I went to the U.S. and Canada, it just made me miss the Philippines and Manila even more. I love the fact that a lot of things here in Manila are very personal to me. It’s the stuff I grew up on. Whenever I go to another country, I enjoy it, but nothing beats the noise of Manila. Nothing beats the people I know here. Nothing beats our hospitality and kindness. It’s the very simple things that keep me coming back.”
Anthony also describes Manila as home because of the family life and friendliness he associates with it. “Manila is home for me. It’s easier to go around, people are friendlier, and iba iyong love for family ng mga Pilipino. I grew up in Manila, so I really call Manila home. There’s no better word for it than home.”
That is what makes the cast’s guide feel true to Hotdog’s “Manila.” One can visit the historical sites and try several Pinoy food—but the people and the feeling of home are what make the city worth returning to.
Newport World Resorts, in association with VIVA Communications and The Philippine STAR, reunites for Bongga Ka, ’Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical featuring Hotdog’s timeless hits. The show, staged with PETA Plus, is slated to open in September 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
Tickets are now available online and at all TicketWorld outlets and at the Newport World Resorts Box Office: PHP 4500 (SVIP), PHP 4000 (VIP), PHP 3,400 (GOLD), PHP 2,400 (SILVER), and PHP 1,300 (BRONZE).
Learn more about the artists and the production through Newport World Resorts (@newportworldresorts), VIVA Communications Inc. (@vivaartistsagency), and The Philippine STAR (@philippinestar) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Sign up for the waitlist now via https://newportworldresorts.com/bkd-waitlist to be the first in line for tickets.
