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Metro Manila

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Metro Manila (Filipino: Kalakhang Maynila) is the National Capital Region and the prime tourist destination in the Philippines. The metropolis is the Philippines' center of commerce, education, and entertainment. It is located on the island of Luzon, bordered by the province of Bulacan on the north, Rizal on the east, Laguna on the south, Cavite on the southwest, and Manila Bay on the west. Though it is the smallest region in the country, Metro Manila is the most populous of the twelve defined metropolitan areas in the Philippines and the 11th most populous in the world with a population of 16.3 million people.

Regions[edit]

Metro Manila Districts.png
1st District (Manila)
The 1st district is exclusive for the Philippines' bustling, crowded and noisy city of Manila where the historic walled city of Intramuros stands. This is also where Chinatown and Little India are located.
3rd District (Navotas, Malabon, Caloocan, Valenzuela, North Caloocan)
The 3rd district consists of the flood prone city of Malabon, Valenzuela, Navotas, Caloocan and North Caloocan all of which are on the outskirts of the Metro.
4th District (Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Pateros, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas)
The heart of the 4th district is formed by the financial and commercial districts of Makati, Pasay and Taguig. Las Piñas is where the famous bamboo organ is found. Pasay is where Newport city (an entertainment complex which include Resorts World and the Marriot, among others) is located, right across NAIA Terminal 3. The city of Muntinlupa is one of the places in which the country's most affluent live. The town of Pateros which is mostly known for its Balut.

Cities[edit]

Metro Manila is home to the country's business districts, wealth extremes as well as major shopping centers, with a combined population of 11 Million and growing.

  • Manila — The capital of the Philippines, one of the most densely populated city in the world.
  • Quezon City — also has its share of large shopping malls, and electronic and automotive parts discount centers. The Ortigas Center at the confluence of Quezon City, Mandaluyong and San Juan is also a shopper's paradise.
  • Caloocan — the main hub of people from the Northern Philippines. Known to be one of the 4 original cities of Metro Manila, along side Manila, Quezon City, and Pasay City.
  • Pasay — Home to cultural centers and establishments as well as the Philippines' largest mall; The Mall of Asia as well as the one of the country's popular attraction; the Coconut Palace.
  • Pasig — A city named after the river next to it, the Pasig River. It is an industrial town with a booming business district in the uptown Ortigas Center. Downtown Pasig is home to more rustic churches, American period houses, and excellent cuisine.
  • Makati — Metro Manila's business district with tall buildings, luxurious hotels, vast shopping malls, lively entertainment spots, and numerous restaurants.
  • Mandaluyong — Nicknamed as Shopping capital of the Philippines for its collection of numerous shopping centers.
  • MarikinaShoe capital of the Philippines, it was the former capital of the province of Manila during the declaration of Philippine Independence.
  • Taguig — First a thriving fishing community it slowly developed into an urbanized city.

Other destinations[edit]

Understand[edit]

Locals refer to Metro Manila simply as Manila. However, the City of Manila forms only the city proper of Metro Manila. Consisting of 16 cities and 1 municipality in 630 square kilometers, the metro is the national capital region, and the center of Philippine culture, arts, commerce, industry, and tourism. Metro Manila likewise serves as the pivot point to other exciting, popular destinations in the Philippines such as Boracay, Cebu City, Davao City and more.

People[edit]

Metro Manila's population is a diverse mix of Multi-racial people as well as people from different classes either from the richest businessmen to the poorest of the poor. The streets of Binondo in Manila is Metro Manila's Chinatown, while the district of Paco is known as Little India and Japantown. European and American enclaves are found in Business districts where urban life is enjoyed and much similar to western lifestyle. Koreans everywhere and anywhere have resulted to Koreatown which is located in Makati City's Burgos St. which features many Korean restaurants, shops and groceries. The growth of immigrants is due to cheap cost for education and living in the Philippines. This is also a home to many of the rich and famous which most reside in Forbes Park as well as home to many homeless and poorest of the poor who seek job opportunities in this metropolis. Efforts have been made to clear slums in order to clean the Pasig River which have been reportedly successful and sustainable.

Religion[edit]

Religion is a major key role in a local Filipino's life, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian temples are found, the Golden mosque is located in Quiapo; the Filipino-Muslim district, while cathedrals, churches and chapels of various Christian denominations are scattered around mostly of Roman Catholic faith. Processions of holy images are carried through in some cities of Metro Manila and during these times streets are crowded with a little space to move around or sometimes no space to move around.

Economy[edit]

Metro Manila is a haven for investors and businessmen alike and the region accounts about 30% ($124 Billion) of the total GDP of the Philippines. It is also where major Filipino companies have their headquarters. Business, commercial and Financial districts include; Makati, Ortigas (Pasig and Mandaluyong) and Taguig, this is also where the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSEi) is located.

