Manila is one of the most densely populated cities in the world! – 25million in Manila City! 115milion in the Philippines – WOW!
I found this pic online and it really made me want to go and experience and explore, being the curious person I am- the difference and divide between the poor and the rich and the huge amount of high rises and also the sad slums
We arrived 2 hours late as our departure was delayed – was really wierd as we had booked budget airline “Cebu Pacific Airways” and because of this delay they profusely apologised and gave us free snacks and drinks, then if that wasnt enough, after we landed they had staff waiting with boxes of cookies and water and handing those out to us as well!
Its wierd as i always think that a budget airline will do anything to cut any type of cost in any way 🤔 hmmm
Phlippines is an autonomous island state in Pacific Ocean and made up of around 7641 islands – only 2000 are inhabited
WEATHER
There are 2 seasons here, dry and wet
The average year-round temperature in other parts of the Philippines is 26.6 °C
Most of the time we were here it was 30 °C
Airport was easy – you need to fill out an online visa form 3 days before you fly in and they just check the QR code with your passport – easy and quick process
Manila seems to have a really diverse mix of cultures! One of the things I like seeing when I travel
There is a little bit of influence from each tradition – Spanish, American, Malay, Chinese, Islam
The family is key to filipinos and respect of elders and parents is extremely valued, Feng Shui is common here thanks to Chinese traditions
There are 7 national holidays – the longest Christmas season holidays is here in the Philippines, and another of their holidays “Lenten” is a week long!
The US Embassy – many people dont like them! They always have police outside the embassy as there are a lot of locals throwing paint at the building
Only 40% of the population own a car – still a lot of traffic and cars on the road
US Embassy – many people dont like them! They always have police outside the embassy as there are a lot of locals throwing paint at the building
It became a chartered city with the passing and signing of Commonwealth Act No. 338 by President Manuel Quezon on June 21, 1938
A typical Filipino meal is taken from Spanish and Asian cuisines and comprised of rice and side dish of meat or vegetarian with asian twist
INTRAMUROS – Old Town
This area of Manila is the oldest district and the core of historic Manila, we stayed in this area of the city inside the old town walls, it felt like we were in an old and historic Manila as the sky scrapers and malls of the modern city were outside and seemed far away
Old Town Intramuros was known for its beautiful architectural structures and was known as the “most beautiful city in the far east” but the city was wiped out during WWII and has never gained back its status again
Intramuros means “inside the walls” and Manilas most wealthy citizens of the Spanish colonial period lived here at the time of its prosperity
Plazuela de Santa Isabel
Plazuela de Santa Isabel was restored in 1983 and a memorial to all the innocent people who suffered and died in WWII during the liberation of Manila, this monument is dedicated to them on February 18, 1995
A huge old world building covering 2 blocks! Made beautifully and elegantly and just is so amazing to actually stand next to it and see its grandness – photo does not do it justice!
MANILA CATHEDRAL
This cathedral is a popular place for the locals to hang out across the way at the Plaza de Roma park
This is the 8th reconstruction of this building as it was destroyed during the spanish colonial time
It is the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Manila, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Patroness of the country
THE GOVERNORS PALACE
This amazing building houses the Intramuros Administration, the Commission on Elections and the Home Development Mutual Fund National Capital Region Office
This was where the former residence of the governor-general during the Spanish colonial era was located until an earthquake destroyed it on June 3, 1863 – the reconstruction is beautifully created
GARDENS & FORT REMAINS
Walking the old fort walls around the old town is one of the best things to do – its free expect for this one section, but its well worth its entrance fee as they have created a beautiful garden over lioking the ruins and the new city
This fort was created from the remains of the upper portion of a circular watch tower built from 1586-1587
Baluartillo de San Jose
Formed part of the seaside defence of intramuros – converted as the headquarters of general douglas macarthur during WWII
Santa Lucia Barracks Ruins
This was the barracks for the Philippine constabulary
SAN AUGUSTIN CHURCH
Walking through the narrow streets on another muggy day, we came aross this impressive building, by this time we were getting really harrassed by men on tuktuks and motorbikes trying to get us to hop on / in their vehicle and go on a tour of the old city, they were constant an everywhere and just did not give up! And because we had landed recently, we hadnt gotten use to them just yet…
So, it was nice to stumble upon this beauty of a building and take a rest and a look inside its cool interior
A Roman Catholic Church, its known as the oldest church in Manila to be made up of stone and one of 4 remaining Baroque Churchs in the Philippines
The inside is just immaculate! Painted detailed ceilings with huge detailed arches and illuminati black and white tiled foor
The following week we noticed they had put streamers around the old town on some buildings and across streets, they really like celebrating Christmas and decorating things!
