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About Manila, Philippines, or the National Capitol Region.

Whenever Manila is mentioned, the speaker actually refers--sometimes unknowingly--to a vast conglomeration of 12 cities and five municipalities. It is also called the National Capital Region. Each is an autonomous political entity, but together functioning as one city called Metro Manila. Exploring this sprawling metropolis can be quite a daunting prospect even for its residents, but as a visitor you may rest assured that your stay will be most likely confined to certain areas, as outlined in this guide.

The Historic City

Intramuros, seat of government in Spanish colonial times, offers glimpses of Manilas historic past. A stroll through the 16th-century walled city takes you to such landmarks as Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral and Casa Manila Museum. Each of these sites deserves to be visited individually, particularly if you are interested in culture. Attached to San Agustin Church, the Philippines' oldest church, the San Agustin Museum displays an astonishing array of artistic treasures.

Just outside Intramuros' walls lies Rizal Park where many important historical events have taken place, including the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, a national hero. Rizal's death ushered in the Philippine Republic, Asia's first democracy. A light-and-sound presentation at the Site of Rizal's Execution renders a moving depiction of his courageous stand for freedom; the Rizal Monument enshrines his mortal remains as a symbol of Filipino nationhood. Nearby are other points of interest, such as the National Museum, National Library and Quirino Grandstand. The DOT Information Center fronts the National Museum, in a building marked Department of Tourism. At the other end of the Park stands The Manila Hotel, a landmark in its own right.

The Tourist Belt

Cutting through the western tip of Rizal Park is a broad boulevard stretching several kilometers past the US Embassy, Ramon Magsaysay Center, Manila Yacht Club, Central Bank of the Philippines, Cultural Center of the Philippines and Philippine Senate. This oceanfront esplanade, named Roxas Boulevard, runs through sections of Metro Manila (City of Manila, Pasay City and Parañaque City), and then turns inland toward Las Pinas City, home of the world's only Bamboo Organ. As you travel southward, a superb vista of Manila Bay, scene of famous naval battles and renowned for its magnificent sunsets, opens up on your right.

Around the boulevard are two districts traditionally known as Manila's tourist belt--Ermita and Malate. Both areas are packed with brand-new or renovated hotels, restaurants, cafes, antique shops, souvenir stores, travel agencies and the like. Robinson's Place is a huge shopping mall with just about everything you could ask for in terms of shopping, eating and entertainment. The fashionable set congregates after dark around Nakpil Street and Remedios Circle, a couple of blocks south of the mall. Further away lies Pasay City, which is known for its casinos and girlie bars. Girlie bars are starting to spring up again in Ermita, too, 16 years after the crackdown by then Mayor Lim when P. Del Rosario was lined up for blocks with "day and night clubs."

The Inner City

Facing the northeastern fringe of Rizal Park, you will notice a building with a clock tower--the Manila City Hall. This is where the Mayor of the City of Manila holds office and runs the affairs of such districts as Quiapo, Santa Cruz, Binondo and San Nicolas, all of which are situated further north across the Pasig River. The first three areas feature churches of great historical and cultural significance. Quiapo Church is the home of the Black Nazarene, a life-size image of Christ that has been the object of fervent veneration over centuries. Divisoria Market in San Nicolas sells everything under the sun, while gold and Chinese delicacies are the staple goods at the stores and stalls of Chinatown in Binondo. All four districts are part of the inner city and worth visiting for their fascinating local color and flavor, though the visitor should venture into them only in the company of a Filipino friend or a trustworthy guide.

Accessible from Rizal Park by Ayala Bridge lies another old district called San Miguel. Here Malacanang Palace, official residence of the President of the Philippines, and the Museo ng Malacanang are open to visitors on certain days. The palace grounds extend across the river into Malacanang Park and Mabini Shrine, the latter dedicated to the intellectual force behind the Philippine Revolution.