Talk[edit]

Communication with the locals is easy because almost everyone is bilingual. While Filipino is the national language which is based on Tagalog, English is the primary language of trade, government, media and education not only in Metro Manila but in the whole Philippines as well. Spanish-speakers may recognize some words in Tagalog, since some of its vocabulary is Spanish-derived. A minority of Min Nan (Hokkien), Hindi, Tamil and other Indian languages, Korean, Japanese is spoken by Korean and Japanese immigrants, Filipino-Muslims residing in Manila or any other part of the country know how to read and communicate in Arabic, and other ethnicities/immigrants speak their native languages. Some Filipinos have knowledge of Spanish.

Get in[edit]

By air[edit]

Ninoy Aquino International Airport[edit]

Ninoy Aquino International Airport(NAIA) (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Ninoy Aquino) (IATA: MNL) (ICAO: RPLL) Metro Manila is the primary gateway to the Philippines. From overseas, most visitors arrive by plane. NAIA consists of 3 terminals as well as 1 domestic passenger terminal:

  • Terminal 1 — All international carriers except All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Emirates, Singapore airlines, Delta. Air Asia International flights.
  • Terminal 2 — All Philippine Airlines flights
  • Terminal 3 — All PAL Express, Cebu Pacific, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Emirates, Singapore airlines, Delta and all Air Asia International flights.
  • Manila Domestic Passenger terminal — Air Asia domestic flights and Interisland Airways flights.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) usually provides seamless transfers between their international and domestic network whereas you would generally you will be given this service on other carriers. Terminal 2 has free internet access, NAIA is voted and rated as one of the worst airports in the world -- this is because Terminal 1 (where most passengers arrive from international flight) has over reached the capacity of 5 million, Terminal 3 however is the newest of all terminal but not fully operational because of some legal issues, T3 is the most comfortable of all 4 terminals, it is expected to replace T1 in the near future, Manila Passenger domestic terminal is uncomfortable, it is small and often crowded. T2 is the only terminal which is comfortable which is fully operational, it serves flights for the Philippines' major carrier; Philippine Airlines.

Getting around: All the terminals are divided however use the same runways, transferring from one terminal to another may take 10-20 minutes. a free airport shuttle between T1-T2-T4-T3 is provided from all terminals if you're in transit. the Shuttle bus now uses roads within the airport so takes less time than before.

Getting out of the airport: Coupon (pre-paid) taxis are available at the airports to bring you to your hotel or wherever you may be going. Rates are fixed and dependent on the destination and generally are more expensive compared to what you would pay in a metered taxi. Coupon taxi counters usually are found immediately after exiting customs in both Terminals 1 and 2. The usual metered taxis are generally not allowed at the Arrival Terminal so you would either need to catch one unloading at the Departure Area or outside the airport complex. This may be easier said than done, particularly when lugging around heavy baggage.

Citylink buses (6-11am, 4-7pm)now also take passengers from Terminal 3 or Newport city (across terminal 3) to Eastwood in Quezon City for a fee of 38 pesos, ideal if you're staying in Eastwood or the Quezon city area.

Shuttle services now take passengers to and from Terminals 1-2-4-3, as a well as a stop in Pasay Rotunda which is a short walk away from the MRT or LRT stations. Shuttle operate every 15 minutes from 5am-11pm, and you can ask the tourist information desk where they are in each respective terminal. Look for shuttle vans that say "NAIA 1-2-3Domestic Loop". 20 pesos/pax [1]

Getting in: Taxis are the best option for getting to NAIA. A shuttle service from the Pasay rotunda (where the MRT and LRT lines meet) takes passengers to NAIA for 20 pesos.

If you're coming from Eastwood in Quezon City, a Citylink bus (6-11am, 4-7pm)will take you all the way to Terminal 3 for 38 pesos, with stops alon the way, including Fort Bonifacio.

Leaving Manila by air: Be careful that, due to the low efficiency of some activities in the airport, you should be there at least 2 hours before your flight (3 to 4 hours being safer); otherwise, you will have no chance to get your flight. You must pass through airport entrance queue, initial security queue, Philippine Travel Tax queue (if ticket is purchased online or outside the Philippines; for Philippine citizens and residents and any one who stays more than one year only), check in queue, immigration queue, final security queue, and boarding queue, all being very long.

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport[edit]

Low cost carriers such as Air Asia[2] and Scoot Air utilize the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) (IATA: CRK) in Clark, Pampanga, which is a 2-hour drive north of Manila. These airlines have dedicated bus transfer services that transport passengers to and from the DMIA via newly renovated toll roads. You can catch the bus by Philtranco [3] either from it's terminal in Pasay City, Manila or from SM Megamall (behind building A) in Mandaluyong, Manila. From Pasay the fare is 350 pesos and from SM Megamall 300 pesos. Departure tax for this airport has been increased to 500 peso.

