I must’ve said Manila will always be home to me a hundred times – regardless if all my IDs already says “Bulakenya”. Despite its flaws – streets in disarray, the countless peddlers and its poverty-and-corruption-tinged reputation – I would always consider it as my foremost home.
Roxas Boulevard Baywalk
1. Walk along the Roxas Boulevard Baywalk and ride the ferry at sunset.
Sunset at the Baywalk
This 10-kilometer stretch of bayfront boulevard is home to a variety of food stalls, handicraft shops and benches to accommodate a most pleasurable view of Manila’s Sunset Boulevard. Roxas Boulevard is also home to two of the country’s finest cultural and arts shacks, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Aliw Theatre. A plethora of restaurants and bars adorn the stretch and the adjacent Macapagal Avenue.
If you’re feeling extra romantic, take a ferry ride at sunset at the Manila Bay and be mesmerized as the sun settles down its vast waters. Small ferries go ’round the bay for 30 minutes, taking passengers early in the morning and at dusk. While the vessels are a bit old, the P30-ride provides a closer, more expansive vista of the bay.
Afterwards, head on to that grill station fronting the colossal Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant .It serves one of the best grilled liempo in town!
At the open grill station in CCP
2. Experience the Makati nightlife and its jaw-dropping skyline
The city of Makati is home to Metro Manila’s tallest, most impressive architectural structures. Skyscrapers and upscale hotels abound in every corner, lending an air of globalization all throughout the city. Among its most popular landmarks are the Philippine Stock Exchange, the Peninsula Manila and the Glorietta and Greenbelt malls.
But that’s only one side of the coin. Known for its bustling nightlife, Makati is also teeming with alternative lifestyle and clubbing opportunities: from al-fresco bars to KTVs, to the world-renowned Hard Rock Café.
Aerial view of Glorietta
Back when I still worked in Makati, one of the KTVs my friends and I frequent during paydays is Top Grill KTV along Jupiter Avenue. We choose it for its laid-back, spacious KTV rooms, affordable rates, and yummy appetizers (our favorite is the fried pulutan platter – a mix of chicharon bulaklak, cheese sticks, crispy crablets and a lot more). While service is usually slow at Top Grill (basically because it’s always jampacked, especially during weekends), the P295/ per head (consumable; includes the room and KTV use) rate for 3 hours is definitely value for money.
Videoka nights at Top Grill KTV
3. Go mall-hopping!
Being the country’s capital, Manila is a major seat of trade and commerce. Everything you ever want and need is right in its malls and complexes – be it the latest gadgets, sports, entertainment and lifestyle activities, dining outlets, or accessories and apparel!
Robinson’s Place Ermita
Robinson’s fountain area
One of our favorite malls in the city is Robinson’s Place Manila, which is where Jigs and I first met. Robinson’s easily navigable architecture and laid-back atmosphere (and for Jigs, the huge Handyman hardware), comfortable cinemas, and wide array of stores, kiosks and diverse finds are its most lovable points. I don’t know about you, but we just don’t find the Ayala malls (Trinoma, Glorietta) as likeable as Rob because of their narrow and complicated designs, and uber-sosyal vibe.
Sunset at the rooftop parking of Robinson’s Place Manila
Apart from the Robinson’s Place Mall in Ermita, the city is also home to a wide range of SM department store branches, including the SM Mall of Asia, Asia’s largest mall that is nestled at the heart of the lovely Roxas Boulevard Baywalk.
SM Mall of Asia fronting Manila Bay
4. Take a leisurely stroll in Intramuros.
Within Manila stands the Walled City , Intramuros, Manila Fort Santiago
Casa Blanca garden in Intramuros
Casa Blanca
Most of the structures in this historic district, which date back to the Spanish Colonial Period, remain preserved at present, including authentic cannons and beautiful Spanish casas, parks and gardens – all of which are popular wedding venues. Also found inside Intramuros are the Manila Cathedral and the 16th century Roman Catholic church, San Agustin Church, the country’s oldest.
Manila Cathedral
San Agustin
Activities I miss? Climbing the Baluarte de San Diego walls, and simply wasting time away writing or looking over Manila with Jigs or friends. Eating at Anak ni Six Six Four during lunchbreak. Skipping a boring class and doing a 20-minute walkathon from PLM to SM Manila. Chowing on street food and palamig along Round Table after class. Watching frogs and dragonflies hop from one lotus to another at the Puerta Real Gardens pond.
5. Rediscover Rizal Park
Commonly known as Luneta Park, or simply Luneta, Rizal Park has become one of the most distinct places associated with Filipinos.Within its grounds lie the famous Dr. Jose Rizal monument (which by the way, is just one of numerous ones scattered around the globe), as well as enchanting oriental gardens, an open auditorium, the Lapu-Lapu monument, a skating rink, and vast picnic areas. This historical park sits adjacent to Intramuros, and is surrounded by the Manila Ocean Park, the Planetarium, the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion, the National Museum and the National Library. If you’ve got lots of time, you could easily do the rounds in all of these magnificent spots!
