This lesson will give you insights into the capital city of Manila

1. The Capital City
Its more fun in the
Philippines
Module 4
Manila

2. In this module…
We will learn about the city
of Manila and also about
Metro Manila

3. In this module…
We will learn about the city of
Manila and also about Metro
Manila
We will also learn about what to
see and do in the city - from
shopping to sightseeing to
nightlife, and also getting
around within the city

4. In this module…
We will learn about the city of
Manila and also about Metro
Manila
We will also learn about what to
see and do in the city - from
shopping to sightseeing to
nightlife, and also getting
around within the city
We will also give you a list
of some dos and dont’s
here.

5. In this module…
We will learn about the city of
Manila and also about Metro
Manila
We will also learn about what to
see and do in the city - from
shopping to sightseeing to
nightlife, and also getting
around within the city
We will also give you a list
of some dos and dont’s
here.
So lets get started…

6. About Manila
‣ An island country in Southeast Asia, situated in the western Pacific Ocean

7. ‣ Manila is the capital and second largest city of the Philippines with a population of 12 million
‣ It is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay
Manila
Manila
Bay
About Manila

8. ‣ Manila is the economic and political heart of the country and is listed as a global city, containing many
scientific & educational institutions and other culturally and historically significant venues
Manila
Manila
Bay
About Manila

9. As we discussed in Module 1, Philippines is a delight for tourists. We will now focus our attention on the
same elements. So let’s look at the main attractions that would appeal to the Indian tourists.
Shopping Night Life
Beaches &
Natural Beauty
Casinos
Historical
Heritage
Amazing
Hotels
Exploring Manila

10. In this module…
We will learn about the city of
Manila and also about Metro
Manila
We will also learn about what to
see and do in the city - from
shopping to sightseeing to
nightlife, and also getting
around within the city
We will also give you a list
of some dos and dont’s
here.

11. Shopping
Shopping features among the top
things to do in Manila

12. Tourists can shop either at
the local tiangge or the
large shopping malls
Shopping
Shopping features among the top
things to do in Manila

13. Tourists can shop either at
the local tiangge or the
large shopping malls
Shopping
Shopping features among the top
things to do in Manila
So lets look at them
one by one…

14. Tiangge
Filipino equivalent of a bazaar
‣ The current usage of tiangge also describes a group of stalls inside a building (or a mall)

15. Tiangge
Filipino equivalent of a bazaar
‣ Tiangge, in local language, means a group of stalls usually inside a building (or a mall)
‣ They mostly only sell dry goods, which includes foodstuff

16. 168 Tiangge
Well known for great bargains
‣ The 168 tiangge is a short distance from Divisoria Mall in the Chinatown area of Metro Manila

17. 168 Tiangge
Well known for great bargains
‣ The 168 tiangge is a short distance from Divisoria Mall in the Chinatown area of Metro Manila
‣ The 168 is well-known for having the cheapest prices and the Divisoria Mall, also, is known for good bargains

18. Greenhills
Famous tiangge for pearl jewelry
‣ A famous tiangge is the Greenhills in the middle of Metro Manila

19. Greenhills
Famous tiangge for pearl jewelry
‣ A famous tiangge is the Greenhills in the middle of Metro Manila
‣ It is a fully air-conditioned indoor tiangge, famous for its jewelry section with a wide variety of pearls

20. Mall of Asia
‣ The Mall of Asia is among the largest malls of the world and ranks the third largest in the Philippines, though
it is the most famous
A Panoramic View of the Mall of Asia

21. Mall of Asia
‣ The Mall of Asia is among the largest malls of the world and ranks the third largest in the Philippines, though
it is the most famous
‣ It consists of four buildings interconnected by walkways - the main mall, the entertainment mall, and the two
car-park buildings
A Panoramic View of the Mall of Asia

22. Mall of Asia
‣ One of the mall's main attractions is the first ever IMAX theatre in the country. It also has a premium smaller
theatre for closed group screenings
‣ The CenterStage Cinema is used for live musical concerts and theatrical performances
A view of the IMAX Theatre An aerial view of the Mall

23. Mall of Asia
‣ The mall features the Philippines's first Olympic-sized ice skating rink
‣ It can accommodate both recreational and competitive figure skating, as well as ice hockey
A Giant Christmas Tree in the Mall The Skating Rink is a popular feature

