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7 Insightful things to do in Metro Manila, Philippines
They just didn’t take their time.
The local radio the motorist was tuned in to had already played a dozen ballads, but the cab had barely inched forward. The traffic was glacial, and I was stuck in the middle of it all. While I struggled to keep my eye away from the running meter, I looked outside my window and got delightfully lost in the music. My fingers tapped to the slow beat of the Basil Valdez classic. Its sedating melody was often interrupted by the unorthodox percussion coming from the outside — the gentle humming of the engine in the background and the brassy honks from the other automobiles on the road that seem to build up to a crescendo.
This is rush hour Manila. A Holywood actress once said in a magazine interview that she was “ghastly and weird.” An action film director once commented that she was “ugly and stinky.” A fictional character in a novel once baptized her “the gates of hell.” You may say that there’s truth to it, but they did not see enough. They did not stay long enough to see her good, captivating side. Or maybe, they just did not take their time.
Rush hour Manila
I moved to Manila from idyllic Batangas over ten years ago. In the first few weeks, being stranded in the dreadful traffic was one of those situations that nearly pushed me to insanity. For a promdi like me, how the nearly twelve million citizens find their way around this huge concrete labyrinth without getting lost in its fastness and complicatedness and craziness was a question that only time made me understand.
It is not tough to dismiss Manila as an ideal destination. a lot of tourists use her as only a jump off point to the islands. and if they ever stay longer than a layover, they do not go beyond the comforts of the hotel and establishments nearby. Metro Manila is big and dense. just when you have just started searching for anything worthy of a second look, you get lost in the crowd, choke in the pollution, or drown in her constant nagging. but those who make it past her sins are rewarded with an opportunity to appreciate her virtues. here are a few suggestions on how to get close and personal with this criminally underrated city.
1. go back in time at the Ayala Museum.
In the heart of Makati, the poster city of commercialism in the country, lies a cluster of malls. any individual who has been there will tell you that it has everything — from a basic quirky store selling basic quirky stuff to high-end branded boutiques selling high-end branded stuff. The buildings that rise in this spender’s paradise all house items that come with a price tag. except for one: the Ayala Museum. situated in between crowded shopping malls, the Ayala museum is a pot of gold in the concrete jungle that not everyone happens to see. workers going to and coming from the financial district pass by this museum every day without realizing just how much they are missing.
Established in 1967, the museum has been cradling crucial cultural and historical artifacts that will definitely redefine how Filipinos look at its past. among its lots of collections are 60 handcrafted dioramas, documenting the country’s history; and artworks by three of the greatest Filipino painters — Fernando Amorsolo, Fernando Zobel, and Juan Luna. The pot of gold can be taken literally, too, for they also showcase the “Gold of Ancestors” exhibit, with over a thousand gold artifacts on display, an undeniable proof of our forefathers’ highly sophisticated way of life that burgeoned and flourished in the 16th century, even before the Spaniards set foot on Philippine soil. From the intricately molded golden sashes to the highly ornate diadems, these golden pieces give new light to how you imagine our ancestors lived back in the day. and that, my friend, is priceless.
2. See Old Manila at Intramuros.
If Manila had a soul, you’d find it hiding inside any ancient structure in Intramuros. She’s probably nearly afraid to death, weeping songs and tales of her long but rich, tragic but hopeful past. The historic core of the capital, it was built in 1571, making it the oldest district in the city. It has survived waves of foreign invasions, a world war, and even booming, unrelenting dangers of overdevelopment. but it continues to stand silently amidst the roaring metropolis outside its fortified walls.
Manila Cathedral. photo by Jay Leano
Yet there is still so much to marvel at in this citadel. walking past the gates of Fort Santiago is walking into a time maker for a ride to centuries before. Intramuros was the seat of power during the Spanish rule, and their heavy influence are etched deep in this part of the city. Don’t leave without seeing the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Church!
3. Pamper your tummy in Binondo.
When the Spaniards were still making the policies for this humble nation, they approved the Chinese immigrants the privilege to govern themselves. These settlers continued residingand trading in an area just outside the walls of the city — far enough that they could not interfere with how things were run, but close enough that they could still be monitored by the government. That place is Binondo.
Ongpin St., Binondo
Chinatown is not really a special attraction. nearly every major city in the world has one. but the one in Binondo is worth a visit for two reasons. First, it is the first Chinatown in the world. It was well established in 1594 by governor Luis Perez Dasmarinas for Chinese settlers who were converted into Catholicism. Second, unlike lots of Chinatowns which became a lot more of a vacationer attraction, Binondo is as real as it gets. You’ll see Filipino-Chinese continue to live and work here, with all the joys, the sounds, and the dirt of a normal third-world district.
Siomai!
But one thing that a lot of local tourists come here over and over again for is the food. Binondo is a gigantic food court. Its streets are flanked with holes in the wall. visit only if your stomach is empty, for Binondo would not hesitate to tempt you with the tastiest Chinese dishes, which you would not hesitate to gorge on.
