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Home , 168 Shopping Mall, Ayala Bridge, Bahay Tsinoy, Binondo Church, Casa Manila, Coconut Palace

Manila The Entertainment Capital

The is a country of 7,107 vibrant and colourful islands, all pulsating with life and teeming of with flavour. Yet, it is in where you can hear its heart beating the loudest! Manila is a Getting there sophisticated capital - the seat of power, centre Manila of trade and industry, commerce, education, Major Airport Gateways: entertainment and the arts. It is an invigorating Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Airport Code MNL blend of some of the country’s oldest and richest heritage treasures, and the most modern Air Transport: metropolitan features of the Philippine landscape. Aside from being a major international gateway city, Its people have acquired an urban cosmopolitan Manila is also a jump off point for intra-regional air travel. air about them, but have managed to retain their The Ninoy Aquino International Airport services over 40 airlines providing daily services to more than 26 cities warm and friendly smiles that have made Filipino and 19 countries worldwide. Duty-free centres, tourist hospitality renowned throughout the world. information counters, hotel and travel agency representatives, banks, postal services, a medical clinic, and Manila started as a small tribal settlement along the a baggage deposit area support airport operations. NAIA is before it became the seat of Spanish also a series of domestic airport terminals that act as hubs colonial rule in Asia during the 16th century. to various regional and provincial airports in the country.

For more than 300 years, Manila served as the Water Transport: center of Spanish military might in the region, Manila has always been an important port of call for trade, and an important port in the trans-Pacific galleon but lately has become an increasingly-popular destination trade. When the Philippines was ceded to the for cruise ships and leisure vessels. Situated within a tranquil harbor, Manila is the chief seaport of the Philippines, by the late 19th century, Manila serving the city’s commercial needs and is also considered transformed into a cosmopolitan city, patterned as one of Asia’s major ports. Scheduled trips to other after the styles of American post-colonial designs. Philippine ports leave on a regular basis, which provide areas like and still have those quaint Today, surrounded by ultra-modern skyscrapers, travelers with a different mode for exploring the country. little kalesas or horse-drawn carriages. one can still catch glimpses of this Spanish-American There are presently three elevated railway systems that ply past. Manila has thrived and survived it all, a Hotels and Resorts the entire width and breadth of . Stops are bustling megalopolis of 17 cities and municipalities The country is known worldwide for its charming brand of strategically positioned to make traveling very convenient and comfortable. The system is a faster option to visiting and over 12 million inhabitants. hospitality. Not surprisingly, you can find the best chains the city’s various sights and attractions. of hotels in the metropolis, all providing top-rate services and amenities at reasonable prices. Accommodation facilities may be found in the city’s numerous districts, Eating out and Nightlife from Manila’s famed to the Ayala Fast Facts Dining in Manila is such a delight, and one will be absolutely Commercial District in , and from the Ortigas thrilled by the exciting blend of Philippine, Spanish, Malay, Time Zone: GMT + 8 Centre in to the nightlife districts of Tomas Chinese and American influences. love to eat, Morato in City. Budget-conscious travelers can Visa: Only required if staying more than 30 days and so restaurants are simply all over the place. The º, also avail of the city’s myriad of inns, apartelles and should appeal to