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The city of MANILA, known as Maynila for the Filipinos, is the capital city of the Philippines and one of the cities that make up the greater metropolitan area of Metro Manila. Manila is the center of government in the country and one of the central hubs of a thriving metropolitan area home to over 14 million people. It is located on the shores of Manila Bay just west of the geographical center of Metro Manila, also known as the National Capital Region (NCR), which lies on an isthmus between Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay in southern Luzon. The city is one of 17 cities and municipalities which form the metropolitan area.

From shopping malls to high class sea ports, Manila City got it all, and one of the most visited places here is the Rizal Park where our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was executed and buried. His monument is made to commemorate his works for his motherland.

Since Mayor Alfredo S. Lim revived and added the “heritage” component to the Manila Historical (and Heritage) Commission (MHHC), the City has become a center of cultural activities and historical commemorations, awakening a certain “pride of place” among Manileños.

Saved by Mayor Lim from demolition, the former Army & Navy Club building, circa 1911, landmark of the Burnham’s “City Beautiful” plan for Manila, is now open to those who want to visit the Museo ng Maynila. This was established by Mayor Lim during his first tenure but was closed during the past administration. Last July 2007, it reopened with the inimitable Curt Teich collection of old Manila postcards.

As restoration and development plans are being completed, the Army & Navy Club cum Museo ng Maynila has become the veritable center of Mayor Lim’s “historical and cultural awakening” program, included in his 11-point agenda.

Mayor Alfredo S. Lim has standing instructions for to the city government’s departments to cooperate with each other and work in unison and harmony for the good of the city and its inhabitants. In accordance with the Mayor’s policy, the MHHC is working jointly with the following departments: Office of Chief of Staff, City Administrator, Legal Office, City Engineer, City Planning Office, Museo ng Maynila, Manila Tourism, Parks Development, Manila Social Welfare, Barangay Bureau, NGOs Office, Division of City Schools, and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

CITY FEATURES

The Biggest in Asia

“Sentosa is 6,000 square meters while this one is 8,000 square meters,” Lim said. He also compared the Manila Ocean Park with Hong Kong Ocean Park adding that although it has lots of fun rides, “the Hong Kong Ocean Park showcases a smaller oceanarium Park will be getting marine species from our own waters.”

The Oceanarium will feature more than 20,000 marine inhabitants of approximately 300 species. And unlike other oceanariums in Asia, the Manila Ocean.

A Deeper Experience

The Manila Ocean Park’s Oceanarium promises
a “deeper experience” as it features an assortment of colorful fishes and invertebrates
indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia contained in 12,000 cubic meters of seawater.

The Oceanarium journey is divided into six sections and each section will carry a Filipino name: “Agos”; “Bahura”; “Buhay na Karagatan”; “Pating”; “Ang Kailaliman”; and “Laot”.

Replicates the water flow from a fresh water source that eventually leads to the open ocean, creating a model of interconnectedness between land and sea.

It then takes one through the different depths of the sea showcasing each area’s beautiful and natural inhabitants.

Its main attraction is a 25-meter long, 220 degree curved acrylic walkway tunnel. Visitors will be exploring
the secrets of the ocean and surrounded by such underwater wonders without actually getting wet.

Intramuros

INTRAMUROS, the old capital of Manila, was built in 1571. It remains a monumental, if ruined, relic of the Spanish period in Philippine history. It is a city within a city, separated from the rest of Manila by its crumbling
walls. This ancient capital had well-planned streets, plazas, the Governor’s Palace and churches. However, many buildings were reduced to shambles in World War II.

Among the places to visit in Intramuros are the two churches - The Manila Cathedral and St. Augustine Church — and Fort Santiago.

The Manila Cathedral is the fifth stone church of Manila. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. From the air, it appears as a giant cross.

St. Augustine Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. It was built in 1599; however, it was also destroyed and rebuilt many times. It is an immense structure of thick walls of Corinthian and Ionic designs.

Fort Santiago used to be the seat of the colonial powers of both Spain and the U.S. It was also a dreaded prison under the Spanish regime and the scene of countless military police atrocities during the Japanes occupation. Here, too, Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last hours before his execution on Bagumbayan.
(now Rizal Park).

Churches

The seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, is presently the 6th cathedral to rise on the site since 1581. Previous structures were destroyed by typhoons, earthquake and fire during the last war. Rebuilt on the second half of the 50’s through the efforts of Architect
Fernando Ocampo and Archbishop Rufino J. Santos. The cathedral incorporated
the stone carvings and rosette windows
of the old cathedral. Stained glass windows celebrating the Christianization of the Philippine light up with its clerestory. Mosaic artwork decorated three of its side chapels.

Pres. Ramon Magsaysay made this plaza the touchstone for public endorsement of policy and action. This plaza was a place where people congregate to express their charismatic chores through songs, dances, debate, declamation or simply to let off steam whenever they feel the need for appreciation of ones being.