"Exploring Metro Manila" City of Manila by theguardianangel

City of Manila Travel Guide: 2,926 reviews and 8,126 photos

National Capital Region

THE PLACE

Metro Manila also known as the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines is composed of 16 cities- Caloocan, Las Pinas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paranaque, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig and Valenzuela.

Metro Manila is where the heart of the business is located, mostly in Ortigas (Pasig City), Makati City, Quezon City and Fort Bonifacio (Taguig City).

MUST VISIT

Among the historical landmarks include Rizal Park and Intramuros. These 2 places were the remarkable times when the Spaniards colonized the country.

People and Language

Ayala Avenue, Makati City

Tagalog is the primary language, 2nd is English. Since most of the business occurs in the metropolis (2nd is Cebu), people from provinces take guts to work here and seek adventure. Resident Spaniards, Americans, Koreans, Iranians and Chinese are also largely present in the population. A number of Fiipinos have Spaniard, Indian, Chinese and Japanese descent. Metro Manila is classified as one of the ethnically diverse cities in the world.

When you get to the different cities in Metro Manila, you'll get to see different nationalities of people. In Sta. Mesa (in Manila), lots of Iranians reside here and go to medical schools situated in the University Belt of Manila but I’ve seen also a number of Iranians reside in Eastwood City (Quezon City). In Tomas Morato and Ortigas Avenue (Quezon City), in Ayala Avenue (Quezon City) and Taft Avenue (Manila), you’ll see LOTS of Koreans walking around; some work in offices, own businesses and most of them stay here to study English. I’ve talked to some Koreans and they say that they choose Philippines since it has the most affordable teaching English schools with great/effective teachers. Americans and Japanese are mostly seen in business districts of Ayala Avenue and Fort Bonifacio (Makati City) and Ortigas Avenue (Quezon City). Tourists (all over the world) mostly stay in Ayala Avenue (Makati City), in Malate (Manila) and in Roxas Boulevard (Pasay City).

Life in the City

got the photo in a restroom in NAIA terminal 2

I believe that in this world, equality is what we need to survive. If all of the continents around the globe are prosperous, there wouldn’t be peace… people who would strive to be more powerful will do anything to bring the others down. Maybe, that’s why our country belongs in the other side of the scale where people are its assets.

Being the capital of the country, Metro Manila tries to stand on its feet despite the unending challenges it faces to raise the economy. It’s quite obvious that the Metropolis has its own imperfections (i.e. the Jurrasic MRT, traffic) but what I love about it… is the people- The optimism of Filipinos that HOPE remains. Filipinos’ hospitality, cheerfulness, concern for others, etc. are only one of the traits that I admire. I also find that only Filipinos has this way to laugh on their mistakes and whatever life brings in… it’s definitely only in the Philippines.

Pros and Cons

Pros:easy to communicate with people
Cons:traffic is a normal
In a nutshell:Manila- it's more than what you think!

Intro Updated Jun 9, 2012
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Comments (3)

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planxty Feb 23, 2013 at 5:37 AM

Hello there Sherry, this is an absolutely brilliant Manila page, I cannot believe I have not seen it before. I love the Philippines and have been lucky enough to have met many of the wonderful members we have there. I do hope I can return soon. fergy.
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  theguardianangel Feb 24, 2013 at 3:58 PM
  
  Hi fergy! Im very happy to hear that u appreciate our country. Thank u! Hope u can return here soon;)
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TheView Mar 17, 2012 at 8:02 AM

Tx for a very nice page

;-)
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hunterV Jan 22, 2012 at 11:16 AM

Thanx for your interesting and useful story, mate....