His name was Migs...
The Philippines has been my favourite place to travel to for years—a mix of glittering chaos, tropical escape, and a queer scene that, while discreet, is wildly underrated.
This trip was a perfect blend of city mischief and island magic, starting in the nightlife maze of Poblacion, leading to some beachside debauchery in Boracay, and ending with a Manila date that left me soft-smitten.
Here’s how it all went down—hydration and heart included.
Serenity & Spirit
My first stop as soon as I land in Manila is Lasema Spa. I normally arrive at a really odd time, so can’t immediately check into my accommodation, so I jump in a taxi and head straight to Lasema for 12 hours of disconnection, thermal baths and communal snoozing.
Lasema Spa in Manila is a Korean-style wellness centre modelled after a jjimjilbang—a traditional Korean bathhouse and sauna complex. But unlike your average day spa, Lasema offers a multi-sensory, all-hours experience that blurs the line between relaxation, ritual, and social spectacle.
As you enter, you’re greeted by soft lighting, Korean ambient music, and the slightly steamy scent of eucalyptus and warm wood. The first step is the gender-segregated bath area—lockers, showers, and soaking tubs await. Here, guests slip out of their daily armour (and their clothes), surrendering to a space where everyone is equal in the nude. In the male section, the vibe is often quietly charged—lingering glances exchanged through mirrors, subtle brushes past one another near the cold plunge, and a certain energy that suggests some guests are here for more than muscle recovery.
After bathing, guests change into uniform lounge sets and head into the co-ed jjimjilbang area, where various themed saunas await—clay, ice, salt, and charcoal. People lounge on mats, doze off in heated rooms, sip Korean teas, and scroll their phones beneath glowing lanterns. There’s a low, sensual rhythm to the space. It’s quiet, but not silent. Intimate, but not overt. And while Lasema isn’t a s*x venue by definition, there’s an unspoken language among some of the male guests—eyes meet a second longer than necessary, one might follow another into a lesser-trafficked sauna, or back to the locker room for a second round of “relaxation.”
It’s not uncommon to see solo visitors, especially late at night, when the spa feels more like a dreamscape—draped in sweat and shadows, equal parts serenity and suspense. For some gay and queer men in Manila, Lasema is a discreet refuge. A place to decompress. To cruise. To explore subtle, wordless connections in a culture where that still carries risk.
Whether you’re there for the saunas or the stolen moments, Lasema offers a unique blend of comfort and curiosity—wrapped in the steamy, softly lit world of a modern Korean bathhouse.
After recovering from the international flight with a 10-hour stay at Lasema, I head to my hotel to check in, and get ready to explore Poblacion once again.
I chose to stay at Lub D Philippines Makati Hotel for this trip. Everytime I use dating apps in Manila, everyone seems to be staying there. The price was good value, you shouldn’t expect The Ritz, but it’s great for location and comfort.
Poblacion, Makati’s not-so-secret bohemian hideaway, is a neighbourhood that feels like Berlin and Bali had a baby and left it to be raised on craft cocktails and neon signage. It’s gritty, it’s charming, it’s confusing after three gin infusions—but it’s fabulous.
My trip kicked off at Spirits Library, a moody, book-lined speakeasy that’s part apothecary, part Harry Potter fantasy, and entirely intoxicating. The mixologists aren’t just bartenders—they’re wizards in waistcoats. I sipped on a smoked negroni while eavesdropping on a very serious discussion about mezcal by two guys in matching harnesses.
Later that night, I climbed the stairs to The Funroof, a rooftop bar that feels like someone’s fabulous garage party got out of hand—in the best way. Think fairy lights, reggae remixes, frat boy games, and a crowd that knows how to dance without taking itself too seriously.
After some boozy pineapple concoction and enough flirting to warrant a warning label, I was feeling adventurous, a little tipsy, and—let’s be honest—ready for something a bit steamier than a second round of mezcal. Enter: Urus Wellness Hub.
Late Night: Urus Wellness Hub
Tucked away behind an unassuming door, Urus is Poblacion’s best kept secret—a bathhouse that somehow manages to be stylish, discreet, and thrillingly naughty. Let’s just say I didn’t go there to rehydrate. The lighting was low, the energy was high, and I may have met a tattooed dancer from Quezon City who promised he could show me around the steam room—and the rest of the city, too.
We’ll call him J for discretion (and mystique).
After my personal tour of the facilities, my night ends here, I decided in this moment I needed to get out of Manila for a little while to recharge. And with thousands of island, the next morning, I pick one and head to the airport.
After my personal tour of the facilities, my night ends here, I decided in this moment I needed to get out of Manila for a little while to recharge. And with thousands of island, the next morning, I pick one and head to the airport.
Boracay Bound: Beach Bodies & Boat Rides
After a few wild nights in the city that followed a similar pattern, it was time for a change of pace—and scenery. I hopped on the short flight to Boracay, one of the Philippines’ most iconic island paradises. As the plane touched down, I could already feel the energy shift. Manila was chaotic charm; Boracay was soft sand, clear water, and the soothing whisper of “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.”
I checked into a beachfront resort along Station 2 called Coast Boracay, where the vibe is equal parts chill and champagne-soaked. By day, my time on the island was watersports galore: jet skiing, paddle boarding, banana boating (which sounds more suggestive than it is—sadly).
By night, the island transforms. Fire dancers spin along the shore, and beach bars pulse with deep house as strangers become friends—or something more—over tequila shots and slow-motion ocean dips. My evenings always started with watching the sunset at Om Bar. It’s the perfect place to see the sun disappear behind the ocean’s horizon, whilst simultaneously eyeing the beautiful bodies that saunter past in both directions.
Boracay wouldn’t be complete without a night in Club Galaxy. Opt for a VIP table and the club provides a dedicated Security Guard who remains with you all evening, and even escorts you to the bathroom. It’s quite an experience.
Let’s just say the Boracay blackout is real. But it’s a beautiful kind of blur.
Back to Manila, Romance, Rice Bowls & The Soft Launch of a Love Story
I returned to Manila with sandy flip-flops, new freckles, and a need for something slower. That’s when we met.
We matched on a dating app—his profile picture was taken in front of a mountain; mine was me pretending to drink responsibly. Our first meet-up was supposed to be “just coffee.” It became a full-blown boyfriend experience. His name was Migs.
We met in BGC (Bonifacio Global City); him with iced lattes in hand for the two of us, and me with a goofy smile at being courted. I had always assumed the courteous and gentlemanly role, so this was a new experience for me.
We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through galleries in The Alley at Karrivin, laughing at each other’s taste in art and falling into that easy rhythm that usually takes weeks—not hours.
We arrive at Toyo Eatery for dinner (because nothing says romance like modern Filipino fine dining and a shared dessert).
Later, we grabbed drinks at Yes Please, one of BGC’s cooler bars with ‘90s nostalgia and dangerously good whiskey sours. We talked about life, travel, dating in the city, and whether or not I’d be back. There was no rush, no pressure, just a really good connection. The kind that makes you wish your return flight had mysteriously been cancelled.
We didn’t spend the night together. It didn’t feel necessary. Instead, we made our way home and he hugged me tight at the hotel lobby and said, “Next time, dinner’s on me.” A soft goodbye with just enough space for a maybe.
There’s something magnetic about this country. You come for the beaches and nightlife, but stay for the warmth—not just from the sun, but from the people you meet when you’re not looking for anything… until something finds you.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. For the clubs, the chaos, the cocktails, and maybe even a second date with Migs (hi, if you’re reading).
