Pearl of the Orient

Established more than 350 years ago, Manila is one of Southeast Asia’s oldest cities. Sadly much of its history was ruined during the WWII bombing to liberate the city. However glimpses of the past are seen in the Old Intramuros district, with restored walls and World Heritage site Cathedrals. But the city offers much more besides, with parks, a sweeping bayside promenade and great shopping in Makati.

This blog and eventual travel site reveals the best of Manila for tourists, where to eat and stay, some well kept secrets, day trips and more, it’s part of a bigger series under development, and written by an old hand on Philippines travel.

For more on Luzon, Manila, the Philippines and its culture and people keep this site bookmarked.

As the capital of the Philippines, Manila is offers a lot of exciting venues and activities that both visitors and locals can enjoy. A visit to this beautifully chaotic city is not complete without experiencing any of the activities and places that defines Manila and its people. Here are some of the best things to see and experience during your visit to Manila:

1. Shopping – Most of Manila’s streets are lined with various shops and stores ranging from malls to individual merchants, thrift stores, and establishments where you can shop for unique finds and souvenirs. Most neighbourhoods also tend to have nearby malls that are easily accessible via public transportation like jeepneys, buses, and the metro rail, but you can also take a cab to those places. Fare to the major shpping districts from the city centre should be about P150 to P200 (about $3 to $4). Try shopping in Divisoria, the Mall of Asia, and Cubao Expo.

2. Sightseeing – Manila is the heart of Luzon where the Spanish rule was centered for over 300 years. When sightseeing in the city, be sure not to miss Intramuros, a walled city that the Spaniards built back in the 1500s. Step inside and feel as if you have traveled back in time to Old Manila. Explore sites like the San Agustin Church, the Manila Cathedral, Casa Manila, and Fort Santiago. This walled city is best explored on foot, but if you get tired, you can take the calesa.

A "calesa" in Intramuros

3. Nightlife – Manila has everything from loud music bars, dance clubs, and laid-back bars that complement the varying tastes of its locals and visitors. While most hotels have their own bars and clubs, you can also experience clubbing, bar-hopping, dancing, and listening to local musical performances in nightlife hubs like Malate, Tomas Morato in Quezon City, Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Eastwood City.

4. Go beyond Manila – Although the city itself is filled with a lot of entertainment and shopping options, there are nearby towns that are worth visiting for their amusement parks, resorts, and beaches. Because of the newly revamped express ways connecting Manila to both northern and southern provinces, it’s easy to access these places. One is Enchanted Kingdom, an amusement park in Laguna where you can spend the entire day. You may also head to Tagaytay for the Taal Volcano or for a picnic at the Picnic Grove. You can also head to Batangas – about three hours from Manila – to sample some of the best beaches there.

Manila is one of the best cities to visit for the young and energetic traveller. If you’re looking for an interesting mix of the old and the new, there are a lot of surprises waiting for you in Metro Manila.

The capital of the Philippines is an industrial metropolis which has a history dating back to the 16^th century. Influences of its Spanish colonial era are still alive to this day through the cobblestone streets, historic buildings and ruins in the walled city of Intramuros.

After learning more about the country’s past through the many museums in the city, it’s time to go back to the present through Manila’s vibrant city scenes. Metro Manila is known as a shopping hub and entertainment and culinary center. If you don’t have enough time to explore the other cities and provinces in the country, you can experience a bit of everything by just visiting Manila.

Shopping

Shopping destinations are located all over the Metro. The most affordable wares can be purchased from the Divisoria Flea Market and Quiapo where you can find some of the best handicrafts and electronics. Chinatown in Binondo is also worth visiting while Sampaloc and the Dangwa Flower Market is the best place for those looking for cheap but beautiful flowers.

Antiques can be found along the shops in Ermita. Aside from Malate, this is a main Tourist Belt and nightlife district in the city.

Food

Filipinos love to eat so you’ll find a wide range of restaurants all over the city. The most interesting restaurants are located along Baywalk, Malate, and dotted around Makati. There are also a lot of restaurants based in the many malls around the Metro. Greenbelt in Makati is an upcoming lifestyle center with its upscale restaurants, bars and retail stores.

