At a recent meetup, I found myself back in Poblacion, Makati—an area of town I don't go to as often as I do Legaspi or Salcedo Village. After having coffee at Saglit by Flower Ranch Cafe, a friend suggested we get dinner at a nearby food joint - Pizzetta. 

Pizzetta opened last year, June 2025, to be exact, at 5687 Dona Carmen Street. When it first started operations, it had only a small space. My friend told me it could seat only a few customers, and so we couldn't stay long. When we got there, though, it turned out that Pizzetta now had a larger space right across the way—one that could hold bigger groups of people. 

What is Neapolitan Pizza? 

In case you're wondering what Neapolitan pizza is, it is the most famous type of Italian pizza, renowned for its straightforward ingredients and soft texture. Did you know that it's recognized by UNESCO as the epitome of Italian pizza-making and part of the world's intangible cultural heritage? 

Neapolitan pizza is not crispy or heavily topped, and it's not a pizza you eat on the go. Instead, it is characterized by its soft, elastic dough; puffy, airy crust; thin, tender center; and minimal toppings. In Italy, Neapolitan pizza is usually eaten with a knife and fork because the center is soft and delicate. 

What's so special about Pizzetta? 

They offer Php99 pizzas! And I don't mean just a slice. I mean, an 8-inch-sized solo pizza with soft, chewy, and lightly charred Neapolitan-style crust. They have classic pizzas like Five Cheese Garlic and Creamy Spinach for Php99 and premium options like Samurai, handcrafted dough, and premium toppings with rich umami goodness priced a bit higher at Php129. 

Not in the mood for pizza? Pizzetta has also expanded its offerings to include pasta and salads. 

We ordered chicken masala and creamy spinach solo 

This alfredo pasta is only Php99 

For the price, it's already a steal! The pizzas were good and actually already good for 2 people to share. Though I wouldn't share! 😈 Our total bill was less than Php500, which already includes the service charge. 

Pizzetta is open 24/7 and even available for takeout and delivery via Grab. This pizza place was also named Grab Food's "This Year's 5-Star Eats Merchant."

Aside from being an affordable place to satisfy your pizza cravings, you can also linger around Pizzetta for a beer or two while you play billiards. 

Hang out with friends, drink beer and play pool at Pizzetta 

At Pizzetta, you can order local beers, imported beers, or other alcoholic drinks like whiskey and brandy. 

For me, Pizzetta is a great find that I hope will stay in Poblacion for a long time! It's worth going to when you want to satisfy your pizza cravings without breaking the bank. Its laid-back ambiance will invite you to stay and unwind especially after a long day's work alone or with friends.  

A Festival of Gratitude: UNIQLO Says Thank You With Exclusive Offers and More

At the heart of every UNIQLO Thank You Festival is a simple message: gratitude. As a celebration inspired by the customers and communities who continue to support the brand, the biannual festival transforms appreciation into meaningful experiences—from exclusive promotions and innovative essentials to initiatives that create positive impact beyond stores.

UNIQLO deeply values the unwavering support of its customers and communities. Serving as a heartfelt tribute to those who have made LifeWear a part of their daily lives, the UNIQLO Thank You Festival returns nationwide from May 22 to May 28. 

This year’s celebration goes beyond seasonal offers, as it also highlights purposeful partnerships, sustainability, and a deep commitment to social responsibility. Every story is shaped by care, innovation, and the people behind the brand who bring LifeWear to life every day.

A “Thank You” that Pays it Forward

In the spirit of giving back, UNIQLO Philippines is strengthening its support for local education. Recognizing the resource gaps in public schools, the brand recently broke ground on a new classroom at Tanda Elementary School in General Santos to support T’boli students. 

 As part of its Heart of LifeWear initiative, UNIQLO donated AIRism shirts to students and teachers—contributing to over 35,000 items distributed for community and disaster relief nationwide.