24. ‣ SM Megamall is located in the Ortigas business district of Metro Manila
‣ The mall has two main buildings and a MegaAtrium that covers the entire area between the two buildings
‣ The Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord is a Roman Catholic chapel, which is located in the mall. It has its own
assigned chaplain to serve the needs of mall patrons and employees. This is a growing trend in modern
Philippine shopping centers
SM Megamall
A view of the main facade The Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

25. Nightlife
Philippines is globally
known for a vibrant nightlife

26. Nightlife
Philippines is globally
known for a vibrant nightlife
Tourists can enjoy a variety
of options from clubs to
karaoke to massage parlors

27. Nightlife
Philippines is globally
known for a vibrant nightlife
Tourists can enjoy a variety
of options from clubs to
karaoke to massage parlors
So lets look at them
one by one…

28. Prive Luxury Club
‣ It is Manila’s newest hotspot for Luxury Clubbing
‣ It is currently one of the hottest nightclubs in town
‣ Privé is open every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

29. 71 Gramercy
‣ 71 Gramercy is a New York-style bar, lounge and restaurant on the 71st floor of the Gramercy Residences,
Manila’s highest residential skyscraper
‣ The club has an inside lounge and bar area, a restaurant area as well as an outside roof deck terrace with full bar
‣ All areas of the 71 Gramercy have amazing views over the city

30. ‣ Hyve is a new upscale club and lounge located on the top floor of the W Global Center
‣ The club is gaining popularity quite fast and is currently one of Manila’s latest hotspots
‣ The music style in Hyve is currently mainly EDM (Electronic Dance Music)
Hyve

31. ‣ The club focuses mainly on quality electronic dance music
‣ They also play host to various international Djs every week–Fridays and Saturdays!
‣ Haze features a state of the art sound system as well as great lighting and visual shows
Club Haze

32. ‣ Republiq is located in Resorts World Manila
‣ The club is one of the biggest and most popular nightclubs in Manila
‣ Republiq is open three times a week, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
‣ The club is best described as a Las Vegas style nightclub and hosts events with big international EDM DJs
Republiq

33. Casinos
Metro Manila has a string of
VIP Slot Machine Parlors
and Casinos

34. Casinos
Metro Manila has a string of
VIP Slot Machine Parlors
and Casinos
Manila is soon slated to be
the Las Vegas of the East
and is fast moving to fulfill
this ambition

35. Casinos
Metro Manila has a string of
VIP Slot Machine Parlors
and Casinos
So lets look at them
one by one…
Manila is soon slated to be
the Las Vegas of the East
and is fast moving to fulfill
this ambition

36. ‣ Solaire Resort & Casino is a resort complex which includes a five-star hotel and a casino
Solaire
The Biggest Casino in Metro Manila

37. ‣ Solaire Resort & Casino is a resort complex which includes a five-star hotel and a casino
‣ It was the first casino & hotel to be located in the Entertainment City complex, which is Asia's Las Vegas-like
gaming & entertainment complex being developed by the government
Solaire
The Biggest Casino in Metro Manila

38. ‣ Resorts World Manila was the first mega casino resort to open in Manila
The Biggest Casino in Metro Manila
Resorts World Manila

39. ‣ Resorts World Manila was the first mega casino resort to open in Manila
‣ The facility currently has three hotels (Maxims, Mariott and Remington) totaling over 1,500 rooms and a large
casino. In addition there is a mall too
The Biggest Casino in Metro Manila
Resorts World Manila

40. Beaches & Natural
Beauty
Metro Manila is located on the
Manila Bay, which opens to the
South China Sea to the west, and
Laguna de Bay to the east

41. Beaches & Natural
Beauty
Metro Manila is located on the
Manila Bay, which opens to the
South China Sea to the west, and
Laguna de Bay to the east
It shares a long coastline with
surrounding provinces dotted with
many coves and beaches, but
there are no beaches in Metro
Manila!

42. Beaches & Natural
Beauty
Metro Manila is located on the
Manila Bay, which opens to the
South China Sea to the west, and
Laguna de Bay to the east
So lets look at a few now…
It shares a long coastline with
surrounding provinces dotted with
many coves and beaches, but
there are no beaches in Metro
Manila!