By boat[edit]

  • Ferries run all over the Philippines, but should you not reserve a first class cabin be prepared for uncomfortable cramped conditions. There seems to be lax enforcement of Western safety standards.
  • Supercats and fastcrafts connect short distances between islands on high-speed air-conditioned hydrofoil crafts. Not only do they provide a faster option than ordinary ferries, they are also much better maintained and have a remarkable safety record. Among the major routes serviced by fastcrafts in and around Manila are: Manila-Bataan, Manila-Cavite and Batangas-Puerto Galera.

By bus[edit]

  • The Strong Republic Nautical Highway has made inter-island travel by bus possible. Major islands are connected by Roll On - Roll Off ferries which can carry cars, buses and cargo trucks. An example is the Manila to Boracay route which goes via Batangas, Calapan and Roxas in Mindoro then Caticlan. Philtranco [4] serves various inter-island routes and has a terminal in Cubao, Quezon City. Needless to say however that these trips can take quite a bit of time and may not be worth the savings if you have only a few days to spend in the Philippines.
  • Normal provincial buses serving other parts of Luzon also have terminals in various portions of Metro Manila. The Cubao area in Quezon City and the Bonifacio Monument area in Caloocan City is where buses serving the northern portions of Luzon (e.g. Baguio, Zambales) have their terminals.
  • The Buendia Ave. cor Taft Ave. intersection in Makati and the area near the Taft Ave. and EDSA intersection in Pasay is where buses from the south (e.g. Batangas, Laguna) have their terminals.

By rail[edit]

The PNR[5]operates rail lines from Tutuban into going as far south as Laguna. A Bicol express line to Naga City is soon to open, while rehabilitation of the northbound rail line is awaiting resumption after corruption allegations stalled them.

Get around[edit]

By car[edit]

The metropolis has an extensive system of highways connecting the various cities and municipalities. The major roads include ten radial roads, which branch out from central Manila and five circumferential roads which form concentric arcs around downtown Manila. Most of these roads are very important transportation arteries. One is the C-4 (Circumferential Road 4) also called Epifanio de los Santos Avenue or more popularly known as EDSA. Some other other important roads are R-1 (Radial Road 1) or Coastal Road/Manila-Cavite Road; R-3 or South Luzon Expressway (SLEX); R-7, which consists of Espana Avenue, Quezon Avenue, and Commonwealth Avenue; R-8 or the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX); and C-5 going from Bicutan to Libis (simply referred to as C-5).

However, driving in a private car is not recommended for people who are unfamiliar with Manila because many drivers there ignore such things as stoplights and lane markings and most also have no idea what right of way means (although this behavior has been decreasing significantly over the years). Public transport is very cheap however but may get very crowded during the rush hours in the morning and early evening (7 AM to 10 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM). Traffic also tends to crawl during these times so best avoid being on the move in these occasions. Another fact to take note is, drivers in Manila tend to be more aggressive and undisciplined.

When driving, be cautious of pedestrians crossing illegally. Be also aware when driving in narrow streets, where children usually play, given Manila is a crowded metropolis. Be also aware of the existing Number-Coding Scheme, where some vehicles are not allowed to ply Metro Manila streets from 7AM to 10AM, and from 3PM to 7PM, Mondays to Fridays, i.e. cars with license plates ending in numbers 1 and 2 should not go out of the street on the said schedule every Mondays, 3 and 4 every Tuesdays, and so on and so forth. Makati City however observes the Number-Coding scheme the whole day.

The price of petroleum is relatively comparable to that paid in the US but expensive in the eyes of locals.

By jeepney[edit]

Jeepneys

Jeepneys are derived versions of the Jeep which the US military used as utility vehicles during the war years. 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. Over time, it has become the most common means of public transport in the Philippines. Recently however, the introduction of more modern buses as well as the more efficient LRT and MRT have lessened the importance of the jeepney. They still do travel all over the city, particularly in routes which are too small to be serviced by buses - but know exactly where you are headed before getting on. Once inside, pay your fare or "bayad" directly to the driver by telling him where you want to get off and how many people you are paying for. It is a norm all over the country that if you are seated far from the driver, one just need to say "Bayad po" while extending the hand with your fare to the driver and someone will readily take your fare and pass it until it gets to the driver. Giving back of change or "sukli" if the fare given is in a large denomination will come in a similar manner, and a polite expression of "Thank you" or "Salamat po" as a sign of gratitude is encouraged.

