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Top Five Manila on The Next Somewhere

Looking for things to do in Manila? The capital of the Philippines is as local of an experience as it comes.

Once upon a time, I used to be a Manileño. I spent the first two years of my life as a resident of a Manila neighborhood called Sampaloc. Even after I immigrated to the US, I would spend summers in Manila to be raised by my relatives up until I was eleven. As a kid, I remember watching teenage boys congregate in the street to shoot some hoops after rush hour traffic died down and selling bags of ice for a peso each to save enough money for chicheria (Filipino junk food).

Returning to Manila as an adult hit me with a wave of nostalgia for the time when I had once called this city my home. The metropolis has gained a rotten reputation among visitors for its harmful pollution, merciless bumper-to-bumper traffic, and the apparent disparity between the rich and poor. Ninoy Aquino International Airport is ranked as one of the world’s worst airports so even upon arrival, you are welcomed by this talked-about unpleasantness. But the city thrives on despite these complaints. Because of its tendency to be overlooked on tourist routes, it has preserved an authenticity most capital cities in Southeast Asia lack. A majority of the citizens of Manila are everyday Filipinos, not expats or elite urbanites, making the probability of meaningful encounters with the locals much higher than that of Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. The probability of thrilling discoveries is also increased as you submerge yourself in a place that hasn’t been infiltrated by flocks of tourists. The Philippines is called “The Pearl of the Orient Sea” for a reason – in order to find a treasure, you must be willing to pry open a hard shell first. Here are my top five things to do in Manila, the Philippines’ frenetic capital.

Interested in learning more about the Philippines? Check out the Philippines Travel Guide.

manila whereabouts things to do

1. See Intramuros during Golden Hour

Intramuros is the oldest district of Manila and also its most famous. Its name comes from Latin, meaning within the walls. Here, behind a massive fortification of stone is a walled city that is closed off from the bustle of modern-day Manila. This site, also referred to as Old Manila, was once occupied by the Spaniards, the Americans, and even the British for a short period of time before being reclaimed by the native Filipinos. The major attractions include Fort Santiago and its iconic gate, Plaze de Roma , the Manila Cathedral , and Philippines’ oldest stone church, San Agustín .

As of October 2019, the famous Walk This Way Tour has been closed due to the passing of political activist Carlos Celdran. My friends and I went on a really unique tour of Intramuros, known as the Bambike Bicycle Tour. On the Bambike Tour, you get to ride bicycles made out of recycled bamboo by the folks at Gawad Kalinga, a non-profit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in the Philippines. It’s a super amusing way to cover long distances as you get the experience firsthand the art of maneuvering Manila traffic.

Hours of Operation: Bambike tours run once in the morning from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, and in the afternoon from 3:00 – 5:30 OM. I suggest going during the afternoon one because Intramuros is more enchanting during golden hour.
Cost: 1,200 pesos each for the full bike ride. If you prefer to do an express version of the Bambike Tour, it costs 600 PHP for one hour.

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Posing with the canons of yesteryear

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It’s more fun in the Philippines!

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Bamboo bikes look beastly but they’re pretty lightweight!

 2. Learn More about your Fate at Quiapo Church

The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene is known to locals as Quiapo Church . Here, you will witness the folk interpretation of Catholicism at its strongest. Enshrined in the front of the church is the Black Nazarene, a reinterpretation of Jesus Christ as a darker man believed to be miraculous. Outside is Plaza Miranda, a place where the mystics of Manila congregate and will happily reveal your future in exchange for a small fee of 150-300 PHP depending on how well you bargain. Note: they might not speak any English so ask before sitting down. The fortune tellers consult their tarot cards and spew out slightly humorous, sometimes unsettling predictions. Roaming secretly in the crowd are vendors selling herbal potions which they vow will relieve the patient of a number of physical ailments, including those looking to perform illegal abortions.

