Manila Activities

Manila has some decent attractions for children of all ages. A handful of amusement and water parks provide plenty of thrills, fun and entertainment, while Rizal Park is a great all-around spot for playing in the grass and getting some fresh air. For a more cultural experience, check out the city’s Repertory Children’s Theatre which puts on a regular schedule of kid-based plays.

Enchanted Kingdom
Among the many amusement parks in the city, the Enchanted Kingdom stands out as the best. The park has seven different zones, each with its own theme and exciting rides. Highlights include the 11 storey Space Shuttle roller coaster and a wet and wild water ride called Log Jam. The park is located in San Lorenzo South. Phone: +63 2 830 2111.

Exhibitions
In addition to its theme parks, Manila boasts some excellent educational venues where kids can learn while they are being entertained. Missing Links Alive and Exploratorium 2000 both use advanced robotics in their interactive exhibits, while the Quest Center for Earth and Science Discovery, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and Lopez Museum have a wide range of interesting displays. For something more trivial, check out Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.

Theatre
Manila has one of the best theatre troupes in Southeast Asia, Repertory Philippines. This group specialises in producing plays in English, and has a sister company known as the Repertory Children’s Theatre which is dedicated to encouraging theatre participation among younger audiences. Performances are given throughout the year. Website: www.repertory-philippines.com/.

Water Parks
Manila is home to an impressive array of entertainment parks ideal for putting some fun into your trip to the city. Capitalising on its seaside location, water parks such as Jed’s Island Resort offer a huge network of swimming pools and sports facilities. For serious fun, however, check out Splash Island, the country’s largest marine park full of both educational and entertaining attractions.

Manila has an amazing range of cultural attractions guaranteed to hold the interest of visitors during their stay. From the Spanish era city-within-a-city of Intramuros and all its wonders, to the distinctly Asian Chinatown, this city is a model of diversity. Colourful local markets such as Divisoria share urban space with some of the planet’s largest and most glamorous shopping malls, adding another facet to the Manila experience. After dark, a whole new realm opens up as residents, expats and tourists party late into the night.

Chinese Cemetery
Although this fascinating cemetery only opened in the 1850s, the Chinese have been in the Philippines since 100 AD. Their influence can be seen all over Manila; however this final resting place provides a unique perspective on their culture. The opulent cemetery houses here have startlingly complete sets of real household goods, with everything from air conditioners to flushing toilets filling the small mausoleums. Guided tours are offered of some of the most extravagant tombs. The cemetery is located on Aurora avenue, Blumentritt.

Cultural Centre of the Philippines
If you want to experience the more artistic side of Manila’s culture, the city’s main cultural centre is the place to go. Its large central theatre is the site for both the brilliant resident Bayanihan Dance Company and visiting performance groups such as the Royal Shakespeare Company. Ballet Philippines and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra are also onsite, and there are galleries for visual arts exhibits. The centre is located on Roxas boulevard. Phone: +63 2 832 1125.

Divisoria Market
No visit to Manila would be complete without a foray into the bustling chaotic world of Divisoria Market. This place is simply huge, and sells virtually everything under the sun. Its energetic vortex is one of the most exciting places in the capital to experience the local side of life. Prices are cheap, and if you want to go lower haggling is the norm. The only danger is getting lost in the maze of small alleys and endless stalls. Hiring a guide to explore the market, situated on Claro Recto Avenue, is a good idea. Phone: +63 2 524 7141.

Malacanang Palace and Museum
One of Manila’s most beautiful historic buildings started out as the summer home of the Spanish Governor General. Today, it is the residence of the president of the country, and its onsite museum offers an in-depth look at the successive rulers who have run the Philippines. Memorabilia, photos and other quirky items from each president are displayed in the museum, but unfortunately Imelda Marcos’ shoe collection is not among them. Phone: +63 2 733 3721.

Nayong Filipino Cultural Park
The dozens of indigenous cultures which call the Philippines home are all represented at this interesting 46-hectare theme park dedicated to highlighting the diversity of this nation. Six regions are presented in miniature, complete with small museums, an aquarium and an aviary. Cultural performances of native dances and songs are scheduled regularly, adding another excellent reason to visit this park on NAIA road, Pasay City. Phone: +63 2 832 3760.

San Agustin Church
Manila’s oldest stone church managed to survive the Japanese invasion intact, making it a priceless architectural treasure for the country. Completed in 1606, San Agustin is one of the highlights of Intramuros, and well worth a visit. Be sure to spend some time in the adjoining museum, which houses the finest collection of colonial religious art in the country. Phone: +63 2 527 4061.

