Established by the Spaniards in 1594 within a cannon shot of the Old Walled City of Intramuros, Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, explodes with a cacophony of sensuous experiences of food, culture and the continuing saga of the Chinese story in the Philippines.
Swathed in history and known by most as the old downtown of Manila, these days, Quiapo in many ways confronts the traveller as a living, breathing paradox. Here you can find the old right next to the new, quiet meditation amidst chaotic masses and the most holy Catholic icon in the country surrounded by occult stalls. All of these things combined make Quiapo quite an adventure and so much more than just another urban centre.
Question
Unknown: Should I visit Santa Cruz church in Manila? I’d really love to visit around the churches.
Answer
Ryan: Do you mean Sta. Cruz Church (Santa Cruz Parish) in Plaza Lacson, Sta. Cruz, Manila? It was built in 1608 but the original structure was damaged during the Battle of Manila in 1945 and subsequently rebuilt in 1957. [...]
Question
Unknown: Can you suggest some nice places to go shopping in Manila?
Answer
Ryan: If you are in Manila, theire are a LOT of choices of where to shop. For sought after Philippine pearls- head out to the Greenhills Shopping Centre in San Juan (also in Metro Manila); for middle to extremely high end boutiques – head [...]
Question
Unknown: Can you provide a quick sight seeing itinerary for Manila?
Answer
Ryan: Sightseeing-wise, and if you only intend to stay in Manila – you could visit these : Old Spanish Walled City of Intramuros (check out the UNESCO Church San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral); Fort Santiago; Manila Ocean Park (one of Asia’s biggest aquarium); [...]
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Address: Ayala Centre, Makati City, Metro Manila
Official Hotel Rating:
Situated in the heart of the Philippines’s premiere financial district, Dusit Thani Manila hotel sits on the lap of luxurious sights and sprawling urban hubs that offer reliable access to city splendours, historic sites, meeting and convention centres.
With [...]
Question
Bill Riley : 50 years ago I was in the Marine Corps and stationed at a military base near San Antonio, about 45 miles from Subic. I think the Philippine Army took over the base after the Americans left. Ever since my wife and I have been married I have been telling her about [...]
Transiting through Manila and got 24 hours to spend? Check out our list of things to do in this vibrant, cosmopolitan and complicated urban jungle we call Metro Manila.
Being one of the world’s largest archipelagos with 7,107 islands and an extensive coastline that is almost twice as long as that of the United States, the Philippines has a proud and great seafaring history stretching to over thousands of years ago.
Being naturally at the crossroads of the East and the West, Manila offers one of the most vibrant, yet, underrated nightlife and the most varied cuisines in the entire Asia-Pacific. It does not come as a surprise that one can have a Filipino regional breakfast, a Malaysian lunch, and a German dinner in one day. The following list is just among one of my most favorite and highly recommended hidden gems for the traveling gourmand.
