Aina Zillan Zalila - Beyond the Classroom

While teaching and academic exchange became the core of my SEA Teacher journey, some of the most meaningful learning happened beyond the classroom walls. Exploring Manila allowed me to understand the Philippines not only as an educational destination, but as a country rich in history, culture, food, and everyday stories.

Fusion Alley

My journey outside campus began on May 3, just a day after arriving in Manila, when we visited Fusion Alley. It became my first real introduction to Filipino street food culture. Being there felt exciting because everything was new the smells, the sounds, and the crowded atmosphere of people enjoying food together.

That night, I learned something important as a Muslim traveler: not all food was halal, so I had to be more mindful and selective. It became my first practical lesson in adjusting to a different environment.

One of the most memorable foods I tried there was ihaw dried pusit (grilled dried squid). What made it even more memorable was learning about the “isang sawsaw” culture only dipping your food into the sauce once. It was funny at first, but it also showed me how even small food habits can carry cultural meanings.

That first night made me realize that cultural learning often starts at the dinner table.

Fort Santiago

On May 14 , we visited Fort Santiago, one of the most important historical sites in the country.

Inside the fort, I learned more about José Rizal, whose life and sacrifice became central to the Philippines’ fight for independence. Seeing his preserved prison cell, writings, and personal artifacts made the history feel real and emotional. What struck me most was the beauty of the old stone buildings and how they stood as witnesses to centuries of struggle. There was something powerful about standing in a place where history once happened. Fort Santiago reminded me that understanding a nation’s history helps us understand its people.

Intramuros

On the same day, I visited Intramuros, known as the historic walled city of Manila. Walking through Intramuros felt like stepping into another era. The Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and preserved walls gave me a vivid picture of the Philippines’ colonial past.

What fascinated me most was how history remained alive in the smallest details from the old churches to the horse-drawn carriages moving around the area.

Besides admiring the architecture, I also explored local snacks and tried some Spanish-influenced Filipino treats sold nearby. This made me realize how deeply food and history are connected.

Intramuros taught me that cities carry memories, and if we pay attention, their streets can tell us stories.

Rizal Park

One of the most personal places for me was Rizal Park.

During my first week in Manila, Firda and I spontaneously ran from our dormitory all the way to Rizal Park a total of 10 kilometers. At that moment, it was simply about exploring the city and enjoying the morning air, but looking back, it became one of my favorite memories because it felt so raw and unplanned.

Later, on May 15, I returned to Rizal Park with the National University Student Association for Islamic Affairs (NU SAIA). This second visit felt completely different. We spent the day exploring the Chinese Garden, sharing stories, having a picnic, and simply enjoying each other’s company. As the sun started to set, we watched the dancing fountain together.

It was one of those quiet moments that reminded me how beautiful exchange programs are not just because of academic growth, but because of the human connections formed along the way.

National Museum of the Philippines

On May 26, I visited the National Museum of the Philippines, where I explored three different buildings the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Anthropology, and the Museum of Natural History. What made this visit even more special was that we were given the privilege of having a personal tour guide through the connection of Mr. Christian H. Renegado, the Principal of Nursery to Junior High School at NU Nazareth School, whose wife works at the museum. Having a guide gave us a deeper understanding of the collections, stories, and historical significance behind each exhibition, making the experience far more meaningful.

At the Natural History museum, I saw various species of flora and fauna, many of which felt familiar because of how similar Indonesia and the Philippines are as tropical countries. One highlight was seeing Lolong, the world-famous giant crocodile, and the Philippine Eagle, which is featured on the 1000-peso bill.

At the Anthropology museum, I learned more about indigenous Filipino cultures, traditional clothing, and local languages. It was fascinating to see how diverse the Philippines truly is.

But my favorite was the Fine Arts museum.

As someone who deeply loves painting, seeing the famous Spoliarium in person was unforgettable. The scale, emotion, and history behind it left me speechless. Even the architecture of the museum itself felt like art.

That day reminded me how art preserves identity, history, and memory across generations.

Golden Mosque

On May 15, I had the chance to visit the Golden Mosque and perform Friday prayer there.

Being in Quiapo felt surprisingly comforting because the area was filled with Muslim communities. For a moment, it felt like home. Hearing familiar greetings, seeing halal food stalls, and praying together created a strong sense of belonging.

After prayer, we visited a local restaurant and tried Filipino-style rendang. It tasted surprisingly similar to Indonesian rendang, just less spicy.

It was a small but meaningful reminder that even far from home, familiar pieces of your identity can still find you.

Manila Ocean Park

On May 20, We visited Manila Ocean Park, and it became one of the most fun experiences of the trip.

I have always loved the ocean, so being surrounded by marine creatures brought me genuine happiness.

I saw penguins, walked through underwater tunnels, seen stingrays, and even entered a crocodile tunnel where I could see them up close. One funny thing I learned was that pagi is the Filipino word for stingray, which made us laugh because in Indonesian, selamat pagi means good morning.

We also got the chance to hold an eagle, which was both exciting and nerve-wracking.

It felt like reconnecting with childhood curiosity.

Eid Prayer at University of Makati

One of the most meaningful spiritual moments during my stay in the Philippines was celebrating Eid far away from my family and home country.

On the day of Eid, we traveled all the way from our dormitory to the University of Makati to perform Eid prayer. Being away from home during such an important celebration was something I had never imagined before, and at first, it felt heavy knowing I would not be with my family.

But that morning became something special. We left at 4:00 a.m. so we could arrive early and secure the front row of the prayer line. The early journey, the quiet streets, and the shared excitement made the experience feel even more memorable.

When we finally arrived and saw hundreds of fellow Muslims gathering together, I felt an immediate sense of comfort. Even though we were far from Indonesia, being surrounded by the Muslim community reminded me that faith creates a sense of home wherever you are.

Praying Eid in another country taught me that distance may separate us from family, but shared faith can bring unfamiliar places closer to the heart.

Makati

Makati became one of the places where I got to experience Manila beyond tourism.

As someone who enjoys running, I joined the Car-Free Sunday event in Makati, where the streets were filled with runners, cyclists, and people enjoying the city in a different rhythm. It felt refreshing to see a city so alive in the early morning.

During the run, I met a Muslim running community, which made the experience even more special. Connecting with people through something as simple as running reminded me how easy it can be to build connections, even in a foreign place.

On other days, I also spent time strolling around Makati, exploring its streets, observing daily life, and simply trying to understand the heartbeat of the city. Compared to the older and historical areas of Manila, Makati felt modern, fast-paced, and full of energy.

Walking around Makati gave me another perspective of the Philippines—not only its history and traditions, but also its urban life, ambition, and movement. It allowed me to feel what it is like to live, move, and breathe within one of the country’s busiest capitals.

Malls, Pasalubong, and Everyday Joy

Of course, life in Manila was incomplete without mall trips.

We visited several malls frequently not just for shopping, but for buying pasalubong, daily necessities, and taking photobooth pictures together. Among them were SM Malls and of course the largest Mall of Asia, Divisoria, Gateway Mall, Ayala Mall and Lucky Chinatown Mall.

These trips may seem simple, but they became some of the warmest parts of my exchange, laughing while choosing souvenirs, rushing to buy snacks before going home, and capturing little moments in photobooths. Sometimes, the smallest routines become the memories we miss the most.

Beyond the classroom, Manila taught me lessons that no textbook could ever offer. Through its streets, museums, food, and people, I learned that education exists everywhere as long as we are willing to see it.