Having been colonised and liberated twice by different cultures, the Philippines has naturally adopted influences from both the West and the East. Unsurprisingly, its food and culture reflect this interesting mix. Rice has always been the staple food in Manila, and remains so today. It is eaten with every meal, and everything that accompanies it is considered a condiment.

Fruit is also a major component in the daily diet here, thanks to the balmy tropical environment. Then there’s the sea. Manila lies on the coast, and the Philippines is an archipelago nation, so the fish and seafood in the city is abundant and diverse. Filipino cuisine retains its traditional preference for salty and sour flavours. The simple soup sinigang, a sour stock boiled with fish, vegetables and fish sauce, exemplifies this style.

The Chinese were the first outside culture to add its style to the regional cuisine. Stir-fries, noodles, soy products, and the art of deep frying became important elements of some dishes after their arrival. The Spanish brought an entirely new set of ingredients and dishes to the region. Sausages and thick stews based on meat became staple dishes during their reign. Adobo, which is perhaps the most popular Filipino dish, has its roots in Spanish tradition. When the Americans arrived with their commercial culture, burger and fries became hot items. Coke and fast food quickly became rooted in the Philippines.

Filipinos in Manila love to eat. The city is packed with eateries of all kinds, making dining and drinking in this city a real treat. Ermita and Malate have a little of everything, but the Indian and traditional Filipino fare really stands out. Nakpil street is another hotspot, especially for trendy new fusion cafés where people go to see and be seen. Then there’s Makati’s Ayala Centre, a virtual world unto itself of dining, drinking and shopping. The other main centres such as Quezon City could easily be the source of their own dining guides.

Professional shoppers may have met their match in Manila, where the act of browsing and buying is taken to a whole new level. There are several world-class shopping centres in the metropolitan area, but Robinson’s Galleria, Ayala Centre, Glorietta Centre and the Greenbelt Square Mall are hard to beat for sheer quantity and quality of shops, cinemas, restaurants and bars. Makati is widely regarded as the most chic district to do your shopping, but if you want a completely different experience, Manila offers a number of local outdoor markets.

The city’s native markets are strikingly different but equally engaging. Unlike the mega-malls, these colourful markets showcase the special products of the country’s many diverse cultures. Wood carvings, butterfly knives, paintings and exquisite clothing in the form of the Barong Tagalog are all standout purchases. Check out Divisoria Market near Quiapo for a bewildering array of handicrafts. Chinatown is another hotspot, especially for textiles and fabric. Santa Cruz’s Central Market is the place to go to hunt for clothing bargains.

These local markets are open everyday from dawn until late at night, but the mega-malls operate from 10:00 until 20:00. Souvenir hunters are welcome to haggle over prices in the markets, but the Museum for the Filipino People has an amazing handicraft selection if you’re content with the sticker prices. The lack of a sales tax in the Philippines only adds to the savings.

Though not exactly a mecca of outdoor recreation, Manila offers visitors a fair array of team sports and individual excursions. From the glamorous worlds of polo and golf, to simply soaking in a hot spring or having a picnic in Rizal Park, there’s enough activities to keep you busy for a few days.

Golf
Golfers can enjoy the lush courses in and around Manila virtually all year long, although the rainy season can make conditions on the greens a bit soggy. The city’s premier links are at the Manila Golf Club. This 18-hole beauty was established in 1901 and continues to draw players to its immaculate course. Many other courses with lower greens fees can also be found in the vicinity.

Hot Springs
Within an easy drive lie two excellent hot spring areas: Los Banos and Pansol. Natural mineral springs litter the region around these two towns, providing ample resources for small resorts to operate relaxing hot spring baths. The waters are said to be therapeutic and help the body and mind unwind. Since they are only 1 hour, 30 minutes drive from the city, you can easily get here and back in a half a day.

Parks
Manila has a number of pleasant green spaces where you can unwind and get some exercise or just relax in an oasis of calm. Ninoy Aquino Wildlife Park is a great place to spend an afternoon, especially if you have kids. The park’s small lake has walking paths and picnic spots around it, and the mini zoo and wildlife rescue centre have some impressive animals waiting to be visited. However, the real green space star in Manila is Rizal Park. Located downtown, this large park known as Luneta has over 100 acres of woodlands, gardens and open space ideal for walking and relaxing. A number of interesting cultural venues are also located within the park’s grounds.