Your Quick Manila Reference Guide
With 17 municipalities and an unofficial population of more than 18 million, Metro Manila is no place for wandering; take taxis and turn on the meter.
Makati City
Holding most nice hotels, restaurants and shops, Makati is a hard-tonavigate hodgepodge. Fear not: without street-side commerce, most interesting things are in malls.
Bonifacio Global City
BGC, or The Fort, is one of the town’s fastest-growing spots: all the newest food, drink and nightlife. It’s one place you can walk around, with nice parks, sidewalks and the latest attraction, the Mind Museum.
Pasay and Old Manila
Old Manila has Luneta Park, RoxasBoulevard and Intramuros. South along the bay, Pasay has the airport and “Entertainment City.” Greenhills-Ortigas-San Juan Bustling with lots of residences, small commerce and hole-in-the-wall cafes.
Quezon City Manila’s biggest district has a local vibe with universities and family businesses. Bring a local to guide you through.
Manila’s dollar is called a Peso, one hundred USD equals about 4300 peso’s. Check out our currency converter at the bottom of the page for today’s current value.
The Cool Hotels To Hang Your Hat After a Crazy Day
RAFFLES MAKATI
The new Raffles has set the luxury standard. Plush colonial-style rooms in the heart of the action and a fantastic long bar at which to wind down. 1 Raffles Dr., Makati Ave., Makati; 63-2/5559777; raffles.com; P14,800.
FAIRMONT MAKATI
Perfect for business travelers. Practical luxury with a lovely rooftop pool. 1 Raffles Dr., Makati Ave., Makati; 63-2/555-9888; fairmont. com; P8,800.
SOLAIRE RESORT AND CASINO
This behemoth boasts live entertainment, high-end restos and wines, and views of Manila Bay. Murano chandeliers and golden edges are crafted in the Chinese traditions of luck-so do try your hand at the roulette wheel. 1 Solaire Blvd.; 63-2/888-8888; solairemanila.com; P8,000.
THE PENINSULA MANILA
This oldie but goodie has housed much of the International Who’s Who. With Socialites, politicians and movie stars mingling over tea and bubbly, the iconic lobby is the place to be. Try the deadly fun gummy bear shots at the eclectic bar, Salon de Ning. Ayala corner of Makati Ave., Makati; 63-2/887-2888; peninsula. com; P9,000.
SHANGRI-LA MANILA
Fantastic service and dining in two branches. The Makati hotel is near most malls; the Edsa branch is near the other business district, Ortigas. Makati Shangri-La: Ayala cor. Makati Ave., Makati; 63-2/813-8888; P12,000. Edsa Shangri-La: 1Garden Way, Ortigas Centre, Mandaluyong; 63-2/633-8888; shangrila.com; P8,000.
SEDA BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY
This business-cum boutique hotel with a pleasant roof bar has nice, affordable and contemporary rooms in this booming district. 30th St. cor. 11th Ave., BCG; 63-2/945-8888;sedahotels.com;P4,700.
HOLIDAY INN AND SUITES MAKATI
A welcome addition to the hotel scene, next to the main shopping centers and a great value for money. Palm Drive, Ayala Center, Makati; 63-2/908-0888; ihg.com; P4,950.
Hotel prices are starting rates for double occupancy.
Funky Manila
The young, the fun and the trendy.
Cubao X The cobblers of a former shoe expo have been replaced with artsy shops, galleries and boho bars and restaurants. Fred’s Revolucion at Shop 66 is a self-dubbed “home for sincere drinkers.” Cubao X General Romulo Ave., Araneta Cen., QuezonCity.
The Collective In the heart of Makati is the perfect hipster hideaway: a graffiti-walled complex of creative eats, vintage stores and a great bar, B-Side, with a left ish musical lineup. 7274 Malugay, San Antonio Village, Makati; facebook.com/thecollectivemanila.
