#SummerGlowUp: Love on a budget? Here are 5 affordable dating spots this dry season

FINDING the perfect dating spot during the dry season takes more than regular effort. The sweltering heat drains your energy, making planning your next move with your significant other feel challenging.

But don’t let the dry season weigh you down. You don’t need to spend hundreds or even thousands of pesos to have a memorable time with your significant other—these places in Metro Manila could do most of the work for you. From historical sites to adventure-filled parks, here are five date-worthy places for couples to spark moments with:

Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC)

Location: Quezon City

Cost: ₱30 entrance fee for adults (₱15 for students, senior citizens, and PWDs)

Why it works: Walk through a solemn ecotourism destination

Lying in the heart of Quezon City, the NAPWC is an oasis of natural beauty and tranquility without the smoke, noise, and high-rise infrastructures of the highly urbanized environment of Metro Manila in sight.

Directly managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the 22-hectare center is perfect for couples who want to enjoy biodiversity conservation and education on Philippine flora and fauna. The cool breeze from the four-hectare man-made lagoon is also ideal to counter the heat during the dry season. With cottages overlooking the park available for rent, you could also bring the whole family to enjoy nature.

Couples who wish to capture aesthetic photos with breezy vibes for a tiny entrance fee would not ask for more if visiting the NAPWC.

Pinaglabanan Shrine

Location: San Juan City

Cost: Free

Why it works: A peaceful surrounding with a chance to connect with history

While not as popular as other historical sites, Pinaglabanan Shrine is an underrated gem for people who appreciate culture and some quiet. The five-hectare open green space and shaded paths offer couples a refreshing walk across the park.

Called a shrine for a reason, it houses a brass sculpture centerpiece called the Spirit of Pinaglabanan, commemorating the 1896 Battle of Pinaglabanan by Katipunan revolutionaries to seize the nearby El Deposito, an underground reservoir supplying water to Intramuros, and El Polvorín, a gunpowder storage. It also features walls etched with the names of Katipunan members, including the Bonifacios and J. Ruiz, the namesake of the nearest Light Rail Transit-2 station to the shrine.

After a refreshing walk across the greenery, couples could also visit the nearby Museo ng Katipunan and the Museo El Deposito, which has been restored and opened to the public for free.

SM by the Bay Amusement Park

Location: Pasay City

Cost: Free. Pay for food, rides, or other accommodations

Why it works: Breezy seaside walks and fun entertainment

SM by the Bay offers couples a budget-friendly destination with scenic views and affordable options during the dry season. Situated along Manila Bay, visitors could enjoy sunset strolls to capture the perfect golden hour while experiencing the sea breeze and vibrant atmosphere.

Joining in the fun, couples could avail of its ride-all-you-can day pass with the following attractions: bumper car, barn stormer, grand carousel, bumble bee, pirate ship, dream twister, and drop tower. It also houses numerous food stalls and restaurants, from the local cuisine to more upscale establishments.

SM by the Bay is open every day, even on holidays and weekends, making it perfect for couples who want to spend their vacation together while enjoying live performances and entertainment.

Green Paddle

Location: Caloocan City branch

Cost: ₱60 for unlimited play (excluding rental equipment)

Why it works: Sporty competition in active bonding experiences

Green Paddle is a one-stop shop for table tennis equipment, providing coaching services and robot rentals for sports enthusiasts. Moreover, its Caloocan City branch offers unlimited play for beginners and expert players for the whole day, where people can experience the thrills of table tennis for a small fee.

Open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Green Paddle offers four standard tables with rubber flooring indoors to counter heat exhaustion. Its amenities also include CCTV cameras for security, a comfort room, and a convenient parking space for those with vehicles.

Couples who want to unleash their inner sporty spirit after a long day at work are invited to try it out in Green Paddle’s unlimited-play table tennis.

The National Museum

Location: Manila

Cost: Free

Why it works: History, art, and air-conditioning (because why not?)

Couples looking for awe could never go wrong visiting the National Museum. Housed in three separate buildings, which are already historically significant as former government legislative and cabinet premises, it features the country’s natural history, anthropology, and fine arts.

The National Museum houses exhibits on Philippine biodiversity, geology, and paleontology, making it the perfect place for couples wanting to explore the country’s biodiversity. A few minutes’ walk away are archeological and anthropological exhibits, as well as artworks and crafts of icons like Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo, which are perfect for those who want to connect with human history.

Couples could explore these and more through air-conditioned halls to counter Manila’s dry spells. It’s the perfect venue to learn about our past and appreciate the country’s rich heritage. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a casual explorer, the museum sets the stage for a more thoughtful bonding.

Spreading the love

Our expression of love shouldn’t be as dry as this season. This is a time to step out, reconnect, and create memories with our significant others. It could even be a date with the family or close friends through simple adventures to fun-filled entertainment. Especially in this season, love doesn’t have to be expensive to be felt.

With reports from John Lloyd A. Aleta