The Christmas season has always been one of the Filipino’s favorite holidays. Filipinos are known to have a really joyful Christmas especially with their traditions that make this holiday extra special. As early as September, you can already see families starting to set up their homes with Christmas decorations. Streets are also starting to be filled with Christmas lights, and almost everywhere you go, you can smell the taste of puto bungbong and bibingka. Before the pandemic happened, every night starting December 16 you can see families going to churches to attend Simbang Gabi until the Misa De Gallo on December 24. Streets used to also be full of kids caroling from house to house, singing their hearts out with Christmas songs and saying “namamasko po”. Another fun tradition in the Philippines is having Monito and Monita or commonly known as an exchange gift. This tradition happens during Christmas Party celebrations and probably the kids' most favorite part of Christmas especially if they can meet their ninong and ninang to ask for their Aguinaldo. Lastly, the most awaited Noche Buena is celebrated, where families wake up at midnight to gather and welcome Christmas with traditional Filipino dishes. A lot of OFW members of the family usually go home during this holiday to enjoy their Christmas in the Philippines, making it more special for everyone. Truly, Christmas brings together families, no wonder it’s the favorite time of every Filipino.
Most families also go to destination places to celebrate Christmas. But with the pandemic that happened, traveling was restricted. But don’t worry because this year, many places have already lessened their quarantine restrictions and are now allowing travelers.
To actively promote tourism around the Philippines while guaranteeing the safety of travelers, the Department of Tourism (DOT) ensures that destination places comply with protocols and precautionary procedures released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH). The Department of Tourism also provides a list of places with Alert Levels to maintain safe travel for everyone, especially during this holiday season.
If you are planning to go out and spend this holiday season somewhere else within the Philippines, you may opt to have a staycation with your loved ones. Fortunately, there are a lot of establishments that let you stay with your family or friends to celebrate the holidays and enjoy the city’s tourist spots. Department of Tourism (DOT) allows cities under Alert Level 1 to 3 to have establishments for a staycation and here are some destination places accredited by DOT to accommodate staycations from November 1 to November 14:
Cities under Alert Level 2
- Angeles City
- Bulacan
- Nueva Ecija
- Olongapo City
- Pampanga
- Tarlac
- Batangas
- Quezon Province
- Lucena City
- Aklan
- Antique
- Capiz
- Guimaras
- Iloilo
- Negros Occidental
- Bohol
- Cebu City
- Lapu-Lapu City
- Mandaue City
- Cebu Province
- Bukidnon
- Cagayan de Oro City
- Camiguin
- Iligan City
- Misamis Occidental
- Misamis Oriental
- Davao de Oro
- Davao del Sur
- Davao Oriental
Cities under Alert Level 3
- Baguio City
- Bataan
- National Capital Region
- Cavite
- Laguna
- Rizal
- Iloilo City
- Siquijor
- Lanao del Norte
- Davao City
- Davao del Norte
Here are also accommodated establishments granted to operate for staycations in NCR:
- Grand Hyatt Hotel
- Okada Manila Hotel*
- Shangri-la at the Fort
- Nobu Hotel*
- Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila*
- EDSA Shangri-la Manila
- Solaire Hotel
- Hyatt Regency, City of Dreams*
- Nuwa Hotel, City of Dreams
- The Peninsula Manila
- Aruga by Rockwell
- Sheraton Manila Hotel
- Hilton Manila
- Hotel Okura Manila*
- Conrad Manila
- Diamond Hotel Philippines
- Discovery Primea
- Discovery Suites
- Fairmont and Raffles Hotel
- Makati Diamond Residences
- Marco Polo Hotel
- New World Hotel Makati
- Sofitel Philippine Plaza
- Holiday Inn & Suites Makati
- Century Park Hotel
- Novotel Manila Araneta City
- The Bellevue Manila
- Acacia Hotel Manila
- Belmont Hotel Manila
- The Manila Hotel
- SEDA BGC
- Marriott Hotel Manila
- The Holiday Inn Galeria Manila
- The Linden Suites
- Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria
- City Garden Grand Hotel
- Seda Vertis North
- Somerset Alabang
- The Ascott Makati
- Vivere Hotel and Resort
For dining in restaurants, tourist attractions, entertainment venues, recreational venues, amusement parks, etc.; DOT allows 30% to full capacity depending on the Alert Level City. Before deciding where to go, you may opt to check their Alert Level to ensure that you will be able to travel the way you want it. You should also consider what tourist spots will be open so you can make the most out of them. Also, don’t forget that cities with Alert 2 to 4 require fully vaccinated individuals so make sure that you are vaccinated. For more updates, you may want to check this page where the Department of Tourism (DOT) update list of places that you can go during the holiday season.
Another way to celebrate the holiday is to staycation at condominiums. The good thing about this is that it is safe, cost-saving, flexible, and convenient. We all want to spend a safer holiday while spending it in a different environment, and staycations are probably the best way to celebrate the holiday season. Manila has also lessened its quarantine protocols which means you can also try to look for condos in Manila where you can spend your holiday vacation. You can turn your rented space into a cozy place that is the best suit of your interest. If you have family or friends that you want to meet who lives in different cities, a staycation is really something you should try. Fortunately, there are a lot of condominiums available in Manila and are convenient since it is near business districts, food establishments, malls, public markets and etc.
Even during the pandemic, investing in condominiums is really something you should look into. Not only does it provide you with a safe and convenient home for your family, but it is also a good business investment that you can get benefit from in the future. You can also turn your invested condominium into a staycation place where other people can rent and spend time with their loved ones. Fortunately, Vista Residences offer a lot of pre-selling and ready for occupancy condominiums that you can start investing in.
If you are thinking of moving in to a new condominium, check out Vista Residences!
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. that offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Ortigas, Baguio, Cebu, and CDO that are strategically located within major cities, in close proximity to premium universities, transit oriented locations and developed business districts.
At Vista Residences, unit owners can take advantage of the property’s centrality. The properties of Vista Residences are strategically located near the country’s premium universities and CBDs, making them an attractive investment for both local and foreign investors.
Living in Vista Residences enables you to enjoy convenience, where everything is pretty much within walking distance or a few minutes away from the property; comfort because the project features and amenities are designed to deliver comfort at all times, which makes condo living a worthy investment; security that is 24/7 and CCTV monitoring, which makes the residents safe and secure within the property.
In line with Vista Residences’ thrust to offer convenience among its residents, it also features an AllDay Convenience Store and Coffee Project in all its projects.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