An old photo of the church damaged during the war
SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH MUSEUM
Was a former monastery during the Spanish colonial era
The collection here houses historic religious artifacts, books and statues but most importantly for me, I wanted to see the building itself!
Along the corridors are large paintings depicting important episodes in Augustinian Saints’ lives – I loved walking through the many corridors on each level as it made me feel like I was in a Harry Potter film!
The monastery was built by Augustinian friars in the 16th c. and due to the thick walls and planning and construction, has survived many disasters
The inner courtyard is similar to Mexican monasteries with its palms and fountain
The grand staircase is made from cut natural chinese granite and there are beautiful stained glass windows on the way up, it really had a medieval feel to it and I loved walking up and down these stairs, felt like the people in the paintings were looking at us and following us with their eyes!
Refactory / Crypt – this room was a nice surprise to walk into, it seemed to be a mausoleum and housed small tombs and a small hidden doorway led to another similar room to this with many more tombs
ELECTRICAL WIRES!
Whoa… thats all I can say about this one street! Prob the worst ive seen in my 83 countries traveled so far where I literally had to dodge and weave around the hanging wires and then jump over the one right next to it that was curled on the floor
Interesting times 🙂
Around the old town, they started putting out streamers and decorations for the holiday season – it really changed the whole area and livened it up!
The way the banners blow in the breeze give the street a fun colourful feel
Markets set up in the old town selling hand made goods, food and drinks
ECJ BUILDING – I loved this building! The details of the frescoes and the precision of the designs are just awe inspiring!
The site used to be a convent, it was connected to San Agustin Convent via an elevated walkway – apparently, a huge fire in 1932 swept through old town Intramuros burning down the original building (Ive noticed while researching, that there are SOOOO many fires burning down beautiful old world buildings )
It is now a commercial building in the hands of San Miguel Corporation, not much info out there what it is exactly used for now
Total traffic chaos on practically every street, I ended up geting quite used to it and having to mentally prepare for stepping out of the hotel on our daily walks
They had these local mini buses called JEEPNEYs running around all over the city, its their local buses and cheap enough
They used to be World War II US army jeeps, and all decorated in their own unique and fun way!
The malls and the surrounding areas are full of christmas cheer, we noiced that the Filipios love christmas! 🎄😀
ESCOLTA
Ok, so today wasn’t the best of experiences… but it WAS an experience I learnt from!
We got to explore on foot further outside the old town – decided it was the best way to get to know the place… boy was I right!!
