Metro Manila is the political, economic, social, educational, cultural and recreational hub of this vast archipelago of 7,107 islands that is the Philippines. Nowhere else in the Philippines can you acquire a greater dose of local color, a better understanding of the country's multi-faceted culture, or as many glimpses of its contrasts as in this pulsating, vibrant metropolis.
The streets are alive with colorful jeepneys, rumbling buses and sleek automobiles. In old sections of Manila like Intramuros (the old walled city) and Chinatown, clip-clopping horse-drawn carriages pick their way through traffic.
Glass and concrete towers rise side-by-side with Spanish colonial houses and neo-classical government buildings. Dragon arches and elaborately-styled mansions define the enclaves of the Chinese and the rich and famous. Nearby you might find shanty housing of the poor and the less fortunate.
Outside the civilized bustle of air-conditioned shopping centers, sidewalk vendors haggle and press with the sweaty, hurrying crowds. The glare and gaiety of marketplaces are mere steps away from the peaceful greenery of parks and the divine atmosphere of churches.
Premier gateway to the many islands and tourist destinations north and south of the Philippines, Metro Manila has its own share of attractions to suit almost every interest.
In Manila, churches, theaters and museums vie for the attentions of history and culture buffs. Malls, boutiques, flea markets and antique shops offer endless surprises for shoppers and souvenir-hunters.
Posh restaurants and sidewalk eateries entice gastronomic adventurers. Snazzy discos and cozy bars entertain the night owl.
Golfing greens, country clubs and accessible out-of-town resorts provide recreation and relaxation for all.
And everywhere, a friendly, festive people who smile readily, adore music and love to welcome visitors with their world-famous brand of hospitality.
GETTING AROUND
The Philippine jeepney is the "king of the road". It was created after World War II. Filipinos changed the US military jeeps into public transport units. This solved the shortage of transport after the war, and parting with American surplus jeeps.
Filipinos lengthened the body of the jeep and put opening at the back for easier entry. They added metal roofs and gave the body colorful designs. The result is the jeepney that is uniquely Filipino.
Simply jeep here, the Philippine jeepney became the main mode of mass transport. It runs 24 hours a day and travels in most parts of Metro Manila. In fact, you see the jeepney in almost everywhere.
Except in a few main roads, jeepneys reign in the roads in Manila. They provide jobs to a large number of Filipinos as drivers. And jeepney drivers have their own way of navigating the traffic and the streets.
I take the Philippine jeepney for short trips during the day. Short trips are perfect because of the Manila weather, the hot climate and pollution. And getting a ride is easy. There are jeepney stops, but jeeps can be hailed anywhere. Well, almost anywhere.
I used to sit in front beside the driver to see where I was going. When I was new in Manila, I would not ride a jeep if the front seats were occupied. Looking for landmarks is easier when sitting in front.
As time went by, I realized that the front seats were not convenient. Because the engine is at the front, I could feel the heat coming from the engine even for a short trip. But this was after I was fully satisfied seeing sights being seated at the front. :)
It is different being seated at the back. It can also be funny. People sit facing the opposite passenger. I like sitting near the driver for a few reasons. I can easily remind the driver of my change when he "forgets" it. I always ask the driver if I'm not sure about the fare or destination.
And I don't have to shout louder when calling for a stop.
Sitting near the driver means I have to reach for fares of other passengers in the Philippine jeepney. This is how it works. People reach for the fare until it reaches the driver.
This is sometimes funny because some passengers pretend not to notice the fare being paid to the driver, even when the fare drops to the jeepney floor. The more helpful person has to stretch herself to reach for it.
I have noticed different ways of people when calling for a stop in the Philippine jeepney. Some whistle at the driver. Others simply bang the roof. Others say "Para", or stop, not loud enough for the driver to hear.
To address these, some jeeps have strings inside, usually in the middle of the roof, to be pulled when calling for a stop. And an instruction that says "Pull string to stop" is hung or written, sometimes not noticeable enough.
When I take the Philippine jeepney, I look for funny moments inside. It's the best way to beat the traffic and the heat while getting around Manila. But I'm also alert not to pass by my destination. Otherwise, the fun is on me.
Manila City - Cosmopolitan Capital Of The Philippines
History
Manila was first founded in June 24, 1571 by three Spanish conquistadors, led by Martin de Goiti, Juan de Salcedo and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. In 1867, the Spanish Government of the Philippines founded the municipalities and territories south of the District of Morong in Nueva Ecija, north of the Province of Tondo and Imperial Manila, and isolated these from their mother province-Nueva Ecija. The Government created the Province of Manila composed of the Province of Tondo to the south and the isolated territories of Nueva Ecija to the north. The parts of Tondo were Navotas, Malabon, and Caloocan; and the parts of Nueva Ecija were Mariquina, Balintawak, Caloocan, Pasig, San Felipe Neri (presently called Makati), Las Piñas, what had been known as Paranaque, and Muntinlupa were combined to form the Province of Manila. The capital of the Province was Intramuros, then itself called and considered to be Manila, a walled city located along the banks of Pasig River and Manila Bay in the present Manila.
