MANILA

Introduction

Welcome to Metro Manila, 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 country can the visitor acquire a greater dose of local color, a better understanding of the country's multifaceted 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. 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 hushed
silences of churches.

Visitor Information|

Daytime Pursuits:
It is almost impossible to run out of things to see and do in Metro Manila. Magnificent churches of impressive architectural proportions with their interiors chock full of relics testify to the centuries-old religious tradition of the Filipinos. Parks and shaded plazas deliver rest to weary feet; markers and monuments provide insights into significant events and people in local history. Museums and art galleries acquaint visitors with the country's rich cultural, historical and artistic heritage.

In Manila, visit Malacanang Palace , official residence of the Philippine heads of state; stroll through Rizal Park , Paco Park or Intramuros the old walled city or head for Quiapo and Chinatown for a dash of local color. For more outdoor fun and entertainment, there are sunset cruises around Manila Bay and open-air cultural events held Friday evenings at Paco Park, Saturday evenings at Puerta Real in Intramuros and Sunday afternoons at Rizal Park. Explore the museums of the Cultural Center of the Philippines located along Roxas Boulevard. Also majority of standard & first class hotels, mostly located in the along Roxas Boulevard.
In nearby Intramuros most Spanish buildings are still intact including the surrounding wall. Other interesting places to visit are the Chinese Cemetery, Rizal Park and Binondo (China town). Near Rizal Park, along Manila Bay, one can eat while watching sunset.

In Makati, spend time at the Ayala Museum for a look at the historical dioramas depicting significant events in Philippine history. The museum also has excellent models of Southeast Asian watercraft as well as archaeological artifacts. In its business district majority of renown deluxe hotels ca be found.

Farther north in Quezon City are the Quezon Memorial Circle and the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center. On these tree-shaded open spaces, get a whiff of fresh air, go biking or roller-skating, or just soak in the peace and quiet.

Sports:
Metro Manila's 11 golfing greens are some of the best places to tee off in Asia. Aside from inexpensive fees and club amenities, there are the bonuses of fresh-air, balmy sunshine and friendly, English-speaking caddies who offer solicited advice. Rates vary from course to course.

For spectator sports with a dash of local color, nothing beats the horse-races at the Sta. Ana Tracks and at the San Lazaro Hippodrome.

Dining:
Metro Manila tempts gourmets with a cosmopolitan range of cuisine. Filipino specialty restaurants abound, enticing visitors with a wide range of island flavors from the different regional kitchens of the country. Bistros, patisseries, steak houses, diners, seafood grilles and noodle houses vie for patronage along busy restaurant rows in Ermita, Malate and Roxas Boulevard (Manila), on Makati Avenue, Jupiter Street, Pasong Tamo and Pasay Road (Makati), and on Timog, West and Quezon Avenues ( Quezon City ).

Head for Ongpin Street in Chinatown! where Chinese Filipinos go for a taste of true mainland delicacies. Eat your way through the restaurant rows of Malate and Roxas Boulevard as you savor the sea breezes and watch a spectacular sunset. Farther down Roxas Boulevard towards the Cavite coastline, take your pick of fresh seafood cooked to your specifications in the many restaurants lining the road.

A peek into the basements of Metro Manila's shopping malls will reveal steaming fastfood counters serving everything from pasta, salads and sizzling steaks to kimchi, sushi and lechon (roast pig).

And then there are the sidewalk eateries which serve hearty portions of favorite native fare, as well as itinerant vendors who sell local delicacies such as banana-cue and camote-cue (fried, sugared plantain bananas or sweet potatoes skewered on a barbecue stick), fried fishballs, boiled corn and the ever-popular local delicacy, balut (boiled duck's egg with the unhatched embryo intact).

Evening Entertainment:
As the sun goes down, the lights go up in Metro Manila's nightspots. First-class hotels and restaurants attract diners with performances by local pop artists, folk dance troupes, string quartets and jazz bands. Theater and repertory acts, classical concerts and ballet performances cater to the well dressed set who frequent the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Manila Metropolitan Theater, the Repertory Theater at Shangri-La Plaza and other theaters throughout the city.

For endless evenings of dancing, music and people-watching, head for the bright lights along Makati Avenue and Pasay Road in Makati, along Quezon Boulevard, Timog and West Avenues in Quezon City, Greenhills in San Juan, and Roxas Boulevard and Malate in Manila. Trendy discos with their flashing lights and pulsating music are the delight of the dance crowd. Cozy jazz bars and music lounges offer wine and mood music along with quiet ambiance and good conversation. Karaoke bars and nightclubs entice with drinks, dancing and opportunities to let one's hair down and sing-along with the music..

Shopping:
It is extremely easy for the happy shopper to get lost in Metro Manila's treasure trove of malls, flea markets, bargain centers and antique shops. On your way to the city from the airport, stop at the handicrafts shops strategically located along the road.

The mega shopping trend has invaded the country's commercial centers. Huge structures beckon from busy intersections along EDSA such as Ayala in Makati, Cubao in Quezon City, Ortigas in San Juan, and Crossing in Mandaluyong. These shopping complexes—some covering more than 10 hectares area—have gathered, all under one roof, trendy signature antiques, shoe stores, houseware and appliance centers, shops and furniture , optical and jewelry shops, and drugstores, gourmet restaurants and fastfood galleries. Flock to these malls malls any day of the week for dining and movie-watching.

Flea market stalls crowd the congested streets of Quiapo Divisoria and Baclaran where bargain-hunters jostle and haggle for the best buy in fabric, ready-to-wear clothing, shoes and slippers, houseware and home decor items and fresh produce. Loves of and handicrafts rummage around antique shops on streets of Malate Manila and San Juan for relics, old santos (images of saints), altarpieces, vases, ceramics, baskets, earthenware and brassware.