Manila Philippines Travel Guide

The capital of the Philippines is Quezon City but this city is part of the metropolis Metro Manila. Thus, Manila is considered as the capital of the Philippine. There is however, a separate City of Manila beside Quezon City. The seat of government in the Philippines is in the city of Manila.

Metro Manila is a very large metropolis. The cities within metro Manila are Quezon City, City of Manila, Makati City, Pasig City, City of San Juan, Pasay City, Caloocan City, Paranaque City, and Muntinlupa City.

Manila is an exciting place. Like any capital of the world, Manila is the center of trade, politics, entertainment and culture in the entire Philippine. All government institutions have their seat in Manila. This includes the senate, congress, and the supreme court.

At the turn of the century, the Americans came and ruled the Philippines for 50 years. They introduced their own architecture, language, education and system of governance. During this period, Manila underwent a facelift. A blend of American and Spanish influences gave way to a new Manila, which was to evolve into a giant urban area known as Metro Manila.

Today, Metro Manila Philippines is an aggregate of 10 cities and seven municipalities. Manila has officially 6 million inhabitants (unofficially more than 9 millions).

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Manila Maps: Getting Oriented in the Sprawling City

Manila is but one of 17 cities and one municipality that comprise the area known as Metro Manila or the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines. The NCR is in the southern portion of the island of Luzon, in between the Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog Regions, between Manila Bay and the inland lake of Laguna de Bay. The City of Manila, where most of the historical attractions are located, lies at the confluence of Manila Bay and the Pasig River.

Manila Attractions: Sights and Landmarks of Metro Manila

Among the popular attractions in Metro Manila are Intramuros, Rizal Park, Binondo, Malacanang, Malate, the CCP Complex, Nayong Pilipino, Ayala Avenue, the Fort, Ortigas Center, Quezon Memorial Circle, and countless bars and restaurants scattered around the metropolis.

12 Favorite Filipino Restaurants in Manila

Whenever I go to another country, my mouth usually waters for a taste of their native dishes. Food is said to be a reflection of one’s culture. What better way to know more about a country than through their food?

Here in the Philippines, there are numerous local restaurants scattered all over, rooted from the fact that we like to cook and eat. Here are 12 of the restaurants that usually keep me satisfied and happy whenever I crave for a local dish.

Top 12 Recommended International Restaurants In Metro Manila

The world has an array of flavors to offer, so why should you limit yourself to one? On your trip to the Philippines, aside from indulging in Filipino food, try our other restaurants that specialize on foreign menus as well. Read more about Filipino food options:

• Filipino Food Highlights
• Boracay Food and Dining
• Jollibee Restaurants - Fil Fav
• Sumptuous Filipino Recipes
• Parada Ng Lechon" or Lechon Parade
• Philippines Events and Festivals
• Filipino Cuisine
• Philippine Fruits
• Filipino Deserts and Sweets
• Filipino Snacks
• Philippine Drinks

Manila Condominiums

Condos for sale in Metro Manila. There are big property developers – including Ayala, Phinma, Eton Properties, Empire East (subsidiary of Megaworld) and many more – which are heavily involved in housing. Find out condominiums in the Fort, Legaspi Village, Rockwell, Salcedo Village, more.

Shoppings Malls in Metro Manila

The Philippines does not only get pride from its beaches other God-given attractions. If you’re quite a shopper, the Philippines won’t leave you unaided with its big modern and spacious shopping malls. Of course, if you don’t feel like walking, there are also small ones meant for a few meals, window shopping and maybe a few more hours in the theater.

• Greenbelt (Makati City) It has sprawling high-end shops that seem to have no end, and one-of-a-kind restaurants. Greenbelt is for the leisure shopper, the night owl or the food fanatic. Its fusion of nature’s outdoors and modern indoor interior will leave you entertained even if you’re only there for site seeing or window shopping.
• Mall of Asia Complex (Manila City) More than just a mall, the Mall of Asia Complex also has a science discovery center, an Olympic-sized skating rink, as well as a food strip in front of Manila Bay. The mall has a fantastic view of the famous Manila Bay sunset, which will be definitely a bonus for your visit if you happen to witness it.
• TriNoma (Quezon City) The mall is located at EDSA corner North Avenue, Quezon City; beside the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) station of that area. The mall is famous for its spacious stadium type cinema that can give you relaxing hours inside the cinema even if it’s a full house.The mall has six digital cinemas and one THX cinema.

Manila Events and Festivals

The Philippine Fiesta is part and parcel of Filipino culture. Through good times and bad times, the fiesta must go on. Each city and barrio has at least one local festival of its own, usually on the feast of its patron saint, so that there is always a fiesta going on somewhere in the country. Check out the fiestas of each month!

Events and Entertainment

There are also several gimmick places in Manila. A "gimmick" place, in Filipino parlance, is a place where you dine, drink and party. Among the most popular gimmick places in Manila are Eastwood in Quezon City, Greenbelt and Glorietta in Makati City, Malate in Manila, Metrowalk in Pasig City, and Alabang in Muntinlupa City. All these places have very good restaurants and bars where you can simply dine or drink your favorite liquor.

Getting In and Out of Manila Without Losing your Sanity

Most arrivals from overseas come by plane and land at the NAIA which consists of 3 terminals as well as 1 domestic passenger terminal. Budget airlines also use the Clark airport.

Getting Around

As the central hub of the Philippines, you almost always will arrive and leave the country through Manila. Usually built with a reconditioned surplus diesel engine from Japan coupled to a locally fabricated chassis, jeepneys come in a wide range of colors and decorations that are limited only by the owner's/driver's imagination and taste. Taxis are very affordable by western standards but pretty expensive for locals and almost all are now air-conditioned and use a meter to compute for the final fare. Buses are common in the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila and most will pass through EDSA. FX minivans are a relatively new transport mode, are more expensive than jeepneys, but cheaper than taxis.

Excursions from Manila

 

Partial Source: Wikitravel

 

 

 

Manila Philippines Travel Guide sources include Wikitravel and World66

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