Where? 363 Quezon Blvd, Quiapo, Manila, 1001 Metro Manila, Philippines

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The front facade of Quiapo Church

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Getting a not-so good tarot card reading

3. Go Mall Hopping around Metro Manila

Believe it or not but malls and Manila go hand-in-hand. In the Philippines, the mall culture is so prevalent that you’re bound to end up in one during a stay in the city. Even my boyfriend Tim who isn’t impressed by much was dazzled by the immensity of the malls, especially The Mall of Asia which is the 11th largest mall in the world! Locals can recite a listing of malls like Makati Greenbelt, or Greenhills Promenade, but the most well-known are the SM Malls,, the largest chain franchise in the Philippines. Unlike other places in Southeast Asia where malls merely act as refuge from the heat, Manila’s malls are about entertaining their guests.

At SM Megamall, the Taiwanese dumpling institution, Din Tai Fung, has set up shop. The chocolate lava xiao long baos are divine and are only served at the Manila branch! At Century City Mall, you can attempt to complete a live escape room challenge with Mystery Manila if you’re brave enough to face their sinister-sounding themed rooms. It might sound counter-intuitive but if you want to immerse yourself in the ongoings of the real Manila, make a beeline for the nearest mall.

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Taiwan’s most famous dumpling shop came to SM Megamall

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We escaped our “Escape Room” which was actually set in the entirety of the mall!

 4. Feast on Fresh Seafood in Dampa

Dampa is Manila’s answer to Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market and Seoul’s Noryangjin Fish Market, only a bit more crude and humble. At this wet market, you scan for the finest of Manila’s seafood scene before cooking them any which-way you like at one of the restaurants found alongside the seafood emporium. It is located on Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City near a huge body of water (ie. Manila Bay) so you don’t have to question the freshness of the catch. Besides the popular Maya Maya or Red Snapper, you can also pick up some crabs, mussels, squid, and abalone. There are practically next-to-no tourists. The majority of the guests here are local regulars who all have a favorite paluto restaurant. Paluto literally means “to have someone cook something for you.” My favorites after our day were th  adobong pusit, squid cooked in an adobo-style marinade, and kinilaw, the Philippine take on ceviche using coconut milk and vinegar in lieu of traditional lime juice.

Where? Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Hours of Operation: 10 AM – 10:30 PM everyday

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The vendors here are eager to catch their next sales

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The prices are always fair but don’t be afraid to haggle

5. Take a Bite out of Manila’s Street Food

Foreigners are forewarned to not partake in the street food ways of Manila because of sanitary concerns but I go by the rule that if there are a lot of customers crowding by and the food is being cooked fresh, you should give it a try! In the Philippines, it seems like skewered meats are the street food of choice. My favorite is fish balls, but another popular snack are skewered intestines known as isaw. The isaw is grilled on the spot and then you have the option of dunking your skewer in either sweet or spicy sauce. I always go for extra marination. Most street meats cost on average, about 10-15 PHP per skewer or cupm so it makes it a very affordable snacking option for tourists on the go. It was on my bucket list to have my friends eat balut, aka underdeveloped duck embryo. My friends were very apprehensive at first, especially being serious animal lovers, but with the guidance of the balut salesman, they worked their way to stomaching the challenge.

How to eat balut: Every person has their own way to eat balut but this is how I do it: crack the top of the shell (whichever end is most hollow), sip the warm broth found inside (this is only found in the masabaw version of balut as opposed to the tuyo version), and then peel the rest of the shell halfway to expose the cooked egg yolk and douse it with vinegar and pinch of salt.

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The friends feeling a bit nauseated by the idea of trying balut

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Filipinos love playful nicknames! Skewered chicken intestines are sometimes called IUDs heh

 

