Manila, Philippines
The word “halo-halo” means “mixed up” in Filipino. Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is truly a “halo” city.
It has the face of a tropical metropolis, filled with the sounds of people passing by, car horns blaring, and a cheerful and lively atmosphere, but at the same time, the elegant atmosphere of the Spanish colonial era remains here and there.
There is a chaos that is typical of Southeast Asia, and the people are friendly and warm. English is relatively well spoken in the Philippines, but even so, not all the people can speak it.
There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor, so those with wealthy families and higher education can speak fluently like natives, while those who don’t can only understand the local language in some cases.
Getting Around Manila
Jeepneys are the most important means of transportation for people and goods, as they are the footsteps of the locals that crisscross the streets of Manila. It is the most Filipino of vehicles.
Tricycles are designed to look like a motorcycle with a sidecar attached, and have a capacity of about 4 to 7 people. Many drivers will try to rip you off, so be careful.
There are also many motorcycle cabs called “habal-habal”, and you can often see them calling out to tourists.
A kalesa is a tourist carriage that will take you around a set course for a fixed price, or take you where you want to go if you negotiate, but be careful about the fee. If you only see a price figure and think it is in Philippine pesos, you may be asked to pay in dollars.
Makati, The Most Exclusive City in The Philippines
Located southeast of the capital city Manila, it is the new business center of the Philippines, also known as the “Wall Street of the Philippines,” with many companies such as Citibank, Intel Philippines, Microsoft, and Nestle. Ayala Avenue, where the Ayala Center is located, and the area around Ayala Station are the center of the city.
To the west is Little Tokyo, and along the Pasig River is the recently constructed Rockwell (a complex of luxury residences and shopping malls), which is one of the most exclusive residential areas in the country. If you take a peek at the residential area, you will see that most of the houses have swimming pools, which is completely different from the general image of the Philippines. To live in this city means to be “rich”.
Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica
It is the home of the Catholic Archbishop of Manila and is considered the most important church in Manila. The first church was built in 1581, but it has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt due to repeated natural disasters and wars. The current building is the sixth generation, rebuilt in 1958 with the help of the Vatican. The mosaics in the side chapel and the largest pipe organ in the Philippines are must-sees, and in 2014, after many years of renovation, the building was opened to the public.
San Agustin Church
The San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines and the first World Heritage Site registered in the Philippines. The church is in the Baroque style, described as “opulent and massive,” which spread to European countries from the 16th to early 18th centuries. Inside the church, the high ceilings of the cathedral with its white columns and golden arches are a sight to behold. Because of its history and beauty, having a wedding in this church is a dream come true for Filipino women.
Ayala Center
Ayala Center is the largest shopping center in Manila. It is so big that you could spend a whole day there and still not get around.
The Greenbelt Mall, which is divided into five buildings, is the most sophisticated and luxurious mall in Ayala Center, and is lined with tenants of high-end European brands.
Rustan’s is a department store located on Ayala Avenue that operates throughout the Philippines. It offers famous luxury brands such as Tiffany and Chanel, as well as groceries and sundries that make great souvenirs.
Landmark is the most popular department store in Ayala Center, with many local Filipino brands as tenants. There is also a supermarket and food court, perfect for those looking for souvenirs or a cheap lunch!
Glorietta is a shopping center divided into four buildings with an atrium in the center. In addition to casual stores, there are also entertainment facilities such as a movie theater and a game center, attracting many young locals.
One of The Largest Shopping Mall in Asia
In addition to the Ayala Center, there are other popular department stores and shopping malls in Manila. Among them, ”SM Mall of Asia” is said to have more than 780 stores and 300 restaurants, and it also has entertainment facilities such as a skating rink and bowling alley, so you can enjoy more than just shopping.
Kultura is a great place to find snacks and groceries, especially those that can only be bought in the Philippines. It is a great place to find souvenirs that are more expensive than what you can buy in regular souvenir shops in Manila, and has a wide range of products from food to clothing. Another attraction is the SM Hypermarket located in the mall. Covering an area of over 2,000 square meters, it is a huge supermarket that sells everything from electronics to food. The vast shelves boldly displaying all kinds of things are a sight to behold. The ice skating rink was designed based on a proposal from an international competition, and the artificial snow falling from the ceiling is very popular among children and adults alike.
Mr. Jollibee, The Most Famous Man in Manila?
Jollibee, known for its beloved character, Mr. Jollibee, is the largest fast food chain in the Philippines with over 1,400 stores. Many of its stores are open 24 hours a day in Philippine cities and are crowded with locals and tourists. The main menu includes hamburgers, fried chicken, and burger steaks. There are also many set menus with rice, spaghetti, and other hearty accompaniments.