43. San Antonio, Zambales
How to get to San Antonio?
Zambales is about 4 hours from Metro Manila by car

44. San Antonio, Zambales
How to get to San Antonio?
Zambales is about 4 hours from Metro Manila by car
‣ The beaches to visit here are Nagsasa Cove, Silanguin Cove, Anawangin Cove and Talisayin Cove
‣ Their coasts are blanketed with volcanic ash straight that got here from Mt Pinatubo
‣ The boat tours are a must try here and since the waters here are clean, fishing is a must-do tourist activity,
but remember that it requires a lot of patience

45. How to get to Calatagan?
Depending on traffic, Calatagan can be 3 to 4 hours from Metro Manila by car. It is well connected by road
Calatagan, Batangas

46. How to get to Calatagan?
Depending on traffic, Calatagan can be 3 to 4 hours from Metro Manila by car. It is well connected by road
‣ The Burot Beach is the best beach in this part of Calatagan
‣ The must-see here is the Cape Santiago Lighthouse
‣ It was built in 1890, it is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Philippines that continues to function
Calatagan, Batangas

47. How to get to Malabrigo?
Depending on traffic, Malabrigo can be 3 to 4 hours from Metro Manila. You can reach Malabrigo by car or take
a jeepney
Malabrigo, Batangas

48. How to get to Malabrigo?
Depending on traffic, Malabrigo can be 3 to 4 hours from Metro Manila. You can reach Malabrigo by car or take
a jeepney
‣ The beaches here are strewn with smooth medium-size pebbles, that make the experience unique and
fascinating
‣ The Submarine Garden is a must-see, where the water is so clear that you can see live corals and other life
forms even without goggles
Malabrigo, Batangas

49. How to get to Nasugbu-Lian?
From EDSA-Taft the drive takes anywhere from 2½ to 4 hours. All the beaches are then accessible by car,
jeepney and even tricycle
Nasugbu-Lian, Batangas

50. How to get to Nasugbu-Lian?
From EDSA-Taft the drive takes anywhere from 2½ to 4 hours. All the beaches are then accessible by car,
jeepney and even tricycle
‣ It is also home to Olive Ridley turtles that visit to nest each year
‣ Fortune Island, which is a short boat ride away is a must see. It is surrounded by shipwreck diving sites
including the Dutch warship Mauritius, which sank in December 1600 AD
‣ The sand in mainland Nasugbu isn’t sparkling white but it is equally relaxing
Nasugbu-Lian, Batangas

51. How to get to Padre Burgos-Pagbilao?
Getting to Padre Burgos-Pagbilao is almost a 5 hour ride by car, so it makes sense to start early
Padre Burgos-Pagbilao, Quezon

52. How to get to Padre Burgos-Pagbilao?
Getting to Padre Burgos-Pagbilao is almost a 5 hour ride by car, so it makes sense to start early
‣ Dampalitan Island and Puting Buhangin (Kuwebang Lampas) are the white sand beaches in this area
‣ The Borawan Beach has something else to offer - karst cliffs
‣ Stargazing is a preferred activity here as there is no electricity so the options of night time activity are limited
Padre Burgos-Pagbilao, Quezon

53. How to get to Pagsanjan Falls?
It is located in the province of Laguna, which is about 65 km or 2 hours south of Manila via the South Luzon
Expressway
Pagsanjan Falls

54. How to get to Pagsanjan Falls?
It is located in the province of Laguna, which is about 65 km or 2 hours south of Manila via the South Luzon
Expressway
‣ To get to the Pagsanjan Falls, you have to take the scenic one-hour boat ride that takes you up the Bumbungan
and Balanac Rivers.
‣ Two boatmen will help navigate your wooden canoe past trees, vines, carh and local wildlife.
‣ The Pagsanjan Falls is a moderate-sized waterfall, but very pretty
Pagsanjan Falls

55. How to get to Taal Volcano?
Taal is the world's smallest volcano and is located about 60 km south of Metro Manila. Once there, a 45-minute
ride on a banca (wooden boat) will take you to the volcano and a 15-minute trek will take you to the top of the
crater
‣ Taal Volcano is a complex volcano located on the island of Luzon
‣ It is the second most active volcano in the Philippines with 33 historical eruptions
‣ The Taal volcano is in a lake, and the lake is on an island and the volcano also has a lake in its crater. This makes
the crater lake of the volcano the largest lake on an island in a lake on an island in the world!!
Taal Volcano

