"Manila: Eternally Happy Despite Itself " a Manila Travel Page by AKtravelers

If you are visiting our Manila VT page because you're thinking about taking a holiday in Manila, here's some advice: go some place else! I spent four days here on a business trip and I can say without hesitation that Manila is no place for a vacation. It has few tourist sites, no attractive architecture, widespread poverty, awful air quality, wild rabid dogs and enough ambient garbage to cover Delaware (not that I'd want to). All that being said, I hope to return someday.
Why? Because, despite all of the city's negatives it always exudes an aura of inexplicable joy. From the gaudy jeepneys to the chatty knots of people you see hanging out everywhere, Manila appears to be happy despite itself. This exuberance was on display when I was there, as I got to experience a bouncy religious procession celebrating Jesus' presentation at the Temple (who knew this was a feast day?) and a raucous, firework-studded Chinese New Year (who knew this was such a big deal in the Philippines?). My guess is that there will be something to celebrate the next time I'm in Manila, too.

It's always to keep your sense of humor while traveling, but it is essential in Manila. Nothing is ever easy here. ATM's are broken, restaurants are closed without explanation, traffic clogs major arteries and, most of all, EVERYONE IS ALWAYS LATE! (And, when I say late, I don't mean by a meer 10-15 minutes, but I mean hours! I'll have a tip on this). Things we take for granted as mundane, such as crossing a street or taking a taxi, are high adventure adrenaline sports here -- if you weren't laughing, you'd be adjusting your will. Since you can't change Manila, you might as well enjoy it.
If that sounds hard, remember that --every day -- tens of millions of Manila residents are enjoying their day in the city. Sure, it may be frustrating at times, but most people here approach life with a laugh and a smile. We can, too.