With a booming economy and a hipster wave of indigenous art and culture, the Philippine capital is steered into the top tier of the travel orbit, and an enticing mix of heritage, architecture and gastronomy is bolstering it further ahead.
Wander through the warren of cobble-stoned streets of Intramuros to relive Manila's Spanish colonial past. Explore the historic old walled city on foot or on a calesa (horse-drawn calash), where the 16th-century Fort Santiago stands as a silent witness to the tumultuous changes in Philippine history. The garrison served as the headquarters of the armies of several foreign powers through the centuries, including the Spanish, the British, the Americans and the Japanese.
Visit the 400-year-old San Agustin Church, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses a beautiful collection of ecclesiastical relics. Just 350 mts away is the Manila Cathedral, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The imposing 16th-century cathedral has recently undergone large scale renovation work with earthquake retrofitting and subsidence prevention and has witnessed a papal mass in 2015.
Located across San Agustin church is the grand stone-and-wood edifice of Casa Manila that feels like a portal to the Manila’s colonial past as it meticulously depicts a typical Spanish colonial house.
The all-weather, air-conditioned Star City is a sprawling 35000 square metre amusement park with ever-popular kiddie rides, family-forward recreational fun juxtaposed with some extreme rides such as surf dance and seahorse viking for those who want to mingle a bit of thrill with entertainment.
When in Manila, the Cultural Centre of the Philippines Complex is an unmissable highlight. The sprawling 88-hectare CCP Complex, bounded by the Manila Bay to the north and west and the bustling Roxas Boulevard to the east is divided into the Art Zone and the Commercial and Entertainment Zone. Strewn with brutalist structures and installations, and featuring several buildings including a film centre, a convention centre and a covered proscenium theatre, this is Manila’s preeminent cultural hub that preserves, develops and promotes art and culture in the Philippines and provides performance and exhibition venues for various local and international productions and programs. And do not miss the quintessential seaside dampa experience at the seafood market inside the complex where you buy the seafood by weight, head over to the restaurant kitchen and get it cooked the way you want to!
Binondo, established in 1594, is recognized as the world's oldest Chinatown. Embark on a cultural and culinary adventure through the lively streets of this buzzing district that boasts of a Chinatown museum, the dainty Binondo Church and the striking Filipino-Chinese Arch that turns mesmerizingly beautiful after dark with brilliant display of colourful lights.
This was the location where the country's National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonists in 1896. With its grassy tracts, lush green foliage, gardens for picnics and meditations, as well as a musical dancing fountain, the 140-acre Rizal Park is now a urban sanctuary, a leafy respite from the hustle and buzz of Metro Manila, and the ideal spot to pay homage to Dr. Rizal – the man who was not only the prime force behind Philippines’ bid for independence but also made indelible marks in the field of Philippine art, literature and medicine.
Shopping
With an evolved high-end retail culture firmly in place, you are spoilt for choice in Manila. Operating since the 1980s, Greenbelt offers topnotch shopping, dining, and entertainment options in its sprawling 12-hectare space where it blends superb indoor experience with the breezy outdoors. A beautiful 2.8 hectare garden sits amid five distinct shopping zones, of which Greenbelt 4 and 5 are the sections thaticonic iconic global brands call their Manila home.
A central atrium and four shopping malls comprise one of Manila’s finest fashionable shopping arcades – Glorietta - that captures the pulsating vibe of Makati into a bustling convergence hub of brand boutiques, specialty stores, fine dining venues, state-of-the-art cinemas, and a huge activity centre, often used to host events.
And if you are the super-picky shopper and care for nothing but the luxurious best, you are headed for Rustan’s Department Store. The pioneer in bringing uber-upscale labels to Philippines, the 70-year old enclave still leads the way when it comes to in-store shopping of contemporary ultraluxe brands. The Makati outpost rules the roost among the multiple Rastan outlets in Manila with its finest array of clothing lines, accessories, artistic fragrances, beauty and grooming products and designer jewellery.
Restaurants & Bars
Helmed by Chef Antonio, his eponymous enclave Antonio’s ensures an impeccable fine-dining experience for its patrons right from the crafted interiors and breathtaking vistas to warm, gracious service. The gluten-free and vegan options are as brilliant with the meat-heavy favourites of Filipino cuisine, and the curated wine list from the adjoining Lanai Lounge completes the spectacle.
Set in the historic Intramuros, Ilustrado offers a superb culinary cosmos of Filipino-Spanish cuisine, where you can indulge in flavourful, generous portions of the signature paella ilustrado and crispy pork belly with shrimp paste, and wrap it up with the unique Sampaguita Ice cream. The service is flawless and the tastefully designed enclave boasts of superb views of San Agustin Church.
Conceptualised by the 2016 Asia’s Best Female Chef, Margarita Forés, The Loggia in Roxas Boulevard is set amid the romantically beautiful Palacio de Memoria. The celebrity chef and restaurateur melds authentic Filipino flavours with suave Italian techniques to create her signature delicacies with unique textures. From romantic date nights to Sunday al-fresco brunches, The Loggia can be your perfect spot for a superb gastronomic experience in this elegant pre-war mansion.
