Manila

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 14.579
• Longitude: 120.9726

On Travellerspoint

• 2 Manila Apartments
• 2 Manila Guesthouses
• 5 Manila Hostels
• 4 Manila Hotels

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Introduction

Jeepney in Makati City - Metro Manila

© All Rights Reserved nilesh

Manila is not really known for being a tourist hot-spot, thanks in large part to a delectable combination of heavy pollution, the world's densest population, and a frantic pace of life. But Manila is a fascinating city nonetheless, where Latin influences infuse a modern east Asian city simultaneously experiencing the push of American globalisation.

Manila is located on Manila Bay, in the north of the Philippines on the island of Luzon. It is the second largest city in the wider metropolitan area of Metro Manila.

May Nilad (old name of Manila) was founded and ruled by Raja Matanda and later his nephew, Raja Suleiman, son-in-law of the Sultan of Brunei. Because of its wealth and prosperity, the Muslim settlement attracted the interest of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi who had previously conquered another wealthy settlement, the Malay kingdom of Cebu. From there, he sent an expedition to attack May Nilad led by Martin de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo. But the two and its forces were repelled by Raja Suleiman's troops. The Spaniards returned with de Legaspi himself leading. The conquest was successful, and from its ashes, the foundation of Intramuros was built.

The city got its name from an extinct mangrove species that bloom a white flower and once grew on the river banks called the Nilad. The locals called the place 'may nilad' which is translated as "having the nilad". Later the local name evolved from being Maynilad to Maynila and eventually internationally known as Manila.

Originally within the confines of Intramuros, Manila became the center of government during the Spanish era, with Fort Santiago guarding the mouth of the Pasig River.

Neighbourhoods

Some of the noteable districts within the city of Manila are the following:

• Binondo is home to the country's largest Chinatown.
• Ermita remains to be a red-light district but has scaled down its notoriety after the demise of the US military bases in Subic and Clark north of Manila in the early '90s.
• Intramuros is confined by 30-foot thick fortification walls built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. The walls delineate the original boundaries of the city of Manila.
• Malate is a popular dining and bar-hopping destination, specially Friday nights, among yuppies and the younger generation.
• Paco This district boasts of an enclave in the middle of a small rotunda called Paco Park, that used to be a Spanish cemetery in the 18th century. It has an old chapel within and rumoured to have originally contained the remains of the national hero, Jose Rizal, after his execution.
• Pandacan is located on the east where big oil depots are heavily guarded. There is growing demand from its residents to have them transferred elsewhere.
• Quiapo is popular for its Church where zealous Catholic devotees flock every Friday to pay homage to its known icon, the Black Nazarene.
• Sampaloc This district has a huge student population, mostly living in dormitories, apartments and flats, because of its proximity to major university campuses called the University Belt. During 19th century Spanish rule, up to the early 1900s of American occupation, Sampaloc was the red-light district of Manila. The more expensive brothels had European, American and Russian women.
• San Miguel is where Malacanang Palace, the Presidential Residence, is situated. It hugs the Pasig River on its north banks.
• Santa Ana is on the eastern part of the city; popular for its horse racetrack. Races held Wednesdays and Saturdays and alternate its schedule with a new and modern racetrack in Cavite province outside Metro-Manila.
• Santa Cruz is adjacent to Quiapo district and is popular for shopping among the locals, specially hardware and electronic goods along the streets of Raon, Carriedo, and Avenida.
• Santa Mesa is known for its spanking motels, dozens of them, in the eastern border with Mandaluyong City. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines, which has a very large student population, is nearby.
• Tondo is north of the Chinatown district and better known for its urban-poor populace.

Sights and Activities

Historical

• Intramuros. "Within the walls" in Spanish. The Walled City of Manila where during the Spanish colonial period, politicians, friars, and influential Hispanics reside.
• Fort Santiago. A historic fortress within Intramuros that guarded the mouth of the Pasig River. It was the main barracks of the Spanish Army for more than 3 centuries of Hispanic rule, then after that, the main garrison of the US Army during the American occupation. It served as prison of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, while being tried for treason by the Spanish Military Court until his execution in 1896.
• San Agustin Church. Built and completed in 1607 by friars of The Order of St. Augustine, it is the oldest church standing in the Philippines. Declared a National Historical Landmark by the government in 1976 and designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1993. It is located along Gen. Luna street within the walls of Intramuros. The adjacent monastery was converted into a museum now filled with interesting historical artifacts dating back to 100 BC.
• Manila Cathedral. Located inside Intramuros, the Manila Cathedral is the mother of all Catholic churches in the Philippines. It had been built and destroyed and rebuilt again numerous times since 1571. The current structure standing today is the 8th cathedral; only its facade was originally from the 7th cathedral which was built in 1870.
• Rizal Park. Also known as Luneta Park, the main park that marks the location of the monument of the Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. It was known as Bagumbayan during the Spanish rule.
• Malacañang Palace. The presidential palace, located along the north bank of the Pasig River. It was built in 1802 as a summer house by a wealthy Spanish noble named Don Luis Rocha. Because of his lavish lifestyle, he gave up the 16-hectare real estate to a Spanish army officer, Col. Jose Miguel Fiormento. In 1825, the manor was bought by the Spanish government where all succeeding Spanish Governor-Generals assigned to the Philippines took residence. The compound where it stood had expanded through time and numerous structures housing various offices had been built. Through wars, revolution and earthquakes, the original summer house remains standing and intact. The word Malacañang is derived from the Tagalog "may lakan diyan" which translates to "a nobleman lives there" in English.
• Chinatown. Situated in Binondo, it is the biggest Chinese community in the country where different Chinese goods, foods and products may be bought.

