If the Philippines is a rich fabric woven from various cultural strands—indigenous, Malay, Spanish, American, and Chinese—then Manila stands out as the ideal spot to witness these elements intertwine seamlessly. Established in 1571 by the Spaniards, the Philippine capital has witnessed numerous conflicts, two People Power revolutions, and more recently, the emergence of a national "Asian tiger cub" economy, symbolized by the flashy business areas of Bonifacio Global City and Makati.
Visiting can be quite overwhelming for newcomers, which is why we’ve consulted three local experts to help you maximize your stay. Farah Abu designs distinctive jewelry inspired by the Philippines through her own label; Dylan Gozum oversees an event venue at a farm located in Rizal province where they host weddings and gatherings; and Rey Ballesca has been guiding tourists around for over ten years now.
The ancient walled town of Intramuros served as Manila's administrative center during the Spanish era from 1565 to 1898, and continues to be the initial destination for travelers attracted by its elegant colonial buildings and historic churches.
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Abu states, "We bring all our visitors there. It’s a place where you can understand more about the life of our national hero, Jose Rizal, since this is where he spent his final moments."
However, it's worthwhile to remain within Intramuros past the usual tricycle tours to immerse oneself in the ambiance and heritage.
Where to stay
Abu suggests Barbara's, which serves Spanish-Filipino cuisine and offers room rentals as well: "The decor draws inspiration from the Spanish era And they also organize an event known as Kultura Filipina, featuring traditional performances like the singkil , tinikling and pandanggo sa ilaw. "
To enjoy the complete luxurious experience, she recommends reserving a room at the five-star Peninsula Manila, a hotel that opened in 1976 and has welcomed notable guests such as Bill Gates and Queen Sofia of Spain. Despite being located 9 kilometers away from Intramuros, "this remains one of the finest accommodations available," according to Abu.
If you find the budget tight, Ballesca recommends the Bayleaf Intramuros, a charming boutique hotel with views of the ancient city walls.
He describes it as a top-notch mid-range hotel offering comfortable accommodations, picturesque vistas, and close access to iconic sites such as Fort Santiago and Rizal Park. It seamlessly blends contemporary amenities with historic allure, making it an ideal option for visitors looking to experience both comfort and heritage.
Faith and history
Abu guides visitors looking for architectural styles different from those of ancient Intramuros to the National Museum of Natural History. This museum, one of the latest additions near Rizal Park, is housed in the restored Agriculture and Commerce Building from the American colonial period (1898-1946).
She remarks, 'It’s truly an impressive spectacle,' highlighting the enormous staircase and the central Tree of Life elevator. This location is frequently used for various fashion events.
If photography piques your interest, Ballesca suggests exploring the historically significant Quiapo area located northeast of Rizal Park, famous for its bustling markets and delectable street cuisine. However, the main attraction remains the ornate Quiapo Church, home to the revered Black Nazarene—a full-sized figure carved from mesquite wood depicting Jesus Christ. This statue was originally brought to the Philippines by a Mexican cleric back in 1606.
"The optimal angles for photographing the church are wide shots or lower perspectives," explains Ballesca. "Long exposure shots capturing street vendors and traffic work well during nighttime as well." Additionally, he mentions that visiting during the annual event is a must. Festival of the Black Nazarene On January 9, when hundreds of thousands of devoted followers carry the image through the streets.
Directly to the west of Quiapo is Binondo , home to the planet’s oldest Chinatown, founded by the Spanish in 1594 as a community for Chinese Catholics.
Old Manila infused with a touch of China—both in its past and its tastes," explains Ballesca. "The Spanish-era Binondo Church looms nearby, close enough to be within walking distance of gold shops and traditional herb stores.
However, the true attraction of Binondo, he mentions, is the cuisine.
