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Destinations in Metro Manila
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The shopping mecca of the Philippines, Divisoria sells all types of products in all sizes--at the cheapest price. Divisoria comprises one The shopping mecca of the Philippines, Divisoria district in Manila, where shopping sells all types of products in all sizes—at the sit alongside cheapest price.malls Divisoria comprises bulk-order one district in Manila, where shopping malls sit alongside vendors, sidewalk vendors, and bulk-order vendors, sidewalk vendors, and itinerant vendors. If you have a new itinerant vendors. If you have a new house, a grand partybusiness, comingyou up, or grand partyhouse, comingaup, or a new can get all your needs a new business, youhere. can get all your needs here.
The Shopping Mecca
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The MET’s Collection of Contemporary Art The MET’s Art Collection comprise various media such as painting, sculpture, art installations, photography, film, and other pieces of visual art. Found on the second floor are artworks arranged chronologically, mirroring the history of the Philippines. See the Metropolitan Museum.
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Mansions of San Miguel Once the most elegant neighborhood in Manila, San Miguel district has lived its prime but its mansions stand still. Particular to this neighborhood is the Malacañang Palace, which serves as the Philippine President’s home and office. Travelers can visit the Presidential Museum and Library in that Palace, and tour the other mansions nearby, such as Casa Roces and La Cocina de Tita Moning.. See Heritage Trip to Malacañang.
PRE SI D E N TI AL M USE UM AN D L IBR A R Y
7 Ancient Artifacts in the National Museum The National Museum holds several artifacts that shaped Philippine history. These include the Laguna Copperplate, the oldest written script in the country; the Philippines’ oldest human remains, the skullcap from Tabon Cave, Palawan; and the Manunggul Jar, which is considered an unrivaled artifact in Southeast Asia, and a work of a master potter. Read more on the National Museum.
MA NUNGGUL J A R | PH O TO B Y AL AN D E R AM OS
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The Philippines’ Top University Considered the top university in the country, the University of the Philippines Diliman is one of the two unpolluted areas in Metro Manila, the other being La Mesa Reserve and Ecopark. The campus has massive acacia trees, and is peppered with artworks and cheap food. Some of the artworks in the university are the Oblation, the Carillon Tower, and the University Chapel. Check out our Walking Tour of UP Diliman.
UP AC A D EM I C O V A L | P H O TO BY G E N C E L AD A
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The Oldest Chinatown in the World The world’s oldest Chinatown, Binondo is a melting pot of Chinese food and Chinese culture. Travelers can freely roam Binondo and discover Chinatown for themselves. Some of the places to see are the Chinese cemetery, Buddhist temples, Spanish churches, and Chinese marketplaces like Arranque Market and Carvajal Street. See our Binondo Walking Tour.
NO NAME W ATE R SI O PAO | PHO TO B Y J A Y N A V A E R M IT A Ă‘ O
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The Color and Chaos of Quiapo The soul of Manila, Quiapo is filthy, cramped, noisy, and religious, just like Manila. Despite these, Quiapo is where you’ll find the bizarre, such as religious mystics, fanaticism, hordes of religious icons, and many fortune tellers, palm readers, and tarot card readers. In addition, three structures stand out in Quiapo: the only steelbased church in Asia, San Sebastian Church; the largest mosque in Metro Manila, the Manila Golden Mosque; and Quiapo Church, home to the largest religious procession in the Philippines. Explore Quiapo using our Quiapo Walking Tour. Q U I APO V E N D O R | PHO TO B Y V IC M ON T E S
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The Gold Collection of the Ayala Museum Ayala Museum’s Gold of Ancestors Gallery displays an astonishing 1,059 gold items from the pre-colonial Philippines. The gold items highlights a forgotten history of Filipinos—that native Filipinos were once master goldsmiths, even adorning themselves with gold from head to foot. Read more on the Ayala Museum.
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The City of a Thousand Shoes The city of a thousand shoes, Marikina thrives on footwear not just for its economy, but also for its tourism industry. Some of the destinations to explore in Marikina are the Shoe Museum, the Book Museum, the Ethnology Museum, and the Pan de Amerikana restaurant. Check out our Marikina Heritage Trip.
PO R TR AIT OF I M E LD A M ARC O S | PHO TO BY A L A N DE R A M OS
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The Walled City For 400 years, the walled city of Intramuros was Manila. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Intramuros is the best place to explore if you only have a day in Manila. Within its walls you’ll find Spanish churches, buildings, ruins, dungeons, artillery houses, and others. Explore Intramuros with with this guide, Heritage Trip in Intramuros.
FO RT SAN TI AG O | PHO TO B Y J AY N A V A E R M IT A Ă‘ O
CONTRI BUTORS
Gen Celada
Jay Nava Ermita単o
Alan de Ramos
Vic Montes
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