Standing atop a hill on the sunny Corregidor Island, a statue of a Filipino woman looks over the Manila Bay. This is the Memorial to the Filipino Woman. It commemorates the sacrifices and services of the Filipino women during the course of history. Even today, a visitor is impressed by the active role played by women in every walk of life in the modern Philippines. They are present in every field of life - from politics to business. 
As the plane descends into Manila, one notices is the dense green of the shrubs and trees that seems to cover most of the land providing a stark contrast with the gray waters of the Manila Bay. As the plane hovers over the city of Manila, one is startled to see glittering skyscrapers on one side and modest housing areas on the other. A thick film of smog can be seen hanging on parts of the city.
An anchor tourist destination, Manila is the gateway to the Philippines, and is the very core of the 7,000 more islands that make up the Philippines. It is the center of government, commerce, education and culture and is a major crossroad for the world's carriers and shipping lines. Many international banks and corporations are doing business within its boundaries.
For an adventurous tourist Manila is a city with many faces. It is a pulsating hub that blends the quaint with the modern and the mundane with the extra ordinary. The city was scarred by many foreign invasions, ravaged by Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese and British marauders. Shortly after the country declared itself Asia's first democracy in 1898, the Americans invaded its shores and ruled for 50 years. After the Pacific war of the 1940's when the Japanese Imperial Army reigned for 4 years, Manila was the second most destroyed city in the world. The rubbles of the past have seasoned and strengthened Manila's character today.
Manila has expanded beyond its old walled city, Intramurals, and has become the nucleus of the country's largest metropolis. Greater Manila is made up of eleven other cities and town. The currency used here is the 'peso'. The climate is tropical, ideal for growing a variety of unusual flowers in vibrant colors.
Makati city is another Manhattan with its tall buildings. It is the country's financial center and the most prestigious business address. Many foreign embassies and offices of multinationals are situated here. Fashionable hotels, restaurants, discos, music bars, boutiques and craft shops converge around the sleek Ayala center. Try the burgers at Hard Rock Café, or try the most delicious shrimps at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant. You won't be disappointed! Also, greatly recommended is Banana Leaf Curry for local cuisine, Itallianis for Italian food and Tokyo for the fluffiest and lightest tempuras. Ayala Museum with its many treasures and charming gift shop is a nice place to spend an afternoon. The back door of the museum opens into a green belt park The park with its shady pathways and many benches gives one a chance to sit back and enjoy a quiet moment in the hustle bustle of the city.
In Makati are located the Forbes Park and the Dasmarinas Village. Here most of the expatriate community, or the well off Filipinos live. The elite country clubs, Manila Polo Club and the Golf Club are nestled within these villages. These villages are provided with security walls, as the crime rate in Manila is very high 
One is pleasantly surprised with the warm welcome extended by the gentle hardworking Filipinos. The literacy rate is very high in Philippines, and so is the ratio of unemployment. Do not be surprised if you find a girl with her Masters in Computer Sciences working as a maid, or an engineer working as a driver for an expat.
Giving Makati a run for its money is the Mandaluyong City. It houses the Ortigas Center which is an impressive alternative to the Ayala Center, home to the Asian Development Bank and the Philippines Stock Exchange. It also has the three of Metro Manila's gigantic shopping malls, SM Mega mall, Robinson's Galleria and Shangrila Edsa Plaza. Quezon City named after the late President Manuel L Quezon has many government offices as well as The University of Philippines. 
Manila is one of the most polluted cities of the world. One is appalled to see the poverty and the contrast in the living standards. Traveling in Manila on a rush hour can be a real problem as the roads are choked with traffic and it can take hours to reach the destination. The locals travel through buses and 'jeepneys' - old US army jeeps converted into small vans. For a tourist, however, a taxi is more recommended as bag slashing and pick pocketing is quite common here.
Spending a few hours at Rizal Park is also a good idea. The Park is named after Dr. Jose Rizal and a light and sound show is sometimes conducted at the site of his martyrdom. The park hosts a relief map of the Philippines, a Filipino garden, a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, the Rizal Monument, and a playground for children. It has sprawling grounds and a variety of tropical flowers can be seen. It can get quite hot during the day so take a break and enjoy a drink from one of the kiosks. Walking distance from the park are the National Museum, the Museum of the Filipino People, and the Department of Tourism building. From the tourist office here, you can get a good idea about what to do and see in the Philippines. It is very efficient, and the service is prompt. 