the most discriminating palates. Climate: November to February – cool and pension houses. mostly dry; March to June – warm and mostly dry; Manila is the perfect place to go for daring culinary July to October – warm and mostly wet Manila Musts adventures. Look out for balut, taho, fishballs and dirty ice cream. Try San Miguel Beer with everything you eat, 24°C – 32°C Transportation within the Metropolis Average Temperature Year-round: but for the more adventurous, there’s tuba, gin bulag and Attire: Light casual clothes all year round Getting around the city can be quite an adventure, and Tanduay Rhum. Street vendors are everywhere, and you one does not truly experience Manila’s way of life without can even buy peanuts and all sorts of goodies while riding in taxis, jeepneys and buses. Money: Philippine Pesos. Check with the local a ride in a kaleidoscopic . Originally converted from banks for current exchange rates. All major credit left-over US Army jeeps, the jeepney has become an icon Five-star hotels and luxuriously-appointed restaurants cards accepted Philippines Department of Tourism of Filipino ingenuity and creativity and is the backbone of make perfect dinner venues for top-quality events. 10 -11 Suffolk Street London, SW1Y 4HG the Philippine transportation system. Passengers may get And if it’s partying you’re after, then it’s partying you Water: Bottled water available in resorts, on and off just about anywhere. It is the preferred mode get! The nightlife offers everything from dazzling cultural restaurants and convenience stores Tel: 020 7321 0668 Fax: 020 7925 2920 of public transport for short distances. shows to futuristic discotheques, karaoke bars, lively E-mail: [email protected] Taxicabs and buses also ply the main routes of the city. For casinos, sensational entertainment lounges, and Communications: International and direct dial www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk phone and fax. Internet cafes are widely available inner city roads, one can always take a tricycle (motorbike fashionable cafes. Manila, after all, is the Entertainment with a side car) or a pedicab (bicycle with a side car). Some Capital of Southeast Asia! MAP A - INTRAMUROS Shopping Shops Markets and Crafts Useful Websites for the Region: 1. Market! Market! – Map C Manila is a shopping dreamland, and the city has the largest concentration of malls and shopping complexes in the entire All Regions http://www.visitmyphilippines.com 2. – Map C Philippines. Some of them, like Shoe Mart’s (SM) Mall of Asia, are listed as among the world’s largest. All of them provide 3. – Map C Manila en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila quality local and foreign merchandise at very affordable prices. Other than the posh fashion emporiums and endless rows of 4. Makati Cinema Square – C4 www.manilaguide.com high-end retail boutiques, there are also the small bazaars, trade fairs, shops, sidewalk stalls and markets that sprout all over MANILA 5. Power Plant – C4 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Manila the metropolis. Shop for South Sea Pearls, fashion accessories, ready-to-wear clothing, shoes and bags, housewares and 6. Starmall – D3 www.manila.gov.ph home decoration items and be pleasantly surprised at the amount of savings made. And forget not to haggle, for haggling is 7. SM Megamalls A & B – D3 Makatii www.makati.gov.ph not just acceptable but a protocol when shopping in Manila’s frenzied, frantic flea markets. 