THE BEAUTY OF
Manila
THE BEAUTY OF
Manila
- Philippines
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is the most densely populated city proper in the world. The Spanish city of Manila was founded on June 24, 1571, by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. The date is regarded as the city’s official founding date. Manila was also the seat of power for most of the country’s colonial rulers. It is home to many historic sites, some of which were built during the 16th century. Manila has many of the Philippines’ firsts, including the first university (1590), light station (1642), lighthouse tower (1846), water system (1878), hotel (1889), electricity (1895), oceanarium (1913),[12] stock exchange (1927), flyover (1930s), zoo (1959), pedestrian underpass (1960),[13] science high school (1963), city-run university (1965), city-run hospital (1969), and rapid transit system (1984; also considered as the first rapid transit system in Southeast Asia).
The term “Manila” is commonly used to refer to the whole metropolitan area, the greater metropolitan area or the city proper. The officially defined metropolitan area called Metro Manila, the capital region of the Philippines, includes the much larger Quezon City and the Makati Central Business District. It is the most populous region of the country, one of the most populous urban areas in the world, and is one of the wealthiest regions in Southeast Asia. The city proper is home to 1,780,148 people in 2015, and is the historic core of a built-up area that extends well beyond its administrative limits. With 71,263 people per square kilometer, Manila is also the most densely populated city proper in the world
The city is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay. The Pasig River flows through the middle of the city, dividing it into the north and south sections. Manila is made up of 16 administrative districts: Binondo, Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port Area, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Andres, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa and Tondo, while it is divided into six districts for its representation in Congress and the election of the city council members. In 2016, the Globalization and World Cities Research Network listed Manila as an “alpha –” global city.
San Sebastian Church
The one and only church made of steel that features an excellent example of Neo-Gothic architecture in the Philippines, the Basilica Menor De San Sebastian or better known as San Sebastian Church, is sure to give you a medieval-Europe vibe.
San Agustin Museum
Known for its collection of 26 huge oil paintings of saints and notable burials of famous people in its crypt such as the renowned Filipino painter Juan Luna, the San Agustin Museum is
Quezon City Circle
Known for being the capital of the Philippines from 1948 to 1976, the Quezon Memorial Circle is a national park located at Quezon City where its 66-metre (217 ft) tall mausoleum contains the remains of Manuel Quezon, the second official president…
Manila Bay
A natural harbor that serves as the Port of Manila, Philippines and considered as one of the world’s great harbours, the Manila bay. Once extremely overpolluted and lacking
Christ the King Seminary
Christ the King Seminary, also known as the Divine Word Mission Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary in Quezon City, Philippines run by the Divine Word Missionaries, more popularly known as the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). This academic …
Manila American Cemetery
Known for having the largest number of graves of any cemetery for American soldiers and U.S personnel killed during the World War II, the
San Diego de Alcala Church
A parish church located in Brgy. Polo in Valenzuela of Manila, Philippines, the San Diego de Alcala Church was once the oldest church in the city, it has a bit of history lying in its parish
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines, or simply the University of Santo Tomas (UST), is a private, Roman Catholic research university in Manila, Philippines. Founded on 28 April 1611 by Miguel …
Manila Cathedral
Well-known as “Manila Cathedral” to the public, the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is located in the historical walled city of the Philippines,
Manila Ocean Park
The Manila Ocean Park, located at Ermita Manila, is known as the Philippines’ first ever world-class marine theme park, with an
Bonifacio Monument
A memorial built in Caloocan, a city in Manila, Philippines to commemorate the founder and Supremo of the Katipunan, the Philippine revolutionary Andres Bonifacio stands bravely
Luneta Rizal Park
Located alongside Roxas Boulevard, Manila and next to the century-old walled city of Intramuros, the Luneta National Park or “Luneta” as many call it, is an historical urban park where the execution of national hero…
Jones Bridge
Named after the United States legislator William Atkinson Jones and built to replace Puente de Espana or the bridge of spain, the William A. Jones Memorial Bridge or better known as the Jones Bridge, is an arched girder bridge that crosses the Pasig River in the City of Manila, Philippines.