One of the most interesting places to visit in Manila is the National Museum. It is huge and very well organized. One gets a good idea of the history of the Philippines and the various phases the country has passed through. It also shows the influences of foreign invasions on the crafts and the lifestyle of local people. It has a very nice gift shop.
Take a walk from the National Museum to the Intramuros, located on the banks of the Pasay River. This is as a memorable experience. A trip to Manila is incomplete without a visit to Intramuros. Manila was born out of the ashes of a once flourishing Muslim Malay settlement by the banks of Pasay River. In 1571, Miguel Lopez de Legazpai established the' ever loyal city' of Manila- and called it Intramuros. Until 1898 Manila was the seat of Spanish colonial rule in Asia. 
An arched gate takes one inside the old city, and to its cobbled streets. Time stands still in Intramuros. Great care has been taken in its renovation, and it retains the charming ambience. A few of the gates and chambers have been turned into art galleries, souvenir shops, and restaurants. The open spaces have been converted into parks. An interesting way of seeing the walled city is by taking a tour on a small horse driven carriage.
The usual way of starting the tour is from the courtyard of 17th century church, the San Augustine Church. It is one of the four Baroque churches inscribed in the world's heritage list. It is the oldest stone church in the country and the lone survivor of World War II. One is spell bound by the beauty of its painted, vaulted ceiling and dome. Huge antique chandeliers hang from the ceilings. A huge bell stands at the entrance that used to be the old porters lodge. One strolls through the cool gray verandahs, and appreciates the Chinese, Filipino, Spanish and Mexican art treasures in different parts of the church. Its monastery has been turned into a museum housing priceless religious artifacts. Take a stroll in the adjoining gardens of Fr. Jose Blanco who studied botanical life during the Spanish period.
Just opposite San Augustine Church is Plaza San Luis complex, a commercial cultural complex. Casa Manila, a wellknown museum on colonial lifestyle, is to be found here. It is one of the most fascinating places in Manila and must be visited. One enters through a corridor to a charming courtyard with a fountain. The corridor opens into a patio paved with granite. The walls of the ground floor are made of adobe stone - the volcanic tuff quarried from Bulcan. The upper floor is made of wood. Small shops selling souvenirs, lace and antiques are in the lower portion of Casa Manila. The upper storey comprises the living quarters. The guided tour of the house gives one a clear idea of the life style of a wealthy family in the colonial times. Casa Manila is very well preserved and has a rare collection of furniture, artifacts and silver. 
The next stop is the grand Manila cathedral. It stands majestically with its intricate stone carvings, stained glass mosaic and rose windows. If you have taken a horse drawn carriage, ask to be taken to Fort Santiago and enjoy the view on your way. 
Gentle breeze rustling through the lush green trees welcomes you as your enter the gates of Fort Santiago. Situated at the bank of the Pasay River, Fort Santiago is the site of torture chambers and dungeons where political prisoners from Spanish to Japanese times were kept and executed. It is now a lush park with flowering trees and pigeons. In the center of the grounds, young students wearing straw hats are rehearsing for a play. Manila is a center for performing arts in Asia. As you peer from the wall of the fort, you can get a breath taking view of the river and the bridge.
It might be a good idea to extend your ride to the other side of the river and into China Town. China Town also known as Binondo is a maze of narrow streets, store houses, bazaars, restaurants and business establishments. Bustling with endless commercial activity a Binondo business address suggests prestige and great wealth in the Chinese community. Land in this area is as expensive as in Makati. Shopping here is a unique Filipino- Chinese experience. One can see a bewildering array of street shops selling everything from attractive Chinese arts and crafts, furniture, souvenirs, jewellery, exotic Chinese medicines, food preserves and authentic Chinese dishes. Binondo Church is a 17th century church located on a busy crossing. The Arch of Goodwill is one of the major landmarks of China Town. It commemorates the centuries of relationship between Filipino and Chinese cultures.
Multicolored umbrellas line the busy streets of Davisoria, a retail market place. It has interesting shops selling goods at a bargain. Not many people would advise you to go to Davisoria as it is very crowded and one has to be careful of pick pockets. 
