About Manila & The Philippines

If you're flying in from overseas, you'll have to land in Manila before taking a short flight out to Boracay. Manila is a very densely populated, traffic-ridden, crazy place - but if you're into fantastic food, great shopping (bargains + luxury), and loads of friendly people, this is the place for you.

A few key things to know before you go out there -

1 - Everyone understands English and probably 95% can speak it in varying levels of eloquence
2 - Filipinos are extremely friendly and will go out of their way to help you so don't be afraid to ask questions!
3 - Although progressive, it is an emerging country so try to stay in popular and populated areas and keep a watch out for your things at all times
4 - Tipping is accepted but 5% over your bill should be sufficient
5 - 80-85% of Filipinos are Catholic (and practicing). Although the wedding will happen before the Lenten Week (April 6th to the 12th), I suspect the city will be crowded because of the summer break and holidays taken in anticipation of Holy Week.

If you do decide to stay in Manila during Holy Week, stores and restaurants will have shorter hours from Good Friday through Easter Sunday (10th to the 12th of April). Also, you might catch a few fervent practitioners with thorn-crowns on their heads or carrying large wooden crosses. There are a few who choose to worship in this manner - take pictures, by all means, but please remain respectful at all times.

And with that - if you only have a spare night or two, here are my recommendations for lodging, food, and activities:

Hotels - stay in Makati City! Prices aren't the cheapest, but hotels are comfortable and close to the best restaurants and shopping areas. Three spots to choose from:

(1) Manila Peninsula - http://www.peninsula.com/
(2) Makati Shangri-la - www.shangri-la.com/en/property/manila/makatishangrila
(3) The Renaissance Hotel - www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mnlnw-renaissance-makati-city-hotel-manila/ (if you have marriot points, a night's stay would cost you only 20,000 points!)

Transportation - I wouldn't recommend that you drive in Manila - traffic can get crazy plus normal traffic rules aren't exactly enforced. To get to your hotel from the airport, contact your respective hotels and get the transfer arranged before you land. Otherwise, get a limo / taxi from one of the official companies at the airport.

If you're staying in one of the hotels above, you shouldn't need a car (and really wouldn't want to drive one) while you're there. Three big malls - Greenbelt, Glorieta, and Rustan's - are located within walking distance of the hotels above and you can spend days getting lost in there!

If you're feeling adventureous (and ONLY if you have a local with you), you can try riding a jeepney (a Filipino "bus")!

Activities - shopping, shopping, shopping! When you're done with that and are willing to take a 30-45 min drive to inner Manila, check out Chinatown and Intramuros with Carlos Celdran (http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/2007/01/tours-tours-tours.html). He'll give you a walking tour of some of the oldest parts of Manila (and I believe the one in Chinatown is a food tour, too!) - I've been on one tour and would love to do all of them - he's extremely eloquent, funny, and entertaining. If he was my history teacher, I'd have gotten better grades!!!

If you do find yourselves in Intramuros - don't forget to visit the San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral - tourist favorites.

If you're in town for longer and are interested in playing a round (or two!) of golf, definitely send me a note. There are many championship courses within a few hours drive of Manila. People from all over Southeast Asia travel to the Philippines just to play so it would be a shame if you missed it!! Email me directly with your preferred times and I can arrange the flights for you: carina_ruiz@yahoo.com

For the bargain shoppers, don't forget to travel to Greenhills (http://www.greenhills.com.ph/)! It's a 20-30min car-ride north of Makati (or maybe double that with traffic) but it's worth the trip. Whether you're interested in authentic or "copied" goods, no one can match their prices (which are all negotiable). They sell everything from knick-knacks to south sea pearls, designer bags to complete knock-offs, electronics - you name it, they have it.

Food -

All the malls have great restaurants, but here are a few that you can try:

1 - Razon's halo-halo (http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2007/04/razons-halo-halo-and-pancit-luglug.html) - Halo-halo is a Filipino dessert that's perfect for the summer weather - and Razon's is the absolute best! I don't believe there's a stand-alone Razon's store, but most of the mall's foodcourts should have it. If you catch sight of one, make sure to stop by and order their halo-halo!

2 - Gerry's grill (www.gerrysgrill.com/ph/) - Filipinos make awesome grilled food. Home-cooked grilled food is still the best, but Gerry's food comes as a close second. Don't leave without trying their Adobong Kangkong (kangkong in soy sauce and garlic) and Inihaw na Liempo (grilled pork) - yum!!

3 - Le Souffle (www.lesouffle.com.ph/) - a local favorite for fine dining.

4 - Max Fried Chicken (www.maxschicken.com/) - I love their half-spring chicken - the size is perfect for a nice meal. I always make it a point to visit whenever I'm in town - I love their chicken!

Loads and loads of restaurants and can give you recommendations if you prefer authentic and fancy Chinese, Japanese, Malay, Indian, and Thai food!!