Cultural

• Cultural Center of the Philippines. opened its doors in 1999. Located along Roxas Boulevard at the south end of Manila, it is a grand edifice that plays host to both local and international cultural performances, exhibitions, shows and concerts. It houses the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Ballet Philippines, Philippine Folk Dance Company, and the world-known Madrigal Singers.
• Museong Pambata. An interactive museum for children and the younger generation. Located on the southwest fringe of Rizal (Luneta) Park, beside the US Embassy. Entrance fees: P100 adult or child; open Tuesdays thru Saturdays 8am-5pm and Sundays 1pm-5pm.

Eco Tourism

• Manila Ocean Park. The first oceanarium in the country that features endemic marine creatures found in the archipelago. It is located at the back of Luneta Grandstand, Luneta Park. Entrance fee: 400 pesos for adults, 350 pesos for kids. Opens daily.
• Arroceros Forest Park. Located near the Manila City Hall and adjacent to the Central Station of LRT line 1, this is the last and only forest park remaining in the city. Concerned citizens have fought hard to demand for its continued existence against pressures of redevelopment.

Entertainment

• Malate nightlife. Once part of the red-light district, it has become a busy destination for yuppies and younger individuals who enjoy bar-hopping and comedy bars specially on Friday nights. At those times, the bars extend their front real estate onto the street that are closed to traffic for the night.
• Ermita nightlife. Adjacent to Malate to the north, Ermita remains a red-light district but has scaled down its image since the Americans abandoned their military bases in the Philippines in 1991. Some sleazy bars still continue their business.

Shopping

• Divisoria. A very busy center for different goods that range from clothes, souvenir items, and to different raw materials and is famous for very cheap prices and best place for bargains. One has to be extra careful with personal belongings in the crowded streets and shopping malls as pickpockets roam the place.
• Quiapo. A block away from the famous Quiapo Church, this is a popular shopping destination among locals. Video and photographic equipment and supplies can be haggled at the lowest price in photo shops lining the streets of Hidalgo, Gomez and Palanca. Vegetable and fruit vendors line the side streets selling cheap fresh produce. The newbie traveller must be wary of the crowds as they are largely infested with pickpockets. The best ham in town is sold at Excellente along Palanca Street.
• Sta. Cruz Adjacent to Quiapo, Sta. Cruz is a shopping haven for hardware, D.I.Y. items, electronic goods and curios. Haggle hard and be aware of your surroundings for pick-pockets.
• Binondo The Chinatown. Popular for shopping wholesale, lots of bargains on retail. All banks have their branches set-up here as the place is secondary to the financial district, Makati, in terms of business volume. Relatively very safe for the traveller. Police presence is outstanding. Expect traffic to near-standstill during the months between November and Chinese New Year.

Events and Festivals

• Feast of the Black Nazarene. Held every ninth of January in Quiapo, Manila. A grand festival honoring the image of the Black Nazarene where devotees flock to the streets on bare feet during its procession.
• Chinese New Year. Movable date between January-February, coinciding with the Lunar month. Lots of merry-making in Chinatown (Binondo). Numerous on-street dragon and lion dances, parades and firecrackers. Locals visit the place to shop for Chinese delicacies, specially the favorite sticky rice cake Tikoy. Elaborate cultural shows culminate the day as national networks cover the event on Ongpin street, beside Binondo Church.

Other major Philippine festivals are listed in the Events and Festivals in the Philippines section.

Weather

There are two seasons that characterize the country's year-round weather system: dry (between December-May) and wet (June-November). During the wet or rainy season, the islands are frequently struck by typhoons (averaging 21 weather disturbances a year) between June to September and can extend up to the first week of December. The dry season is hot and humid and very balmy in coastal areas, ranging from 32 degrees Celcius to as high 39. It gets to be a gorgeous 20-28 degrees C between December and February. Elevated areas like the cities of Baguio and Tagaytay are 5-10 degrees cooler than the lowlands year-round.

Getting There

By Plane

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Manila Domestic Airport serves as the main airports to get to Manila. These airports, located south of Manila, are about 30 minutes' drive from the city.

By Train

The Philippine National Railways, whose train hub is located in Tutuban north of Manila, services the city to and from the southern provinces of Luzon and has stations along the way.

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

• Frugal Budget. 4-storey building Gwapotel Inn is managed by the government’s Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or MMDA located along Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila. Decent, safe and clean. Check-in at 2PM and leave before 9AM the following day. Bunk beds are arranged in rows inside halls. Separate quarters for male and female. Common showers. 20 pesos for a bunk bed, 5 pesos for an 8-minute shower, 25 pesos for a blanket. No airconditioning, just air curtains and fans. Very popular for traders, truckers, waiting ship passengers and other transients from the provinces. Some foreign backpackers, too.
• Low Budget. Motels are popular for people who wanted to rest or sleep in comfort. Come anytime of the day because rates are on a per-hour basis (200-300 pesos for the first 3 hours). A whole day costs 500-800 pesos. Airconditioned with Cable TV. Motels don’t have lobbies. Serviced apartments called apartelles usually rent out on a weekly or monthly basis, but increasingly, more rent out on a daily basis. Range: 1000-1500 pesos/day. Some have free breakfast as a come-on.

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Employment of foreigners require a work permit issued by the Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE).

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet cafes abound everywhere, specially near universities and schools that are relatively cheap. Coffee shops such as Starbucks, Figaro and others provide wifi connections.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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