56. Amazing Hotels
Metro Manila is home to
some of the most amazing
hotels in the world
Nearly all global chains
operate properties in Manila
So lets look at a few
now…

57. ‣ Hotel H2O is a stylish aquarium-themed hotel for business and leisure travelers
‣ It also offers rooms with aquarium walls
‣ It delivers experiences with distinctive style, service and personality
‣ It is a new brand that is striving to deliver a new standard of excellence in Manila
Hotel H2O Manila
Luneta, Manila

58. ‣ Located in the heart of Makati, Manila's business & financial district, the Peninsula Manila is ideal for business
and leisure travelers
‣ It is located on the corners of Ayala and Makati Avenues so it is close to premier shopping facilities and within
easy access of Manila's numerous other attractions
‣ It features some of Manila's top restaurants offering a wide choice of fine dining from Italian to Asian
The Peninsula Manila
Metro Manila

59. ‣ The Edsa Shangri-La is the only five-star deluxe city-resort convention hotel in Manila
‣ It is situated at the Ortigas Centre and is adjacent to two major shopping complexes, and is a short taxi ride
from Makati and Manila International Airport
‣ Four international restaurants and an array of private lounges offer guests numerous locales in which to dine
and experience the unique Asian culture
Edsa Shangri-La Manila
Manila

60. ‣ The Manila Hotel opened in 1912 and was then remodeled in the 1970s, is a considered a landmark today
‣ In 2008, it was again renovated for centennial celebrations in 2012
‣ The Manila Hotel continuously provides good service for a truly memorable experience.
‣ The guest rooms are elegant and showcase the beauty of Philippine interior design. The rooms provide a nice
view of the bay and the famous Manila sunset
The Manila Hotel
Manila

61. ‣ The Traders Hotel is part of the Shangri-La
‣ It is located in Roxas Boulevard overlooking the Manila Bay and its sunsets
‣ It is in close vicinity of the Cultural Centre of the Philippines, Philippine International Convention Centre, World
Trade Centre and Makati Business Centre
‣ In addition, Malate, the city's entertainment district, and SM Mall of Asia are only a stone's throw away
Traders Hotel
Manila

62. ‣ The Fairmont is among the newer five-star hotels in Makati City
‣ It is within walking distance to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Ayala shopping area
‣ Over and above the 280 rooms, the hotel is also home to Raffles Makati, a 32-room, all-suite hotel, and Raffles
Residences, featuring 237 one-to-four-bedroom residences for both short and long-term stays
Fairmont Makati
Makati

63. ‣ The InterContinental Manila is located on Ayala Avenue in Makati
‣ It is the longest operating international chain hotel in the Philippines, the hotel opened in 1969 as part of the
overall redevelopment plan for Makati
‣ All of its 332 guest rooms and suites were renovated in 2006 and incorporate traditional and modern Filipino
design
InterContinental Manila
Manila

64. ‣ Sofitel Philippine Plaza opened in 1976 and has since played host to royalty, celebrities and heads of state.
‣ It boasts of spectacular views of the Manila Bay and lush landscapes and greenery create a nice tropical
atmosphere within the property
‣ It is adjacent to the Cultural Center of the Philippines, with both domestic and international airports only 15
minutes away. The ancient Intramuros and the Manila Cathedral,are only a short distance away
Sofitel Philippine Plaza
Manila

65. ‣ The Philippine International Convention Center or PICC, an architectural landmark on its own, opened in 1976 to
host the World Bank – International Monetary Fund Annual Meeting
‣ The 5-storey Delegation Building houses 12 meeting rooms, 2 banquet halls, 2 boardrooms and other facilities
‣ The Secretariat Building is 3 stories and houses more meeting rooms, a banquet hall, exhibition areas, a media
center, an executive fine dining restaurant and a cafeteria for 500 people
Philippine International Convention Center
Pasay, Metro Manila

66. ‣ The SMX Convention Center is nearly 50,000 m2 in size and is an ideal destination for international exhibitions,
industry conventions, and corporate and social functions
‣ The building is located in the Mall of Asia Complex
‣ The Center has 4 exhibition halls, 5 function rooms, and 14 meeting rooms and can be used to host a delegation
of as many as 18,000 people
SMX Convention Center
Pasay, Metro Manila