The Modern City

Going from the inner city to Makati is almost like a journey into another time. Ayala Avenue is lined with gleaming glass-and-steel skyscrapers that accommodate banks and offices. Two buildings particularly stand out--Ayala Avenue, Philippine Stock Exchange Plaza and Enterprise Center. Ayala Avenue culminates at Ayala Center, where everything revolves around Manilas premier mall, Glorietta. A showcase of the latest fashions, Ayala Center allows the traveler to choose from a wide range of accommodations including deluxe hotels. Eateries and nightspots operate throughout the center as well as in the vicinity of Makati Avenue, Jupiter Street and Rockwell Center. Along tree-lined McKinley Road are Santuario de San Antonio, Manila Golf Club, Manila Polo Club--all within the wealthy neighborhood of Forbes Park--and the futuristic Global City.

Proceeding north from Makati on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), you will soon reach Ortigas Center, another dense concentration of high-rises including the Philippine Stock Exchange Center. Shops, restaurants and entertainment outlets abound at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, SM Megamall, Robinson's Galleria and El Pueblo & St. Francis Square. Ortigas Center sits where Pasig City, Mandaluyong City and Quezon City border each other. Though visible from here, Greenhills Shopping Center, Manila's equivalent of a flea market, belongs to the municipality of San Juan.

The Commuter Belt

A large percentage of commuters reside in the districts south of Makati. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Centennial Terminal for Philippine Airlines flights are located in the area, along with duty-free shops and Nayong Pilipino Cultural Park, a theme park showing the country's main tourist spots. An hour's drive from here takes you to Taal Volcano and Lake, the worlds smallest volcano, and Tagaytay, a resort town celebrated for its cool breezes. A separate drive on the South Super Highway terminates in Laguna, a lush province dotted with hot springs at Pansol and Los Banos, and such day-tour destinations as The Enchanted Kingdom, Pagsanjan and Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort. On the way, you might want to drop in at Alabang in Muntinlupa City, where more malls (Alabang Town Center, Festival Supermall, Metropolis Mall and SM Southmall) and a manicured business center called Filinvest Corporate City await the visitor.

The Official City

A northbound drive on EDSA or a quick ride on the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) from Makati will take you to Cubao, the heart of Quezon City's commercial life. Araneta Coliseum, built in 1960 and once the world's biggest dome coliseum, dominates the skyline at Araneta Center. Further north, a monument towers over the Quezon Memorial Circle, around which several government agencies maintain offices, a reminder of the days when Quezon City was the official capital of the Philippines. Six long avenues radiate from the elliptical road encircling the memorial: one leads to the University of the Philippines, another to Batasang Pambasa, or House of Representatives. Large tracts of eye-soothing greenery, such as Ninoy Aquino Park & Wildlife, are scattered throughout the area.

Quezon Avenue stretches westward from the circle, joining with West Avenue and Timog Avenue to form yet another center of dining and nightlife. This long and almost straight road takes you all the way back to Quiapo in the inner city, though en route you may want to check out more landmarks such as Santo Domingo Church and the University of Santo Tomas, Asia's oldest institute of higher learning.

On the other hand, you may opt to go north to Marikina City, the Philippines' shoe-making capital, or Antipolo City, renowned as a place of religious pilgrimage and a hill resort interspersed with public swimming pools and sweeping views of Manila. Bars and eateries on Sumulong Highway, such as Cloud 9, stay open until the small hours of the morning, allowing you to enjoy the marvelous panorama both day and night.

Virgil Calaguan with additions by: Don Herrigton


Sample Cost of Living in Angeles City
 

Food would be approx $150.00 month additional, but we have expensive taste in food so it would vary each individuals situation taste.

 I must add that we are living very well and we do not do without. The only expense I can not comment on is automobiles. I have not found it necessary to purchase one.   more soon...
 

Another sample cost of living in Angeles
(list member 12-05-2005)

I rent a 4br 2ba home and currently pay 18000 per month. My last electricity bill was 5900 pesos. Cable is 600 pesos for the package including HBO & Cinemax. My water is about 700 but I have a good sized  yard. No land line but internet via cable modem is 1450.

You can live cheaper if you want to go ghetto but you'll see prices similar to these if you want anything decent. and Angeles is growing quickly and rents seem  to be increasing rapidly.

