Thanks for the question.
We just returned after a three week vacation in Manila. I was there in 2015 and, at the time, was introduced to the brighter side of Manila (and generally the Philippines) through the eyes of Manila. This time I had family with me!
Manila is a vast ocean of people and this will help me categorise them into specific compartments. So here goes!
At first, the courtesy Filipinos show to foreigners is exemplary. They show similar courtesy to each other and this is something we can all take back. The old and weak and disadvantaged would feel much at home in any quarter of Manila. With the hundreds of people we interacted with the respect and courtesy was unanimous. Not one grumpy, annoyed face. How did they achieve such a homogenous culture? It’s in their culture to be nice to everyone. Kudos to all Filipinos for this lesson in respectful courtesy.
There are rich and poor areas. The rich seem to have palatial houses and workmen and servants. The poor have nothing.
While driving through the poorer areas surrounding the slums was deplorable. I could not understand how young children would scavenge among the grime and filth for food and clothing. Stray dogs and cats were aplenty. It was a heartbreaking sight and one I cannot get over so easily. Does the government even care to take away the miles of garbage collected at the sides of the road?
The living conditions were no more than plastic sheets, rusted tin and cardboard hoardings hobbled together. Sad but real.
The Shopping Malls were excessive in number and style. Imagine 5 Malls beside each other holding goods from all the world's famous brands and jostling for customer attention. This was an incredible experience. This begs the question: Who really has the money to buy these expensive goods?
The Churches were beyond beauty. In a short span of 3 weeks we visited ten of the big churches and were immediately struck by the grandeur and architectural beauty of these churches and basilicas. An immediate calm settled on all visitors and surely this was a place of worship and commerce. One needs a specifically themed tour to understand how these churches were built and how it creates an embroidery of Filipino culture. Christianity it is and Christianity it will be for many centuries more.
The tourist spots were littered with hardsell vendors quoting tenfold prices for simple banana fibre hats and plastic birds. You have to bargain for a starting price a tenth of the asking price. There is no guilt in this bargaining. It is business as usual.
Grab is the best way to scuttle about. Download the App and get started. Taxis tend to see your face first, hear your voice, scour your sense of dress and then quote a price. Taxis can be hard to negotiate with. Always remember to talk to the taxi driver. He has the best knowledge of the locality- and he is helpful. Taxis don’t cheat you, but Grab tells you how to pay even before you start! Taxis don’t.
Food is a national pastime. There are plenty of food places to visit. You get all sorts of combinations and mishmashes. Fast food is available just about everywhere and of popular American brands. Local fast foods like Jollibee (I love this chicken meal), Chowking, Racks are the ones we frequented often. They are usually packed at all times. The food is not spicy but pleasant.
You do get other ethnic outlets too. Spanish, American, Indian, etc. We frequented two popular eating houses. Royal Indian Curry House ( RICH) and Poojas Cafe. The first served North Indian style food and it was good. Poojas served typical South Indian food and it was just so typical of home! I loved Poojas Cafe much more. It had an authentic feel about it.
Traffic Chaos. During rush hour traffic can take hours to go from A to B. A short distance of 15 kms can take 3–4 hours. Its best to get away before traffic build-up and before 7 am. After that your trip will be tedious.
Security at all public places is very strict. Just don't be stupid with security people. They take no explanation. You will be locked away forever.
Under the new government drugs, prostitution, sex trades and all illegal stuff has vanished. You are safe on the streets at most times. This is different from the scenes I witnessed a few years back. Manila is a better place thanks to the new government.
Enjoy your stay and be safe at all times.
The Philippines is a great place to visit.
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