8. – D3 9. Shangri-La Plaza – D3 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makati 10. Robinson’s Galleria – D3 www.world66.com/asia/southeast Manila Attractions and Landmarks 11. Greenhills Shopping Centre - showcases asia/philippines/makati various stalls selling every kind of 11. Robinson’s Galleria – D3 16. Makati Medical Centre – C4 16. – Map C Historical Landmarks and Monuments www.makati.com merchandise, from exotic South Sea pearls 12. Greenhills Commercial Complex 17. Asian Hospital – B5 17. British School – Map C to cheap garments, mobile phones and – (Greenhills Shopping Centre, Theatre Mall, Mandaluyong www.mandaluyong.gov.ph/ 1. Intramuros (the “Walled City”) - located 13. - links San Miguel to – B3 electronic accessories; trinket stores are all 18. Manila Adventist Medical Centre – Map B 18. Ateneo Professional Schools – Cultural/Religious Buildings The Promenade, Music ) – D2 C3 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ along the southern bank of the , side by side making for extremely 14. Manila Post Office Building – Map A competitive prices – D2 13. Araneta Centre – (Araneta Coliseum Circle, 19. Mapua Institute of Technology (Makati Campus) – C3 Mandaluyong_City was built by the Spanish in the 16th 1. Manila - seat of the Catholic Parks and Plazas Gateway Mall, , ) – D2 century and is the oldest district of the city Archdiocese of Manila, presently the 6th 12. – D2 City www.pasay.gov.ph/ 15. – Map A 1. Park (Luneta Park) one of the largest parks cathedral to rise on the site since 1581 13. Araneta Centre - ’s central 14. Eastwood City - its City Walk is a pedestrian of Manila – B3 in Southeast Asia used by Spaniards as an en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasay_City 16. Metropolitan Theatre - an art deco building – Map A commercial area that hosts 5 malls, friendly streetscape with trendy restaurants & cafes, with al fresco dining and a regular execution ground for Filipino rebels and 1. – Map C 2. – Map A built in 1935, it was Manila’s main venue 2. San Agustin Church - oldest stone church including the Gateway Mall – D2 Pasig City en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasig_City offering of outdoor concerts and shows – D2 mutineers – Map A for performances (vaudeville to opera) in Metro Manila and one of the four (4) 14. - a tiangge-style shopping centre 2. Yuchengco Museum – C4 www.pasigcity.gov.ph 3. San Agustin Church – Map A – D3 15. Street in Quezon City – C2 2. The Orchidarium – Map A – Map A Philippine Churches inscribed in 3. Philippine Museum of Ethnology (Nayong Pilipino) – C4 3. Plaza San Luis - a cultural-cum-commercial 4. - heralded as one of the world’s UNESCO’s World Heritage List – Map A 15. Riverbanks Centre – D2 16. in Quezon City – C2 Quezon City en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quezon_City 17. Quiapo area (Plaza Miranda, Carriedo, etc) complex currently composed of five houses: 4. Museum (Villamor Airbase) – C4 best-preserved medieval cities, dungeons 16. SM North EDSA/The BLOCK – C1 17. West Avenue in Quezon City – C1 www.quezoncity.gov.ph – Map A 3. Minor de San , Casa Blanca, Casa Urdaneta, MAP B - MALATE 17. TriNoma – C1 5. GSIS Museong Sining – Map B and old churches share space with art () – Map A 18. ABS-CBN Building in Quezon City – C1 Los Hidalgos, and El Hogar Filipino – Map A 18. Basilica Minor of the 6. Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino (CCP Museum) – Map B City www.fbdcorp.com galleries, theatres, and a nature park; one of 4. Sta. Cruz Church – Map A 18. Robinson’s Place – Map B 19. Robinson’s Place – Map B () – Map A 4. Puerta Real Gardens – Map A www.fort-bonifacio.com the oldest of Intramuros started 19. – Map B 20. Ermita - offers everything from party hopping, 7. Central Bank Money Museum - established in January 3, 1974, 5. National Library – Map A 5. Plaza Rajah Sulayman – Map A in 1571 and completed nearly 150 years 19. Juan Nakpil-Bautista House – Map A 20. Quiapo – B2 clubbing, lounging to theme festivals and parades, aims to collect Filipino coins and notes to trace the monetary history 6. - where the Philippine national hero later by Filipino forced labor – Map A 6. Open-Air Theatre – Map A 21. (Tutuban Centre/168 ) or quietly chilling at art and fashion cafes – Map B of the Philippines and assemble a fine collection of rare and unusual 20. (FEU) - declared a