Hobbies, Book Clubs & Groups

Third Places in Marikina: Where to Be When You're Not Home or at Work

A third place is somewhere that is neither home nor work. Here are the kinds of third places Marikina has, and why a city needs more of them.

The first place is home. The second is work or school. A third place is everywhere else you can simply be: somewhere you can stay a while, run into familiar faces, and not have to spend much.

People in Metro Manila search for third places a lot, because between traffic and malls, they can be hard to find. Marikina has more than most.

The river

Marikina River Park is the city's biggest living room. Joggers, cyclists, families, people doing nothing. It costs nothing and it is at its best early or late in the day.

Local cafés

An independent café where the barista knows your order is a classic third place. The Marikina coffee shop directory lists them by barangay. For somewhere you can settle with a laptop or notebook, see its study-friendly cafés, and for a reading corner, its book cafés.

Libraries and public spaces

The city library, plazas and covered courts. Under-used, free, and air-conditioned in the library's case.

Craft and hobby studios

Yarn shops, tufting studios and art studios give you a reason to stay and something to do with your hands. Conversation comes easily when everyone is making something.

Home studios

This is where we fit. CHQ Home Arts Studio is a lived-in apartment with art supplies on the table, a desk to work from, guitars against the wall and a window nook that looks out at the Rizal mountains. People come to cowork, make things, read or just sit. Because it is a home, visits are by message.

What makes a good third place

• You can stay without being rushed.
• You can go alone.
• There are regulars.
• It is close enough to reach on an ordinary day.

If you have one of these in Marikina, look after it. Go often, be kind to the staff, bring a friend.