It’s been awhile since I’ve written a new post but I wanted to get back to it! If you’re planning to visit the Philippines at any point in time, you must check out Manila.
The ‘Pearl of the Orient’, Manila’s moniker could not be more fitting – its unappealing shell only reveals itself to those willing to pry. The city is no stranger to hardship as it has endured every disaster nature and human has thrown at it. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, mushrooming from the poverty of shantytowns, while malls foreshadow the new air-conditioned world of Manila.
Besides outstanding sightseeing, visitors who put in some effort can discover the city’s creative soul – from the lively indie music scene to edgy galleries. Combine this with a preference for single-origin coffees, artisan markets, and speakeasy bars, and it is easy to see that Manila is not just one of the most underrated cities in Asia but one of its coolest. Here are the top experiences in Manila, Philippine.
Fort Santiago
Guarding the Pasig River’s entrance is Fort Santiago, Intramuros’ premier tourist attraction. Within the grounds of the fort is an oasis of fountains, plazas, and lovely manicured gardens. Within the fort is the Rizal Shrine museum, the building where the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was incarcerated in 1896 as he awaited execution. The museum contains different intriguing displays of Rizal memorabilia as well as a recreation of the courtroom trial and his cell.
National Museum of Anthropology
Within a neoclassical building, the National Museum of Anthropology houses a varied and vast collection Tabon Man (believed to be actually a woman) and the skullcap of the earliest known inhabitants of the Philippines. A large section of this museum is dedicated to the wreck of a Spanish galleon, San Diego. Salvaged items from this ship include jewelry on display, porcelain plates, coins, and shell-encrusted swords. Other treasures in this museum include a large collection of musical instruments and pre-Hispanic artifacts, as well as indigenous textiles displays.
Rizal Park
Rizal Park is an iconic park that spread out more than 60 hectares of wooded areas, paved walks, ponds, ornamental gardens, and open lawns. As the place where the Spanish colonial authorities executed Jose Rizal, it is also of great historical importance. This park is an atmospheric place for visitors to take a stroll, especially on weekends, early evening and late afternoon.
San Agustin Church
After the destruction of Intramuros in World War II, this church was the only building left intact. Completed in 1606, it is the Philippines’ oldest church. The massive building conceals an elegant interior filled with many objects of great cultural and historical merit. Don’t forget to see the slightly shabby gardens and the tropical cloisters out the back.