Manila

Manila Past and Present

Manila started as a small tribal settlement near Manila Bay on the banks of the Pasig River. It took its name from two Tagalog words: "may," it means "there is," and "nilad," a mangrove plant with white flowers, originally grew abundantly along the Pasig River and Manila Bay shores. 

Maynilad was a relatively prosperous Islamic community ruled by Rajah Sulayman, the descendant of a royal Malay dynasty, or where the nilad grows. On May 24, 1570, a Spanish expedition supporting Marshal Martin de Goiti entered the settlement of Sulayman, nearly 50 years after a Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan, commanded by Spain's King first set its foot on Manila. 

By burning down the villages and taking the cannons, De Goiti met the resistance of the Muslim king. Manila was enclosed within walls the Muslim settlement in the late 16th century whose sovereign imposed customs duties on all trade that passed the River of Pasig. The Spanish conquistadors, who are out to conquer new territory was accompanied by the first Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines, Miguel López de Legazpi entered the river on 1571. The settlement was destroyed and Intramuros Fortress City was built in its place. Manila has become the new colony's capital. 

A few scattered villages were standing outside the city walls, each governed by a local chieftain and each centered on a marketplace. With the establishment of Spanish colonial rule, churches were built near the marketplaces, where the population density was greatest. By then, Manila had become the Philippines' capital and main town. 

The City has a unique position in the political geography of the Philippines because it is a chartered city and fulfills the functions of a province for the 16 cities and; 1 municipality that makes up its metropolitan area. It is composed of 16 cities namely: Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan City, Las Piñas City, Makati City, Malabon City, Mandaluyong City, Marikina City, Muntinlupa City, Navotas City, Parañaque City, Pasay City, Pasig City, San Juan City, Taguig City, Valenzuela City, and the municipality of Pateros. 

The city is the center of the economic, political, social and cultural development of the country. Located on Luzon Island, it extends along Manila Bay's eastern shore at the Pasig River mouth. For four decades, Manila has been the main city of the Philippines and is the center of both its industrial development and the international port of entry. 

When you visit the Philippines, you are likely to start your trip in Manila, the capital city of the country. Manila is a people-filled city with colonial Spanish architecture, historical buildings and museum, street vendors, and Jeepneys. 

Most travelers simply use Manila as a gateway to other Philippine destinations, but we would suggest that you spend at least one day there in preparation for the rest of your adventure. It is admired for its friendly and hospitable locals, historic landmarks, and astonishing sights that leave everyone mesmerized. Until today, the schools, historical buildings, landmarks, museums and other places that have been constructed during the Spanish time are being preserved by the government. 

Manila is home to the oldest functioning university in Asia. It is the University of Santo Tomas in Sampaloc, Manila. Founded in 1611, the university is also the region's largest Catholic university in terms of the student population. In the walled city of Intramuros, you will see a slice of Spanish colonial history within it. The widely lauded Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception also known as Manila Cathedral that is located in Intramuros, and a citadel known as Fort Santiago that built In 1953 by the Spanish navigator and governor back then. 

One of Manila’s best attractions was in Binondo. Manila’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in the world. The Spaniards built it during the 1590s as a settlement for Catholic Chinese. It is one of the most visited in the country because of the appearance of authentic Chinese foods from different restaurants and bargain shopping that continue until today to bring in crowds. 

In every corner of Manila, you will find malls, fashion and clothing shops, tiangge, and stalls selling second-hand clothes also known as ukay-ukay. The area also has the fourth largest shopping mall in the Philippines and the 14th in the world. This mall is no longer simply a shopping stop, it also includes fun features that are for everyone such as an IMAX cinema, skating arena that is Olympic-sized, concert areas, and convention centers. 

If you want to have a big discount during your shopping, you must visit Divisoria stalls and ukay-ukay shops, it is best-known shopping center in the country for selling cheap clothes, shoes, bags and also kitchen utensils, home décor and more. While you tend to enjoy the sights that Manila gave, visiting Manila also means filling one's starving tummy. There are fine dining restaurants, fast food chains, affordable food stalls also known as carinderia, and food carts that serve Filipino street foods. 

There are many foods that the Philippines has known for but here is the most famous food in the area such as Adobo, Sinigang, Kare-Kare, and Kinilaw that you can find in any Filipino restaurant or in carinderia. Other popular Filipino street foods are balut and Filipino's favorite halo-halo dessert during summer. The scenes of the sunset are beautiful, romantic and calming, and is certainly a beautiful sight for anyone. 

The astonishing sunset scenery that turns the sea and sky into gold will take away your worries and stresses throughout the day. Manila Bay is recognized as one of the best places to catch the sunset in the country. The sunset of Manila Bay is one of the best in the world, both foreigners and locals believe. Visit and enjoy the beautiful view of the sunset and sea, head over to the decks and lounges of nearby towering hotels along Manila's boardwalk. 

Hospitality is a trait by every Filipino that admired by everyone around the world, they are very welcoming by their warm-hearted generosity and friendliness to foreigners even locals that they met. They are very accomodating and would extend any form of help without asking anything in return from you and they are proud to help make your stay in Manila a truly unforgettable and fun experience.