Shop Top You Drop
FIRMA
Like Ali Baba’s cave, this trove of world finds has unique pieces from high-end jewelry designers. Check out Wynn Wynn Ong’s ornate pieces crafted of precious metals, wood and other natural materials. GFGreenbelt 3, Greenbelt Mall, Ayala Center; 63-2/757-4009.
KISH
Ito Kish has won countless awards for his inventive and inspired furniture. Woodwork reminiscent of chapels makes for gorgeous, one-of-a-kind display pieces. 233 N. Garcia St.; 63-2/896-8366; kish.ph.
PEARL MARKET
To check if they’re real, scratch the pearls against your teeth, in search of a grainy, gritty texture;
they should also feel coolon the skin. A strand of 1-centimeter freshwater pearls should run about P3,500. Decide how much you’re willing to pay and negotiate a little lower than that. Jewelry Zone, 2F Greenhills Shopping Center Ortigas Ave., Greenhills; greenhills.com.ph.
FILIPINO ZONE
One-stop shop for local designs: Charina Sarte for flirty dresses and sexy bathing suits; L Manila for local fabrics and knits done modern; Joanna Preysler for python purses; Arnel Papa for handcrafted bronze. 2F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati.
CURAV
A well-curated boutique with the city’s best accessories: Natalya Lagdameo’s revisited antique Filipino colonial jewelry and Janina Dizon Hoshka’s gorgeous stingray clutches. 2F, Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati.
A11 FURNITURE GALLERY
Local interior designer Eric Parashas turned four old homes into a gorgeous art gallery and furniture store. Go just to gawk at the vintage-inspired, creative pieces. 2680 F.B. Harrison St., Pasay; 63-2/832-9972.
Find Your Soul In Manilla
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF MANILA
Renovated last year, the Met Museum has added to their classic artworks, pre-Hispanic artifacts and gold collection a fantastic permanent exhibit of Philippine contemporary art, beginning with modern masters such as Fernando Amorsolo and H.R. Ocampo up to the young avant-garde like Ronald Ventura. BSP Complex Roxas Blvd., Pasay City; 63-2/250-5271; metmuseum.ph; admission PIOO.
OLD MANILA AND INTRAMUROS
(No) thanks to extensive bombing during World War II and a lack of conservation efforts, Old Manila and Intramuros are some of the few places left where you can get the feel for the colonial-era city. Take a walking tour with Carlos Celdran for some juicy historical gossip. Don’t miss out on the National Museum and newly renovated Senate Hall. Carlos Celdran: 63-2/484-4945; celdrantours.blogspot.com; tours from Pl,100 for adults and P600 for students.
SUNSET SESSIONS
The Manila Bay sunset is world famous for its colors. The best experience is at the Sofitel’s pool garden lounge: laze on beanbags and sip on cold San Miguel. sotite! Manila CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City; 63-2/551-5555; sofitei.com.
QUIAPO CHURCH
Only for the truly adventurous, Quaipo Church is the best way to see real local culture. Housing the Black Nazarene (dark statue of Jesus Christ), reputed to work miracles, it is frequented by the varied faithful. Paradoxically, in its environs are palm readers and vendors of local folkloric potions (gayuma) and amulets (anting-anting). Be extremely wary of pickpockets and bamboozlers! 910 Plaza Miranda, Quiapo; quiapochurch.com.
Nightlife
Manila has an unparalleled energy after dark here are a few places to check.
Blind Pig
Channel your inner Gatsby in this Prohibition-themed bar. Candlelight, bricks, vintage jazz, damn good classic cocktails and decadent truffle fries. Definitely reserve; the nondescript, brail-embossed door will literally shut in your face if you have no seat. 227 Salcedo St., Legaspi Village, Makati; 63-2/478-6990; drinks for two P740.