4. help in a coastal cleanup on freedom Island.
Ask a random Metro Manila citizen for the nearest beach destination and chances are he or she is going to tell you to take a bus to Batangas or Quezon, hours from the capital. There’s something about the freedom Islands that is conflicting. one day it makes you delighted and hopeful for it has a stretch of sand that can give the coves outside the metro a run for its money. The next day, it will leave you brokenhearted when its beach is littered with trash. One day, you discover that it is home to over 80 species of birds, both local and migratory, including the Kentish Plovers, the Philippine Duck, and the endangered Chinese Egret, making it a fantastic place for birdwatching. The next day, you learn it is about to be reclaimed.
Satellite image of freedom Island, courtesy of Google Maps
The freedom Islands are two long islands just minutes away from mainland Metro Manila. It is in Las Pinas-Paranaque area and is visible from the Cavite-Manila Coastal Road. There’s a sense of triumph in knowing that we have stunning islands just within the city, and is in fact a coastal periphery for mangroves and multifarious biodiversity. Sadly, they come with a sense of sadness in knowing that it is the only one left and that not everyone is even aware of its existence.
This 175-hectare wetland is threatened both by pollution and reclamation. Heck, you can’t even swim here. So why come at all? A visit to this place opens eyes and minds. This is where you will see the extent of the problem and the toll these problems have taken on the environment. Yet, it is such a hopeful place. You won’t leave the island without a strong urge for change — to take action, be a lot more responsible, and fight for your city.
Freedom Island when garbage-free after the cleanup. photo by earth Island Institute Philippines
The birds know that too. considering that the beginning, the birds, even those coming from the faraway corners of the world, keep coming back to this place. They still believe there’s something worth returning to. They have not given up on it. Why must you?
5. catch a show at the cultural center of the Philippines.
If you love movies, try to catch a motion picture during the Cinemalaya film festival season. The Philippines once had the fourth a lot of prolific local cinemas in the world. We just love the movies. considering that the birth of Philippine cinema, it has took pleasure in three golden ages and has produced some of the most acclaimed cinematic gems in the world such as Himala, Asia’s best film of All Time according to a CNN poll, and Maynila… Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, which has been included in the list of best films in the world. The local film industry has struggled, competing with Hollywood Blockbusters, but it has found a new breath of life in the form of digital filmmaking, allowing a lot more Filipinos to translate their creative vision into moving pictures that are produced with a lot more freedom and less budget.
A few Cinemalaya films
Cinemalaya has been a major player for this revolution. Cinemalaya Independent film festival is an annual event showcasing the best of the local independent cinema. giving grants to chosen filmmakers, the festival is open to any individual who has an idea. It helped redefine the local cinema as a lot more meaningful subjects have been tackled, a lot more filmmakers have been given opportunities to shine, and a lot more stories are narrated through pictures, a testament to the brilliance and diversity of the Filipino talent.
There are lots of other shows in CCP aside from film screenings. It also plays venue to many plays, musicals, concerts, and art exhibits. You can check out the current events and happenings here.
6. walk around UP Diliman Area.
The university of the Philippines-Diliman is not just an academic institution but a completely different world, sheltered from the deafening noise and the busy jolt of the rest of the city. Take a jog and see the lots of old buildings that incubate some of the best young minds, coming from different parts of the country.
Isaw!
Watch a student film at Cine Adarna. step into the Vargas Museum. visit one of its lots of communities and play a friendly game of basketball with its residents and discover just how warm the Filipino hospitality is. speak to a professor and understand how the university is not just a place for intellectual pursuits but a automobile to reaching one’s dream.
UP Diliman and nearby Maginhawa street are also a food-lover’s paradise, dotted with many restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines — from streetfood (balut, isaw, and kwek-kwek) to home-cooked meals to gourmet treats.
7. enjoy the sunset at Manila Bay.
Manila Bay is the main harbor of the city, playing an crucial role in the country’s history, economy, and culture. A lot has been said about it. Its condition worsens over time but it remains a habitat for large variety of marine life forms. lots of will shrug off any mention of whatever wonder it once had. but as I sat in the cab, tapping my fingers to the beat of a slow ballad, a spectacular heavenly show unveiled before me. The dark slowly blanketed the city and the golden rays painted the skies pink, red, and purple. There really is no better place to see the sun kiss the horizon than the Manila Bay.
Sunset in Manila
Maybe I already learned a way of always looking on the bright side or seeing the glass half-full. Or maybe, Manila is really a beautiful metropolis. like a lot of great cities, it has flaws; it’s not perfect. but between the crowded streets and the skyscrapers, it definitely has something terrific to offer to those who are ready to take the time.
Ah, time. Time is a fleeting illusion in Manila. It passes by just like that, you won’t even realize it. everything here seems to be dancing to an uptempo track. Locals and outsiders alike find themselves moving along and keeping up by reflex that often we forget to stop, listen, really listen, and see, really see that drowned in the heavy instrumental is a soft song — a a lot more heartfelt, a lot more soulful Manila.
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