    

LINP3 COST OF LIVING SURVEY: Patrick
 

Cost of Living in Ermita Manila
(one of the list members)

 I live in Ermita Manila, so I will do my best to answer some of your questions. Keep in mind, these are my experiences which surely will differ from others.

TAP WATER: In the almost year and a half that I have been living in Ermita Manila, I have not had any water shortage problems. I know of an individual that lives in another area in Manila and he has weekly water truck deliveries. The water that comes out of my faucets look like ordinary water, however I do not drink it. I purchase five gallon water jugs for 50 Pesos each. My monthly water bill comes out to around 700 to 1,100 Pesos per month, depending upon usage. Electric bill is separate from water bill.

LIFE STYLE: In Manila, you can find reasonable rate apartments. All the expats I know are paying about 25,000 Pesos plus for their units. I do not have much experience with house rentals, I do know a few expats that do rent and are paying much less in comparison to the expats who are renting condos/apartments in Manila. Contact me off list for further.

Swimming pools, the Philippines is a third world country, so only those who have the assets will have swimming pools. I would think swimming pools would be more common in the gated communities. Gated subdivisions usually have security guards controlling the entry control points and roving patrol(s)

Home Security: It is best to always have someone in your home, as a deterrent against house break in's. A trusted house helper would be a big help. I worked in law enforcement for almost twenty years. Experience and training indicate most house break in's were because of poor security measures/precautions and because the tenants made their daily routine noticeable for would be thieves. Ninety-nine percent of the houses here have security bars to minimize home break in's and intruders. so it is the norm here in the Philippines.

CHARM: There are many nice apartments, and upscale condos in the Manila area, that are very charming. You pay for what you get. These high standard and classy living arrangements with fashionable views do not keep cheap in Manila and will cost you some money. I know people that are paying amounts of 45,000 Pesos plus per month to live.
 

Cost of Living in Tagaytay

I'm currently living in Tagaytay. Listed below are some of my monthly expenses:

Rent: (3 b/r, fully furnished in sub division) P30,000
Cable: P770
Electricity: P2,000
Telephone: P2,500
Smart WiFi: P988

The weather is very nice and we have air con in the bedrooms but they are rarely used.

Tagaytay is a very pretty place and there are a few tourist
attractions here. The weekends tend to be very busy with people coming just for the weekend.

There are many restaurants, a Starbucks and Figaro coffee shop but the nearest mall is in Dasmarinas, about 20-30 mins. away.

I go to Manila at least once a week and, on average, it takes me between 1.5 & 2 hours. However, if I go on a Friday afternoon it is generally 2.5 to 3 hours.

It is also fairly quiet and not a great deal to do.
[Best regards, Dave]
 

Living in Angeles City, Balibago Barangay (Neighborhood)

Gene said, "Olongapo proper and Angeles City proper are about the same. Both are quite dull with very little to recommend to visitors."

I must refute this assessment. It is unfair to the thousands of
expats who live, work, and/or vacation in Angeles City (AC) and Olongapo.

First, let me remind our readers that Angeles City is a moderately-sized town, both in population and area. AC has a population approaching 300,000. AC has a world-renown barangay known as Balibago. Balibago, and the few surrounding barangays where adult entertainment is prolific, comprise a very small portion of Angeles City. Hence, it's unfair to tarnish the image of the entire city because of adult entertainment that is very localized.

Allow me to use an analogy. Is Manila all bad because of the adult entertainment found in the EDSA Complex and Ermita/Malate? I don't think so!

AC is far from dull. It has some of the best international restaurants in the entire country, and at non-Manila prices. Because of the large number of expats living in the general area, you will find stores and services that are difficult to find in cities outside the NCR. AC has a variety of quite decent and even upscale subdivisions that attract locals as well as expats. And, in the future, due to the limitations of NAIA (Manila Airport), DMIA Airport (Clark Field), which borders AC in the north, has been projected, by the RP Government, to be the largest international airport in the country, when the renovations are complete.

So, let's be fair about AC. True, it's not for everybody. And, if you do not indulge in adult entertainment, it's easy to avoid! If you look at AC in its entirety, it's not dull. Outside of Balibago, it is a very typical RP city.

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