Beginner's Guide to the Philippines

What is the dining and nightlife like in Manila?

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Because of its cosmopolitan nature, Manila usually has a little bit of everything to suit the tastes of its people. This is true for food and nightlife as well as many other aspects of the culture. The fare you’ll find at a restaurant in Manila can range from Italian food to the typical Filipino, and dinner will usually cost about $15 a person. Some favorite dining establishments in Manila are:

• Café Bola - Filipino
• MyLK – variety
• Ortigas Center Wasabi – Japanese
• Ortigas Center – variety
• Illustrado – Spanish
• Mario’s – Italian

In addition to all this great food, you can also find lots of fun in Manila. Many people – local and visitors – party into the early hours of the morning, and happy hour lasts for 18 hours a day. Plus there are a variety of types of bars – from risqué to reputable. Some of the popular options are:

• Café Havana
• Libis
• Grappa’s
• P Burgos Street
• Makati
• Conways Var

Manila Vacations - A One to Three Day Itinerary Overview

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There is so much to see and do in Manila that one to three days is not enough time to truly soak in the culture; however, if that’s all you’ve got for your stay, you can make it work. Filling your itinerary will certainly be easy (though limiting the possibilities may pose some challenges).

First of all, you can check out the excursions and tours available in Manila. Tours – whether on bus or foot – will take you through many key areas of the city, while the excursions will allow you to visit villages and towns outside Manila. Second, be sure to do a little sightseeing on your own: the parks, key landmarks, religious sites, and educational establishments are a few good places to start. Third, check out a truly cultural diversion – a cockfight. Finally, enjoy the nightlife; whether you’re in for classy ballroom dancing or bawdy fun, Manila has it. By the time you leave the city, you’re going to want to plan your next trip to Manila to take in all you missed; try for a few weeks next time!

Excursions and Tours through Manila

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Seeing the city can be a great way to spend a one to three day vacation spent in Manila. If you’re interested in allowing someone to guide you through Manila and help you see and understand key aspects of the culture, you’re in luck! Manila offers many excursions and tours that you can take during your one to three day stay in the city. Here are some of your options:

• A Half Day Excursion. These excursions usually take a bus or a jeepney to a village right outside Manila, like Las Pinas or Calamba. There you will be able to view a less-modernized Filipino life away from the metropolis. Famous buildings, interesting factories, hot springs, and museums – these may be on your list of stops.
• A Whole Day Excursion. The excursions that last a whole day allow your guide to transport you over 40 miles away from the city of Manila to surrounding areas – some lush and paradaisical, like Hidden Valley, and others historically rich, like Corregidor. On these expeditions, jungle walks, natural hot springs and pools, World War II islands, wartime memorials, and many other significant landmarks may be visited.
• A Walking Tour. These tours allow you to see the city of Manila in a whole new light as you have helpful guides leading you through the city. For example, the remains of Intramuros are an incredible point of interest for visitors; and they can be best explored on foot with the free guides.
• A Bus Tour. Manila features city tours organized by Asia travel that allow visitors to really explore the city and discover its intricacies. Buses pick of the tourists from major hotels and lead them to areas like Rizal Park, Cultural Center Complex, and more.

Sightseeing in Manila

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If you’d rather see the city by yourself while spending a few days in Manila, rather than going on an excursion or a guided tour, it is totally possible and will be quite rewarding! Conveniently, most of the attractions and places of interest in Manila are located along the water, following the curve of the Manila Bay. And there certainly are many of opportunities for sightseeing – the attractions in Manila often seem limitless. From serene parks to religious shrines, anyone visiting Manila can find his or her share of culture and interest. While it may be impossible to list all of the attractions that present themselves to Manila’s visitors, even a few of the sightseeing possibilities demonstrate clearly why the city is known as “The Pearl of the Orient.”

Here are a few examples the tourist destinations in Manila:

• Parks and Key Landmarks. Rizal Park, Ayala Museum of Philippine History and Iconographic Archives, Intramuros, Fort Santiago, Archdiocesan Museum of Manila, San Agustin Museum, Paco Park, Manila Zoo and Botanical Garden, National Museum of the Philippines, Museo Pambata, Chinese Cemetery, Plaza Miranda, Corregidor Island, and Malacañang Palace and Museum are just a few examples.
• Religious Sites. Try out San Agustin Church, Quiapo Church, Binondo Church, Malate Church, San Sebastian Church, Santa Cruz Church, Manila Cathedral, Bonifacio Shrine, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, and more.
• Educational Establishments. The National Library of the Philippines, St. Paul University Manila, University of the Philippines Manila, College of the Holy Spirit, Adamson University, Far Eastern University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of the East, and San Beda College are just a few examples of the many educational establishments that you can see in Manila.

