Vacations are no longer the languid holidays of sun, sea and sand of the past. These days travellers want more from their trips: an education, an immersion in history, an experience of something beyond themselves; an evocative adventure – sensual, intellectual or physical – that enriches the spirit. But anyone staying at the "Manila Pen", as it is fondly referred to by locals, is guaranteed an even more unique perspective on the Filipino way of life with The Peninsula Academy. Get a glimpse of the Philippines through The Peninsula Manila's academy program
FILIPINO CULINARY EXPERIENCE
The Peninsula Hopper
Enjoy a superb dinner in not one but four of Manila’s most highly-acclaimed restaurants – all in the same evening. It’s The Peninsula Hopper, where you have the opportunity to go on an exciting and innovative culinary adventure of Spices, Mi Piace, Old Manila and The Lobby.
| Duration: | Three hours |
| Price: | PHP 4,750 per person
(minimum of two participants, maximum of 12) |
The Healthy Gourmet – Naturally Peninsula Cooking Classes
Realize the potential of eating healthy with the Naturally Peninsula cooking classes which teaches the relationship between food and its effects on physical, mental and emotional health. Participants may join an Old Manila (Modern European), Mi Piace (Italian) or Spices (Asian) Naturally Peninsula hands-on preparation of health-supportive foods.
| Duration: | Three hours |
| Price: | PHP 4,500 per person
(minimum of two participants, maximum of 12) |
Naturally Peninsula Culinary Journey
It is a long-standing Peninsula belief that the easiest way to enjoy one’s food without gaining weight is to eat the Naturally Peninsula way. Start with appetizers in Spices, move on to Old Manila for the main course before calling it a night with coffee and a light dessert in Mi Piace. Or you may have it the other way around.
| Duration: | Three hours |
| Price: | PHP 4,500 per person
(minimum of two participants, maximum of 12) |
FILIPINO CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
If These Walls Could Speak and Cocina Filipina
A crash course on nearly 400 years of Philippine history done in a breezy 3 hours. Go on a leisurely guided walking tour of the old walled city of Intramuros and listen to a humorous analysis of Philippine art, culture, and society during the Spanish period. Finish off with lunch or dinner at the 1920s art deco Legarda-Montinola mansion.
| Duration: | Three hours |
| Price: | PHP 17,500 per person
(minimum of two participants, maximum of 10) |
Letras y Figuras
Learn the intricacies of Letras y Figuras, a truly Filipino art form that was born in the 19th century. This artistic genre features the depiction of human figures, along with related objects, within the structure of the enlarged letters comprising the name of a person.
| Duration: | Two hours |
| Price: | PHP 4,500 per person
(maximum of 6 participants) |
Bahay na Bato – 19th Century Filipino House
Visit Museo De La Salle, a large bahay na bato-inspired structure that is the Philippines’ premier 19th century lifestyle and decorative arts museum. The museum curator’s rambling and colourful discourse will invite visitors to lose themselves in Spanish colonial history and nostalgia. An organic lunch will be served at Sonya’s Secret Garden in nearby Tagaytay.
| Duration: | Half day |
| Price: | PHP 30,000 per person
(minimum of two participants, maximum of 6) |
Santos, Objects of Faith
Learn all about Philippine santos, three-dimensionally carved representations of saints from the Spanish-Filipino colonial period. A respected santo collector and dealer will take participants on a tour of his collection that is seldom opened to the public.
| Duration: | Maximum of two and a half hours |
| Price: | PHP 14,500 per person
(minimum of two participants, maximum of 6) |
FILIPINO LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCE
Estilong Pinoy: The Terno and Barong Tagalog
Visit the atelier of designer Patis Tesoro and learn the intricacies of making a terno (Philippine national dress for ladies) and barong Tagalog (native shirt worn by Filipino men woven from banana or pineapple fibre) whose intricately embellished, embroidered and hand painted style is symbolic of the art, culture and history of the Philippines.
| Duration: | Maximum of two and a half hours |
| Price: | PHP 14,500 per person
(minimum of two participants, maximum of 6) |
Manila Design
A leafy 1940s compound houses the galleries and atelier of three Manila style setters. Take a leisurely stroll through the rooms of Avellana Art Gallery which boasts an extensive collection of some of the best and the brightest in Philippine art. Next is A-11 Gallery with its limited-edition line of furniture and lifestyle pieces. Last stop is the atelier of Jesus “Joji” Lloren, a fashion designer known for his formidable skills at cutting and fabric manipulation. A Filipino lunch or dinner buffet will be served in the gallery spaces.
| Duration: | Three hours |
| Price: | PHP 25,000 per person
(minimum of two participants, maximum of 10) |
THE PENINSULA TEEN ACADEMY
Pasalubong, Filipino Souvenirs
A pasalubong is a token gift that conveys that loved ones are being remembered. Join a taka (papier mache molds shaped like people, horsesw or carabaos) and bakya (wooden clogs carved with floral, geometric or landscape designs) decorating class. Or a T-shirt or bag painting session. They make lovely pasalubong of arts and crafts from the Philippines.
| Duration: | Two hours |
| Price: | PHP4,000 per person
(maximum of 6 participants) |
Lutong Pinoy: Sweet Cooking the Filipino Way
Children eager to learn the ABCs of making delicious Filipino desserts will enjoy joining the leche flan (egg, sugar and milk custard), halo-halo (shaved ice, milk, sugar, sweet beans and fruit), turron (ripe banana wrapped in a spring roll, dipped in sugar and deep-fried) and buko-pandan salad (sweet young coconut strips and pandanus-flavoured gelatin folded in cold and thick cream) making classes.
| Duration: | Two hours |
| Price: | PHP 4,000 per person
(minimum of two participants, maximum of 6) |
RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION
For booking, rates and further information, please contact The Concierge on Extension 6527 or e-mail us at pmn@peninsula.com.
To avoid disappointment, The Peninsula Academy activities should be confirmed prior to arrival in Manila with at least 48 hours advance notice. Bookings are subject to availability. Prices may change and are subject to service charge and local government tax. Cancellations must be made at least 12 hours in advance, or we regret that the full charge will apply. All Peninsula Academy classes are conducted in English, but an interpreter can be arranged, if required, at an additional cost.
