MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Welcome to the concrete jungle of Manila city. Manila is the capital city of Philippines and is the most densely populated city in the world. I'm anticipating traffic jams and places packed with people. Anyhow, I should explore the city.



A row of stewardess in the flight from Puerto Princesa Airport to Manila Airport which took about an hour to reach.

Cebu Pacific Air is actually very punctual on their departure/arrival time. On all the flights I took through this airline, the cabin crew entertained the passengers with some games whereby the winner will win a prize.



This is Terminal 3 of Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport.


An exhibition as a tribute to the late Pope John Paul II at NAIA terminal 3.


The St. Peter's Chapel located just across of the terminal building. An interesting church architecture.



On my way to Intramuros, I made a special stop at the Basilica of San Sebastian at Quiapo, Manila. The building's structure is made entirely of steel and it's the only steel church in Asia! It was a 15 minutes ride by taxi from Ermita to Basilica of San Sebastian and another 5 minutes ride to Intramuros.



Front view of the Basilica.




The statue of San Magdalene of Nagasaki and a plaque telling of her Christianity struggle during the early days.




These photographs were taken inside the Basilica. It is even more beautiful inside.



Next, I head to Intramuros. Intramuros means “within the walls”. It is the Historical Town of Manila, also referred as Old Manila. It survived a number of earthquakes, typhoons, fires and wars through the centuries. On 10 April, 1979, Intramuros Administration was created to restore and develop the Walled City as a historic site and major tourist attraction.


The map of Intramuros.



First stop: Aduana (Custom House)




Just located beside the Pasig River.

After the original building was damaged in 1863 earthquake and subsequently demolished in 1872, a new building was erected to housed the Custom office. The building was later damaged by Japanese bomb in 1941, American artillery in 1945 and a fire in 1979. Only the facade was being restored until today.




Next stop: Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago is one of the oldest fortifications in Manila. It was first built in 1571 in structure of logs and earth. The stone fort was later built between 1589 and 1592. During the Japanese occupation in 1942, hundreds of civilians and guerrillas were imprisoned, tortured and executed. It was later declared as the Shrine of Freedom in 1950.


Welcome to Fort Santiago.




Taking a picture with General Douglas MacArthur. Sorry couldn't recognise the other statue.


Having fun taking pictures in Fort Santiago compound.


A fountain in the garden.



The beautiful Fort Santiago.




School children on a field trip at the Fort.


Photograph enthusiast taking pictures at the Fort.



Monument dedicated to the non-combatant victims of  those who were killed in Manila during World War II.



Some of the interesting buildings in Intramuros.



Kaisa Angelo King Heritage Centre. The Bahay Tsinoy, Museum of the Chinese in Philippine is one of the attraction in Intramuros.



San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines.


San Agustin Church was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


The history of San Agustin Church summarised at the plaque.


A huge intricate wooden carved door at the entrance of San Agustin Church.



The walls surrounding Intramuros.



The first president of Philippines – Emilio F. Aguinado (1899 – 1901).



The gallery of all the former Presidents of Philippines.



Cuartel De Santa Lucia was one of the original entrances to the Walled City.




Bagumbayan Light and Sound Museum is the former site of the convent of nuns of the Beaterio de la Compania de Jesus, now the Religious of the Virgin Mary.



Baluarte de San Diego Garden



Puerta Real and Revellin de Real de Bagumbayan, used as prison cells and barracks during the Japanese occupation.


Some of the artifacts left at Puerta Real and Revellin de Real de Bagumbayan.



Baluarte De San Andres was built in 1603 to protect the old Puerta Real and reinforce southeastern part of Intramunos.



3,2,1. FIRE!



Puerta del Parian was one of the earliest entrance to Intramuros.



Palacio del Gabernador was the Governor-General’s residence and office. Today it houses government offices.




Plaza de Roma.



Finally, the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral. This is the eighth structure to rise on this site. The previous structures was either destroyed by fire or earthquake. The present cathedral was elevated to the rank of Basilica Minore by Pope John Paul II in 1981.



The clock tower at Manila Metropolitan Cathedral.




A restaurant at Intramuros.


“Chow King” is a famous local fast food chained restaurant. I ordered a set dish which includes fried rice, fried noodles, fried chicken and some chips. The food was nothing to shout about but I did enjoy the air conditioned environment as it was extremely hot outside.


Every city has its ugly side. If you rather not find out the ugly side of Manila city, stop reading here.

Part 1: Eek!

The hotel that I stayed was Tune Hotel, located in Ermita (the city’s former one and only Red Light District). I found out that there is another Tune Hotel in Malate. Malate is the new Red Light District of Manila.

Eek 1: Ladies, never wander on the streets after dark alone, especially if you look like a foreigner. You’ll be an easy target for sure. I don’t feel entirely safe even with a male companion.

Eek 2: Watch your steps. You might accidentally step on dog poo if you are not paying attention.

I took a walk along Manila Bay which is nearby my hotel with my beau. The walkway was still under construction, so there wasn’t much to see.


Manila Bay at night.

Eek 3: This is how Manila Bay looks like under broad daylight. I could see rubbish, plastic bags etc floating in the sea. Now I understand why people only hang out at Manila Bay after dark.

