Metro Manila: Philippines’ Gateway to the World

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Category: Destination

Published on Monday, 23 January 2012 06:51

About the region

The name “Manila” comes from the original phrase may nilad (may means ‘there is’ and nilad is a water plant which abundantly grew along the local river shoresat the time). The name evolved into Maynilad, then Maynila, which remains to be the city’s local name. The capital, Manila or City of Manila, is part of the greater metropolis known as Metro Manila.

Metro Manila is composed of 17 cities and municipalities, namely: Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig and Valenzuela.

How to get there and go around 

To get to Metro Manila, travelers will go through the Philippines’ busiest airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) located in Parañaque. It is composed of several terminals that receive both international and domestic flights.

To learn more about flight schedules and airlines that operate in NAIA, visit: www.miaa.gov.ph.

Going around, the tourists in Manila have a wide range of choices in terms of transportation.

Travelers can go around the metropolis:

• By taxis.

• By mass rapid transit systems. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT), the environment-friendly means of transport around Metro Manila. MRT and LRT fares differ depending on distance.

• By jeepney, which are colorfully-decorated converted US Army jeeps that follow a set route, and its destinations are posted on the windshield and the sides.

• By FX, or air-conditioned vans that function like jeepneys, but can only accommodate 10 passengers

• By bus, which operate on the major roads.

Where to stay

All major international hotel chains can be found in Metro Manila, specifically in the Manila, Makati, Ortigas, Quezon City and Alabang (Muntinlupa) areas.

To learn more about hotels in the Metro, visit hwww.philsite.net/manila-hotels.htm.

What to eat

Manila food is very representative of the city; it is rich as it is varied. This is what makes Metro Manila heaven for die-hard foodies. The city offers unique street food as well as plays host to world class Filipino chefs who create innovative new cuisine. Here are some dishes that must be sampled by any Manila visitor:

Balut

For the truly adventurous, nothing represents exotic Filipino cuisine better than the Balut. These fertilized duck eggs are boiled and then served with salt and vinegar to produce a mild flavor and hearty texture. Its high protein content makes it a perfect as a late afternoon snack or as a light dinner. Balut can be purchased from street vendors almost anywhere in the city, but more can be found in the Pateros area where the dish originates.

Afritada

One of the most popular Filipino cuisine is Afritada (pork or chicken stewed in tomato sauce, with potatoes, bell peppers, and carrots). Afritada is available in most Filipino restaurants in the Philippines. There are also a number of new versions, such as the Seafood Special available in Adarna Restaurant in Diliman Quezon city. This version, made by Filipino Chef Giney Villar, uses shrimp, scallop, and squid to update the classic Afritada.

Adobo

Regardless of where you go in the Philippines, adobo will usually be available and in a number of versions. The distinct flavor of meat marinated and braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and onions has delighted locals and visitors alike. It has been named a national dish, and no traveler should leave the Philippines without tasting it. There is no shortage of restaurants in Manila offering the traditional adobo. For a modern take on adobo, head to Bistro Filipino in Makati City.

What to buy

Being the melting pot of rich Filipino culture, one can practically find each region’s specialty products in Metro Manila. It is also quite famous for its numerous malls, one-stop shopping places with department stores, supermarkets, restaurants, fast-food places, boutiques, cinemas, specialty shops, fitness centers, clinics, beauty salons, photo studios, bookstores, appliance centers, and at times even ice skating rinks.

For haute couture, travelers can visit Greenbelt, Shangri-la Plaza, the Podium, Power Plant Mall and Alabang Town Center. Year-round tiangge or bazaars where Philippine-made products of highest quality perfect for gift options can be found are Tiendesitas, Greenhills Shopping Center and Market! Market!. Flea markets in Divisoria and Quiapo in the City of Manila sell a great variety of goods where tourists can practice their haggling skills.

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