Manilian Cockfights

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One of the popular activities for Manileños to take part in is cockfighting. While some visitors find it gory and cruel, the Philippine cockfight is for Filipinos the same as bullfighting is for the Spaniards – a national pastime that brings a feeling of pride and slight nostalgia, despite the blood. So, if you’re spending one to three days in Manila and are looking for some local culture with which to fill your itinerary, definitely consider adding a cockfight to the list. While it may be different than anything you’ve previously experienced, it will certainly give you a taste of the culture in a whole new way.

Many people are involved in the games; gamecocks are raised with care, pampered, prepared for their battle (by placing blades on their feet), bet on, and watched with frenzied screams of excitement. One of the major locations for this cockfighting is the Libertad cockpit, where you can see cockfights any day but Thursday; however, there are also many other cockfighting venues. You can just check the local papers for listings of possibilities. There is usually a charge for admission into these games.

Manila's Nightlife

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Because of its cosmopolitan nature, Manila usually has a little bit of everything to suit the tastes of its people. This is true not only for food and other aspects of the culture but also the nightlife. Many people – local and visitors – party into the early hours of the morning, and happy hour in Manila lasts for 18 hours a day. Plus there are a variety of types of bars – from risqué to reputable. Some of the popular options are Café Havana, Libis, V Bar (very trendy; you better impress them with your dress if you even want to get in) Grappa’s, P Burgos Street, Makati, and Conways Bar. Clubs in Manila also range greatly; you’ll find everything from ballroom dancing to raves. Try Remedios Circle, Infinity Club, Laser Planet, Synergy, or even Hobbit House (staffed totally by dwarves). Finally, casinos are also a fun nightlife option; if you’re in the mood for a little gambling on your three day stay, try the Casino Filipino Pavilion or the Casino Filipino Heritage (Just be sure to dress smart and bring your passport for entrance).

Here are a few facts that you, as a tourist, should know about the nightlife in Manila when spending one to three days in the city:

• Recent campaigns to clean up the city have helped get rid of some of the sleazy sex part of the nightlife.
• There are bars and clubs in Manila designed just for the English; anyone looking for a truly native club should visit JM Nakpil Street, Pasay Road, Makati Avenue, or a few other places.
• Most bars and clubs feature live music ranging from rock to ridiculous. Filipinos also love karaoke!
• Most bars and clubs close at 2 or 3 AM on weeknights and 5 AM on weekends.
• Anyone 18 or older can drink alcohol in the Philippines.

Manila - History and Overview

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Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is located on the largest island of the country – Luzon. Home to more than 10 million people, Metro Manila is a huge metropolis, and Manila has been called one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. It is the second biggest city in the Philippines (by population) and has a place on the roster of the world’s global cities.

Manila (formerly called Maynilad – which means something close to “There is tall grass”) used to be a tiny Muslim settlement on the riverbank; but you would not know it simply by examining the cultural and economic center that it is today. It has been through much war and turmoil in its history since the 1500s; and even today it faces challenges like pollution, crime, and overpopulation. However, the country continues to be a diverse and exciting city, filled with people of many races, religions, and economic levels and with thrilling opportunities to travel, shop, learn, and more.

What has shaped Manila's history?

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Manila (formerly called Maynilad – which means something close to “There is tall grass”) used to be a tiny Muslim settlement on the riverbank; by the 1500s it had three rulers – Rajah Sulayman, Rajah Lakandula, and Rajah Matanda. In 1570, the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi sent an expedition to conquer Manila; when they arrived, the 300 soldier force ignored the welcome from the people and crushed the settlement. The next year, Legazpi came and made a peace contract with the rajahs, setting up a city council and building a walled city to protect the Spanish. Later in the16th century, the king of Spain distinguished Manila as a loyal city and made it the capital of the Philippine Islands.

Later, Manila would be the headquarters for USAFFE (United States Army Forces Far East), military forces, and several airfields. However, American combat units withdrew from the city in December 1941, and Manila had Japanese forces occupying it by January 1942. During World War II, the city was utterly devastated, and the Manila Massacre took place. However, in 1945 Manila was finally liberated.

In recent years, Manila has suffered several militant attacks by groups like Abu Sayyaf. It has also been the workplace of terrorist cells of Al-Qaida and Project Bojinka. Currently security in Manila is attempting to handle such problems.

What is the city of Manila like?

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The city of Manila is located on the west of Luzon – the largest island in the Philippines. About 950 km south and east of Hong Kong and 2,400 km north and east of Singapore, Manila sits just at the mouth of the Pasig River, and the river actually runs down the middle of the city. The other Philippine cities that lie closest to Metro Manila are Novotas, Caloocan City, Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong City, Makati City, and Pasay City.

With over 1.5 million people in its mere 38.55 km², the city of Manila is more densely populated than any other in the world. Plus, more than a million workers and students enter and exit the city every day. Manila is made up of 16 districts – Pasig and Binondo, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa, Tondo, Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port Area, San Andres Bukid, and Santa Ana – each having its own unique personality. Binondo, for example, is Manila’s Chinatown; Tondo is the biggest and poorest district; and Malate’s shopping centers make it a popular tourist destination.

