| Page Views: 246 Last Visit to Manila: February, 2009 | Manic Manila!!! by sugarpuff - last update: Sep 8, 2009 |
What is special about Manila? | Living area seen from Intramuros |
The first thing you're going to do before you head off to a place unknown is research about it. Some people love doing this (probably why we're all on VT!), others don't really find the same enjoyment in it , so for those placed in the latter group, here is an easy to follow guide on hopefully the important things you'll need to know before you go!
The Philippines archipelago of more than 7,000 islands is sandwiched between Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, flanked by the South China Sea. All her neighbors have magical tourist appeal to various degrees, but the Philippines, even though the sea is just as blue and clear and the myriad coral islands just as alluring, seems to have missed the boat when it comes to marketing its attractions.
Visitors to the Philippines cannot avoid using Manila as a starting point for their exploration of the other provinces and islands, because most charter flights to the outlying islands leave from the city's airport. But this could be the only reason why people may want to go to Manila to be honest! Maybe I wasn't there long enough (I most probably was not, given that I only had 24hrs there!), but I saw what I wanted to and then I got out! I don't wish to put a dampener on people's plans of staying there long time and I would probably have found some nicer more local areas had I been able to stay longer, but this is all I had time for and so forgive me if I paint a not so pretty picture of the city. |
| The Post Office seen from Intramuros area |
|  | Why is Manila a place I might like to visit? Manila, the somewhat daunting capital and pulsating hub of the Philippines, is situated on the east coast of Luzon, the most northerly island, also the largest and the most developed. The city was founded in 1571 on the site of a Muslim settlement. Its major tourist attraction is the old Spanish walled city, known as Intramuros, which contains some historic buildings and ruins.
Modern Manila seems to be full of traffic and people, polluted and chaotic, an industrial metropolis that grew from the ashes of war when in 1945, the United States' forces fought to recapture it from Japanese occupation. It is also a city of theaters, libraries and museums, and the home to the University of the Philippines. The neighborhoods of the metropolis vary from wide avenues full of palatial homes to squatter camps where the poorest of the poor scratch out a living. I had looked online before coming here on sites like www.youtube.com to see if anyone had uploaded videos of this city and was quite shocked at some of the ones I saw of street kids begging and families living in squalor. Yes, I am sure this happens in many third world countries but I realised I was about to enter this world which seemed distant and unknown to me...I was a little unprepared. |
How did Manila make me feel? Manila is a city where I have friends living. Manila is a place that has always sounded intriguing to me because of its Spanish heritage. Manila is a place that I can now say that I have been to. Manila made me feel uncomfortable in certain parts of the city but also made me realise that in other parts of the city, I felt it was more modern than Beijing, where I have been living since 2003! How is that possible? Manila looks run down - the buildings are of an old architectural style, its colours are browns and greys. Some people I dealt with made me feel nervous but maybe that's what comes with visiting a big city...I certainly felt very different when I went to smaller parts of the country where people were all smiles and full of advice to make my trip even better than what it was already! I was prepared for a country that should have had the same opportunities as say, Thailand, yet who had let this chance slip through their fingers. I was almost looking forward to going to a place that wasn't as touristy as other countries I had visited...but staying in Manila I really wasn't sure what I thought by the end of it. I would definitely like to go back again and stay a bit longer this time so that I have a better understanding and would therefore be more apt to writing about this city. I hope that what I do write however over my Manila pages is of interest, usefullness and eye opening quality! | | |
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 Comments for sugarpuff about Manila | | | | |
edwinic Tue Sep 8, 2009 05:18 UTC
hi! that is not Malacanyang Palace as seen from Intramuros Area. It's the Post Office Bldg - a very important one before the advent of emails. | vinc_bilb Thu Jul 2, 2009 16:53 UTC
I recognize some of my views... and some photo's too (intramuros,...). Salamat! May be I should meet you :) I'm under my post philippines depression phase ... More on my HP if interest | moonlighting Thu Feb 26, 2009 06:42 UTC
I can't find my way in your POrt B's page. How do I becaome a member? Sorry for the bother... :) |
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