Attractions
Here are some places of interest within and around Manila which you may want to visit while you're here. You might also want to take this chance and visit the other Philippine islands in order to appreciate the beauty of our country. (Most of the text and photos in this page are taken from http://www.philippines-travel-guide.com)
Manila Sunset (photo by the bride)
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and in this case the photos show how beautiful the sunset is, but to really see how spectacular the Manila sunset is, you truly need to be here and see it for yourself.
Watching the bright of the day slowly transform into vibrant yellows and oranges and then fade into reds with the shimmering distortion of the colours reflecting off the water is magnificent. There are some things you just cannot get enough of, the Manila Bay sunset is one of them.
The best place to view the Manila sunset is on the Manila Baywalk.Along this entertainment area are numerous restaurants, cafes and bars. It is ideal for a romantic dinner, sipping your favourite drink with your favourite person, watching the best sunset in the world. It does not get any better than that.
Manila Ocean Park
The spanking-new Manila Ocean Park (MOP) opened this year. It is an enviable accomplishment for being highly accessible, affordable and impressive in both physical size and marine species housed.
The country boasts uncounted pristine beaches, two diving sites that have been designated UNESCO Heritage Sites and unparalleled marine biodiversity all over a long archipelagic coastline.
Thanks to these natural riches and a lending hand from foreign investors, Manila now has a modern Oceanarium that is a fitting showcase for the millions of visitors that come each year.
Entrance rates go as low as 200 pesos for students and around 400 pesos for walk in tourists.
Mall of Asia
The 'SM Mall of Asia' (also known as MOA) is the largest shopping mall in the Philippines and is the 3rd largest shopping mall in the world in terms of Gross Leasable Area according to Forbes Magazine, after the South Dongguan Mall (China) and Golden Resources Mall (China). [1] It opened on May 21, 2006.[2]
It is owned and operated by SM Prime Holdings, under the management of Henry Sy, a Chinese-Filipino business tycoon. It was abbreviated as MoA.
The Mall of Asia was constructed within the reclamation area, west of Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, aptly nicknamed "Bay City". It is built on 19.5 hectares of reclaimed land and has a gross floor area of 386,224 square meters. The mall is located at the southmost tip of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. A roundabout was constructed in the front of the mall with a huge bronze globe similar to that of the Universal Studios Theme Parks and the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Park in New York City.
Intramuros - ”The Walled City”
Intramuros or the walled city of Manila, is located on the southern side of the Pasig River close to the rivers entrance into Manila Bay.
The construction of Intramuros started in 1571 by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, a Spaniard. The walled city covers an area of about 160 acres. Intramuros was a fortress city with walls 6 metres high and a commanding 3 kilometres in length, it is no wonder it was impenetrable.
At present, Intramuros is the only district of Manila where old Spanish-era influences were retained. Much of the development of present-day Manila occurred outside the gates of Intramuros, leaving the old walls, streets and churches of Intramuros minimally touched by modernization, although a Starbucks and a McDonald's now sit alongside distinguished educational institutions within its walls.
The old moats that surrounded Intramuros have been transformed into a golf course where locals and foreign nationals play the sport. The garrison that was Fort Santiago is now a tourist spot where visitors can see how Manila was like during the Spanish Era. The old cobblestone streets of Intramuros are now sites for cafes that cater to a variety of clientele and cultural presentations that feature native Filipino heritage.
San Agustin Museum
If you like delving into the past then you have to put the San Agustin Museum Manila on your itinerary! Our wedding reception will be held at the San Agustin Inner Courtyard. While waiting for the festivities to start, you may want to check out the museum and take a journey into the past.
A monastery used by the Augustinians was converted into what is now called San Agustin Museum and highlights Filipinos, Spanish, Chinese and Mexican art treasures. The museum consists of two floors featuring several rooms housing different collections of religious significance. Paintings of all the churches in the Philippines is showcased.
The San Agustin Museum Manila is located in Intramuros. Intramuros, or the walled city is located in Manila. Now if you have found the San Agustin Church, you have arrived at the right place, because they are right beside each other.
The opening hours of the San Agustin Museum is daily at 8:00am to 12:00 and then closes and reopens at 1:00pm through to 6:00pm. Entry to both the San Agustin Church and Museum is free, however you are expected to make a donation when you enter the Museum.
Please also respect the no photos rule inside the rooms of the San Agustin Museum. You can take photos outside and in the hallways but not inside the various rooms.
You also have to leave any hand luggage behind at the reception area, they will register it for you and hand you a ticket for your collection. Take any valuables with you, never tempt fate!
Fort Santiago
The area which is now occupied by Fort Santiago is a natural defensive position that has been used for centuries. Situated at the mouth of the Pasig River, which runs into Manila Bay it is the ideal place to put fortifications to ensure the safety of the area and to defend against the pirates and marauders which frequented the area.
Fort Santiago has been restored and you will find most of the areas preserved. Worth visiting inside the Fort proper is the Rizal Shrine, the museum where you will find a replica of Jose Rizal’s prison cell set up supposedly before he was executed. He can also visit the dungeons in the prison which s worth a look. The rest of Fort Santiago has been set up into a beautiful park.
Fort Santiago is in Intramuros, Manila. If you are coming to Intramuros by LRT, get off at the United Nations Station. From here it is only a 20 to 25 minute stroll to the gates of Intramuros. Taking a taxi is also very easy as Intramuros is such a popular destination all taxi drivers know where it is. If you prefer the jeep, take the jeepney that travels down Bonifacio Drive as this is where you will want to get off.
Binondo (Chinatown)/Divisoria
Like any other bustling economy around the world that is open to Chinese immigrants, every city and provincial capital around the Philippines has its share of Chinese chambers of commerce, Chinese schools and temples. Manila has its own Chinatown. That is Binondo, the centrally-located storefront to the adjacent Divisoria warehouse district, also Chinese-dominated. Together, the two comprise the heart of commerce in the Philippines.
Things to keep in mind when shopping:
#1 Buy in bulk if you can, Divisoria offers a wide range of wholesale priced items.
#2 Learn the art of haggling, your money sure can go a long way.
#3 Arm yourself with cash, as credit cards are useless here.
#4 Dress simply and comfortably, it would also be very wise to use a small body/belt bag where you can stash your hard earned cash to keep it away from keen pickpockets.