As part of its bigger Heart of LifeWear sustainability initiative, UNIQLO also donated AIRism shirts to students and teachers alike to champion comfort in the classroom. It adds to a milestone of over 35,000 LifeWear items distributed to communities in need and disaster relief efforts across the country, including pre-loved pieces donated by customers. The initiative proves that in UNIQLO’s Thank You Festival, the sense of gratitude reaches far and wide.

A “Thank You” Translated into Curated In-Store Experiences

The UNIQLO Thank You Festival transforms every UNIQLO store into a space of celebration, featuring exciting deals that reflect the brand's promise of quality and practicality. Everyone can join the fun and make the most out of these special promotions:

• Best-Value Everyday Essentials: Over 50 LifeWear items at special prices, with favorites like the Crew Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt and kids' AIRism Cotton pieces starting at just PHP 390. 

• First-Time Offers: Significant savings on premium staples, now on sale for the first time, including Premium Linen Long Sleeve Shirts (now PHP 1,490) and Oxford Boxy Long Sleeve Shirts (now PHP 990). 

• Exciting Collaborations: The highly anticipated UNIQLO and Cecilie Bahnsen womenswear collection officially launches on May 22, showcasing a line-up of romantic, feminine pieces for both women and girls. Customers are also rewarded with a free packable duffle bag for every single-receipt purchase of at least PHP 3,500 during the festival week.

Over 50 LifeWear items at special prices—starting at just PHP 390. Includes favorites like the Crew Neck Short Sleeve T‑Shirt and kids’ AIRism Cotton, plus first-time deals on premium staples.

A “Thank You” That Makes Shopping Online Even Easier

For this year’s Thank You Festival, UNIQLO continues to enhance the online shopping journey for UNIQLO App members. The week-long celebrations showcase exclusive sizes, pre-launch access, and improved "Voice of Customer" feedback features. With specialized online-to-offline corners in select stores, the brand also ensures that convenience and gratitude go hand-in-hand. 

More than a retail event, the UNIQLO Thank You Festival is a nationwide moment of connection. By blending customer-focused rewards with community-driven initiatives, UNIQLO reaffirms that the most meaningful way to say "thank you" is by contributing to an inclusive and better everyday life for all.

 

Celebrate the UNIQLO Thank You Festival by checking out UNIQLO in-store and online. For more information and to get all the latest updates on UNIQLO, visit www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/ and follow @uniqlo.ph on Facebook and @uniqlophofficial on Instagram and TikTok. 

Why Metro Manila’s Museums Are the Place to Be This May

If your idea of a museum still involves quiet halls, slow walks, and respectfully observing things behind glass, Metro Manila’s museum scene this May might feel a little more interesting than usual.

International Museum Day 2026 falls on a Monday, but many museums across the metro aren’t limiting the celebration to just one day. Instead, they’re rolling out programs throughout the month—ranging from free and discounted admission to special tours and select interactive experiences designed to make museum visits feel more engaging than usual.

This year’s global theme, “Museums Uniting a Divided World,” shows up locally in different ways: through accessibility, storytelling, and, in some cases, more immersive programming that invites visitors to engage with culture beyond just viewing it.

What ties everything together is simple—this is one of those rare weeks when stepping into a museum feels easier, more inviting, and more worth the detour than usual.

So whether you’re planning a quick weekday culture stop or lining up a visit around free admission days and special programs, May is quietly shaping up to be a good time for museum-hopping in the metro.

Your May weekends? Consider them officially booked

The National Museum Turns Culture Into a Full-On Adventure

The National Museum of the Philippines is not easing into International Museum Day—it’s going all in.

At the National Museum of Fine Arts, Art Bridging Divides: A Special Tour and Interactive Activity reimagines the galleries as spaces for conversation, in which artworks serve as prompts for reflection, exchange, and storytelling. There’s also Art Quest: Decoding the Masterpiece Edition, where iconic Filipino works turn into clues waiting to be solved rather than just observed.

Over at the National Museum of Anthropology, the Mapping Challenge and Discovery Quest invite visitors to explore Philippine heritage through interactive discovery—less passive viewing, more “figure it out as you go.”