The fare structure begins with a minimum fare for the first four kilometers and increases every additional kilometer thereafter. As of June 2019, the minimum fare is P 9 (17 US cts) while the per kilometer additional fare is P 1.25. Do not however expect that a driver will be able to give any change for very large denominations, e.g. P500 or P1000.

You can also request the driver to inform you that you are near to your destination. Note that loading and unloading zones for jeepneys are rarely followed so people hop on and get off practically at will. Saying "para" or "para po!" is the standard way to tell the driver that you need to get off. Caution - Jeeps are designed to carry small people - and can get very cramped for anyone over 6ft tall particularly if the jeepney is fully loaded! This arrangement is cramped even for the size of the locals who are small by Western comparison and some would regularly complain. Though not widely practiced, some people would pay for the price of two to avoid getting cramped by someone else as the fares are anyway extremely cheap. Jeepneys usually seat anywhere from 0 to 30 people.

By taxi[edit]

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. The taxi rates start at PHP 40 (USD 0.90) for the first 500 metres and an extra PHP 3.50 (USD 0.08) for every succeeding 300-metres or 2 minutes of stopping.

Some drivers may take advantage of tourists, but closer regulation by authorities and even by mall operators, are curbing this practice slowly. Many taxis are in a poor state of repair and drivers drive erratically. The LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) has now instituted hotline numbers to report erring drivers. Just take note of the cab name and number. Mall operators also closely monitor the operations of taxis that use their taxi racks by ensuring that cab drivers do not choose only passengers bound for nearby destinations. Do not hire taxis waiting at bus terminals; they will charge much higher fare (100% more than normal fare). Just walk out from any main bus terminal, and you will find plenty of cabs.

Be wary especially during traffic as drivers will ask for a minimum fare higher than what the meter requires you to pay. Also during rush hour (both morning and evening), as well as other times when there is heavy traffic (such as heavy rains), it is not unusual to see taxi drivers hesitant to drive you if your destination involves EDSA or an area full of offices; it is extremely difficult to hail a cab during these hours. During the early morning, passengers are strongly advised to bring smaller denominations of bills (as well as coins) as drivers usually don't have ready change.

By bus[edit]

Buses are common in the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila and most will pass through EDSA. The common routes are as follows:

Bus routes
Origin/Destination Destination/Origin Way/s
Baclaran Navotas EDSA and Ayala/EDSA alone
Baclaran SM Fairview EDSA and Ayala / Quezon Avenue and Espana
Baclaran Malanday EDSA and NLEX (North Luzon Expressway)
Baclaran Sta. Maria, Bulacan EDSA, Ayala, and NLEX/MacArthur Highway
Grotto Ninoy Aquino International Airport EDSA and SM Fairview
Malanday Ninoy Aquino International Airport EDSA
Alabang/Pacita Navotas SLEX (South Luzon Expressway) and EDSA
Alabang/Pacita Novaliches SLEX, EDSA and NLEX
Alabang Malanday SLEX and EDSA
Alabang SM Fairview SLEX and EDSA
Quiapo Cainta Ortigas Avenue, San Juan and Sta. Mesa

There are both ordinary and air-conditioned buses available. Conductors collect your fare once on board and they are ready with change although it is suggested you have coins during morning rush-hours ready. Just tell him/her where you want to get off. Like the jeepneys, buses do not have route numbers identifying their routes and often do not observe loading and unloading areas except for some highly regulated zones where they are bound to get a ticket for not doing so, most notably in Makati's central business district. As such, it is not uncommon for people to get on and off in odd places. Buses sometimes load and unload in the middle of the road and couldn't care less about the traffic they may cause. Furthermore, they don't have a timetable for when to stop at a particular area although buses bound to the same place stop at a particular area seconds from each other. The fare structure of buses is almost the same as that of jeepneys where a fare matrix is provided and fares increase at a constant rate per kilometre after the first few kilometres. While EDSA has a bus lane (two lanes wide on each side), these are generally packed with buses from city/provincial routes funneling down the thorughfare, and are rarely followed. It is not uncommon to see that a bus won't go until it is fairly packed so it's best to avoid an empty bus. This is because the drivers and conductors are paid depending on how many passengers they take-in. If your route/destination is along EDSA, it is best to take the MRT (see below) to avoid the traffic.

By minivan[edit]

FX (minivans) are a relatively new transport mode available now. They are more expensive than jeepneys, but cheaper than taxis. FX follow the jeepney practice of having a fixed route but like taxis are usually air-conditioned. You likely will have to share the ride as the FX can take up to 10 passengers at a time, but it's reasonably comfortable.