Dr. Jose P. Rizal was interred by Spanish soldiers Useful Contacts: 7. Metropolitan Theatre – Map A – B2 21. Malate - wild variety of restaurants, clubs, bars, coins from all over the world – Map B 5. (in Rizal Park) - it is a heritage site by UNESCO Asia-Pacific, it has following his dawn execution at Bagumbayan Department of Tourism Offices 22. Chinatown – Map A cafes, art and antique shops, and shopping tribute to the country’s national hero Jose the largest ensemble of art deco structures 8. Ermita Church – Map B (now Rizal Park), presently serves as a regular 8. Metropolitan Museum – Map B 23. Baclaran – B4 complexes – Map B Rizal, who was executed in the same spot in the country – B2 9. – Map B venue for intimate musical and cultural concerts 9. Philippine Science Museum – B3 London +44 (0) 20 7321 0668 24. Town Centre – B5 22. Alabang Town Centre – B5 featuring local and international artists bringing in 1896. It is considered the symbol of 21. EDSA – D3 [email protected] 10. – Map B art to the masses – Map B 10. Archdiocesan Museum of Manila - collection includes ecclesiastical, Filipino Nationhood – Map A 25. Duty Free Shopping Mall – B5 www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk 22. - dedicated to the 11. United Methodist Church (Philiippines liturgical, and various antique items – Map A 26. Mall of Asia – B5 Health and Wellness 7. Manila Zoological and Botanical Gardens – Map B 6. Paco Park – B3 Filipino people who trooped to the streets Central Conference) – Map B 11. - is the first hands-on, interactive children’s museum 8. – B2 NCR Office +63 (0) 2 459 5200 local 212 and 232 of EDSA to topple the Marcos dictatorship 1. Manila. Medical Centre – Map B in the Philippines – Map B 12. Santa Ana Church – C3 9. Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Centre [email protected] 7. Malacañang - of during the bloodless People Power Eating Out and Nightlife 2. Manila Doctors Hospital – Map A – C1 12. National Museum of the Filipino People – Map A the highest chief executive of the country, 13. Cultural Centre of the Philippines (CCP) revolution in 1986 – D3 1. Mile Long Compound – C4 3. Philippine General Hospital – Map B Taxi Operators: the President of the Republic of the – Map B 10. Zoological and Botanical Garden with 13. National Museum - official repository and guardian of the Philippine 23. and Shrine – D1 2. Ayala Centre Makati – (Glorietta 1-4, Park 4. Ospital ng Maynila – B4 Aquarium – C1 cultural, historical, and natural heritage – Map A 24/7 +63 (0) 2 642 3525 Philippines – B3 14. Folk Arts Theatre – Map B Square 1 & 2, Greenbelt, Ayala OnStage) 5. University of Santo Tomas Hospital – B2 11. – D1 24. Andres Bonicafio Monument - memorial to 15. Palace – Map B – Map C 14. San Agustin Church and Museum – Map A Alkotby +63 (0) 2 432 2406 8. Binondo/Chinatown area – Map A 6. St. Luke’s Medical Centre – C2 Andres Bonifacio, founder of the , 3. Rockwell Centre – C3 12. River Park – D2 15. Casa Manila – Map A 16. Philippine International Convention Centre 7. UERMMMC – C3 Avis +63 (0) 2 831 2701 9. - links Binondo to Ermita it marks the very first encounter between 13. Makati Park and Gardens – D4 (PICC) – Map B 4. Jupiter Street in Makati – C3 16. - a museum showcasing the Chinese in Philippine life, Basic Taxi +63 (0) 2 900 1447 – Map A the revolutionary group Katipunan and the 8. Capitol Medical Centre – C2 14. Ugarte Field – Map C 17. Aliw Theatre – Map B 5. – (The Fort, , some fine artifacts and coins, a gallery of rare prints and photographs, Spanish soldiers on August 3, 1896. – B1 9. East Avenue Medical Centre – D2 Market! Market!) – Map C 15. Greenbelt Park - an oasis in the urban jungle and a collection of porcelain unearthed from all over the Philippines Nolgaze +63 (0) 2 695 6529 10. MacArthur Bridge - connects Santa Cruz to 18. World Trade Centre – Map B 25. Pinaglabanan Shrine - memorial to the first 6. Shangri-la Plaza – D3 10. Philippine