MANILA - CULTURE AND HISTORY OF THE CRUISE PORT

THE CITY OF MANILA WAS FOUNDED IN 1571 BY THE SPANISH. BY THE END OF THE 16TH CENTURY, MOST OF THE COASTAL AND LOWLAND AREAS FROM LUZON TO NORTHERN MINDANAO WERE UNDER SPANISH CONTROL.

MANILA WAS NICKNAMED “ PEARL OF THE ORIENT” FOR ITS INCREDIBLE GROWTH, ARTS AND CULTURE DURING THE 16TH TO THE 18TH CENTURIES.

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OWEVER, MANILA WAS RAVAGED BY WAR DURING THE MONTH -LONG CONFLICT 1945 BATTLE OF MANILA DURING WWII. IT WAS THE 2ND MOST DEVASTATED CITY AFTER WARSAW.

THE CITY WAS RAPIDLY REBUILT, HOWEVER, WITH U.S. AID. SINCE THEN, THE CITY HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO RECOVER AND GROW IN THE DECADES.

METROPOLITAN MANILA EXPERIENCED RAPID GROWTH IN THE LATE 20TH CENTURY, WHICH HELPED ESTABLISH IT AS A MAJOR ECONOMIC CENTER IN THE PACIFIC REGION. THE EXPANSION HOWEVER, BROUGHT POLLUTION, TRAFFIC CONGESTION, AND OVERCROWDING.

TODAY, THIS MODERN CAPITAL IS ONE OF THE PHILIPPINE’S BIGGEST CITIES, AND THE PREMIER CATHOLIC CITY OF ASIA. IT IS FAST-PACED AND FRENETIC, WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS URBAN COOL, DOZENS OF MUSEUMS, HISTORIC SITES, AND FINE DINING IN MANY GLOBAL STYLES OF CUISINE. THIS IS A CITY THAT IS FAR FROM BORING WHERE SPIRITUALITY GO HAND IN HAND WITH CONSUMERISM AGAINST A CONSTANT BACKDROP OF TRAFFIC NOISE AND KARAOKE.

FIRTS IMPRESSION OF THIS CITY CAN BE DAUNTING - BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC, DEAFENING MUSIC BLASTING EVERYWHERE, CHOKING POLLUTION, STIFLING HEAT AND EXTREME WEALTH JUXTAPOSED WITH DESTITUTE POVERTY. HOWEVER, STAY A WHILE AND ITS JOIE DE VIVRE WILL CATCH ON YOU. THE FILIPINO PEOPLE ENSURE THAT THIS IS ASIA’S HAPPIEST CAPITAL. THEIR SENSE OF HUMOR AND OPENNESS DESPITE THE ODDS IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS.

IF YOU THINK GOING AROUND MANILA IS NOT EASY BECAUSE OF THE ROAD CONGESTION, JUST TAKE A RIDE ON ONE OF THE CITY’S HEAVILY DECORATED JEEPNEYS WHICH IS A TOURIST ATTRACTION ALL BY ITSELF !

AFTER DARK, MANILA’S GEAR MOVE UP A BIT. BARS IN MAKATI, MALATE AND QUEZON CITY PULSE THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH INCREDIBLY TALENTED FILIPINO BANDS AND CEASELESS KARAOKE. CAREFUL EFFORTS TO ATTRACT TOURISM TO THE CITY ADDS THOUSANDS OF NEW VISITORS EACH YEAR!

PORT GUIDE

PORT FACILITIES AND LOCATION - The cruise terminal is located in the port area and Tondo districts of Manila. It faces the manila Bay and within walking distance of the grand Manila Hotel. The locals will be putting on a nice welcoming party on the pier, not only for the passengers but also for the Filipino crew on your ship. The cruise industry is growing in the Philippines, and a new Manila cruise port dedicated to passenger travel is planned to encourage more tourism in the future.

TOP SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS FOR CRUISES TO MANILA

INTRAMUROS - The historic walled city founded in 1590. The name, from the Spanish word meaning “within walls,” refers to the fortified city founded at the mouth of the Pasig River by the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. It is a place rich in history and culture. With its cobbled streets and preserved architecture dated hundreds of years ago, it will have you second-guessing whether you are still in the Philippines or not.

For 400 years, Intramuros served as the center of the Spanish occupation, originally built to be the residence for Spanish government officials and their families. It was where the most influential and wealthy citizens of colonial Manila lived

Intramuros would be a fairly easy walk from the cruise ship docks. It might take about 30 minutes. The easiest route might be to walk to the main cathedral and fort area or take a calesa (horse drawn) ride.