Quiapo called "Sa Ilalim ng tulay", (under the bridge) is a market where stalls sell an array of handicrafts. Shopping for crafts in Quaipo is an exciting experience as the prices are unbelievably low. Balik Bayan an exclusive handicraft shop also has an outlet over there.
String upon string of pearls in soft gray, metallic gray or black, blushing pink, pure white and ivory cream hang on the stalls. Greenhills, also known as the pearl market is a place one finds difficult to leave. Also available are the famous south sea pearls in gray, white and champagne colors. Fresh water pearls in many interesting shapes can be found. Greenhills, however, is not only a pearl market. You can find everything under the sun from clothes, shoes, crafts, movies, linen, bags, mirrors, brassware, copper ware, curios, and much more. Don't forget enjoying fresh Buko(coconut) or Pina(pineapple) juice from a corner stall before leaving Greenhills. 
A variety of crafts can be found in Philippines. Lace, Shell trays and mats, woven bags and baskets, wooden and bamboo chimes, clothes and table linen made of pineapple and banana fiber, intricately hand painted birds - the list is endless. Noritake manufactures china in the Philippines also. There is a lot to choose from. The American Women's Association's bazaar is a monthly affair. Here, craftsmen from all over Manila exhibit their wares. Nowhere else such a breath taking variety of crafts can be found. It is held in the World Trade Center on Roxas Boulevard.
Take a leisurely stroll along the Manila Bay, or sit on a bench and gaze at the faraway ships on a bright sunny morning. Roxas Boulevard is the bay area where one can also get a view of the famed Manila sunset. The landmark is home to the country's premier performing venue, the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Within its complex are the Philippine Convention Center, the Product Design and Development Center, the Folk Arts Theater and the Coconut Palace (currently under renovation). Behind Roxas Boulevard lies Malate district with its cozy cafes, theaters and restaurants selling authentic food. 
A day trip to Corrigedor Island is indeed one of the most memorable experiences. It can be taken from Manila Bay. A ferry takes one to this lush green island. General McArthur commanded the Pacific Theatre of war from here. Fondly known by the veterans as "the Rock", it was the focus of a protracted battle between Filipino- American and the Japanese forces during the Second World War. The shell of the 'mile long barracks' still stands. Converted 'side open' buses, used for transporting soldiers, are used for the guided tour. These are conducted in different languages. The sound and light show conducted inside the Malinta tunnel is the highlight of the tour. A bird's eye view of the island can be taken from the top of the lighthouse built in 1836 by the Spaniards. On the highest side of the Corrigedor stands The Pacific War memorial dedicated to the Filipino and American soldiers who had shed their blood in the Second World War. The museum houses war artifacts, the remains of the bachelor's officers quarters and the post headquarters can be seen from there.
A one-hour drive through green pineapple fields and south of manila is Tagatay, a city perched on a ridge. As one turns from the 'picnic grove' one gets a breathtaking view of the Taal Lake - a volcano within a lake. This 406 meter high volcano is claimed to be the smallest in the world. It is a real treat if one gets into the exclusive Tagatay Highlands Golf Club. It has apartments and villas for families to stay on weekends. A chair lift takes one from the clubhouse to the golf course. Horse riding, swimming, zoo, aviary, amusement park children can have a whale of a time. On your way back, stop by the roadside shops selling juicy pineapples, sweet fragrant papayas, green bananas, rumbutans and buko pie. 
Subic Bay is another interesting option, particularly for the military & cold war enthusiasts. The drive from Manila is rather long as it takes three hours to get there. The consolation is the idyllic tropical landscape and the Filipino village life. Subic Bay gives an impression of a lake. Hills rise straight out of water to surround it. The view of ships docked in the bay is straight out of a picture postcard. 
If one has enough time in the Philippines, visits to Banue Rice Terraces, Baguio, Batangas and Laguna waterfalls are highly recommended. Cebu and Borocay islands with its white sand sands and clear blue waters are a great favorite with people visiting the Philippines.
Do not let the pollution, traffic and the crime rate stop you from enjoying the city lights and the hospitality of Manila. It reveals a world of excitement and hidden treasures to those who seek them.