A breezy breather from the metro madness, NINYO Fusion Cuisine & Wine Lounge is a hidden gem in Manila’s culinary canvas. Located on Esteban Abada Street in Quezon City, and helmed by Chef Niño Laus, this is a romantic hotspot with its beautiful gardens, leafy gazebos, hanging vines, koi ponds, and antique accents where you can enjoy a sumptuous evening in a candle-lit ambience. Classic favourites such as honey glazed grilled salmon and Yuzu sherbet feature in the curated 7-course degustation menu immaculately paired with finest wines selected from across the globe.
A warehouse-style club with an industrial concept, Black Market Club is a trendy nightspot where travellers rub shoulders with a cool, upscale local crowd and well-heeled expats. The edgy underground music that ranges from dubstep to hip hop and anywhere in between, the hipster club hosts an enviable roster of DJs. The dress code is casual, but it is a better idea to deck yourself up to dance the night away at this fashionable Makati establishment.
Museums & the Arts
Located on Padre Burgos Avenue on the eastern side of Rizal Park, National Museum of Fine Arts is a curated collective of 29 galleries and hallway exhibitions that beautifully showcases the works of 19th century Filipino masters and eminent exponents of contemporary art and sculpture as well as renowned printmakers.
Science comes alive at The Mind Museum that offers a sensory-rich experience through its wide array of interactive exhibits, theatre and planetarium shows and experimental demonstrations. Located in Taguig, the design of the curiously shaped museum is inspired from cellular structure and features a solar reflective exterior, natural wind ventilation and rainwater flow drainage.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Agustin Museum is a treasure trove of religious art pieces showcasing the rich history of Catholicism in the Philippines. The magnificent Baroque architecture of the museum, which once served as a monastery, complements the stunningly beautiful adjoining San Agustin church and houses a brilliant collection of artifacts, statues and sculptures in the rooms which were used by the friars as their living quarters. A walk through the museum can be a transportive experience, but do remember that their no-photography policy is pretty strict.
Side Trip
About 70 kilometress south of Manila sits Taal volcano, a complex stratovolcano that also happens to be the second most active in Philippines, with a history of several violent eruptions in the past. Located in the province of Batangas, the large caldera nestles a breathtakingly beautiful crater lake. Home to unique fauna, including a rare variety of venomous sea snake, the lake also features a small island, called the Volcano Island, which has been the site of almost all the historic volcanic activity.
Exclusive Experience
Cocooned inside Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Le Spa is a wellness sanctuary where refined French elegance blends with delicate Filipino touches to revive the mind, body and spirit. Spa treatments range from traditional eastern to modern western techniques, but the highlight of this upscale enclave is Filipino ancient art of healing - hilot massage - where essential oils and aromatic leaves are utilized to rubbing and providing pressure to promote healing of the jaded muscles and joints.
Hidden Gem
Quietly hidden in the midst of bustling commercial hub of Makati is a delightful art and design enclave – The Alley at Karrivin. A lazy ensemble of arthouse cafes where you can meet a friend over coffee and doughnuts, chic galleries to catch the flavours of contemporary art and fashionable fine dining venues specializing in refined Filipino fare – this tucked-away plaza is the perfect place to enjoy a cosy and relaxed evening.
Sports
The most popular sport in the Philippines, basketball is played extensively on both the amateur and professional levels. If you are a fan, head out to Araneta Coliseum, the indoor multi-purpose sports arena. Nicknamed "the Big Dome" for its clear span domes, which is one of the largest on the planet, it hosts basketball championship matches the year round, including the prestigious annual PBA Basketball Championship.
A bit surprising though, but tennis is one of the most popular sports in the Philippines and if you want to play a few good rounds, you are in a good spot. Facilities at the Makati Sports Club are open for non-member tourists who want to have a rally at their flexipave tennis courts with a prior booking.
For a taste of immersive local culture through the sports lens, watch Arnis, the centuries-old Philippine martial art that the indigenous population perfected and preserved through the generations. In 2009, the government of the Philippines declared Arnis (also known as Kali and Eskrima) to be the martial art and national sport of the Philippines. It is an electrifying experience to watch a full-combat competition, where the armoured players swing and twirl in lightning-fast movements and try to block and disarm their opponents with fighting sticks and bladed weaponry.
Must Buy Souvenir
Philippines boasts of its incredible aquatic bounty and one of the world’s most beloved gems, the South Sea pearls, bear brilliant testament to this legacy where Pinctada maxima, a species of precious pearl oysters, are immaculately cultured to bring out a deep gold finish to the natural gems. If you want to get the authentic, best quality set of pearls, Jewelmer, a local reputable company that has several branches in the Makati city, is the best place to shop.
Hotels
From glittering luxury hotspots in Manila Bay to elegant, contemporary havens creating an oasis of calm in the bustling city centre, Manila’s uber-upscale hotel canvas matches with the best in the world.
The BusinessClass.com guide to the Best Hotels in Manila:
Getting Around
Downtown Manila can be reached in about 20 minutes by taxi from NAIA Airport; however traffic conditions sometimes extend the journey up to an hour. The Ultimate Bus Experience (UBE Express) can be a convenient shuttle service option since it stops at the main hotels in Manila. Taxis, jeepneys, ride-hailing apps, buses, the Light Rail Transit (LRT), and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) are the transportation options in Manila, but remember to give yourself a window for traffic congestions when you are heading out for your destination of the day.
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