FORT SANTIAGO - looms over the Pasig River, watchfully guarding Manila as part of the walled city called the “Intramuros”. Built in the 16th century by Spanish navigator and governor Miguel López de Legazpi for the new established city of Manila in the Philippines to mark Spanish occupation of the area. Today Fort Santiago is a lasting monument to Old Manila.

The fort is one of the most important historical sites in Manila. If you visit Fort Santiago, you can You can take a walking tour through the fort, admire the life-size sculptures, and enjoy river views from the fort’s bastions.

You can also tour the Rizal Shrine to honor the Philippine hero José Rizal who was imprisoned there and executed by the Spanish in 1896 for being one of the leaders of the Philippine Revolution. The fort includes a re-creation of his cell and the courtroom where his trial was held and in a prison cell in 1896. It is located in Intramuros, Manila. You can easily access it by foot, bicycle, and kalesa.

At present, Fort Santiago also houses a museum dedicated to the Rizal. Visitors will also notice on the ground the bronze footsteps symbolizing Rizal’s final steps from his prison cell to his execution site.

Regular Operating Hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Daily; Last entry at 7 PM)
Maximum Capacity: 100 pax at a time
Entrance Fee: P75 (Adults), P50 (Students & PWDs)

RIZAL PARK - take a stroll in is one of the largest urban parks in Asia with almost 60 hectares, located next to Intramuros. Luneta Park is a historic urban park where Dr. Jose Rizal was executed on December 30, 2896—the day that led to a revolution. The park was officially named in his honor, and the monument enshrining his remains serves as the park's symbolic focal point.

It is also called Luneta Park because the area looks like a crescent (Lunette). The foremost outdoor recreational area has a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, an open-air theatre, a playground, a grandstand, and a long promenade adjacent to Manila Bay. It is considered Manila’s Central Park.

MANILA METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL-BASILICA - initially built as a simple parish in 1571. this is the only church to be rebuilt after the war. The cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Its main features are the octagonal dome and the impressive stained-glass windows. The cathedral serves both as the Prime Basilica of the Philippines and the highest seat of the archbishop in the country.

CASA MANILA -Located just across San Agustin Church, it is a replica of an 1850s San Nicolas House that was once located in Calle Jaboneros. It It functions as a museum showcasing items that depicts life under the Spanish colonial rule.

Regular Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday, CLOSED on Mondays)
Maximum Capacity: 15 pax at a time; 5 pax in a group
Entrance Fee: P75 (Adults), P50 (Students & PWDs)
Payment Options: Cash, Beep, PayMaya

CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES- The center of the performing arts in the country is the Philippine Cultural Center. There is also the Folk Arts Theater, facing Manila Bay

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF MANILA -A guided tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila is a must-see for art lovers, where you’ll find impressive pieces by local artists. Watch the waters ebb in Manila Bay from the museum’s waterfront location after marveling at centuries of Filipino art.

SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH - The 16th-century San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the oldest church in the Philippines. After the devastation of World War II, most of Manila was in shambles, though San Augustin Church remained intact and was the only building in Intramuros to survive heavy bombing in World War II.

It exhibits remarkable features such as retablos (altars) of high Baroque style and wall buttresses separating cripto collateral chapels. What makes it unique is its ceiling paintings in the tromp l'oeil style. The centuries-old church bore witness to the 400 years of Spanish rule in the country. As one of Manila’s most enduring monuments, San Augustin Church is a must-see during your Manila cruise. This relic of 16th-century Spanish colonialism in the city serves as a reminder of the Old Manila that once was.

Regular Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Wednesday to Sunday, CLOSED on Mondays & Tuesdays; Last entry at 5 PM)
Maximum Capacity: 100 pax at a time
Entrance Fee: P200 (Adults), P160 (Students, PWDs, Seniors, & Frontliners)

HANG OUT ALONG MANILA BAY - After you disembark in the South Harbor, you can explore Manila Bay on foot. Stop in the oldest hotel in the city, the Manila Hotel, to grab a drink and enjoy bayside views. Don’t forget to watch the sunset. Manila is famous for its dramatic sunsets.

MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL - This World War II Cemetery in the Philippines contains the graves of nearly 17,100 war dead, and nearly 36,300 names on the Walls of the Missing. It is the largest of all American overseas military cemeteries, occupying over 150 acres on a prominent plateau with a breathtaking view of the Manila skyline. Most lost their lives in the Philippines and New Guinea during World War II, but over a dozen campaigns across the Pacific are represented here. Among the war dead are twenty-nine Medal of Honor recipients. In twenty instances, two brothers lie side by side. Over 500 Philippine Scouts, who served with their American comrades in the Philippines, are buried here.

On the wide terrace, a limestone hemisphere contains an astonishing 36,000 names of those whose bodies were not found. The Manila American Cemetery tells an epic story of sacrifice and valor in the service of liberty.

It is located in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila, within the boundaries of the former Fort William McKinley.

GET OUT OF TOWN

Lastly, if you find yourself craving some nature while staying in the big city, there are a few excellent landmarks just a couple of hours away:

TAAL VOLCANO - Taal volcano is the world’s smallest active volcano and is located in the middle of a lake – you can take a boat and then hike for 30 minutes to the crater.

TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS - The city of Tagaytay is located about 55 km away (about 90-minuted rive ) from Manila. It is a very popular tourist destination especially during the summer because of its cooler temperature (becaus eof its higher elevation) and great views of Tall Lake and Tall Volcano.

CORREGIDOR ISLAND - Boat trips to the Island of Corregidor is one of the popular shore excursions at the cruise port. Corregidor is an island right at the entrance of Manila Bay. Due to this location, Corregidor has historically been fortified with coastal artillery to defend the entrance of Manila Bay and Manila from attacks by enemy warships. During World War II, Corregidor played an important role during the invasion and liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces. The island was heavily bombarded during the latter part of the war, and the ruins serve as a military memorial to American, Filipino and Japanese soldiers who served or lost their lives on the battlefield. Corregidor is one of the important historic and tourist sites in the country.

PAGSANJAN FALLS - Located in the province of Laguna, it is one of the most impressive falls in the country. The falls are reached by a river trip on dugout canoe, known locally as Shooting the rapids, originating from the municipality of Pagsanjan.

It is a must visit during your stay in Manila. It takes as about two hours to reach there. Once you are there, it will cost around Peso 1300 per person to take you to the falls and back.

WHAT TO EAT

Buffet-style meals are popular in Manila, where fusions of Malaysian, Spanish, and Chinese cuisine offer an elevated take on all three cultural influences. Dine at the courtyard of Ilustrado for a plate of paella in a historic, old-world ambiance. If you’re willing to make a reservation ahead of time, call Purple Yam in nearby Malate, which offers a delicious five-course fine dining experience. For quality java, visit Coffee Empire to watch the talented baristas make expert brews. Several restaurants offer kamayan, a communal-style Filipino feast, composed of colorful arrays of food that are usually served on banana leaves and eaten without utensils.

ADOBO - The term adobo is derived from the Spanish word adobar, meaning marinade. Usually, Chicken or Adobo Pork is prepared using pantry basics, like white vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaves, to create a marinade. It has been called the quintessential Philippine stew, served with rice both at daily meals and at feasts.

BULALO - Considered to be one of the most favorite main dishes in the Philippines, it is beef soup comprised of shank with bone marrow still inside the bone. It is ranked as one of the top boiled dishes in the Philippines due to its rich taste and very satisfying broth. It is made by cooking beef shanks and bone marrow until the collagen and fat has melted.

SINIGANG -Sinigang na Baboy is the ultimate comfort food! Made with pork ribs, vegetables, and tamarind-flavored broth, it's hearty and delicious on its own or served with steamed rice. It is a Filipino soup or stew characterized by its sour and savory taste. It is most often associated with tamarind although it can use other sour fruits and leaves as the souring agent. The most important thing to consider in sinigang dishes is the level of sourness of the soup.

KARE-KARE- is a type of Filipino stew with a rich and deliciously thick deep yellow peanut peanut sauce. It is a popular dish in the Philippines served during special occasions. The traditional recipe is composed of ox tail. There are instances wherein both ox tripe and tail are used including pork hocks. Vegetables, which include eggplant, or other , green beans, string beans and green cabbage are added—usually equaling or exceeding the amount of meat. It is colored with annato seeds and can be thickened with toasted or plain ground rice Condiments and other flavorings are usually added. It is often eaten with bagoong (shrimp paste), sometimes spiced with chili.