In 1897, while the Imperial City of Manila is being prepared for industrialization, most houses in Tondo were demolished to give way to railroad construction. One of those whose house was demolished was Andres Bonifacio, the founder of the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangan, Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Supreme and Revered Union of the Children of the Nation) or KKK, a secret organization which aimed towards independence and self-governance away from the Spanish government. In 1896, the Cry of Balintawak was initiated, an event which denounces the Spanish authority by tearing their cedulas or residence tax slips. On December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal, the Philippine National Hero, was executed by the Spanish government in Bagumbayan, an execution site near Intramuros. This event led to the Filipino uprising against Spain. Likewise, The Province of Manila was the 8th and last Province to revolt against Spain paving the establishment of the Federated Philippine Republics (composed of Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite and Manila). The Province remained in existence until 1901, when its territory was subdivided by the Americans.
In 1901, the Philippine Assembly created the City of Manila composed of the Municipalities of Ermita, Intramuros or Imperial City of Manila, Tondo, Santa Cruz, Santa Ana, San Nicolas, San Miguel, Paco, Port Area, Pandacan, Sampaloc, Quiapo, Binondo and others. Some Assemblymen included the municipalities of Caloocan, Marikina, Pasig, Parañaque, Malabon, Navotas, San Juan, Makati, Mandaluyong (San Felipe Neri), Las Piñas, Muntinglupa and Taguig-Pateros to a new province named Rizal. The capital of the province was Pasig.
In 1976, owing a great respect to the history of Manila, President Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Decree 824, creating the Metropolitan Manila Area. The site of the old province of Manila can no longer be used for agricultural purposes and therefore the term "province" is not applicable. The decree seceded the 12 municipalities and 2 cities of Rizal, the municipality of Valenzuela in Bulacan, Quezon City and Manila. The Metropolitan Manila Commission is created to administer the emerging metropolis. Marcos appointed his wife Imelda Marcos as governor of Metro Manila.
In 1986, after a major government reorganization, President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order No. 392 and changed the structure of the Metropolitan Manila Commission and renamed it to Metropolitan Manila Authority. Metro Manila Mayors chose from themselves as chair of the agency.
In 1995, through Republic Act 7924, Metro Manila Authority was reorganized and became the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. The chair of the agency is appointed by the President and should not have a concurrent elected position such as mayor.
Description
Fascination is an understatement of the feeling that one gets by visiting Manila, a lively metropolis commanding a magnificent view of the world-famous Manila Bay and its golden sunset. Historic, bustling, awe-inspiring, the "Philippine Cosmopolitan Capital" is a blend of cultures and flavors that offers an endless serving of places to see, sights to behold, and experiences to never forget.
Right in the heart of Manila is found the"Walled City“ Intramuros. Constructed in 1571, during the period of Spain's colonization of the Philippines, it comprised of European buildings and churches that have been replicated in different parts of the archipelago. It had been one of the world's best preserved medieval cities. Here, dungeons and old churches share space with art galleries, theaters, a nature park.
At the center of Intramuros is the grand Manila Cathedral, the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Then there is San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in Metro Manila and one of the four Philippine Baroque Churches inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List. Marking its entrance at the northwestern tip is Fort Santiago, one of the oldest fortifications of Intramuros. Built in nearly 150 years through Filipino forced labor, it now houses a lush park with flowering trees, homing pigeons, and rides aboard horse-drawn carriages.
Manila is home to Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the highest chief executive of the country and one of the most historic structures in the Philippines, and the National Museum of the Philippines, the official repository and guardian of the Philippine cultural, historical, and natural heritage. Along the northern bank of the historic Pasig River is Chinatown, a symbol of the long history of Chinese presence in the Philippines long antedating the arrival of the Spaniards. Today it is an important trade and business center, and a primary bargain shopping destination.
Five-star hotels and restaurants, some of them housed in historic buildings, make the perfect party place in the city. The nightlife offers everything from dazzling cultural shows to futuristic discotheques, lively casinos, sensational entertainment lounges, and fashionable cafes. The popular districts of Malate and Ermita showcase a wild variety of restaurants, clubs, bars, cafes, art and antique shops - truly, the ultimate cosmopolitan paradise.
Manila is geographically advantaged. It is an hour or two away from full-day excursions to Cavite and Corregidor Island, Batangas, and Laguna, replete with exceptionally beautiful beaches, stunning views, and local color. The city is over 17 hours away by air from Los Angeles, less than five hours from Tokyo, and seven and a half hours from Sydney. Wherever you are, you are less than a day away from one of Asia's greatest cities - Manila.
Geography
The city of Manila is located on the west coast of the Philippine main island of Luzon and surrounded by fertile plains. The city straddles at the delta of the Pasig River, a short navigable stream that connects the fresh water lake of Laguna de Bay with Manila Bay and the South China Sea. It occupies a total land area of 38.3 square kilometers.
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