6. See the urban sights of Fort Bonifacio.
Otherwise known as The Global City, Bonifacio Global City, or simply, The Fort, Fort Bonifacio has been developed into Taguig’s premier urbanized district. Home to high-end condo units, towering skyscrapers, the St. Luke’s Medical Center and the International School Manila, The Fort also boasts a comprehensive shopping complex, Market!Market!, and Boni High Street, an open-air strip of trendy bars, cafes, restaurants and upscale boutiques. Located nearby is the Piazza, Serendra’s very own mini-mall.
7. Experience wildlife and nature at the Manila Zoo.
Mali, Manila Zoo’s famous resident elephant from Sri Lanka
Spanning almost six hectares, the Manila Zoo and Botanical Garden houses over 800 animals and various plant and tree species. Built in 1959, it stands as Asia’s first, largest and oldest zoo. For a P40-admission fee (P20 for kids; half if you’re a Manila resident), you get to see all those wonderful creatures and enjoy fun-
filled activities such as boating, picture taking in photobooths and shopping for eclectic souvenirs!
8. Go on a shopping spree in one of Manila’s tiangges.
Filipinos are known for their love of cheap buys and frugality. And so comes one tiangge – or flea market offering assorted wet and dry goods, usually at hugely discounted prices – buffeting one open space to another.
Guadalupe Park. Nearby are tons of tiangge stores.
Guadalupe and Divisoria’s budget-friendly finds are guaranteed to transform you into one shopping-frenzied addict. If you prefer a more intimate, upscale shopping experience, then head over to the posh stalls in Tiendesitas or the Greenhills Shopping Center
9. Ride the jeepney.
The Philippine jeepney stands as the most ubiquitous and most distinct symbol of Filipino culture. It is the country’s “national vehicle”, serving thousands of Filipinos daily since World War II. As we always say, you can never consider yourself a true-blue Filipino if you haven’t ridden a jeepney!
Jeepneys are known for their flamboyant designs, each possessing unique character and art, an undeniable proof of the innate genuine Filipino artistry.
10. Visit Manila’s olden churches.
Being a predominantly Catholic country (and the only Catholic country in Asia), Catholic churches of all shapes and sizes abound in the Philippines. Understandably, being the country’s premier religion and trade center since the Spanish era, Manila contains some of the most beautiful olden churches in the region. Two of these, San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral, can be found in Intramuros.
San Agustin Church in Intramuros
Manila Cathedral in Intramuros
Malate Catholic Church (Our Lady of Remedies Parish) along Roxas Boulevard
Built mainly as a municipal cemetery for the aristocrats during the Spanish regime, St. Pancratius Chapel (more popularly known as the Paco Park Church) serves both as a chapel and a recreational park. Its circular promenade is beautifully decorated with trees, flowers, grass and a fountain that opens at night and during weddings.
St. Pancratius Chapel in Paco
Hollow niches occupy the adobe walls of the garden, where numerous Filipino heroes are interred including the three Gomburza Martyrs and Dr. Jose Rizal himself.
Found along the streets of Gen. Luna and Padre Faura in Paco, this dome-shaped church is a favorite venue for intimate weddings, with its capacity of 150 persons max.
Also worth visiting are Sts. Peter and Paul Church and Nuestra Senora de Gracia in Makati. Sts. Peter and Paul’s most notable feature aside from old exterior is its gold-plated altar. This hidden gem in Poblacion, Makati is where Jigs and I got married in 2009.
Sts. Peter and Paul Church
Nuestra Senora de Gracia in Guadalupe is perhaps Makati’s most famous church. An all-time favorite for weddings, this quaint church in Bernardino Street has been used as a venue for numerous local movies and TV series where nuptial scenes were required. It boasts wooden interiors, a huge parking space, and an extremely photogenic, old exterior.
Nuestra Senora de Gracia Church
10. Mingling with people, old and new.
What makes Manila truly unforgettable are its people: the warm smiles, the endearing hospitality, the security that whether you’re a fellow Filipino or a foreigner, you can always ask any stranger in the street for directions and tips and receive more than that.
This article is now available as a mobile app. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article.
Manila has tons to offer, a lot more than foreign even local) travelers think. This is a nice compilation. Happy New Year!
I couldn't agree more, Gay. Happy New Year to you, too and your family. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
I super love Divisoria and MOA hehehe kahit walang pera sige pa din sa pasyal hehe
I know a lot of people who doesn't favor Manila as they can't get pass the traffic and chaos that seems to define Manila. But truth be told, ang daming hidden gems ng Maynila waiting for anyone to discover. I wish more people will see that especially us Filipinos.
Me, too! –> Ex-Divi hoarder 🙂
I agree with you, Manila is more than what meets the eye. Despite its chaotic exterior, Manila has so many things to offer, like for instance, great street food. No city in the Philippines can top that:)
Practical and very informative. 2 thumbs up! 🙂
Thank you, Michelle. Manila is heart. Hope you made the rounds yourself 🙂