Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is located by the mouth of the natural harbor of Manila Bay. Metro Manila's circumferential highway is known as EDSA and has carried miraculous uprisings called "People Power." Together with the new Metro Railway Transit, EDSA links the major city hubs: Roxas Boulevard, rimming Manila Bay to Makati with her spiffy Ayala Center; Ortigas Center in Pasig where huge shopping malls are found; and Cubao in middle-class Quezon City. Makati, is the country's top business and financial center.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Malacaņang Palace - The official residence of the President of the Philippines stands on the banks of the Pasig River , which snakes through Metropolitan Manila.
Rizal Park - This is Manila's chief landmark. The Rizal Monument enshrines the remains of national hero, Jose Rizal. Quirino Grandstand has been the inaugural site of several Philippine presidents, while nearby Manila Hotel is a historical landmark.
Intramuros - This 400-year old walled city was the site of early trade center long before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines. When the city of Manila was founded by a Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Lepazpi in 1571 on the site of the old settlement, the city became the capital and seat of Spanish sovereignty. Threats of invasion by Chinese, Japanese, Dutch and Portuguese pirates prompted the construction of defenses consisting of high stone walls, bulwarks and moats. Thus, the city earned the name Intramuros, meaning "within the walls". Visit the museums where Intramuros memories are kept: Casa Manila near ancient San Agustin Church, the oldest church in the Philippines whose magnificent interiors include a museum of ecclesiastical art and the new Bahay Tsinoy (Chinese Filipino) Museum. The creativity of the Filipinos is showcased in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Coconut Palace and Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Fort Santiago - Is the military outpost guarding Manila for three centuries. It is now a park and the site of the shrine of Jose Rizal, the country's national hero.
Roxas Boulevard - Boasts of the world-famous sunsets of Manila Bay.
San Sebastian Church - One of the few churches in the world made of entirely steel.
Ayala Museum - Famous for its dioramas recreating historical events.
Rockwell Center - Feature trendy establishments in an ultramodern setting.
American Cemetery and War Memorial - Remains of American and Filipino soldiers who fought side by side during World War II were buried in this beautifully-landscaped cemetery.
WHERE TO STAY
LIST OF HOTELS
Makati
AIM
Asian Mansion
Astor Hotel
BSA Mansion
BSA Suite
BSA Tower
Citadel Inn
Dusit Hotel Nikko
El Cielito Inn
Fraser Place
Hotel Inter-Continental Manila
Makati Prime Tower Suites
Makati Shangri - La Hotel
Mandarin Oriental Manila
Millennium Plaza Hotel
New World Renaissance Hotel
Oxford Suite
Peninsula Manila
Prince Plaza II
Tiara Oriental Hotel
Manila
Atrium Suite
Bayview Park Hotel
Century Park Sheraton Hotel
City Garden Hotel
Citystate Tower
Executive Plaza
Garden Plaza
Golden Bay Hotel
Grand Boulevard Hotel
Heritage Hotel
Hyatt Hotel & Casino
Hyatt Regency Manila
Kimberly Hotel
Las Palmas
Lotus Garden
Manila Diamond Hotel
Manila Hotel
Manila Midtown Hotel
Manila Pavilion
Orchid Garden Hotel
Palm Plaza
Pan Pacific Hotel
Pearl Manila
Westin Philippine Plaza
Mandaluyong
Astoria Plaza
Crowne Plaza
Discovery Suites
Edsa Shangri-la Hotel
Horizon Edsa Hotel
Legend Hotel Manila
Linden Suites
Holiday Inn Galleria Suites
Richmonde
Quezon City
ACL Suites
Century Imperial Palace Suites
Fernandina 88 Suite Hotel
Garden Height
Hotel Rembrandt
Sulo Hotel
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