Destination Guide to Manila, Philippines

The earliest accounts of Manila in the Philippines come from as early as the 10th century and paint Manila as a city of rich culture, tradition and history. Despite having been devastated in the Second World War, Manila has been rebuilt and is now an exceptionally popular tourist destination.

Manila is historically a very rich city as a result of the famous galleon trade that existed in the 17 and 18 hundreds. Manila became the centre of this trade and this is largely due to Manila Bay, Manila’s excellent harbour.

Manila is a great city to visit and the cheap hotels in Manila mean that it is a great place to tour without having to spend too much on accommodation. Despite the ruin left by invading forces in the war, many historical places of interest are still around and attract many visitors every year. These include Fort Santiago, a Spanish fort built between 1571 and 1720, Rizal Shrine, Mabini Shrine, Bonifacio Shrine, San Agustin Church and Museum, the Manila Cathedral and China Town to name but a few.

The city is greatly influenced by the Spanish who controlled the area for three centuries up till 1898. This resulted in a lot of the architecture being dominated by Spanish styles and themes. There are also many Christian buildings that were built during this time. These buildings are great places to visit and attract millions of visitors every year. Fortunately, the local people never lost their own personal identity and, as a result, the Spanish influence is an addition to the local flavour of the city instead of a replacement.

One of the most important events that take place in Manila is the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Held every January, this Christian festival attracts millions of tourists and pilgrims to the city. There are also many festivals and events that centre on religion which is a very big part of the lives of the Manila people. The rich diversity of the city however ensures that these festivals are of many different religions and these tend to be great attractions and are well worth a visit.

There are also other festivals throughout the year which are dedicated to arts and music. These include the Philippine International Jazz and Arts festival in March, Manila Day, also known as Araw ng Maynila, in June and the Kalesa Festival in September.

Manila has a great night life and the pedestrian traffic has brought about the rise of food vendors on the streets. Although it might be quite risky partaking of the delicacies offered by these vendors, the variety and flavours offered may make up for the general lack of hygiene. There are many local dishes for the tourist willing to take a chance and some of the dishes not to be missed include Balut (boiled duck embryo – not for the faint of heart), Chicharon, Kewk Kewk, Silog and Sisig.

Of course, there are many restaurants that one can visit if they would just like to try the food without the associated risks of the street vendors but many of the dishes do not fit into what is considered normal for most tourists (especially Westerners). However, visiting exotic locations is not complete without immersing oneself in the culture, cuisine and lifestyles of the locals.