Manileños travel through their city and beyond in many different ways. Here are some of them:

• The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) serves the whole Manila metro area with more than 30 airlines. About 14 million people every year use NAIA.
• Manila’s roads are organized to facilitate travel through Manila and to other provinces in Luzon. Buses and jeepneys are the most common types of transportations opportunities for the public. Tricycles and Pedicabs are also options for distances that are not too lengthy.
• The railways on Luzon all meet in Manila, and so the Philippine Nation Railways is an excellent way to travel. Another rail system in Manila is the Manila Light Rail Transit System.
• Since Manila is located on an island, one popular way of travel throughout the Philippines is by sea. Manila is actually the chief seaport of the country, so the harbors get a lot of business, especially during holidays.

Finally, a big influence on the city of Manila is its commerce which happens to be a high point of Manila’s economy. In plain English – this means great shopping! All districts in Manila except for one have their own public markets which have dry goods and wet goods. In the mornings, sales here are heavy with business from locals and tourists. Also, the pleasant weather in Manila allows Filipinos to enjoy Manila’s modern shopping malls. Devoted shoppers go beyond these shopping complexes, however, to the cheapest buys in Manila at the bargaining “flea-market” shops in Divisoria and Quiapo. Indigenous crafts and desired products from throughout the Philippines can be found here at fractions of the normal prices. Even as department stores and other modern shopping become popular, these markets are still very popular among Manileños.

What are most Manilenos like?

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The original people in Manila were the Muslim Tagalogs; however, history brought Chinese, Spaniars, Visayans, Bicolanos, and more people to the city. Now, you will also find Arabs, Indians, Koreans, Americans, and more people groups there. Manila is a very diverse city, and the integration of cultures is accepted fairly well; even intermarriage is not uncommon.

The primary language of Manienos is Filipino, the country’s language that comes from the language Tagalog that was originally spoken in the area. Plus, most of the people in Manila are fluent in English and some in Spanish – a tribute to Manila’s heritage.

Because of its position in the past as the headquarters of the Spanish colonial government, the Roman Catholic roots in the city are very strong. In fact, Manila had been the base of many missions efforts to other areas of the Philippines for years. However, in addition to Roman Catholicism, there have been many other people of various faiths to have made Manila their home including a Muslim population, Hindus, a small Jewish community, and more. Some notable churches and other religious centers in Manila are:

• San Agustin Church
• Quiapo Church
• Binondo Church
• Malate Church (Our Lady of Remedios Church)
• San Sebastian Church
• Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral)
• Santa Cruz Church

Manileños place high value in education and the preservation of their culture. Many basic education institutions, science high schools, and colleges and universities are located in Manila as well as the National Museum of the Philippines, the Metropolitan Museum, and more. Here are some of the educational and cultural institutions that are located in Manila:

• Adamson University
• Arellano University
• Centro Escolar University
• College of the Holy Spirit
• De La Salle University
• University of the Philippines – Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• Colegio de San Juan de Letran
• Far Eastern university
• Mapua Institute of Technology
• San Beda College
• St. Paul University Manila
• Polytechnic University of the Philippines
• University of the East
• Spoliarium of Juan Luna
• University of Santo Tomas
• Museong Pambata
• National Library of the Philippines

How does the government system in Manila work?

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Manila operates like all other Philippine cities in that it’s governed by a mayor, the head of the city’s executive department. He can be elected to three consecutive terms and can serve again later, but it must be after at least one term has passed. A vice-mayor is the head of the legislative department (which has six city councilors from each congressional district). Each of the individual 897 barangays of the city has its own chairperson and councilor. Finally, the city has six representatives that are elected to the Philippine House of Representatives – one for each of Manila’s six congressional districts.

Philippines - People and Culture

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:36:45 +0000

Philippines - Activities and Attractions

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:45:24 +0000

Manila - Activities and Attractions

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:48:33 +0000

Manila Vacations - A One to Three Day Itinerary

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:50:31 +0000

Beginner's Guide to the Philippines

What is the dining and nightlife like in Manila?

Manila Vacations - A One to Three Day Itinerary Overview

Excursions and Tours through Manila

Sightseeing in Manila

Manilian Cockfights

Manila's Nightlife

Manila - History and Overview

What has shaped Manila's history?

What is the city of Manila like?

What are most Manilenos like?

How does the government system in Manila work?

Philippines - People and Culture

Philippines - People and Culture Introduction

The Philippine Islands People

Culture and Arts

Language

Philippines - Activities and Attractions

Philippines - Activities and Attractions Introduction

Attractions in Manila

The Chocolate Hills

Cebu Philippines

Manila - Activities and Attractions

Manila - Activities and Attractions Overview

Parks and Key Landmarks in Manila

Religious Sites in Manila

Manila's Educational Establishments

Manila Vacations - A One to Three Day Itinerary

Manila Vacations - A One to Three Day Itinerary Overview

Excursions and Tours through Manila

Sightseeing in Manila

Manilian Cockfights