And then there’s the one that feels straight out of a movie: the National Museum of Natural History’s special Night at the Museum experience, celebrating both International Museum Day and the museum’s ninth anniversary.

Picture this: dimmed halls, after-hours access, riddles tucked into exhibits, and immersive challenges inspired by the Philippines’ rich biodiversity. It’s part mystery, part exploration, and fully giving escape-room energy—just with actual fossils and taxidermy instead of padlocks. 

Find out more about the museum's activities. Visit their Facebook page. 

Museo de Galleon: A New Museum That Makes History Feel Alive

If you haven’t made your way to Museo de Galleon at SM Mall of Asia yet, this is your sign.

One of the newer cultural spaces in the metro, it brings the Manila–Acapulco Galleon Trade to life through immersive installations, multimedia storytelling, and exhibits that make centuries-old maritime history feel surprisingly cinematic.

Photo credit: Inquirer 

For the month of May, they’re offering free tours—making it one of the easiest (and most budget-friendly) ways to slot a culture stop into your weekend MOA plans. 

The Met Manila Turns “Museum Day” Into Museum Playtime

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila in BGC is waiving entrance fees from May 19 to 31, but what makes it stand out is how un-serious (in the best way) parts of it feel right now.

Current exhibitions include:

• Seams of Memory by Winna Go
• Omocha: Japanese Toys Today in partnership with The Japan Foundation Manila
• Femme Hommage from The M Collection

But beyond the galleries, things get more interactive than expected. Visitors can try Japanese toys at Omocha, join creative activities at The M Art Studio with Museum Mayhem!, or even test their luck at a Gashapon corner featuring collectible surprises.

It’s part museum, part play zone, part “why is this actually so fun?”

Curious what a visit to The Met is like beyond this lineup? I wrote about my visit to the Banksy exhibit there a while back.

Yuchengco Museum Goes Free for Two Days (Yes, Free-Free)

No overthinking needed here—just go.

On May 17 and 18, Yuchengco Museum opens its doors for free, giving access to a mix of exhibitions that span sculpture, photography, fashion, spirituality, and Filipino cultural identity.

Current exhibits include:

• Pasulong: Recent Sculptures by Anton Quisuimbing
• Nakita sa Makati: A Photobook and Fashion Exhibit by Bernie Bacosa
• The World According to Jaime de Guzman: A Hermit Planter’s Last Years in Mount Banahaw
• Agimat at Anting-Anting: Objects of Protection & Belief from Mount Banahaw
• Art in Progress by Marco Y. Santos

It’s the kind of lineup that makes you realize how wide and layered “Filipino identity” really is—without feeling like a textbook lesson.

Ayala Museum Is Your New “Late Afternoon in Makati” Plan

Ayala Museum is leaning into something we don’t do enough of: slow afternoons that turn into cultural detours.

This May, in celebration of National Heritage Month, they’re offering discounted admission from Tuesday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Regular entry is Php200, with select rates going as low as Php120—an easy excuse to wander through dioramas, contemporary exhibits, and rotating collections without rushing.

It’s less “museum marathon,” more “post-work reset in Makati that accidentally makes you feel smarter.” 

Check this for the full details.

Museums in the Metro Are Having a Moment

Something interesting is unfolding in Metro Manila’s museum scene—but not in a way that signals a permanent shift.

For International Museum Day 2026, different museums are marking the occasion in different ways. Some are opening their doors for free or at discounted rates, while others are rolling out special programs like guided tours, heritage walks, and limited-time interactive activities that add a different layer to the usual museum visit.

Some of these experiences take place over the weekend, while others—like the National Museum’s programs—are scheduled for the day itself, which falls on a Monday.

That mix is what makes this stretch feel worth paying attention to. It’s a short window where museums feel a bit more accessible, a bit more intentional, and a little more inviting than usual.

So if you’ve been meaning to visit one, this might be a good time to actually do it.