By tricycle[edit]

Tricycles (motorcycles with modified side cars) These are common for short trips in areas where jeepneys do not travel. In Manila proper you are unlikely to see any. However, in outlying suburbs and towns they are more common. Another variant is the pedicab or rickshaws which is merely a bicycle with a side car.

By rail[edit]

Mass Rail System

Travelling by rail is so far, one of the fastest options but be prepared with frequent train breakdowns, long lines, lack of signages and maps, and heat and pollution. Here are some options to choose from:

  • There the LRT which is run by the Light Rail Transit Authority or LRTA [6]. The LRT has two lines. Line 1 (also known as the Yellow Line) runs along Taft Avenue from Baclaran Station in Paranaque to Roosevelt Station in Quezon City. Line 2 (also known as the Purple Line) runs from Santolan in Pasig to Recto in the heart of downtown Manila. Refer to this fare matrix[7] for more info on the fares for Lines 1 and 2.
  • MRT The Metro Rail Transit [8] (also known as Line 3 or the Blue Line) is a light rail transit system that runs along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue or EDSA, one of the main thoroughfares in Metro Manila. The MRT runs from the North Avenue Station in Quezon City to the Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. Fares are cheap and as follows:

Php 13 for the first two stations, Php 16 for the next two stations (third and fourth stations after), Php 20 for the next three stations (fifth, sixth, and seventh stations after), Php 24 for the next two stations (eighth and ninth stations after), Php 28 for the next two stations (tenth and eleventh stations after)

MRT is air conditioned albeit quite crowded during the morning and early evening rush hours. Entering the system requires a ticket which like other countries, must be inserted onto the turnstile. Alternatively, you may purchase a BEEP card worth 20 pesos, which acts like London's Oyster Card. There are discounts applied when you use the BEEP card. For example, the journey from J. Ruiz LRT-2 station to Katipunan Station would cost 20 pesos using the single journey card, but with BEEP, it would cost 17 pesos only. There are deposit machines across all MRT and LRT stations and selected Ministop convenience stores. You may use this card to ride at all MRT and LRT lines. The BGC bus and selected bus lines also accept the BEEP card.

Single-journey and stored-value tickets are available for each of the lines. You can transfer between lines at the following areas:

    • Between Line 1 and Line 2: Doroteo Jose-Recto
    • Between Line 1 and Line 3: Taft Avenue-EDSA
    • Between Line 2 and Line 3: Araneta Centre/Cubao

You will need to exit the system and purchase a separate ticket to ride on the other lines, except if you're in possession BEEP card, with sufficient balance. Also be prepared for long queues at the entrance as security personnel will check to see if bags are loaded with prohibited items.

Lines 1 and 3 are expected to be crowded during rush hour and while the journey itself can be fast, expect to wait a long time before riding and be mindful of your personal belongings as pickpockets are not uncommon.

The Manila Train Guide [9] has a map and tips on how to use the train system.

On foot[edit]

It is not recommended to walk in Manila since many street sides are infested with vendors and peddlers. If walking is inevitable, just remember that you should always walk on areas were pedestrians walk (common sense), and crossing a street is not a problem, if you know how to cross the street correctly. Walking at night is not also recommended, especially for women. Walking in groups is a safe option if you are going at night. The business district of Makati is walkable as well as Taguig.

See[edit]

One should see Metro Manila's numerous attractions.

Plazas, Parks and Nature Reserves[edit]

Plaza de Roma

When it comes to parks, , Luneta park and Intramuros are the most popular destinations. Luneta Park (also called as Rizal Park and Rizal Monument) is home to the Rizal monument; a statue of the Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal. It is one of the most significant and most important places in Philippine history from the Spanish colonial era to the EDSA revolution. The walled former city of Intramuros served as a settlement for the Indianized-Malay-Muslims, then it was taken over by the Spanish and fell into ruins during the World War II, it is one of the most popular icons of the Philippines. See Plaza de Roma in Intramuros where a statue of King Carlos IV of Spain stands, Plaza de Goiti or now known as Plaza Lacson is where a statue of Arsenio Lacson; said to be one of Manila's greatest mayor stands, next to it is Roman Santos building which would again make you think you're somewhere in Rome, Italy because of it Greco-Roman architecture. Plaza Miranda stands infront of Quiapo Church in the Filipino-Muslim district of Quiapo, an unfortunate event occurred here on 1971; the Plaza Miranda bombings. Manila Zoological and Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest zoos in Asia unfortunately it is criticized for its inadequate care towards animals as well as its dirty surroundings and animal rights activists are demanding to free the animals due to this while Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center have rare animals such as water monitors and the Philippine deer, it also treats injured animals even if it isn't part of their zoo. La Mesa Dam EcoPark is the haven for most Filipinos after a tiring week of work and a getaway from the noisy and polluted metro, not only is it an ecopark but is also a dam which provides water to Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Manila Ocean Park is larger than Singapore's Sentosa Underwater World, construction is incomplete however it had already opened to the public, tickets cost 350 for a child, 400 for adults. Quezon Memorial Circle is a shrine and a national park, it is where the remains of late President Manuel Quezon and his wife are rested. While Greenbelt Park is located in Makati and is worth seeing.

