Manila, Philippines

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Manila, Philippines

Region: Metro Manila


Geographic Coordinates: 14.595800, 120.977000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with two seasons: wet and dry.
Population: 24922000
Language: Tagalog

Manila is the capital city of the Philippines and offers a unique combination of history, Culture, And modernity. The city is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay and has a population of over 12 million people. The rich history dates back to its founding in 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. Spanish influence is evident throughout Manila’s architecture and landmarks such as Intramuros – a walled city that was once the center of Spanish colonial power in Asia.

Today, Intramuros has been restored and serves as a popular tourist destination where visitors can explore museums, Churches, And other historical sites. Manila also boasts an abundance of green spaces including Rizal Park which spans over 60 hectares and features beautiful gardens, Fountains, And monuments to honor famous figures from Philippine history. For those interested in shopping or dining out, Manila offers an array of options from luxury malls like SM Mall of Asia to street markets like Divisoria where bargain hunters can find anything from clothing to electronics at affordable prices.

In recent years, Manila has become known for its vibrant nightlife scene with bars and clubs catering to all tastes – from live music venues featuring local bands to rooftop bars offering stunning views across the city skyline. Despite challenges such as traffic congestion and pollution, Local authorities are making efforts to address these issues through initiatives such as improved public transport systems and environmental campaigns aimed at reducing waste. Overall Manila is a dynamic city full of contrasts – traditional meets modern; historic meets contemporary; natural beauty meets urban sprawl.

It’s this mix that makes it an exciting destination for travelers looking for adventure or simply seeking to immerse themselves in Philippine culture.



Important Landmarks

  1. Intramuros is the walled city and historical center of Manila.
  2. Rizal Park is a large public park named after national hero Jose Rizal.
  3. Manila Ocean Park is an oceanarium and marine life theme park.
  4. San Agustin Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines.
  5. National Museum of Fine Arts displays Philippine art from pre-colonial to contemporary times.
  6. Fort Santiago is a citadel built by Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi in 1571.
  7. Binondo Chinatown is the world’s oldest Chinatown outside China, established in 1594.
  8. Quiapo Church is home to the Black Nazarene, one of the most revered religious icons in the Philippines.
  9. Manila Baywalk offers a scenic promenade along Manila Bay with views of famous sunsets.
  10. Mall of Asia (MOA) is one of Southeast Asia’s largest shopping malls with an IMAX theater, ice skating rink, and amusement park rides.

Primary Industries

  1. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) – The BPO industry is the largest contributor to the economy of Manila. It includes call centers, IT services, and back-office operations.
  2. Banking and finance – Manila is home to several local and international banks, financial institutions, and stock exchanges.
  3. Manufacturing – The manufacturing industry in Manila produces a wide range of products including electronics, textiles, food products, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
  4. Tourism – As the capital city of the Philippines, Manila attracts millions of tourists each year who come to see historical landmarks such as Intramuros and Rizal Park.
  5. Retail – There are numerous shopping malls in Manila that offer a variety of local and international brands.
  6. Real estate – Due to its growing population and demand for housing options, real estate development is booming in Manila.
  7. Education – Several universities are located in Metro Manila which makes it a hub for education services not only for Filipinos but also for foreign students who want to study abroad.
  8. Healthcare – With an increasing number of healthcare facilities being established around Metro Manila it has become one of the major industries with many hospitals catering not only locals but also medical tourism patients from other countries seeking medical treatments at affordable prices compared with their home country’s healthcare costs.

Noteable History

  1. The Spanish colonization of the Philippines began in 1571, with Manila serving as the capital city of the Spanish East Indies.
  2. The Battle of Manila Bay occurred on May 1, 1898, during the Spanish-American War. Commodore George Dewey led the United States Navy in defeating the Spanish fleet.
  3. The Philippine-American War took place from 1899 to 1902, resulting in American occupation and control over Manila and other parts of the Philippines.
  4. World War II saw intense fighting between Allied forces and Japanese troops during the Battle of Manila in February-March 1945, resulting in significant destruction to many parts of Manila.
  5. Jose Rizal is a national hero who fought for Philippine independence from Spain through his writing and activism during late-19th century.
  6. Corazon Aquino became president after leading a peaceful revolution that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
  7. Andres Bonifacio founded Katipunan (a revolutionary organization that fought against Spanish colonial rule) and is a key figure in Philippine history.
  8. Imelda Marcos is a former First Lady known for her extravagant lifestyle during her husband’s reign as dictator from 1965 to 1986.
  9. Ninoy Aquino Jr., was assassinated at Manila International Airport upon his return from exile on August 21st ,1983. He was a senator at that time.
  10. Carlos P Romulo served as President of United Nations General Assembly (1949–1950), Secretary Foreign Affairs (1950–1952), Resident Commissioner to US Congress (1934–1938). He was also an esteemed diplomat.

