Two years after Mother's Day was established in the United States (thanks, Anna Jarvis!), a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd came up with the idea of honoring fathers in a separate occasion. Her persistent lobbying is the reason why on Sunday, June 15, 2014, US and the rest of the world will celebrate Father's Day in honor of hardworking and loving dads.
Your Papa, Daddy, Pop, Tatay— or whatever term you call the most special man in your life– deserves the best on his special day this weekend. Still clueless where to bring him? Check out this list of Father's Day activities your dad will surely enjoy.
1. Treat him to a day of pampering and relaxation.
Does (or did) your dad endure years of backbreaking labor just to put decent food on the table? Treat him to a "backbreaking" activity of a different kind (the relaxing one, this time) and book an appointment at the following establishments:
The Spa
Why go here: With multiple branches all over Metro Manila, finding a The Spa near you won’t be too much of a chore.
What to get: Gentleman’s Package (P1900): 2 hours choice of Classic Massage plus The Spa Signature Men’s Facial Executive. If you want it to be done on a Suite or Villa, it’ll cost you P2600.
Reserve: View branches and contact numbers.
Ahavia Spa
Why go here: Your dad will appreciate the dark, modern, and even manly interiors of this spa. Its use of blacks and grays for furnishing are a far cry from the typical neutrals and florals in other spas.
What to get: Executive Daddy Package (P1999): Volcanic Lava Hot Stones, Organic Coffee Experience, Foot Reflexology, Biotherapy, Serum Hair Repair
Reserve: Two branches: Timog, Quezon City and San Juan, Metro Manila
Photo: Ahavia Spa's website
Ace Water Spa
Why go here: Ace is best known for their Hydrotherapy massage that uses "Ultrasonic Jet System" to target, relax, and soothe tired muscles. Here, you are pampered for 4 hours versus the typical massages that last for 2 hours tops.
What to get: Ace Water Spa has a Father’s Day weekend promo: your dad gets a free spa ticket when accompanied by three paying adults (P550).
Reserve: Banawe, Quezon City and Kapitolyo, Pasig
2. Sponsor his makeover.
If your dad is game with the idea, sponsor his makeover and bring him to modern day barberdasheries for top-tier grooming. (Beware: Most men are fiercely loyal to their barbers. Following this suggestion requires above average persuasion skills.)
Back Alley Barber Shop
Location: Unit 1D, Alpha Salcedo Condominium, Salcedo Village, Makati. Open Mon – Fri from 11am to 9pm, and Sat – Sun from 10am to 9pm.
Connect: Facebook.com/backalleybarberandshop, @backalleybarberandshop on Instagram
Rates: Every service, such as a Haircut or a Haircut & Wash, comes with complimentary coffee, hand-brewed. The modern man can opt for a Shave (P450), Shoulder Massage and More (P450), and even a Hungover Treatment (P750), a refreshing facial treatment that includes a recovery mask and moisturizing products (using all imported brands).
Felipe & Sons
Location: Mezzanine A, LPL Manision, 122 San Agustin Street, Salcedo Village, Makati.Open Mon – Fri from 11am to 10pm, and Sat – Sun from 11am to 9pm.
Connect: Facebook.com/felipeandsons, @felipeandsons on Instagram
Built for modern gentlemen, Felipe & Sons houses all your grooming and styling essentials in one roof: get a shave and cut, and order a well-tailored shirt and suit. Relax and lounge with some whiskey or coffee while you're at it. Grooming packages are offered, such as Two Bits (Cut & Shave – P490), Two Bits Special (Cut & Luxury Shave – P950), and The Felipe (Cut, Shave & Drink – P590, choice of beer or wine). Father and sons get 10% discount on all services.
Titan 22
Location: Titan 22 has outlets located in Fort BGC, Ronac San Juan, Katipunan QC, Taft, Glorietta 5, and Alabang
Premier barbershop plus a basketball specialty concept store equals Titan. On its store side, footwear collectors can check out their showcase of performance basketball footwear and limited edition sneakers. Within the walls of the basketball-centric establishment, one can make a reservation with a barber for some much needed top quality grooming. Cut and Shave is at P250.
3. Take him out to a ball game.
Is your dad obsessed with basketball? Surprise him with tickets to this weekend's game. It’s Alaska vs Barako and Talk n’ Text vs Ginebra on June 15, 2014 (3PM) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Buy your tickets online at Ticketnet.
Photo: Ticketnet's website
4. Go on a food trip at the metro's culinary neighborhoods.
Invite your dad to resto-hop at the metro’s foodie destinations. Here are several Hungry Guide articles that will show you what to eat and what to try.
5. Let him feast like a king at his choice of buffet restaurant.
If we are to take the saying "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" as truth, then the king of your household deserves no less than a feast. Celebrate his special day in a buffet restaurant where he can eat what he want and what he can.
6. Go fishing and enjoy the outdoors.
Movies have taught us that there isn’t a more stereotypical Father-offspring bonding activity than catching fishes while mulling over some life lessons. Start this tradition at the following fishing centers in Manila:
La Mesa Ecopark
Quezon City
Photo: La Mesa Ecopark's website The park by the La Mesa dam is a sprawling complex of trees and wide spaces, perfect for reconnecting with nature. Fishing rod rental is here is at P20/ day. You have to pay P80 per kilo though for your catch.
Kap. Larry’s Pond
Barangay Coloong, Valenzuela City
401-52-34
At Kap’s pond, you can fish then grill your catch of the day. Grills that are available for cottage occupants. Rates: Cottage (P300 – P500); Entrance Fee: P25; Boat Ride: P40
How to get there: From Monumento Circle, take Mc Arthur Highway to Malanday (landmarks: to the right Meralco and Mercury Drugs and to the left United Coconut Planter's Bank). Turn left to M.H. Del Pilar Road and turn right to Coloong 1. Look for Coloong Elementary School at the right side and Coloong Chapel at the left. Turn right at the first street from Coloong Elementary School.
Photo: Kap Larry's Facebook page
7. Race for a prize.
Let your dad feel the thrill of being in a race by taking him to one of the biggest go-karting spots in Manila. Race against him and put a little sizzle to the competition by setting a special prize for the winner.
City Kart Racing
Circuit Makati, Barangay Carmona, Makati City
Rates: Go kart rental fees are priced at P590 per 12 minute run. There’s a P160 one-time registration for newcomers.
Hours: Monday to Thursday – 3:00pm to 12:00am; Friday to Sunday -10:00am to 12:00am. For inquiries and reservation, call +639174551060 or +639991661060 and look for Ms. Cherry.
Photo: City Kart's Facebook page
8. Hit the bull's eye.
If kart driving is too strenuous for your dad, you might want to take him to an archery range. Archery is this season's trendy sport, thanks to mainstream media spotlight in Hunger Games and Marvel’s The Avengers. Shooting arrows relaxes and builds character and patience. It's something a steady dad will likely enjoy.
Kondada Archery Range
Kodanda is a new indoor and fully air-conditioned archery range located at the lower ground floor of Makati Cinema Square. It’s a fitting place for those who want to try out their archery skills and learn the sport from professional coaches.
Beginners can try out for half an hour (P280), which includes the rent for the equipment and one target paper. If you’re more adventurous or want to have a longer session, you can try it out for 1 hour (P500, add P30 for the target paper) and this also includes rental of the equipment.
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There you have it: a listing of the coolest father-son/daughter bonding activities in the metro. Do you have other fun suggestions on how to celebrate Father's Day? Let us know in the comments section!