Places of worship[edit]

Manila Cathedral

Religion is one of the major aspects of life of a Filipino, the diverse population of the Philippines follows the world's major religions;Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and some following the Jewish faith and part of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, some forms of paganism, animism or any other kind may somehow exist. Manila's population follows almost all of those religions.

Christian faith[edit]

EDSA Shrine

See Basilica Minore de la Immaculada Concepcion or Manila Cathedral in simple words in Intramuros, it is a historic church which served 2 funerals for 2 Filipino presidents as well as bishops' funerals. Basilica Minore de San Lorenzo Ruiz or Binondo Church in Chinatown caters to Chinese Filipinos, seen here is the synchronization of Western architecture, Catholic faith and Chinese influences. Our Lady of China chapel is located in this Church. See the miraculous Black Nazerene or Itim na Nazareno in Basilica Minore de Jesus Nazareno or Quiapo church which is believed to give miracles and blessings, during January it is crowded as well as the streets of Metro Manila too, as a procession is held, during Fridays the church is filled with devotees.

  • Epifanio de los Santos Shrine

Churches and sanctuaries[edit]

  • San Agustín Church.
  • Redemptorist Church (Baclaran Church).
  • Remedios Church (Malate Church).
  • Santuario de San Antonio

Other faiths[edit]

The Golden Mosque is located in the Quiapo district which is somehow the Filipino-Muslim district of Manila, its dome is made of gold and is built in order of the Marcoses.

Museums[edit]

  • The National Museum of the Filipino People
  • Metropolitan Museum
  • Filipinas Heritage Library
  • Ateneo Art Gallery
  • University of Santo Tomas Museum of Arts and Sciences
  • Ayala Museum
  • Lopez Museum
  • The Museum at De La Salle University-Manila
  • Museum of Contemporary Art and Design at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
  • Bahay Tsinoy (Filipino-Chinese Museum)

Monuments[edit]

  • Monumento de la Revolucion
  • Rizal Monument
  • People Power Monument
  • Quezon Monument
  • Bonifacio Monument

Itineraries[edit]

Do[edit]

Annual festivals[edit]

Shop[edit]

The World in SM Mall of Asia which is similar to Unisphere at the Flushing Meadows – Corona Park in New York City.

There are generally two kinds of shopping destinations in Manila: the mall and the tiangge ("chang-ghe"). The Manila mall is more than just a shopping experience but a cultural destination as well. The largest malls in Metro Manila are practically their own cities within the city: complete with boutiques, supermarkets, department stores, restaurants, cinemas, medical facilities, hotels, schools, offices, gyms, serviced apartments, spas, convention centers, art galleries, bowling alleys, museums, ice skating rinks, and even a chapel for Sunday masses. In February 2006, Manila upped the ante on shopping malling with the opening of the gargantuan SM Mall of Asia exactly adjacent to Manila Bay, said to be the largest mall in the region. Simply put, shopping malls abound in Metro Manila, and the shopping experience is second to none, even by western standards. An entertainment city is planned by the government and has since broken ground in 2008 adjacent to the Mall of Asia which will feature 5-6 star hotels, casinos, high-end condominiums, shopping malls, theme park, an observation tower that is set to be one of the tallest in Southeast Asia and Manila's version of the London Eye. Already a Neochinatown has sprung nearby as well as the new Marriot Resort Community (Newport) is currently under different phases of development.


Tiangge[edit]

However, if you wish to experience the "ultimate Manila shopping experience", one has to shop at a tiangge. Tiangges are small makeshift stalls clustered together that sell anything and everything you can imagine (think bazaars). But at bargain basement prices. In these places, one has to haggle, particularly if you are buying wholesale (defined as at least six pieces of the same item). The best tiangge complexes are in the Greenhills Shopping Center, Tiendesitas, Market! Market!, St. Francis Square, Tutuban Center Mall, Divisoria Mall, and 168 Mall. Go crazy buying quality clothes and shoes, pretty fashion jewelry and things for the house at very reasonable prices!

Shopping Malls[edit]

Metro Manila is by-far the most expensive urbanized area in the Philippines, but cheaper compared to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Brunei. According to the Mercer Human Resource Consulting Cost of Living Survey of 2008, Manila is the cheapest to live in Southeast Asia for expatriates.