ISAW - is a popular Filipino street food dish consisting of marinated, boiled, and grilled chicken and pork intestines which are usually coiled and skewered on a stick. Although similar, pork isaw is typically slightly larger and chewier than the chicken version and grilled to perfection. The intestines are cleaned, turned inside out, and cleaned again, repeating the process several times; they are then either boiled, then grilled, or immediately grilled on sticks. They don’t really sound appetizing but Filipinos claim that they are utterly delicious.

MUST-TRY SNACKS

HALO-HALO - is the Filipino word which means "mixture" or "mixed" and is the ultimate summertime treat. It is a layered dessert consisting of crushed ice, evaporated milk or condensed milk, and various ingredients including, ube, sweetened beans, coconut strips, sago, gulaman (agar), pinipig rice, sweetened beans, fruits, topped with leche flan and ice cream.

It is cold and refreshing, perfect for beating the tropical heat that exists almost year round in the Philippines

BANANA CUE - is a popular snack food or street food in the Philippines and pairs well with Halo-halo. It is simply deep fried ripe saba bananas coated with caramelized brown sugar while it's cooking. It is widely sol don the streets.

PUTO BUNGBONG - is a type of street food a rice cake made of steamed black glutinous rice (puto) called “pirurutong” cooked in bamboo (bumbong) then served with margarine, grated coconut and palm sugar granules. It is considered as a delicacy that us traditionally served during the Christmas season, but nowadays are served in restaurants.

TAHO - is a classic sweet treat in the Philippines made with silken tofu, sago or tapioca pearls, and a simple brown sugar syrup. It has a pudding-like texture and served warm. It's popular as a comforting breakfast or merienda (snack) any time of the day!

BEST BUY

HANDICRAFT - Local products range from a wealth of natural materials available – bamboo, rattan, nipa palm, pina and abaca (pineapple and hemp fibres), seashells, and marble, from tiny baskets to massive pieces of furniture. Today, travelers will find brilliant weaves, intricate beadwork, silver tribal jewelry, rustic wood figurines and dishes, ceramic pots, jewel-colored capiz shell chandeliers, earthy pandan leaf mats and coasters, rattan basketry, and shiny brassware.

BARONG TAGALOG - Made from delicate piña fabric (pineapple leaf) or jusi material (banana silk) and ubiquitous in the Philippines (and within Filipino diasporic communities), it seems like a very unassuming shirt often worn on special occasions — lightweight and so far from the stuffiness of a basic black tuxedo or suit normally associated with formal wear. It is the national dress shirt of the Philippines and can be worn all season and an all-wear outfit. It is worn over a camisa de chino (a Chinese-inspired collarless t-shirt).

There is so much pride and history seeped in the barong that when world leaders, entertainers or even non-Filipinos wear it, it has the potential to go viral. But the great thing about barongs today and its evolution is that famous celebrity/politician or not, the barong is still an accessible and versatile piece of garment, wearable as both casualwear and formalwear.

SHOPPING - WHERE TO BUY

On a cruise to Manila, head into town for higher-end shopping. There are some souvenir sellers at the port, but it’s best to take a quick peek and then continue on with your exploration via taxi or on foot. Head into the expansive Mall of Asia to explore its hundreds of shops or just cool down in the A.C.

The best range of crafts is found in Manila in Ermita, Makati, and the Quiapo area – and also in specialty shops or malls, including those inside tribal theme villages open to the public. Airport gift shops in Cebu, Davao, and other cities sell samples of the handicrafts from their regions.

If you have time to shop, we suggest visiting at least one of the malls, because Manila has 3 out of the 10 largest malls in the world. Prices are quite cheap compared to most western countries.

MALL OF ASIA - The most popular one. It is located right next to the ocean and it is more than just a mall. It is a tourist destination in itself and has raised the standard of shopping, leisure and entertainment in the Philippines.

ROBINSON’S MALL - the closest mall from the cruise port

GREENBELT MALL - is a nice alternative, although it is located in much more upscale area, so don’t expect to find any bargains there.

MARIKINA - Known as the “ Shoe Capital” of the Philippines because of its well -known shoe industry. The Shoe Museum houses a lot of shoes and an interesting place to check out.

LOCAL CURRENCY AND TIPPING CUSTOMS

The Philippine peso (P) is the official currency of Manila and the rest of the Philippines. ATMs are available throughout the city, and credit cards like American Express, Visa Card, Diners Club, and MasterCard are accepted at major establishments like hotels, fine dining restaurants, and museums. While visiting on a Manila cruise, tipping isn’t generally a requirement, but tipping your taxi driver and tour guide 10% is considered polite.