A trip to Manila isn’t complete without sampling its street food. For an adventure-filled gastronomic treat, try balut, isaw and kwek-kwek available along the streets and even in many dining spots inside malls.

Shop for sportswear

They say that money cannot buy happiness and this is probably why Filipinos are among the happiest nations on earth. The Philippines is a third world country so poverty is still a pressing concern as a lot of families are still unable to keep food on their tables. But in spite of all this, Filipinos still find reasons to smile and be happy.

You would think that two typhoons would wipe the smile off their faces completely, but no. After Ondoy (Ketsana) and then Pepeng (Parma) caused multi-billion peso destruction to the country, the Filipinos are now trying to pick up the pieces with optimism and hope as their primary motivators.

Ondoy brought heavy rainfall in the Philippines, submerging many areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces in 20 feet high floodwater. Within a weekend, people have been displaced from their homes, separated from their families and even lost a few of their members to the typhoon in the process. Ondoy caused more than three hundred deaths in the country alone.

A few days later, Pepeng hovered over the northern part of the Philippines and aggravated the situation. Flooding has extended to other provinces with the uplands experiencing major landslides that have rendered a lot of roads impassable and isolating them from the rest of the country.

It was one of those periods when you can’t help but feel hopeless and miserable. Interestingly, however, the Filipino optimism still prevailed. People are already crammed in evacuation centers but they still lived on each day, hoping that things will get better. Accounts of heroism, online volunteerism through social networking sites with Filipinos soliciting help and support, and stories of how communities worked together to overcome the tragedy are more than enough to bring back the smile in people’s faces.

For the Filipinos, all is not lost. If anything, the recent tragedies have become opportunities for them to remember that all they need is to work together to make things better.

Behind the bustles of the city life and beyond the noises and chaos of the city’s pace is Manila’s wealth of heritage. Deep within the city’s frenzy hides the spectacles of history that brought about its greatest and most alluring attractions. Manila, despite its often-disparaged background, holds the finest of the country’s cultural heritage. Intramuros, the country’s heritage district, pretty much defines Manila. The “Walled City” which dates back from the Spaniard occupation in the 16^th century was practically wiped out, though not completely, during the Second World War, leaving some parts of the wall still standing. However, this just adds to the grandeur of the site. Within the historic fortress are some World Heritage sites such as the San Agustin Church (oldest in the Philippines), and other notable constructions such as the Manila Cathedral and Fort Santiago. Within the Walled City is a mix of the traditional and modern, where you could enjoy the eclectic tourism in horse drawn carriages, through the sights and sounds of contemporary Manila.

Beyond the walls is the muddled jungle of the city. Through the entanglements of streets are the omnipresent jeepneys – the most practical means of going back and forth the outskirts of town. Amid the great contrast of traditional monuments, ancestral buildings and towering steel and industrial constructions, the ghosts of the past still linger. Nights are most alive with the line of enticing bars that showcase the people’s great inclination to music and art. Open-air theatres also stand in the most scenic places.

Aside from the greatest historical attractions and naturally rich parks and reserves, another notable facet of the city is its Chinatown in Binondo. This Chinese alcove amid the Philippine soil is filled with everything that defines their friendly culture. The enduring scent of incense through the Buddhist temples and the unique smell of Chinese delicacies define the ambiance of Manila’s Chinatown.

When visiting Manila, Philippines, one of the must-see places is Intramuros. Dubbed as “The Walled City”, it is among Manila’s most-visited attractions that is characterized by its high and thick walls, and moats that surround an old city that dates back to the 16^th century. Taking a walk through its cobblestone streets already provides a treat to the senses since you are surrounded with an atmosphere that takes you back in time to experience what Old Manila looked like during the time when it was being conquered by the Spaniards.

Intramuros is easy to navigate in because of its highly organized street plan, so you are unlikely to get lost when you are touring it. Start early in the morning – around 7am – when it is no yet too hot. The best place to get started on your sightseeing venture in the walled city is at Calle Real del Palacio or General Luna. As the main street, it gives you easy access to a good number of notable attractions of Intramuros such as the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Church that serve as the symbols of the country’s old Catholic heritage.