  • Ayala Center - You should allocate at least half a day for this shopping area as it is much larger than you think. It appears that the interconnected malls are much larger than SM Mall of Asia. Its malls include Glorietta, Greenbelt and the Landmark.
  • Rockwell Powerplant Mall
  • Shangri La Plaza Mall
  • The Podium
  • SM Mall of Asia (MOA) - its facilities include an ice rink, convention center, a theme park and has over 1000 establishments; restaurants and shops as well as a Science center.
  • SM City Fairview
  • SM City Manila
  • SM Megamall
  • SM City North EDSA
  • SM City Southmall
  • SM Supercenter Pasig
  • SM City Sucat
  • Robinson's Place Manila
  • Robinson's Place Magnolia
  • Robinson's Place Pateros (Soon)
  • TriNoma
  • Market!Market!
  • Circle C
  • Ever Gotesco Mall

Eat[edit]

A tourist or visitor may be amused or perplexed to see Filipinos eating most of the time. Apart from the three major meals of the day, there are snacks in the morning and in the afternoon called merienda which are integral part of a typical Pinoy's everyday life. Metro Manila's diverse racial community had brought the rise to international cuisine, from just one corner of the street a Filipino would be eating Shawarma (more commonly known as Doner or Kebab for some westerners), another one would be enjoying his kimchee, while others would enjoy their night with sushi, some would desire Indian and Thai curry for their lunch while some would prefer the typical American breakfast in fastfood stores. For Chinese cuisine go to Chinatown where they serve Hokkien dishes; American steakhouses, high class Japanese, Korean, Indian and Thai restaurants lurk around Makati, Koreantown have cheaper options as well as Japantown (Little Tokyo). Usually if you prefer to splurge, Makati is one of the best options. Typical Filipino cuisine and streetfood are found in the streets of Manila which provide the best options, the cost could be $1-2 per serving or even lower.

Filipino Fastfood[edit]

America's influence is palpable in the Philippines, and you'll be hard pressed to find a mall without the requisite McDonalds and KFC. Filipino fastfood chains that capture the essence of Filipino food compete strongly for Philippine tastebuds however, and they may be a safe place for the tourist to try the local fare. The following are a list of fastfood chains that have branches all around the Metro, and in many cases around the country.

  • Jollibee, [x]. The most well known Filipino fastfood chain of all, Jollibee can boast of over a thousand stores in the Philippines and more than 300 stores around the world. Their most famous dish, Chickenjoy, is so loved by the locals that some consider this the national dish of the country. Typical fastfood fare for the most part, but the burger dressing will taste different (read: sweet) to most foreigners. For something a little different, try the pancit palabok, which is a vermicelli dish with an orange sauce. $1-$2 per serving.
  • Greenwich Pizza, [x]. The second of Jollibee corps' trifecta of fastfood chains, Greenwich Pizzas are your typical fare, but once again with the slightly sweeter than usual tomato sauce. Some seasonal offerings may be on offer though, like the sisig pizza, so check the menu. $2-$3 per serving.
  • Chowking, [x]. The Filipino version of Chinese food, also owned by Jollibee. For good sampling of their food, try the Lauriats, which feature a viand (beef, pork, chicken), rice, pancit (fried noodles with meat and veggies), siomai (dumplings), and buchi (a sweet rice ball covered with a sesame based coating. $2-$3 per serving.
  • Tapa King, [x]. Tapaking is where you get the ubiquitous tapsilog (fried beef strips, fried garlic rice, and egg), which is popular breakfast fare, along with other local delicacies. $2-$3 per serving.
  • GotoKing, [x]. This where you go to get the localized version of congee called goto and lugaw (rice porridge), with different kinds of toppings like chicken, roasted garlic, egg, etc.
  • Mang Insasal, [x]. A relative newcomer, Mang Inasal actually brings a variety of barbecue called "inasal" into Metro Manila from the smaller city of Bacolod (located further south in the Visayan region). They offer other grilled meats, as well as soups like sinigang (a sour, tamarind based soup). $1-2$ per serving.
  • Goldilocks, [x]. The place to go for your baked treats and sweets like mamon (a spongy round cake), polvoron (a tighly packed powdery treat) ensaymada (bread baked with cheese and sugar), and host of other delicacies for those with a sweet tooth. A must try savory treat is their fresh lumpiang sariwa (light and fresh spring roll with peanut sauce).

