MANILA TWO FACES OF THE CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES

MANILA

TWO FACES OF THE CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES

Manila is a bustling capital of the Philippines developed from a seaport that has its origins back in the 12^th century. There are distinct visitor and commercial districts like Ermita, Makati and Intramuros and vast suburban areas called cities like Pasay City, Quezon City or San Juan City.

Makati is the Embassy and business district while Intramuros is the picture of architecture and history. It dates back to the 1500s and is enclosed “within the walls”, as per the meaning of the word, of a fortress.

The fortress was built by the Spanish and prevented the aspirations of Dutch, Portuguese and Sulu pirates from taking over Intramuros. Now it is an architectural paradise with churches and cathedrals dominating the scene.

However, there is another face of Manila. Sadly poverty is an inseparable part of highly populated cities. The poverty is well visible in the streets of Manila. The numbers of homeless living in the streets of Manila are high. These living areas are accompanied by permanent odor of urine, faint in some streets and overpowering in smaller alleyways.

Thus many visitors restrict their sightseeing to air conditioned taxi trips through the city. Jeepney is however much more enjoyable form of transport. And it is much cheaper. There is also rail transport LRT and MRT. Mixing with the local population is important to realise how friendly and helpful they are and to get the real feel of Manila.

The Filipino are cheerful in spite of the poverty. Smiling faces are common. Children wave their hands and say “hello”.

One of famous attractions is Manila Bay sunset, worth enjoying every evening and different and unique every night.