Heart Centre – C1 with an open-air plaza, a lush park, and a – Map A Pioneer +63 (0) 2 252 9566 Ermita – Map A 19. Baclaran Redemptorist Church (National manmade lake – Map C battle of the Filipinos against the Spanish 7. SM Megamalls A & B – D3 11. National Kidney and Transplant Institute – D1 Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help) 17. Fort Santiago – Map A Trends +63 (0) 2 822 9345 11. - built in the 1930s with an on August 30, 1896 – C3 12. Lung Centre of the Philippines – D1 – Map B 8. The Podium – D3 18. Malacanang Museum – B3 Xavierville +63 (0) 2 788 0204 art deco design similar to the Sydney 26. and Memorial 13. Lungsod ng Kabataan (Children’s) Hospital – C1 Schools and Universities 9. Ortigas Commercial Centre Harbor Bridge, the bridge spans the Pasig – D4 20. Basilica Minore de San Sebastian – only 19. Juan Nakpil-Bautista House – Map A – (El Pueblo, St. Francis Square) – D3 14. The Medical City – D3 1. University of the Philippines – D1 River, Manila’s main waterway. It links neo-gothic steel church in the Philippines 20. UST Museum of Arts and Sciences – B2 27. (Tomb of the Sports, Leisure and Recreation 10. Commercial Complex – D3 15. Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital – D3 2. Ateneo de Manila University – D1 Other useful Contacts: Quiapo to Ermita district. – Map A and in Asia – B3 21. Quezon Memorial Circle and Shrine – D1 Unknown Soldiers) - final resting place of 3. University of Santo Tomas – B2 21. Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene 1. Makati Sports Club – C4 15. Casino Filipino Hyatt – B3 British Embassy Manila +63 (0) 2 816 7116 12. Escolta area - site of several old , art deco the more than 33,000 Filipinos who fought 4. Far Eastern University – B2 22. UP Vargas Museum – D1 (Quiapo Church) – Map A 2. Metropolitan Club – C3 16. Casino Filipino Pavilion – B3 MAP C - MAKATI buildings – Map A and died during World War II – D4 Banks: 3. – Map C 5. University of the East – B2 23. – D1 22. Santo Domingo Church – C2 17. Club Intramuros Golf Course – Map C 6. San Sebastian College – B3 4. Manila Golf and Country Club – Map C 18. Santa Ana Racing Track – C3 24. AFP Museum – D2 Philippine National Bank +63 (0) 2 891 6040 23. Iglesia ni Kristo (Church of Christ) – D1 5. Manila Speed Zone – Map C 7. San Beda College – B3 Metropolitan Bank 24. UP Theatre – D1 19. Philsports Arena – D3 25. PNP Museum – D2 6. Philippine Navy Golf Club – C4 8. Centro Escolar University – B3 & Trust Co. +63 (0) 2 898-8000 20. Wack Wack Golf and Country Club – D3 26. Lopez Memorial Museum – D3 25. Henry Lee Irwin Theatre – D1 7. Villamor Air Base Golf Course – C5 9. Colegio de San Juan de Letran – Map A 21. Golf Club – D2 Land Bank of the Philippines +63 (0) 2 551-2200 26. Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints 8. Airport Casino – B5 10. Mapua Institute of Technology (Manila Campus) 22. Marikina Sports Centre – D2 Rizal Commercial Banking (Manila Temple) – D2 9. Alabang Country Club – B5 – Map A Corporation +63 (0) 2 894-9000 10. Casino Filipino Heritage – B4 23. Capitol Hills Golf and Country Club – D1 27. Araneta Coliseum – D2 11. Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila – Map A Manila beyond. with Metro Business District akati Central 11. – B4 24. Celebrity Sports Club – D1 Equitable PCI Bank +63 (0) 2 840-7000 M 28. Teatro Aguinaldo – D2 12. Philippine Normal College – B3 25. La Mesa Ecopark – D1 12. Manila Yacht Club – Map B 13. Philippine Women’s University – Map B 29. Theatre – D3 Police: 13. Rizal Memorial Sports Complex – Map B 26. Veterans Golf Course – C1 30. Santuario de San Antonio – Map C 14. De La Salle University – Map B 14. Manila Zoological and Botanical Gardens 27. Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Philippine National Police +63 (0) 2 722-2353 31. Shrine of Jesus Christ B5 – Map B Centre – C1 15. International School – Map C

Manila Emergency Number 117 picture: Cover