It is easy to lose your direction as the streets were like a labyrinth with no road signs especially when it is dark. If you are lost, walk back to the main road and avoid wandering further into the alleys.

At night, Ermita truly awakens and all the girls came out for display. Did I say display? Yes, they all dressed in skimpy dresses with different themes – school girl uniform etc. I didn’t dare to snap pictures of those girls (their bouncers were watching us like a hawk). However, I did snap some pictures of the establishments in the morning while they were closed.


The view of Ermita area (left) and a casino hotel in Ermita (right).


The “Little Japan” of Ermita. You can even find Manila version of AKB48 here!


More night clubs at Ermita.


SM Mall of Asia, one of the famous shopping mall in Manila. It's located near the Manila Bay, but not walking distance. Don't worry, there are plenty of taxis in Manila.


It is a common sight to see armed guards in front of shopping malls and hotels, even a simple air-conditioned fast food restaurant. You have to present your bags for inspection before entering a shopping mall. Well, that spells out how safe or unsafe it is, in Manila depending on how you look at it.

Part 2: Prey

If you look like a foreigner or a tourist, be prepared to being treated like a walking money tree here.

Prey 1: Some attractions at Intramuros require entrance fees which I duly paid. But I noticed that the locals just casually walked in and they never need to pay anything even though the fees were clearly stated for all to see!

Prey 2: We were both too exhausted to walk under the sun so we took a tricycle which brought us to the various attractions at Intramuros. At the end of the tricycle trip that lasted for about an hour, we had to haggle with the tricycle driver for the fee. The driver tried to charge us double the original agreed rate. He argued that the rate that he quoted us was only for half an hour tour. In the end, we just paid him what we thought was fair and walked away. If you have the time and energy, exploring Intramuros on foot is the better option.

Prey 3: The cab driver refused to use the meter, giving excuses like traffic jam and what not. I have to haggle the price with the driver every time I hailed a cab. There was only one cab driver who is honest and used the meter.

Prey 4: Ignore any stranger who approaches you and offers you something you don’t need. When they won’t take “no” for an answer, tell them you have no money instead. That usually does the trick.

A driver of a horse-drawn carriage approached us and tried to persuade us to take a ride. We declined his offer politely but he persisted and even followed us around. It got so uncomfortable that we had to tell him off by using the tried and never fail phrase, “Sorry, no money.”

Part 3: Left

This is the best part. When I arrived at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on the next day, I was shocked to see the unbelievably large crowd inside the terminal building.
 

See the photo below for yourself. Don’t expect to get a seat at the check-in hall.


Believe me when I say this international airport is a nightmare.

The terminals are confusing (even the locals got confused!) and I barely have time to look around at the duty free shops in Terminal 1 despite the fact that I’ve reached the airport 3 hours earlier!

Here are some useful tips which will come in handy to you:

Manila Airport has four terminals: 1, 2 and 3, which caters for international travellers, and Domestic Terminal serving local carriers.

Terminal 1 / NAIA-1 is the international terminal of Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Terminal 2 / NAIA-2 is exclusively used by Philippine Airlines. This terminal has a domestic and an international section.

Terminal 3 / NAIA-3 is used by Cebu Pacific Air, AirPhil Express and All Nippon Airways. This terminal has a domestic and an international section.

The Domestic Terminal is used by South East Asian Airlines - SEAIR and the Zest Airways.


You can take a free shuttle bus or pay 20PHP for a van outside the terminal building to transfer from one terminal to the other. Remember to inform the driver about the company you fly with. My advice is always plan and leave earlier. It’s better to have some time left than to see a closed check-in counter. And also be warned that some drivers won’t depart unless every seat is filled by passenger.

It took me an hour just to queue up for the check in. Another hour and a half to go through the tedious process of paying my terminal fee, going through security scan (the queue for ladies was much longer than the gentlemen), queuing up again at the customs counter and walking to the departure hall.

The terminal fee for international departure is 550PHP per person. Used up all your pesos? Credit card is accepted.

You have to go through a total of 3 security scans before you can board your plane. First before you enter the airport building, second time after checking in and third time before you enter the waiting area of the departure gate. Such hassle!

By the time I was through with all these, I couldn’t wait to board my plane and just get out from Manila.




Let me just summarise my journey in Philipines.

(1) Clark –> (2) Kalibo –> (3) Cebu –> (4) Palawan –> (5) Manila

Boracay Island and Puerto Princesa is truly an amazing place but I can't say the same for Manila. Will I ever come back to Manila again? The answer is a resounding NO.

Manila is now officially my least favourite city, no thanks to its congested and polluted streets, the people who rip-off tourist whenever they can and its disastrous international airport.

Recommendation: Give Manila a miss.  


Did my travel end here? Of course not! Hawaii is just 10 hours flight from Philippines. I wouldn't miss Hawaii for the world.













Boarded the Hawaiian Airline and off I flew to Hawaii. Rested a few days in Hawaii before continuing my travel to Western USA.




Well, my next blog will not be on Hawaii. Let's just say I want to save the best for the last. My next blog will be the first place I went in American West. GRAND CANYON, let the grand journey begin.

Stay Tune.


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