What to do in Manila

By Alberto Quintero

It is fairly often that Manila is ridiculed, to which it is a pity for there are so many great things to see and do here. Manila is a thriving metropolis that grows with each day in both population and size. People move here from the hinterlands and the developments that surround the city are integrating the rice fields and villages every year.

For a city Manila can be very confusing due lack of an exact center and its collection of integrated towns. The traditional center of Manila was the walled Intramuros, but most of it was wiped out in WWII and was never restored. The towns of Ermita, Malate, Quiapo, and Binondo are integrated into Manila and offer many interesting sights and flavors of their own. Quiapo and Binondo offer a raw energy and unique markets, while at the same time Malate and Ermita offer more fun entertainments. The best place to explore is the Intramuros and find the relics of the past.

If you are looking for more excitement, Makati is the commercial centre of the country and the centre of modern Manila. It is as close to orderly as Manila can get with its surroundings, where you can shop, eat and drink your heart out. With its unique vibe it go beyond the generic-mall that most are used to that comes from the swarm of locals that work, relax and play here.