Honorable mentions

  • Ever heard of coconut macaroons infused with leche flan? I didn’t think flan could get more decadent until I discovered the baked goods of Custaroonery by Gigi Gaerlan and then my opinion was changed forever.
  • In Manila right now, live escape rooms are all the rage and the offerings they have in the city are incredibly creative. Try Mystery Manila if you want a spooky storyline and for more action and adventure, head to Breakout Philippines.
  • Thanks to the recent beautification of Escolata, Manila’s creatives have returned to this historic street and are setting up shop in the aged buildings. One special enterprise the HUB Make Lab, an alt-retail space where dreamers and makers can come and play. Support the creatives by picking up your souvenir haul at First United Building, 413 Escolta St in Binondo.
  • A free water light show happens daily at Rizal Park, also called Luneta Park, right after sundown. Its been nicknamed “Dancing Water” since the fountains legitimately seem to be grooving to the sounds of seventies disco music.
  • Tagaytay is the perfect weekend escape from Manila relished for its location in the highlands of Batangas which provides an ethereal view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, the world’s smallest active volcano, accompanied by a gentle breeze.
  • Van Gogh is Bipolar (Inner Courtyard 154 H. Maginhawa Street in Sikatuna Village) is restaurant aimed at cultivating awareness on mental health by serving up mood-altering inspired dishes. Call ahead to make sure the property is open. Fun fact: the restaurant’s founder is bipolar! This restaurant, and more, can be found on the famous college food street known as Maginhawa Street, that caters to Manila’s hungry youth.
  • Stock up on freshwater pearls at the Greenhills Shopping Center on Ortigas Avenue in San Juan. It is a massive shopping bazaar referred to as ‘tiangge‘ (pronounced chang-ge) by the locals. You can purchase pre-picked pearl sets, or even make your own custom string of pearls at the 300-booth pearl market inside of tiangge.

👉 Have you been to Manila before? What would make it on your top five list? Let me know what you think of my birthplace in the comments section!

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Filipina-American Millette Stambaugh is a thirty-something former expat who has traded her nomadic ways for Philadelphia living. Corporate worker by day, content creator by night, Millette specializes in visual storytelling and joyful journeys and wants to help others find their "next somewheres." Follow her escapades on Instagram, Youtube, and Tiktok @thenextsomewhere.

Comments:

  • January 29, 2016

    First of all, I really like how you do the graphics on your site. It must take a lot of time and attention to detail. Did you study graphic design or take a course? We are intrigued by the Philippines, we almost went about 2 years ago but we had to cancel our trip due to the natural disaster that happened. We plan to go back and we will definitely check out your recommendations! Those bamboo bikes looks really cool! Thanks for sharing

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  • Manang Joni

    January 30, 2016

    Izzy this is by far my favorite post. I am so proud to share the same surname 🙂 next time i comr back i will do the touristy stuff!!

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  • January 30, 2016

    Hi Izzy, it’s nice of you to blog about Manila. I love Intramuros! Since I am a Filipina, I don’t take the paid tour but Carlos Celdran is very informative and witty so it’s highly recommended to foreigners. Malls aren’t my thing though but you’re right. All the entertainment happen there. It has been years since I’d been to Dampa in Parañaque (where the original Dampa is). There’s Dampa now at Macapagal and Pasig. Which branch did you got to?

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  • January 31, 2016

    These look cool! Haha I’m from Manila but I’ve only been to Intramuros once or twice, and I’ve never seen those bikes before! I love introducing balot to the foreigners, they really freak out hahaha. I’ve always been tempted to go have my fortune told..just scary though! Not sure I’d like what I’m going to hear! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

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  • January 31, 2016

    Great post on the fun city of Manila. I visited Manila and Tagaytay a few years ago to see my gf who was studying English there. I had a wonderful time – I loved how smiley and friendly everyone was, the jeepneys, the food, the history (I did the Intramuros tour as well), and Tagaytay was an exceptional place to tour and relax away from the city. I’d definitely like to go back to the Philippines to see more. Thanks for sharing!

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  • January 31, 2016

    Love this post! I really want to visit the Philippines someday and your post makes it look so inviting and wonderful! Thanks for sharing this!

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  • February 1, 2016

    Great guide! I’ve been to Manila twice now and haven’t done ANY of these. I’m hoping to go back in October, I’ll try and do a few then! The Walk this Way tour and Dampa sound super interesting, and I always love a good seafood meal.

    The place I lived in Korea, Pohang, had a great seafood market with a similar theme. We’d go and pick out our fish or octopus, then take it to an on-site restaurant and order side dishes to go along with it. Such a great way to enjoy the food 😀

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  • February 1, 2016

    Awesome, Izzy! We have been to the Philippines before, but spent our entire time on Palawan. We soon found that the country just had so much more to offer so we plan on definitely making a trip back in the near future. We have always heard to skip the capital, so it is really nice to hear the point of view someone who has spent so much time there. Still don’t think I will be trying balut anytime soon, though haha!

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  • March 4, 2020

    Wow awesome post your article making me to visit Philippines soon. Every thing is unique such a great post. Thanks for sharing with US!

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