Museums and Things To See

  1. National Museum of the Philippines
  2. Intramuros (The Walled City)
  3. Rizal Park (Luneta Park)
  4. San Agustin Church and Museum
  5. Manila Cathedral
  6. Fort Santiago
  7. Casa Manila Museum
  8. Philippine National Library and Archives
  9. Cultural Center of the Philippines
  10. Ayala Museum
  11. Metropolitan Museum of Manila
  12. Taal Volcano
  13. Paco Park Cemetery


Sports Teams

  1. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is a professional basketball team that was founded in 1979 and is owned by the San Miguel Corporation. They have won numerous championships in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and are known for their passionate fan base.
  2. The Manila Mavericks were a tennis team that played in Manila during the inaugural season of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in 2014. The team featured tennis stars such as Serena Williams, Andy Murray, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
  3. The Manila Storm is a rugby league team that was founded in 2006 and plays in the Philippines Rugby League Championship. They have won several championships over the years and are known for their physical style of play.
  4. Loyola Meralco Sparks FC is a professional football club that was founded in 2010 and plays in the Philippines Football League (PFL). They have won multiple domestic titles, including two PFL championships, and have represented the Philippines internationally.
  5. The Manila Sharks were a basketball team that played in various leagues throughout its history, including the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) from 1998 to 2002. They were known for their high-scoring offense led by former PBA star Vergel Meneses.
  6. The Philippine Patriots were a basketball team that played one season (2010-11) in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), which features teams from Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Australia/New Zealand.
  7. The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers is a college basketball program with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1911. They have won multiple UAAP championships over time producing notable players who went on to play professionally both locally and internationally.


Cultural Events

  1. Sinulog Festival is a vibrant and lively festival celebrated in January to honor the Santo Niño.
  2. Kadayawan Festival is a week-long celebration held in August that showcases the culture and traditions of indigenous tribes from Mindanao.
  3. Feast of the Black Nazarene is an annual religious procession held on January 9th, where millions of devotees gather to pay homage to the Black Nazarene statue.
  4. Manila International Book Fair is an annual event that features local and international publishers, authors, and book enthusiasts.
  5. Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival showcases independent films made by Filipino filmmakers.
  6. Pahiyas Festival is a colorful harvest festival celebrated every May 15th in Lucban, Quezon Province where houses are decorated with kiping (rice wafers) and other agricultural products.
  7. La Loma Lechon Festival celebrates one of Manila’s most famous dishes – lechon (roast pig).
  8. Philippine International Jazz & Arts Festival brings together local and international jazz musicians for concerts and workshops annually.
  9. Aliwan Fiesta features street dancers from different regions across the Philippines showcasing their traditional dances, costumes, music instruments etc in an annual cultural competition.
  10. Paskong Pinoy is a Christmas celebration starting as early as September till December with lots of activities like Simbang Gabi (dawn masses), Christmas lights display etc.

Cuisine

  • Adobo – a Filipino dish made with meat, soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. You can try it at Adobo Connection or Mesa.
  • Lechon – roasted pig that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Try it at Rico’s Lechon or Zubuchon.
  • Sinigang – a sour soup made with tamarind or other sour fruits and vegetables. Try it at Sentro 1771 or Manam.
  • Kare-kare – a peanut-based stew with oxtail, tripe, and vegetables served with bagoong (shrimp paste). Try it at Aristocrat Restaurant or Milky Way Cafe.
  • Sisig – a sizzling dish made from chopped pig’s head and liver seasoned with calamansi juice and chili peppers. Try it at Gerry’s Grill or Aling Lucing Sisig.
  • Halo-halo – a dessert made of shaved ice topped with various ingredients such as sweet beans, fruit jelly, evaporated milk, leche flan (custard), ube (purple yam) ice cream, and more! Try it at Razon’s of Guagua or Kabigting’s Halo-Halo.
  • Jollibee – the largest fast food chain in the Philippines famous for its Chickenjoy fried chicken meal along with spaghetti served sweet-style Filipino style!
  • Pancit Palabok – A traditional Filipino noodle dish topped off shrimp sauce gravy , crushed pork rinds , shrimp , boiled eggs , smoked fish flakes .
  • Bulalo – A rich beef broth soup filled to the brim bone marrow along beef shanks potatoes carrots corn cob .
  • Tapsilog – A breakfast combo of cured beef strips called Tapa served over garlic rice mixed together egg cooked sunny side up.

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Rizal Park is a popular park located in the heart of Manila. It features beautiful gardens, fountains, monuments, and a large open space for picnics and outdoor activities.
    2. Intramuros is a historic walled city within Manila that offers walking tours, horse-drawn carriage rides, and bike rentals.
    3. Fort Santiago is located within Intramuros and is a historical site that features museums and exhibits about Philippine history.
    4. Paco Park is a tranquil park with lush gardens and an old cemetery that has been repurposed for concerts and events.
    5. Quezon Memorial Circle is an expansive park in Quezon City that has playgrounds, sports facilities, picnic areas, and a large monument dedicated to former President Manuel L. Quezon.
    6. UP Diliman Campus is the main campus of the University of the Philippines in Diliman which offers jogging paths, bike trails as well as sports facilities like swimming pools and tennis courts.
    7. La Mesa Eco Park- This natural reserve located in Novaliches provides visitors with opportunities to enjoy biking trails or go on nature walks.
    8. Luneta Park- This famous landmark offers beautiful sceneries where visitors can take leisurely strolls or have picnics.
    9. Manila Baywalk- A long stretch along Roxas Boulevard offering scenic views of Manila Bay.
    10. SM Mall of Asia- Offers various recreational activities such as an ice skating rink bowling alley cinemas restaurants etc.

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