METRO MANILA

         
          Manila, the Philippine capital, is the political, social, cultural, religious, educational, industrial and commercial center of the country. Sightseeing and shopping are the main tourist activities. A tour of Intramuros, Spanish walled city of Manila, will provide the visitor a deeper understanding of Manila's rich heritage.

          It is also the country's largest city and the second-largest metropolitan area in Southeast Asia (second only to Jakarta in Indonesia). It is situated in southern Luzon, beside Manila Bay. The Pasig river flows through the city and empties into the bay which covers an area of 770 sq mi (2,000 sq km). Manila Bay is considered one of the finest harbors in the far east.

          In 1975, the city of Manila was merged with 16 surrounding communities (including the former national capital, Quezon City) to form a single governmental unit. The city proper has a population of 1,876,194 and the National Capital Region spanning an area of 636 sq. km. has a population of 7,832,000 (1990).

          Majority of Manila's population belongs to the tagalog-speaking group, although recent migration from rural areas increased the percentage of other ethnic groups. About 6% of the population are Chinese and close to 95% of the population are Roman Catholics (considerably higher than the national average).

          Manila's diverse industries include chemical, textile, shoe, rope and coconut oil manufacturing, as well as shipbuilding, food and tobacco processing. Because of its fine and highly protected harbor, Manila serves as the principal port for the Philippines. It is also the financial and publishing center of the nation. Many universities can be found in its metropolitan area including the University of the Philippines (1908) and the University of Santo Tomas (1611).

          Noteworthy landmarks include the National Museum, Rizal Park (located by the bay), the presidential palace, San Agustin Church (built in the 16th century), and the walled city of Intramuros.

          The choice of entertainment in Manila displays the Filipino's affinity for music. 5-star hotels offer everything from high-tech discos to lavish cultural songs and dances, as well as superb pop singers and performers, trios, show bands and classical string ensembles. On most evenings there are cultural performances by local artists or foreign groups at the many other venues for the performing arts. Free concerts are offered by several parks every week, and occasionally by banks and other corporations.

          Manila, like most of the world's large cities, suffers from a huge and problematic urban sprawl. Typically, urban sprawl also creates nightmares for travellers, however the main points of interest to visitors in Manila are centralised, making suburban navigation unnecessary. Manila sprawls east from Manila Bay along the Pasig River, and immediately south of the river is Intramuros, the old walled Spanish town where many of the city's historical sites are found. Further south again and you'll find yourself in the 'tourist belt' of the Malate and Ermita districts, where you'll find restaurants, accomodation and travel agencies.
          Arriving in Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport is about as far as you'll ever get from a streamlined process. No matter how hard they try, Filipinos are unable to get their airport to work. Poor signage, crowds and an illogical layout all contribute to the chaos, but if you're confused, you won't be alone. Once you finally make your way to the street, things begin to look up. The airport, only about 8km (5mi) south of the centre of Manila, is well-served by buses and taxis, and there is a metrorail station about 2km (1.2mi) away.