Malate, Manila

Whenever I am in the Philippines, I never miss visiting Malate, Manila. The word Malate is believed to have stemmed from the corruption of the Tagalog word “ma-alat,” meaning “salty.” Legends have it that tidewaters from Manila Bay flowed inland as far as where the Remedios Circle is presently located.

On February 7, 2008 I was the honored guest at the grand opening of Socialista, a night club-restaurant owned and operated by Yoko and Joseph “Jong” Garcia. Socialista brings back the glamour of Remedios, Malate. For those who grew up during my time, you will recall that Remedios Malate is the home to 604 Café Gallery, formerly the Penguin Café, a well-loved place by artists. Around Remedios Circle, the creations of Larry Cruz, arguably Manila’s most successful restaurateur, predominate and each with a theme of its own. Café Adriatico is known for Spanish-based Filipino food and refined ambience, Café Havana for Cuban cooking and Hemingway-inspired cigar room, Bistro Remedios for regional Filipino delicacies, Guernicas for traditional Spanish food, and Larry’s Bar as a hangout of rich kids.

On the other side of the Remedios Circle is the Remedios extension, along which can be found Arkadia, where you can listen to some live musical acts over pizza. The Red Crab serves seafood and steaks while Tia Maria has the best Tex-Mex flavors. Dematisse is for Italian snacks while Café El Dorado is for Spanish ones.

On February 7, 2008 I was the honored guest at the grand opening of Socialista, a night club-restaurant owned and operated by Yoko and Joseph “Jong” Garcia. At the last minute, I was requested by Jong to do the ribbon cutting in the absence of Vice Mayor Isko Moreno. I was told the Vice Mayor had to attend a special session and could not make it in time for the grand opening. I had the pleasure of meeting some movie celebrities and prominent members of the business industry like Councilor Yul Servo and Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. Director, Office of Tourism Coordination.

Socialista brings back the glamour of Remedios, Malate. For those who grew up during my time, you will recall that Remedios Malate is the home to 604 Café Gallery, formerly the Penguin Café, a well-loved place by artists. Around Remedios Circle, the creations of Larry Cruz, arguably Manila’s most successful restaurateur, predominate and each with a theme of its own. Café Adriatico is known for Spanish-based Filipino food and refined ambience, Café Havana for Cuban cooking and Hemingway-inspired cigar room, Bistro Remedios for regional Filipino delicacies, Guernicas for traditional Spanish food, and Larry’s Bar as a hangout of rich kids.

On the other side of the Remedios Circle is the Remedios extension, along which can be found Arkadia, where you can listen to some live musical acts over pizza. The Red Crab serves seafood and steaks while Tia Maria has the best Tex-Mex flavors. Dematisse is for Italian snacks while Café El Dorado is for Spanish ones.

On Friday and Saturday nights, Malate is the place to be seen. It is the place for artists, expats, and gays – a bohemian hangout. Malate has been called the center of gay night life, and has a Gay Pride Parade every year.

Today, if you visit the Remedios extension, you will still see Arkadia, Tia Maria, Café Adriatico, and Dematisse. Arkadia and Dematisse are owned and operated by Yoko and Jong. Because of the ingenuity of Yoko and Jong, a fully renovated Socialista is born in place of Red Crab. Socialista is a total party heaven. It is alive with pumping music. It is the place for fine dining and international gourmet.