Rocket Room
The chic set, expats in the know and leggy models come here not for the Jetsons meets-Soho interiors, nor the treacherous Rocket Fuels, nor even the great wood-oven pizzas-but for the town’s best music. Eclectic beats, hip-hop, retro, Motown, Parisian electro … Always a great vibe. GFBonifacio High St. Central, 7th Ave. cor. 30th St., BOC;63-2/621-3222; drinks for two P400.
The Fort Strip
For a full Manileno night out, start with fried bar chow at Draft, washed down with a cold pint. Then to Kasbah for Black Mojitos and live music. Turn it up with a pickled-chili laced Dirty Pierre Martini at Aracama. Have a shot (or three!) at Imperial’s vodka ice bar. Dance the night away at Prive with mash-up club hits or Haze for deep house techno. The Fort Strip, 7th Ave. cnr. Katipunan Cir., BOC.
You Have To Eat, Here Are Some Hotspots
Vask
The place to be right now, with experimental and molecular takes on tapas, a trendy interior
and the best deck in the city to ponder the rapidly changing crane-filled skyline overeally great cocktails. Reservations are a must. 11th Ave. cor. 39th St., tapas and drinks for two BFC; 63-91/5507-7047;P3,000
Masseto
Named after the famed Italian vino, this fine dining establishment has one of the best wine lists in town, as well as cozy, contemporary interiors and continental cuisine made with the best ingredients possible. Their chorizo empanadas and cheese souffle are to die for. 114 Valero st., Salcedo Village, Makati; 63-2/810-3565; masseto.com.ph; dinner for two P4,000.
Sala
The epitome of a great restaurant experience in Manila: soft lighting, beautiful wines, impeccable service and creative European fare of exquisite quality. Perfect for a celebratory dinner or to end your stay in style. The ravioli stuffed with portabella mushrooms, ricotta and white truffle oil are a must-try. A. Locsin Building, Ayala Ave. cor. Makati Ave., Makati; 63-2/750-1555; salarestaurant.com; five-course tasting menu for two P4,200.
Elbert’s Steakroom
The nondescript, dingy building and dusty staircase … No you aren’t in the wrong place. Hidden in the heart of the CBD is a haven for fine meat set in Mad Men-like, mid-century modern decor. 3F Sagittarius Building III, 111 H.V.de la Costa, Salcedo Village, Makati; 63-2/519-8665; steakrcom.com, dinner for two P5,000.
EL Cirkulo and Milky Way
Classic El Cirkulo is a Spanish- Filipino restaurant serving the best version of a local favorite: sisig, a crispy pork dish perfect with cold beer. If you’re craving more Filipino delicacies, head upstairs to their sister resto, the canteen-like Milky Way for some honest home-cooking. GF Milkyway Building 900 Arnaiz Ave., Makati; 63-2/810-8735; elcirkulo.com; dinner for two P3,000.
Brunch
Grab your biggest sunnies and see and be seen in one these hot spots: Apartment IB (GFOne Rockwell East, Rockwell, Makati; 63-2/869-3530; apartment1b.com) has homey ambience and all-day breakfast with fantastic eggs Benedict, crab cakes and mussels with chorizo. Or: NewYork-y Wildflour Cafe + Bakery (4th Ave. cor. 26th St., BGC;63-2/856-7600), with fresh baked breads, tarte flambee and inventive dishes like kimchl steak rice.
Little Tokyo
The needs of Japanese businessmen have created an excellent Little Tokyo (2277 Pasong Tamo, Makati), a small square full of authentic restos, with Japanese baseball on TV.
Check out: Izakaya Kikufuji (63- 2/893-7319) for sashiml and shabu-shabu; Seryna (63-2/895-3855) for creative sushi; Urameshi-Ya Yakiniku (63-2/813-2210); and Shinjuku Ramen House (63-2/819-1242). Dampa Buyfresh seafood at the dampa (fish market) along Macapagal Avenuein Pasay,then bring it to Hong Kong Master Chef, where, for P100 to P200 per kilo, they’ll cook it up.
Now if you want to see Manila in the daytime and all it’s cool and exotic features check out this short video