Financial Blog

When we think of travel, we picture ourselves strolling the streets of Tokyo or gazing upon the romantic lights of Paris. We somehow miss what’s right in front of us: a city with a colorful history, a rich culture and a whole lot of personality.

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If you give her the chance, the old but vibrant city of Manila can excite the tourist in you, all the while refreshing your history. You just have to know where to look (and not to look for that matter). If you’re in the market for date spots or just ideas for your next barkada trip, you came to the right place. Here’s the itinerary we’ve handpicked to help you get reacquainted with the Queen City of the Pacific.

Start your trip with a quick visit to the country’s only all-steel church. Completed in 1891, this beautiful gothic-style temple is, surprisingly, less-known and visited compared to Quiapo Church, St. Jude, and other churches nearby. When you see it up close, take a moment to marvel at its stained glass windows and the warm light that illuminates the space. When you enter, don’t forget to look up at the stunning vaulted ceiling lined with centuries-old steel.

Here’s another hidden gem just a short walk from Taft Avenue–Paco Park, a circular recreational garden with a sad history. Originally built as a cemetery for the victims of the cholera outbreak, the remains of the three martyred priests, Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, as well as of Dr. Jose Rizal, have also been interred here. Talk about some serious after-life company. If you skipped San Sebastian church, a domed chapel dedicated to St. Pancratius stands at the heart of the garden.

If you’re looking for a good piece of architecture, the Manila Post Office–a prime example of the neoclassical movement in the country – will not disappoint. The towering pillars of the structure flank the façade in what would be an excellent addition to your Instagram feed. Walk a few meters and you’ll find the Manila Metropolitan Theater, an Art Deco structure with Eastern influences guaranteed to catch your eye. The Met – now being restored to its full glory – is there to satiate your hunger for art, which brings us to the next stop.

While the sight of the Spoliarium is enough to make this trip worthwhile, the National Museum Complex also houses tons of artworks, dioramas, and seasonal exhibits showcasing the creativity of the Filipino. Not enough for your tastes? Just across the street are The Museum of Fine Arts and Rizal Park’s various gardens and displays, both of which are open to the public! Admission to the museums have been made free of charge, and are open Tuesdays-Sundays, from 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

Update: The National Museum of Natural History is now open to the public! Marvel at the glass dome and towering structure that resembles DNA (aptly called the Tree of Life) at the heart of the building. Aside from getting Instagram worthy shots, you’ll get to know the rich flora and fauna of the country through interactive galleries and installations.

It would take a separate post to highlight everything you need to know about Intramuros, but here are a few of the most popular sights you can see while inside its historic walls:

• San Agustin and Manila Cathedral – Out of the seven churches that used to stand inside Intramuros, only these two can be seen today.
• Ayuntamiento de Manila – What used to be the seat of the Manila City Council now houses the office of the Bureau of Treasury. During Tuesdays and Fridays, visitors can go inside the faithfully reconstructed Marble Hall and Sala de Seciones at 11-12am and 4-5pm.
• Fort Santiago – Follow the footsteps of Jose Rizal right before his execution, wander around the manicured gardens, or go to the edge to see the Binondo Skyline reflected on the Pasig River.
• Casa Manila – Walk along the cobblestone streets or ride the calezas roaming the area. This museum compound is modeled after Spanish Colonial Architecture and is just directly across San Agustin Church. Hungry? Get a fix of Traditional Filipino cuisine for lunch at Barbara’s or Ilustrado, both at the same street.
• Baluarte de San Diego – You’ll never imagine an inconspicuous garden at the edge of the wall to have such an imposing structure like the Baluarte (bastion) de San Diego. The place also functions as an events venue, barring that you have the space all to yourself most of the time (ideal for those who want some peace and quiet).
• Bahay Tsinoy – Get to know the influence of Chinese culture in our own with an educational visit that highlights what it means to be “Tsinoy”.

Wrap up your day with a visit to Manila’s most popular city-district. Home to Quiapo Church, The Golden Mosque, countless street vendors, and (our favorite) bargain shopping stalls, Quiapo has been synonymous to how our culture melds and stands the test of time. The city is also known as a religious center for both Christians and Muslims. Strip down all of that and Quiapo is an irrefutably excellent commercial district, thriving on this dichotomy of sorts.

Don’t forget to drop by Kim Chong Tin Hopia Factory in Palanca Street! Their handmade, pugon-baked hopias are the best in town. Excelente, a trusted name in the local ham production industry is also just a few stalls away. On your way home, take out a deboned Chinese cooked ham for your binge sessions during the rest of the weekend.