Santa Cruz
Home to Manila’s numerous institutions, the Santa Cruz, Manila is a district known for being a gateway to multiple districts like Quiapo, Ermita and Binondo.
Padre Pio Shrine
The chapel’s façade was inspired by the structure of the Church of Our Lady of Grace in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. Its design represents the desire to bring St. Pio closer to the hearts, minds and souls of his spiritual children, by providing them w…
Binondo Church
The basilica is well known for two important things: San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint for being one of its clerk-sacristan; and the church where Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippine Revolution and his first wife Gregoria De Jesus, were married. The Binondo Church has experienced a lot from history.
Binondo Chinatown
Known as the oldest Chinatown in the world and the centre of commerce and trade of Manila City, the Binondo Chinatown is a district and referred to as the city’s Chinatown.
Natural History Museum
One of the many attractions in manila are the 4 national museums. These are the National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural
Venice Piazza Grand Canal
Inspired by the grandeur of the Piazza San Marco, the Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill is the perfect place to go for a quiet family weekend with its eclectic mix of Italian, Mediterranean and international dining establishments and a great variety of …
Cultural Center of the Philippines
The CCP provides performance and exhibition venues for various local and international productions at its eponymous 62-hectare (150-acre) complex located in the Cities of Pasay and Manila. Its artistic programs include the production of …
Intramuros
Intramuros is also called the Walled City, and at the time of the Spanish Colonial Period was synonymous to the City of Manila. Other towns and arrabales (suburbs) located beyond the walls are referred to as “extramuros”, the Spanish for “outside the walls”. ….
Santa Ana Church
The Santa Ana Church, also known as the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned, is a Spanish colonial period church located in the district of Santa Ana. The parish was established by the Franciscan missionaries in 1578 under the patronage …
San Agustin Church
Known as the oldest church in the Philippines and one of the four baroque Philippine churches classified by UNESCO, the San Agustin Church holds its ground toughly despite its age in the
Manila Central Post Office
Known as the main post office of Manila, Philippines and the head office of the Philippine Postal Corporation, the Manila Central Post Office houses the country’s main mail sorting distribution operations.
Plaza Miranda
Plaza Miranda is a public square bounded by Quezon Boulevard, Hidalgo Street and Evangelista Street in Quiapo, Manila. It is the plaza which fronts the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church), one of the main churches of the City of …
Makati City
Known for its cosmopolitan culture due to its major shopping centres, financial hubs, hotels, condominiums, the Makati city is the financial centre of the Philippines.
Casa Manila
Ever wondered what’s it like to live in the Philippines during time of Spanish colonial period? Do you want to know what’s inside of a grand house that was once inhabited by
Manila Zoo
Home of the popular asian elephant named “Mali” and other 90 species, the Manila Zoo is a both a landmark to the city of Manila and place where indigenous plants and hundreds of animals thrive. Animals in the zoo such as Hippopotamuses, Bengal…
Luneta Hotel
It is always a surprise for buildings, parks and houses to survive such wars as it is almost inevitable that everything will be brought down to bricks and ashes, and the Luneta Hotel is
Manila Abbey San Beda
A Benedictine men’s monastery located on the streets of Mendiola, Philippines, the Manila Abbey San Beda or formally known as Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, is both an abbey and a school.
La Loma Cemetery
Known for being the oldest cemetery in Manila, The Campo Santo De La Loma or better known as The La Loma Cemetery, is one of the few sites that escaped ruin during World War II in the 1945 Battle of Manila where most of
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All photographs that appear on the site are copyright of Mariano Sayno. ©2017 Mariano Sayno.
All photographs that appear on the site are copyright of Mariano Sayno. ©2017 Mariano Sayno.