The oldest church in the Philippines is San Augustin Church, and it is already a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts a Baroque architecture that managed to survive World War II. The church also boasts magnificent and breathtaking interiors that both Catholics and non-Catholics can appreciate for their beauty and grandeur. The church also has its own museum that houses a large collection of ecclesiastical vestments, religious art from the Spanish colonial rule, and other cultural and religious artefacts.

Opposite San Agustin is the Spanish colonial house, Casa Manila that gives you a glimpse of what a typical home ambiance was like during the time of Old Manila. Inside are antiquities ranging from artwork, furniture, and other household necessities from that time period. Just beside Casa Manila is the Philippine Art, Craft, and Cultural Center that is home to several art galleries, souvenirs, and antiques that showcase the best that Philippine culture has to offer.

Further exploring Intramuros takes you to Fort Santiago that allows you to learn more about Philippine history through the national hero of the country, Jose Rizal, as he was imprisoned there and taken to his execution grounds outside the walled city that is currently known as Rizal Park.

Manila can be a thrilling city if you let it show you a good time. There certainly is an exciting nightlife to explore once the sun goes down. The warm evenings in Manila are well spent exploring the strips of bars and clubs lining the streets of downtown – an area that combines both western and oriental nightlife options.

If you want to hangout in classier establishments, you can explore the share of clubs and bars located at the nearby Global City and Makati. Both are home to upscale bars (especially along the Greenbelt area). You would be surprised to see a wide array of high-end clubs where you can dance the night away. Heading over to Quezon City, your best options for a more down-to-earth nightlife would be in Tomas Morato Avenue or in Panay Avenue where you can find a range of English-speaking comedy bars, dining establishments, and clubs. There is also Eastwood City in Libis where fusion of family-friendly and exciting options is available.

Many of the bars in Manila have certain themes that define what they are. Some are focused on certain genres of music, while there are those that are focused on good food and drinks. Some of the best bars to visit if you want to sample the sound of local bands include the Conspiracy Bar at Visayas Ave., 70’s Bistro in Anonas, and the RJ Bar in Makati. There is also the eccentric Hobbit House in Mabini Street that you will appreciate for its unconventional and quirky atmosphere.

Most of the bars in Manila tend to close by 2 a.m., but they may extend their operating hours on the weekends and during the holidays. Dress codes tend to vary depending on the establishment that you are going to. Just make sure you are dressed properly and suitable for the venue. Also, the legal drinking age in Manila is 18.

For years, the main tourist destinations in the city of Manila have always been the walled city of Intramuros, nearby Rizal National Park, and Binondo (Chinatown). The year 2008 saw the addition of a new, more modern attraction to this line-up: Manila Ocean Park.

Manila Ocean Park is a sprawling 8,000 square meters oceanarium located on reclaimed land behind the Quirino Grand Stand, which is near the historic Rizal Park. Some parts of the park are still under development but its 25 meter underwater acrylic tunnel is already open to the public.

Although several meters shy of the underwater acrylic tunnel of the Sentosa Underwater World in Singapore, the tunnel at Manila Ocean Park is not to be left behind in terms of number and variety of marine life. The tunnel contains more than 200 species of marine life, which mostly are mostly tropical fishes found in the Philippine seas. Walking down the tunnel, you can also get up close and personal with various coral species, stingrays, barracudas, a variety of deep-sea fishes, and different kinds of sharks.

The main oceanarium at the Manila Ocean Park is divided into seven parts namely agos (flow), bahura (the reef), laot (fishing ground), buhay na karagatan (living ocean), kalaliman (the deep), pagi (sting ray), and pating (shark). The underwater tunnel is located at the Buhay na Karagatan portion of the ocenarium.

In addition to the seven portions, the main ocenarium also has a concourse plaza, multipurpose hall, a marine themed mall, and an open water marine habitat. You can fully enjoy all of these facilities late in 2009, when the park is in full operation.

Manila Ocean Park is easily accessible from the Manila Bay Area by cab or taxi. There is an entrance fee of P400 for adults and P350 for children collected at the admission area. The establishment allows the taking of pictures while inside the aquarium so you can easily document your visit to the facility.

A few kilometres from Intramuros and Rizal Park is another of Manila’s top destinations. Binondo, the city’s very own Chinatown, is a small district located near the shopping district of Divisoria.  Despite its size, Binondo is home to some of Manila’s best kept secrets.