Where to eat

  • Greenbelt Lifestyle Center - the widest selection of food choices, which also happen to be the trendiest and most unique, can be found in the Greenbelt Area at heart of Ayala Center in Makati City. With everything upscale, you can find yourself munching tapas with a glass of sangria or having a gastronomic delight of french treats.
  • Tomas Morato - Before midnight strikes, the strip is becoming increasily famous among locals for comedy bars. However, restaurants with gastronomic delights of every kind or dish abound from end-to-end.
  • The Promenade at Greenhills
  • Baywalk - Prior to 2006, this used to be the most famous location for an abundance of affordable, delightful street food, by the bay. However, this has been closed by the city government for certain issues. Nevertheless, a visit to this area provides a different perspective of the old city of Manila.
  • Eastwood City - Peppered with a lot of choices that offer comfortable dining in airconditioned or al fresco style, this place appeals to the upbeat, on-the-rise professionals and more affluent members of the Filipino society. There are lots of things to enjoy from good food, music, to midnight movies and shopping. Very appropriate for the night owls and nearby universitarians.
  • The Fort Strip, Bonifacio High Street and Serendra located in Bonifacio Global City (a.k.a. The Fort), Taguig - Trendy, classy, isolated yet warm, surprising and fulfilling. From Makati City, it is easy to reach the newest dining and entertainment hub in the Metropolis by private car or cab.
  • Tiendesitas - literally "little stores", This place seems to have been primarily built with returning Filipinos in mind as well as foreigners interested in some kind of cultural immersion. It is a confluence of some 450 traders from the three major islands of the Philippines, namely Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, selling specialty merchandise. So much to choose from but the food pavilions are the busiest.
  • Maginhawa - literally means "prosperous", This is one of Metro Manila's "cool" or "hip" places to eat. It features lots of small restaurants with different cuisines. The prices are cheap as it caters to students from UP Diliman and the Ateneo de Manila University.

Drink[edit]

The epicenter of Metro Manila's famous nightlife is the Greenbelt in Makati and Bonifacio Global City in nearby Taguig where some of the city's best restaurants, cafes, bars and karaoke joints cluster around a park in the middle of the main business district. The Fort, Serendra and Bonifacio High Street are three different clusters that offers high-end restaurants, bars and shops in the nearby city of Taguig. Bohemian Malate and the adjoining Baywalk contain a variety of venues serving a combination of food, comedy, alcohol and live music in Manila. Other nightlife clusters in the Metro are Eastwood, Araneta Center, and Timog all in Quezon City. Many nightclubs now rival first-world standards both in terms of luxury and vibrancy. Student friendly bars can be found along Taft Avenue and Katipunan Avenue, home to the Philippines' major universities.

Additionally, there are numerous venues in which to catch elements of an active Philippine alternative rock community. Some venues, such as saGuijo Cafe in Makati, have risen to some prominence.

Sleep[edit]

Check city articles for listings

Hotels range from P500 to P10,000 above or more if you want to stay in a luxurious place, popular hotels such as Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental are found in Manila and Makati while Marriot hotels just opened a branch in Newport City. Hotels include common frills such as laundry service, telephone, TV etc. Motels have a bad reputation and perception by Filipinos as they are viewed as meeting places for illicit sex and things alike however it is the one of the cheapest options available. Condominiums are perhaps doubling and doubling in years which is a result of a growing economy in the country and investment. If you are staying for a long period of time, Condos are OK and most of them are found around financial districts and often near to commercial establishments.

Stay safe[edit]

Aside from pickpockets and cellphone-snatching, Manila is relatively safe for almost all tourists. Tourists are expected to receive warm welcome from locals especially if they are somewhat connected to the locals (for example, you are married to a local or you have a boyfriend/girlfriend who is a local).

Violent crime is quite evident in some parts of the metro, but this usually happens among locals, and tourists should not worry a lot, since there are many police and frequent police patrol cars within Metro Manila, especially tourist areas.

Bag-snatching is also common, but, of course, common sense will reduce that threat. Most victims are locals.

Be also aware of stray dogs, but they are not a problem in financial districts such as Makati CBD and Taguig and can be seen only in residential outskirts and non-commercialized suburbs of Metro Manila.

Cope[edit]

Embassies and Consulates[edit]

Metro Manila is where most countries have their embassies as it is the main gateway to the Philippines.


  • Ar-flag.png Argentina, 104 H.V. Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City, +63 2 845 3218 (). Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM.
  • As-flag.png Australia, 23rd Level, Tower 2 RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave., Makati City, +63 2 757 8100, [x]. Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM.
  • Au-flag.png Austria, 4th Floor, Prince Building, Thailand (Rada) Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, +63 2 817 9191. Mon-Fri 7:30AM-3:30PM.
  • Br-flag.png Brazil, 16th Floor, Liberty Center, 104 H. V. Dela Costa Street, Makati, +63 2 845-3651/2/3 (). Monday - Friday. 9:30h - 12:30h + 13:30h - 16:30h" Emergencies only, call (63)917-574-4513

Get out[edit]

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