67. Historical Heritage
Apart from being the seat of the
Roman Catholics of the country,
Manila has a rich history
Some of this history and its culture
is very well preserved in its
monuments and museums
So lets look at a few
now…

68. ‣ Intramuros (Latin, "within the walls") is the oldest district and historic core of Manila
‣ Also called the Walled City, the original city of Manila was the seat of government when the Philippines was a
part of the Spanish Empire
Intramuros

69. ‣ San Agustin Church is a Roman Catholic church located inside the walled city of Intramuros in Manila
‣ In 1993 it was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
‣ The church was renovated on 2013, replacing its colorful facade
San Agustin Church
Manila

70. ‣ The National Museum is the official store house of its natural history
‣ It was established in 1901
‣ The museum complex is located next to Rizal Park and near Intramuros in Manila
Manila
National Museum of the Philippines

71. ‣ Rizal Park is a historical urban park and one of the major tourist attractions of Manila
‣ The execution of national hero Dr. José Rizal in 1896, sparked the Philippine Revolution
‣ The Declaration of Independence from the American Occupation was also held here in 1946
Manila
Rizal Park

72. ‣ Fort Santiago is a citadel first built by Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi for the newly established
city of Manila
‣ The fort is one of the most important historical sites in Manila
‣ José Rizal, the national hero, was imprisoned here before his execution in 1896
Manila
Fort Santiago

73. Getting Around

74. Public Transport
‣ Like many South Asian countries, the traffic in Manila too can be heavy and unruly
‣ The transport, i.e buses and even cabs are not expensive
‣ Even cheaper are the jeepneys, which are essentially a cross between jeeps and mini-buses
‣ The LRT and MRT trains are an excellent way to soar over and past traffic. The only downsides are the lack of
comprehensive coverage of the city and the volume of people during rush hour

75. Public Transport
‣ Taxis in Manila are cheap compared to most capital cities
‣ There are two main types of taxi – the yellow airport taxis and the white metered taxis.
‣ Around the city, you will mainly find the white taxis, which are comfortable and air-conditioned
‣ Always make sure your driver will charge on the meter
‣ If he won’t, get out and find another cab

76. LRT
‣ LRT or Light Rail Transit is a small but effective train system that has two lines (numbered 1 and 2)
running through the city that will take you to most of the places you would want to see in Manila
‣ However, expect to cram in and rub sweat with other LRT users
‣ Also, beware of pickpocketing. It’s a problem in most major cities, so don’t take home the impression that
Manila is unsafe, just be careful

77. Tricycle
‣ Think of a tricycle as a side car to a scooter, but it is far less technically advanced and has individually
styled covers
‣ They are a good and cheap way of getting through the city’s traffic
‣ At times taking inspiration from India’s auto-rickshaws, these tricycles simply cut the wrong way into
oncoming traffic. They can be seen as the auto-rickshaw’s Filipino equivalent
‣ It’s interesting to note that taxis are cheaper than tricycles every time! Try it for the adventure!

78. Let’s Recap
‣ Manila is the capital city of Philippines and together with the adjoining cities constitutes Metro Manila
‣ Metro Manila is home to some of the largest malls in the world and can be called a shopper’s paradise
‣ The traditional markets of Manila, the tiangges, are also great for shopping and can have some of the best bargains
‣ The Casinos and the nightlife of Metro Manila make it a vibrant and fascinating tourist destination
‣ Manila has a very global outlook and a majority of the people there speak fluent English
‣ Solaire Resort & Casino is the first casino & hotel to be located in the Entertainment City complex, which is Asia's Las Vegas-like
gaming & entertainment complex

79. Let’s Recap
‣ The Pagsanjan Falls is located about 65 km or 2 hours south of Manila. It is a moderate-sized waterfall, but very pretty
‣ Taal is the world's smallest volcano and is located about 60 km south of Metro Manila. A 15-minute trek will take you to the top of
the crater, which also has a lake
‣ Intramuros is the oldest district and historic core of Manila. It is also called the Walled City, and was the seat of government when
the Philippines was a part of the Spanish Empire
‣ Rizal Park is a historical urban park and one of the major tourist attractions of Manila
‣ Taxis in Manila are cheap compared to most capital cities