In every corner and along every street of Binondo are a variety of interesting shops where you can buy almost anything –from delectable sweets to good luck charms and traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Each street is also lined with numerous restaurants and hole-in-the wall eateries serving exquisite, and at times exotic, Chinese cuisine. What adds most to the charm of this place is the ever-present fragrance of incense that trails both tourists and locals around. Binondo has several temples that are not far in structure and design from the ones their counterparts in Hong Kong and mainland China.

The best time to visit Binondo is during the Chinese festivals, when the whole district is dressed up and each establishment in it is fully decorated. During the Chinese New Year, the streets of Binondo are filled with dragon and lion dancers and each of its shops is decked with traditional decor. Meanwhile, during the moon festival latter in the year, moon cakes take center stage in Binondo. During this festival, you would find sold in every bakery in the district different kinds of moon cake, a delectable Chinese pastry filled with either yam or bean paste. Most moon cakes found in Binondo are of the traditional Chinese recipes but there are those that are incorporated with local Filipino tastes.

Eating in Binondo is both a delight and an adventure. Some of the oldest restaurants in the Philippine are located in this district –along with some of the oddest dishes in the country. Restaurants in Binondo offer the traditional Chinese dishes of noodle soup and a variety of rice pastries but it also serves dishes that require an adventurous palate to sample.

A visit to Intramuros in Manila feels like travelling through time. The walled city still bears the look of Old Manila with its historic churches and cobblestone streets. If you want to learn more about the country’s history, a walk along the streets of Intramuros is definitely in order.

The best thing about the district is that it has an organized street plan so it’s difficult to get lost during your tours. General Luna or Calle Real del Palacio is a popular starting point. This main street will give you access to a number of attractions around the walled city. Get a glimpse of the old Catholic heritage of the country through visits to the San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral.

San Agustin Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its Baroque architecture. The structure is one of the few that managed to survive the Second World War and is touted as the oldest church still standing in the Philippines. It has a museum where you will find an extensive collection of Spanish colonial religious art, ecclesiastical vestments and other cultural artefacts. Across the street, you will find Casa Manila, a Spanish colonial house that recreates a typical home during that century. The house is full of antique furniture, artwork and other artefacts that are arranged to tell visitors how it was like to live during that period.

Right next to Casa Manila, you will find the Philippine Art, Craft and Cultural Center. This features a variety of antiques, souvenirs and art galleries that will showcase the rich culture of the Philippines at its finest. But these are just located near the entrance to Intramuros. Walking towards the center will get you to other historic sites such as Fort Santiago where you can trace the steps that the country’s national hero, Jose Rizal, took on his way to his execution in what is now called the Rizal Park. For history buffs, Intramuros is as close to heaven as they can get in Manila.

One of the more curious creations of Imelda Marcos during her tenure as Culture Minister and del facto Manila boss was the construction of the Coconut Palace. It survives today among the other edifices she created on reclaimed land to the south of Manila bay and is a quaint, under-visited tourist attraction that gives an insight into life during her extravagant era.

Constructed almost entirely out of coconut wood, and decorated with inlaid shells, this Palace was actually intended as a guest lodge for visiting dignitaries, and  its first guest was supposed to be Pope John Paul II, but he refused to stay in such an extravagant place when so much poverty existed on the streets, suggesting the money could have been better spent elsewhere. In the end Brooke Shields became the first guest to stay there and a few years later the Marcos were sent on their way and it was withdrawn from use. Today it’s a somewhat under-maintained palatial house of seven rooms situated around a pool with view of Manila Bay, used for functions such a weddings of rich families.

All the same it’s worth a visit, there’s a modest entry fee, you get a personal guided tour of the suites which are all uniquely decorated and fit for presidents and the like/ It would make a pleasant home for someone wealthy and displays some forward thinking design. You’ll probably have the whole place to yourself since it gets few visitors (we were the only ones there when we visited) and it’s one of the more interesting and pleasant sights in Manila.

Certainly it has an interesting background, and although Imelda has been back in Manila for the past 10 years it’s doubtful she ever visits her VIP palace built for decades more of her monstrous rule.

Here I am seated at the VIP desk intended for visiting heads of state.