Hungry for more
The impact of Chinese settlers is difficult to exaggerate. Filipino cuisine , leading to dishes like lumpia (spring rolls) , mami (beef noodle soup), siopao (a sweeter variant of bao), and pancit (stir-fried noodles). Particularly, Ballesca suggests Café Mezzanine – commonly referred to as The Fireman’s Coffee Shop – which offers Chinese-Filipino fusion cuisine.
"It was founded by a volunteer firefighter," he says. "The profits go to the firefighter community."
Just across the street from Manila’s UNESCO-listed San Agustín Church within Intramuros, you'll find the Batala Bar.
"Their cocktails are amazing; for instance, try the Ube Colada, which offers a tropical spin on the classic piña colada using sweet purple yams," explains Gozum. "Also, make sure not to skip their handcrafted ice creams—there’s a delightful array of traditional Filipino flavors available." Some options include keso (cheese), avocado, macapuno (coconut sports), and sweet corn.
Following independence, Manila witnessed the emergence and growth of Makati, a district that transformed from wartime ruins into the nation's economic center. Despite this, it remains far from dull; it is within this area that the city's most dynamic culinary advancements can be discovered.
Gozum's favorite place is The Curator, which has been listed as one of The Top 50 Asia's BestBars for 2024 .
He mentions that they offer a creative cocktail list titled 'People You’d Enjoy Having A Beverage With.' Among them are cocktails inspired by personalities such as the writer Salman Rushdie, featuring blended rum with cardamom bitters and karak tea, and Manila’s art critic Marian Pastor Roces, made with absinthe, melon liquor, and bitter gourd.
The nightlife in Makati centers around Poblacion, a neighborhood that maintains its disorganized yet charmingly chaotic atmosphere despite the emergence of skyscrapers nearby. Interestingly, it also features something unprecedented in the country only ten years prior: a vegan restaurant.
Gozum states, “Cosmic paves the path for [veganism] to become mainstream.” They specialize in serving traditional Filipino comfort foods. He suggests trying their version of tofu sisig, which is a popular pulutan (snack often enjoyed with beer). This dish originates from the Pampanga region and traditionally includes pork jowl and ears.
The ruler of the highway
After Spain lost in the Spanish-American War of 1898, the Philippines was turned into a U.S. colony. A lasting emblem from this era is the jeepney , vibrantly colored public buses initially modified from US Army jeeps. They are closely associated with Leonardo Sarao, the former kalesa The founder of Sarao Motors, which was established in 1953, turned it into one of the nation's most beloved brands.
At the facility located in Las Pinas, which is part of southern Manila and operated by Sarao's offspring, Artisans continue to paint jeeps by hand. .
Exploring the location allows you to witness the skill and artistry embodied in these vibrant conveyances," explains Ballesca. "This represents a distinctive and genuine aspect of Filipino transport legacy, embodying the country’s innovative ethos.
Shopping time
Ballesca recommends visiting the Salcedo Market for souvenirs, which takes place during weekends in Makati. He explains, "This market offers a blend of fresh goods, specialty foods, and handcrafted items," adding, "it’s an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the local community essence."
For higher-end souvenirs, Abu recommends Greenbelt 5 mall. She mentions, "It has many local Filipino designers such as Zarah Juan, Pinas Sadya, and Earl Gariando."
Devoted shoppers ought to schedule their trip around ArteFino, a biannual celebration focused on supporting Filipino artisans. "It is definitely the Number one spot for shopping," asserts Abu. "The largest market takes place around late August [with over 100 locally-made brands featured in the 2024 event]. People eagerly anticipate this because they offer the finest collection of accessory and apparel creators. Additionally, you can find homeware items [...]; all products are distinctly Filipino. It’s here that we unveil our latest designs.
A potentially even less expected locale for local fashion trends is the mentioned Peninsula Manila. "On their second floor, you can find showrooms from Filipino creators: wedding gown designers, apparel makers, and footwear specialists," explains Abu. "The atmosphere there feels opulent and selective."
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