Local Expert
Knox Balbastro
Having grown up outside the Philippines, Knox was raised on a diet of Macaulay Culkin movies, Barbie dreams, and the sounds of MTV. When she returned to the Philippines during her teens, she began to…
Having grown up outside the Philippines, Knox was raised on a diet of Macaulay Culkin movies, Barbie dreams, and the sounds of MTV. When she returned to the Philippines during her teens, she began to seek out a distinctly Pinoy culture. So far, she loves what she’s seeing. Manila for her is a fertile ground for art, music, fashion, and fun. Living in a little known, third world country definitely has its perks. Adventures are affordable and discovery doesn’t come in the usual package.
Her best advice for travellers new to the Philippines is to go out on the streets where faces, traffic, and landscape can create a collage of experiences that’s gritty and real.
Knox is a 24 year-old dreamer who also happens to be an advertising copywriter. She loves to travel and dreams of bag packing throughout the entire Philippine Archipelago. She hopes that through this blog, people from all over the world will find a reason to drop by.
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Fun Ranch: Where Kids Rule and Adults Rest
“Tough” is an understatement when you talk about travelling with toddlers. Take out a couple of hours to give your kids time to play and yourselves a much deserved break. For that, you’ll need a playpen on steroids a.k.a. “Fun Ranch”. Featuring shops, a restaurant, a playground, rides, and even a spa massage it’s just the thing to quell a child’s hyperactive appetite for fun.
The main attraction of this compound is a gigantic four-storey playground (kid’s height four-storey that is). It’s got giant slides that zig and zag and go round and round as well as hanging bridges and obstacle courses. It’s even got a mini basketball court and a softball gun range. The best thing about this adventure zone is that it’s completely padded so the likelihood of your kid getting hurt is virtually nil. Let them do their thing while you catch up on your reading.
However, you may also choose to accompany them if you’re the overprotective type. I warn you, it gets pretty addictive even for adults.
They charge a weekday hourly rate of P150 and weekend rate of P175.
Another unique thing about Fun Ranch is that is has the first Filipino spa-clinic-salon called, “Little Lambs”. It’s a family spa with a jacuzzi to relax and soothe all the members of your clan. You and your child can get a massage treatment together. Talk about taking touch therapy to the extreme.
After hard day of play, scoff down a variety of kid-friendly foods at the “Red Big Barn”. They have cheese pizza, french fries, and popcorn. Bland treats that kids go crazy over.
Expect to spend P500-P600 (approximately $12) per child. I took my niece there and it was worth it just to see how much fun a child will derive from a pool of brightly colored balls.
(Branch 1)
Fun Ranch,
Frontera Verde Ortigas Ave/ C5,
Pasig City
+632 396 5237,
+632 634 0067,
+632 396 5290
Hotline: 0906-3005231
(Branch 2)
Fun Ranch, Hobbies of Asia,
8 Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Ave.,
Pasay City, Metro Manila
+632 551 3848
Open: 12nn to 9pm on weekdays/ 9am to 10pm on weekends.