Manila the Capital City

Located in Luzon, Metro Manila is the capital and the center of economic, political, social and entertainment activity of the country. Massive changes occured since the destructions of World War II. Rebuilding its economy was plagued with familiar urban problems like, pollution, traffic, and densed population, bringing out the reality of underlying poverty behind the present status of the city. Slum areas, beggars in the streets, loose criminals and clots of nonworking men are common sights around the area. Common but not terrifying, the city has low crime rate directed to foreigners. This congestion of people simply is the outcome of constant rural-urban migration. Most residents are Filipinos, and a quarter number of Chinese and foreigners staying for work.


Metropolitan Manila, popularly called National Capital Region was enforced to function as a united region of major cities and municipalities including Manila City, Makati City, Quezon City, Caloocan City, Pasay City and others. Manila City is the most promising tourist destination inside the Metropolis. This is where medieval establishments, museums and remnants of European memories are located. Despite of the massive infrastracture development in the region, Intramuros, Manila’s oldest district was preserved to honor its historic image. Also in Manila, China Town and the Muslim quarter, are mixed communities of extreme differences. China town which is the home of filipino-chinese society shows an exotic sights and smells of an old Hongkong community. Other historic treasures of the city include the busy and centuries old commercial districts of Sta Cruz and Escolta. Luneta Park or Rizal Park is a wide memorial quarter of Jose Rizal, mostly jammed- pack with picknickers during weekends. Paco Park has free weekend concerts of classic intruments featuring some of the country’s famous traditional music.

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History of Manila

Long before Philippines was Christianized by the Spaniards, Manila and surrounding districts were peopled by Muslim communities. The banks of Pasig River extending up to Manila Bay have a small settlement of locals carrying an active trade with Chinese and other foreign merchants.

When Legazpi arrived in 1571, he defeated the corps of Rajah Sulayman who was then the muslim ruler of Manila, and built a European-style walled city intended only for the Spaniards. Natives were removed elsewhere and Chinese were required to live within gun range.

The original wooden posts were replaced by massive tufa walls and in 1609 a moat was added. During the period of the Americans, the water-filled ditch was drained for health reasons.

In 1762 the British took over Manila but were ejected after two years. The Spanish realized that Intramuros was not invincible thus, consequently moved outside the walls. In 1863, a huge earthquake wrecked the General’s Place. The seat of government was then relocated to Malacanang.

At the beginning of World War II, Manila was a battle ground. To spare the district from severe destruction, General MacArthur moved to Corregidor but, when they returned in 1945, their bombs reduced more the previously devastated walls and turned the buildings into ashes. When the war was over, Manila was a dead city.

The United States granted the country its full autonomy in 1946 but the city did not spring back to life. For many years, the city became an enormous wasteland overrun by squatters and depots. Container trucks roared through devastated streets, further damaging the ruined buildings and endangering the foundations of other centuries-old establishments.

In early seventies, despite the lack of funding, vast restoration projects of the walled city were implemented. Manila Cathedral was rebuilt and the Governor’s Palace has been reconstructed.

Intramuros slowly progressed and not long ago was transformed into a district of antiquity expositions, cafes, and a good nightlife destination.

The History of Cebu

Originally, Cebu was called Sugbo. Cebuanos lived in stilt houses made of bamboo, wood and nipa. Men were extensively tattooed and women were lavishly ornamented with gold jewelries, silks and lip color.

Prior to Spanish colonization, the city was the center of trade in the south, where Chinese ships arrived with silks and porcelains which they exchanged for honey, gold, wood and spices from Mollucas. Unreasonable trade restrictions of the colonizing Spanish caused the rapid decline of Cebu as a trading port. However, in 19th century, restrictions were lifted and brought back the commercial life of the city.

The Spanish troops headed by Ferdinand Magellan arrived Cebu in 1521 with a friendly reception from the island villagers. He made friends with Rajah Humabon and converted most of the locals to Christians including the leader’s family. But when Magellan reached the narrow strait to Mactan Island, the reception was not similar. He encountered a negative response and had a hard time entering the area. Lapu Lapu, the chief, resisted his entry and fought against the Spanish troops leaving Magellan lifeless on the ground. Cebu’s invasion was delayed until Legazpi and Fray Andres de Urdaneta arrived in 1566.

The historic Fort San Pedro has served many purposes to the Cebuanos. It was constructed in 1565 upon the arrival of Legazpi on the ship San Pedro but remained unfinished until 1738. Originally intended to protect the island from Muslim raiders, the port also served as the barracks and defense post of the US army during the American occupation; a prison camp during the 3 year Japanese invasion; the city zoo; and now a small park. For many centuries, renovations have removed the waterfront lying few blocks from the Fort.