Metro Manila, Philippines

I. OVERVIEW

Manila is the capital city of the Philippines. But we Filipinos call Manila "The City of Our Affections." This phrase is taken from an old Spanish writings; but it also expresses a modern sentiment.

Manila is all things for all Filipinos. It is the seat government administration, the fashion center, the intellectual pace-setter, the fountain head of all religious and educational movements; and of course, enormous shopping arcades. It is polictics and art; markets and churches; banks and universities - the whole life.

For most Filipinos - especially those who have yet visit Manila - it is political and economic summit, the city of dreams. For the millions ekking out living in its slum and for its westernized middle classes; it is an asphalt jungle - gawdy and ruthless but irresistable.

Manila is an old city, may be older than historians can determine. Perhaps having been around for a long time give its "Poise and Grandeur."

Brief History
Long before the arrival of the Spaniards headed by Adelantado Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in Manila in 1571, a town called "Maynilad" (from the word "nild") was flourish. Pre-Spanish Maynilad was originally a Moslem settlement ruled by a Moslem sultan, Rajah Sulayman of Borneon nobility. It was a small but a prosperous trading port lying between two (2) great bodies of water, Pasig river and Manila Bay. When the Spaniards heard of this Moslem settlement on the shore of a great bay in Luzon, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (who at that time was in Panay Island) sent forth his men headed by marshall Martin de Goiti and Captain Juan de Salcedo to the first expedition to Maynilad on May 8, 1570. Upon arrival in Maynilad, the Spanish Fleet was welcomed and feted by the friendly Filipino-Moslem natives. However, the morning of May 24, 1570 proved to be a red day for the two races- for there was a fierce battle; thus the Spaniards defeated the natives and conquered Maynilad under the name of the King of Spain. But courageous and high-spirited Filipino-Moslems who fled to nearby Bagumbayan and Tondo didn't lose hope in fighting back the Spaniards to retake Maynilad. On the other hand, marting de Goiti did not stay long in Maynilad. So the following year, in 1571, Governor General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi brought his entire force to Maynilad and for the second time conquered Maynilad on June 24, 1571 - proclaiming it as the country's capital and permanent seat of the Spanish government in the East. As a result of these successive conquests; Adelantado Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi ordered the creation of a municipal government of "Cabildo", set of Spanish style houses, monasteries, nunneries, churches and schools - thus gave birth to "Intramuros" - the "Ever Loyal and Distinguished City of Spain in the Orient."

Under Spain, Manila became the great entrepot in the Far East. The Manila Acapulco Galleon Trade between Philippines and Mexico flourished from the years 1571-1815. So from the 16th to the 19th centuries, Manila was Intramuros.

Manila has led a far from placid existence. After Legazpi's conquests, it was assulted by a succession of Chinese warlords, Dutch and Portugese fleets from Indonesia, and a British Occupation Force. It then underwent a facelift when in 1898, American signs were standing side if not totally replacing the Spanish for the next 50 years. A four year occupation by the Japanese Imperial Forces followed in the forties declaring Manila an "Open City". Its mad culmination was the destruction of the city and its people by bombings and killings at the close of World War II, making Manila as one of the most heavily destroyed capitals in the world. The birth of Philippine Independence in 1946 gave Manila the title the "Premiere City of the Philippines."

And since Manila's most winning characteristic is its "inflappability" - the history of Manila is the history of the Philippines.

Geography
Manila is actually more than Manila: the metropolis of today not only encompasses the CIty of Manila, but it includes seven (7) other cities and nine (9) towns.

The City of Manila has an area of 38.3 sqare kilometer; it is located on the west coast of the Philippine main island of Luzon, surrounded by fertile plains. The city straddles the delta of the Pasig river, a short navigatable stream that connects the fresh water lake of Laguna de Bay with Manila Bay and South China Sea.

Political Subdivision
The government of the City of Manila, along seven (7) other cities and nine (9) towns, are units of an umbrella government, the Metropolitan Manila Authority. The city government which is under the stewardship of a Mayor with the assistance of a Vice Mayor, along with its 36 councilors are directly elected by the people, bringing back direct representation in the lawmaking body of the city government. The elected officials are now partners in governance.

The new city government, conceived by the 1986 People Power Revolution, is tasked to undertake the programs that will bring back Manila to its rightful place as the premiere city of the Philippines.

The present Administration is committed to a program of government which places emphasis on the reassertion of Manila's primacy as the nation's center of trade and commerce through an improved business and investment climate; the efficient delivery and expansion of basic and social services; improvement of peace and order; expansion of the city's free educational system and health care delivery; and the maintenance of the city government's strong financial position through intensified revenue generation and judicious fiscal management. So inspite of its myriad problems, city executives, councilors and the civil sevants and peace officers unite to achieve the vision of peace and a good quality of life for its people.

Climate
Weather condition in Manila are more or less the same as those prevailing in other cities. Due to its lower elevation, the temperature is generally higher, humidity and wind velocity are proportional higher.

Manila experiences the highest amount of rainfall in the months as early as the second week of May to October. The number of storms passing the city is the same as those prevailing in the Metro Manila area.

Population
Manila is home and working place to nearly 2 million industrious, charming and hospitable people; likewise the city is the haven of approximately 3 million day time transients.

Language
Literacy in Manila is relatively high. English spoken in the country, particularly in the city. It is the basic language in business, government, schools and everyday communications.

II. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Historical - Cultural - Religious - Man Made

E. Festivals

January 9 - Quiapo Fiesta (Black Nazarene)
Quiapo, Manila
January 15 - Sto. Niño Fiest (Tondo)
Tondo, Manila
January 19 - Buling Buling ng Pandacan
Pandacan, Manila

February 3 - Liberation of Manila, Manila Chinese New Year
Binondo, Manila

June 12 - Independence Day
Rizal Park, Manila
June 24 - Araw ng Maynila (Manila Day) Citywide Manila Film Festival

November Feast of Nuestra Señora delos, Malate
Remedios, Manila

December Feast of Birhen ng Loreto
Sampaloc, Manila (second Sunday)