Sometimes when making international travel arrangements, you can end up with a schedule that leaves much to be desired. Such was the case last spring when I needed an affordable one-way airfare between the Pacific Northwest and Melbourne, Australia, prior to a trans-Pacific cruise.
Although I was able to get a most attractive fare on Philippine Airlines, the routing involved a 16-hour layover at Manila International Airport. However, being a firm believer of making lemonade when a lemon presents itself, after a few emails I was graciously offered a full-day sightseeing tour of Manila and the surrounding countryside by Maricel Mendoza, general manager of sightseeing and domestic tours for Baron Travel, the Philippines’ largest tour operator and holder of the country’s Gray Line franchise. And what a tour it was, turning a long, boring day at the airport into an extended introduction to a fascinating city.
Accompanied by genial guide Neil Ferrer, I saw a great many sights of interest to the traveler while learning much about the Filipino people and the history of the country. Magellan arrived here in 1521, followed by Spanish conquistadores to claim the islands for their king in 1571. The United States is looked upon most favorably here, having rescued the Philippines from Spanish rule on June 12, 1898, while instituting programs of education and financial aid rather than the taxation imposed by Spain
Manila is a city of major contrasts, in that respect reminding me somewhat of Rio de Janeiro. It is made up of 17 separate cities and a population of some 17 million, plus a million more who commute from surrounding areas. Here you’ll find an ultramodern downtown area complete with the Makati financial center, exclusive shopping in the Ayala Center, luxury hotels such as the new, 66-story Grand Hyatt and 61-floor Shangri La, plus awe-inspiring skyscrapers, including a 100-story structure scheduled to open in 2018 and another 131-floor tower projected for 2020. But just a short distance away are densely populated, older and far less impressive, somewhat run-down business and residential neighborhoods. A completely new airport is being planned on reclaimed land to replace the existing facility, which can’t be expanded due to its proximity to the city center. Manila is also attempting to find workable solutions to its massive traffic problems, as streets and roads designed for 800,000 vehicles are currently choked with 2.4 million cars.
There’s much more to see here, beginning with the splendidly maintained Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, second in size among such military facilities only to Arlington National Cemetery. Within the picturesque Walled City of Intramuros is the site of Fort Santiago, ancient ruins and relics of the Spanish era. Nearby is the 1607 Church of San Agustin — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — as well as Manila Cathedral and an impressive national monument dedicated to the martyred Filipino patriot Jose Rizal.
You’ll also be fascinated by the famed Manila jitneys, a fleet of some 100,000 vehicles — a cooperative public/private transportation effort that encompasses some 1,000 routes — all begun with jeeps left behind by the U.S. military in 1945. Easily accessed outside of the city are the popular Tagaytay resort area and some of the 36 mansions built by Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, such as the elaborate Palace in the Sky, looted in 1986 when Marcos was deposed and now the People’s Park in the Sky, still with fabulous views of the surrounding countryside and lakes.
Maricel Mendoza may be contacted at sightseeing@barontravel.com.ph. Further information is also available at www.barontravel.ph.
