These days, not every barkada summer plan has to mean booking flights or planning a whole weekend away. In fact, the plans that usually push through are often the ones closer to home, because it’s so much easier to get everyone to say yes and actually show up.
It’s also a more practical way to make the most of the season while keeping things simple, manageable, and more budget-friendly – no hassles or stress over planning. If you’re looking for activities your whole barkada can easily say yes to, here are three ideas that are worth considering this summer.
1. Rediscover your neighborhood
Summer is a good time to rediscover what your neighborhood has to offer, because more often than not, there are plenty of activities nearby just waiting to be discovered. But with busy schedules, they often get overlooked.
It can be as simple as checking out a nearby fitness studio or trying out movement-based activities. For something slower-paced, there are also museums and galleries to visit, or pop-up bazaars featuring local brands, crafts, and hands-on activities that offer a different kind of barkada hangout. It’s a nice way to make summer feel different from the usual without needing to go far or spend too much.
2. Go on a food crawl
Food crawls are one of the easiest barkada plans to organize, because who doesn’t love sharing a good meal with their closest friends? They let you explore different spots in one area, try more food, and split dishes (and the bill!) so everyone gets to taste and enjoy a bit of everything.
There are plenty of go-to areas around Metro Manila to do a food crawl. Binondo is home to some of the oldest Chinese restaurants and iconic merienda spots, while Maginhawa is packed with a wide range of food options for every craving. San Juan is also becoming a go-to neighborhood for new and exciting concepts, while Poblacion has enough options to keep the barkada going well into the night.
For trusted restaurants and sulit finds, food creator Remy Eats regularly shares neighborhood food guides and recommendations (Watch here on Tiktok and Instagram) that are perfect for barkada food trips. But as fun as they are, settling the bill is usually where things get tricky. Luckily, with GCash, barkadas can easily settle bills with hassle-free and fast payments.
If someone pays ahead for the group, splitting the bill with the barkada is just as easy when using GCash. “The best thing about food crawls is how spontaneous they can be,” says Remy. “When you’re hopping from one place to another, it helps to use GCash so everyone can send their share right away without worrying about cash or change.”
3. Set up a barkada sleepover
Why go out when you can just stay in? Sleepovers are the settings for some of the best barkada summer moments, and it’s a great way to make the most out of the season without the worries of reservations or having to travel far.
Whether it’s preparing a meal, or setting up a movie marathon until late at night, or turning the living room into the setting for a board game tournament, there’s no shortage of ways to keep things fun without spending much.
To make it even more engaging, each friend can take on something to bring - snacks, dessert, or drinks - or you can simply order in and keep things easy. Whatever it is, splitting payments is still just as seamless when done through GCash.
For content creator Paco (@chomppzz on Tiktok and @fpchompz on Instagram), this kind of setup captures what summer should feel like. “Barkada sleepovers are honestly one of the stories that you tell your kids in the future— no planned itinerary, no big spending, just a night with good food, company, and unexpected stories you will never forget”
Make barkada summer easier with GCash
At the end of the day, the best summer plans are the ones where there is no complicated planning involved, no budget stress, and no payment hassles. With GCash, barkadas can split bills, send payments, and manage shared experiences – making group plans easier to say yes to. Download the GCash app today and say yes to easier, more manageable barkada activities this summer!
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