Manila

MANILA CITY

Manila is the capital of the Philippines, it is a vibrant metropolis. It is a hodgepodge of old and new buildings, Despite pockets of poverty, Manila is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and its metropolitan area is the country's economic, cultural, educational, and industrial center. Manila host many prestigious universities and centers of learning including the University of Santo Tomas, Southeast Asia's oldest university.

Manila is almost synonymous to Metro Manila, which actually comprises 17 cities and municipalities with over 10 million residents. It is considered one of the mega-metropolis of the world. Centers of Business are the Binondo district, Ortigas Center and the business district, Makati City.

It can be overwhelming to first timers, especially to tourist who can’t wait to leave Manila’s chaotic traffic, heat and pedestrians. But spend a little time and discover the little secrets of the city and the friendliness of the people. There are many All Inclusive Holidays offered by travel agencies tourist can choose from.

Shopping in Manila is a way of life. Almost everywhere you go are stores, shops, boutiques from the small corner store to the giant malls that you can find almost everywhere you go in Metro Manila.

The walled city of Intramuros is a must see for tourist. Within its walls are the centuries old Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church & Museum. Also inside it’s walls is Fort Santiago, a Spanish fortress and garrison -now a park. Located at the mouth of Pasig River, Intramuros was built to defend Manila from invaders. Today, inside the walled city are houses from the Spanish times that have survived. Some have been converted into cozy restaurants, museums, dormitories and souvenir shops.

Manila Ocean Park, located at the back of Quirino Grand Stand in Rizal Park, Manila. It is a multi-million, state-of-the-art oceanarium complex with an open water marine habitat, restaurants, function rooms and marine research facilities.

Malacañang Palace - The official residence of the president of Philippines. It also houses some government offices, the Malacañang Museum and the Presidential Museum. The palace is an 18th century villa along the Pasig river located in the center of Manila. It was purchased by the Spanish government in 1825 and  has been renovated and expanded through the decades. Malacanang Palace was first used as the Spanish Governor-General's summer residence. In 1937 became the official residence of the Philippine President. Manuel L. Quezon was the first Filipino chief executive to live in Malacañang Palace. 

At the center of Manila, every 9th of January is the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Central to the feast is the largest procession in the country. A life-size, image of Jesus Christ, venerated through the centuries (made of Blackwood) is paraded through the streets of Quiapo District beside China Town. The mammoth procession is a daylong event. It is an occasion much anticipated by devotees and some tourist. So if you are uneasy with large crowds, avoid the area on that date, the traffic within the Quiapo area and beyond comes to a halt. But to the religious or the daring, it is a sight to behold.

Manila's nightlife is vibrant. There are countless bars, restaurants, discos, Karaoke lounges, piano bars and cafés. For the bohemian, the Malate district would be an ideal place to hang out, for the more cosmopolitan and trendy, the Greenbelt and the Fort in Makati is the place to be or try Libis and Tomas Morato in Quezon City. There are also 3 casinos in Manila -if one is inclined to take a bet. The possibilities are endless, one just have to discover what Manila has to offer.

Places of Interest in Manila:

China Town, Binondo

Rizal Park
The Walled City of Intramuros
Fort Santiago
Metropolitan Museum (Central Bank)
Malacañang Palace Museum (open Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, Tel. # 733-3721)
National Museum
Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex (CCP)
Manila Cathedral & San Agustin Church
University of Santo Tomas Museum
Casino Filipino (for those who enjoy the game of chance)
San Sebastian Basilica - wholly made of steel, it’s was the second building to be
   made out of steel, next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
 
Manila Night Life
Malate District in Manila
Green Belt, Makati
Jupiter St., Makati
Embassy bar, Pier One, Jaipur at The Fort, Taguig
Libis, Quezon City
Tomas Morato, Quezon City

Hotels in Manila:

Astoria Plaza Hotel
Atrium Suites
Century Park Hotel
City Garden Suites
Edsa Shangri-La Hotel
Dusit Hotel Nikko
Heritage Hotel Manila
Hyatt Regency Hotel
Holiday Inn Manila
Hotel InterContinental Manila
Lancaster Hotel Manila
Lotus Garden Hotel
Las Palmas Hotel
Manila Diamond Hotel
Manila Galleria Suites
Mandarin Oriental
Manila
The Manila Hotel
New World Renaissance Hotel
Shangri-La Makati
Sofitel Philippine Plaza
The Peninsula Manila
Tiara Oriental Hotel
Traders Hotel

Metro Manila Shopping Centers

Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa
Araneta Commercial Center in Cubao, Quezon City
Cinema Square in Makati
Divisoria, Tutuban Mall in Manila
Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa
Glorietta Mall in Makati
Greenhill’s Commercial Center in San Juan
Harrison Plaza in Manila
SM Malls: Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Makati, Mega Mall, SM North Edsa, SM Center Point, SM Sucat, Marikina & South Mall
Robinson’s Malls in Manila & Ortigas
Rustan’s Department Stores in Makati and Alabang Town Center
Star Mall along Edsa in Mandaluyong
Trinoma Mall along Edsa in Quezon City