I always want to experience a new city by foot as much as possible as I get to see a lot and experience the city more than I would if in a bus or taxi, so I plotted a walking itinerary around a historic part of Manila which is called Escolta and has many of the old world “Spanish” buildings and where the 19th c. Americans prospered with department stores and nice vintage cars driving down clean and well kept roads, now sadly only a blip in the past…
The streets are now full of traffic jams, cars, bikes, tuk tuks and people sitting on the streets and on the curbs selling goods, trying to make a living, busy shops and homeless animals… Beggers seeing westerners and seeing us as just $$$$ and begging and just not giving up… It’s really sad 😞 Especially the young kids who we were told should be at school… It’s sad that they have to grow up and only know how to beg, it’s not something any child should have to go through
During busy season (from November on) a lot of village people come from surrounding areas and sleep and live on the streets and begin to beg… And from what I heard there is a new “bandaid” law recently placed stating you can’t give money to any beggers – so we are all also stuck in limbo wanting to help but told not to so it’s a vicious cycle 😩
So, on our way there, we left the walls of the old town and stepped outside on the north side this time… Straight away we passed by people on the streets setting up shop and waiting for someone to buy something, all looking at us as there were no other westerners around … We climbed over Jones Bridge to get to our first stop… Now as soon as we got onto the bridge we passed a family setting up camp and caught the eye of the little kid who came chasing after us really aggressively begging for money, didn’t want to put my hand in my bag so said no but he didn’t give up and started stepping in front of us trying to trip us up so we couldnt pass by… I don’t blame him, but obviously the government dont look after their own, there is SO much homelessness here and such a divide between rich and poor
JONE’S BRIDGE
This bridge has been restored with its gorgeous black lamp posts and intricate designs – it was a neo-classical sructure and had arches and 2 piers – at each end of the bridge sood statues symbolising motherhood and nationhood – it was destroyed during the Japanese war time bombings
Finally we got to the end of the bridge and we saw a couple who looked like their were tourists and that’s IT after that… All locals around and all staring at us like we had 3 heads and a swaying donkey tail
CHINATOWN
This is New Binondo Chinatown Arch – the area houses the oldest Chinatown in the world founded in 16th c. as a community for Chinese Catholics in Manila
Binondo District
We walked through Escolta Street towards the museum passing by plenty of banks and local shops – still not sure why there are so many banks though 🤔
The First United Building Museum – Sy Lian Teng
A beautiful art deco building which was used to to called Perez Samanillo building and was the Berg Deparment store back in the hey day of Manila
There are so many stories of families and people and their ups and downs in their lifetime, this story is about Sy Lian Teng, an entrepreneur who played a major part in shaping the commerce in this one bustling busines district here in Escolta
On display in the museum were memorabilia of including his desk and documents, reciepts etc
Sy Lian Teng came from China in 1918 – he established a business called Cosmos Bazaar and brought across his immediate family in 1939
During the Battle of Manila in 1945 he lost his wife and children (he had 9!) they perished in a fire in their home which the Japanese set, but through hard work and faith he rose above this awful tragedy and worked hard at turning his luck around
These pics show what this area used to look like…
In 1951 he bought and managed Berg’s department store in Escolta which was located in this building where the museum now
On the way back there was a westernised Filipino who looked at us and stared and waiting for us to see where we were going as he then followed us on the bridge – he asked us what we were doing there and did we realise if we go on this bridge and this area, we can get mugged?
He ended up walking us back towards the Old Town
Cheers to getting back to the hotel lol
Note to self: cocktails not a good idea in this heat – ice melts way too quickly!
Shooting of drug lords – ordered by president Duterte
Just an interesting thing I leant that I thought I would note down…
In 2016, within no time when he was voted in as President, Rodrigo Duterte ordered the killing of those whom he called the “sons of bitches” involved in the country’s illegal narcotics trade
It is said in the first 6 weeks of him winning his seat, 899 people were found dead, and most of the victims killed were under police investigation but the police said they were in “acts of self defence” and the cases conveniently closed – in the end, around 6000 people were murdered, actually could have been much more than that…
The first victim was an unidentified male in his 20s and his body was found in an alley, his killers had placed a sign around his neck saying “I am a Chinese drug lord”
Over the following months the killings throughout Philippines grew and continued. Masked men would burst into people’s homes and kill them Infront of their families – bodies were being found in heaps, or floating around the canal or thrown on the road, hands tied and mouth taped
Most of those killed were selling crystal meth, or shabu, the drug of choice of the Filipino poor— addicts, former addicts, and small-time criminals became targets as well
Durante is now being investigated for his crimes
The investigation was initially put on hold at the request of the Philippines in November 2021, but in January 2023, the ICC announced that it was resuming its investigation, and in July, it rejected the country’s grounds for appeal but to this day they still havent set a date for the hearing and there probably is no hope for it, sounds like he is being protected?
Funny when you have money and power, seems everything and anything goes and you get away with it, even if it violates human rights
All in all a fantastic experience! I bloody learnt a lot about this mega city and I know there is still more to learn!
Next time will be to stay in Makati district or go directly to the islands
The Wandering Passport 