Discover the Charm: Top 8 Unmissable Fun Facts About Manila

1. Oldest Chinatown on Earth

In a world where Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon aren't just epic martial arts movies, but a daily grocery list for some: Binondo in Manila is the oldest Chinatown on the planet, established back in 1594. Today, it's still a bustling hub of commerce, culture, grub and retail therapy, with connections to modern banks and powerful tycoons alike.
Source => santosknightfrank.com

2. Traffic Jams and Cultural Lemonade

When life gives you traffic jams, make a cultural lemonade: Manila, a city known for its notorious traffic, also boasts an impressive array of attractions, including the historic walled city of Intramuros, the gargantuan Mall of Asia, a pulsating nightlife and entertainment scene in Makati, and National Museum of the Philippines' exquisite art and cultural displays. The city comes alive with vibrant festivities throughout the year, like the flamboyant Dinagyang Festival and the electric street parties of Chinese New Year.
Source => topgear.com.ph

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3. Bumblebee-Themed Fast Food Empire

In a buzzing metropolis known for its skyscrapers, bustling streets, and love for karaoke, there lies a deep-rooted obsession over a bumblebee-themed fast-food chain, serving up joy to the masses as swiftly as their flagship Chickenjoy: Interestingly, Jollibee boasts over 1,186 outlets in the Philippines as of October 2022, with its humble beginnings tracing back to a Magnolia Ice Cream parlor in Cubao, Quezon City in 1975, evolving into the red-and-yellow bee empire we adore today.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Hoop Dreams in Manila

If you've ever wondered where to hoop it up in the Philippines, look no further than its capital: Manila is chock-full of basketball courts ranging from public halls to college arenas, and even private residences, all dedicated to the Filipinos' passion for this much-adored sport.
Source => courtsoftheworld.com

5. Victorious Serenades by the Philippine Madrigal Singers

In the city of Manila, one group of singers has a harmonious taste for victory, singing their way to the top of international choral competitions, and even serenading the Pope with their soothing melodies: The Philippine Madrigal Singers, based in the University of the Philippines, Diliman, have won the prestigious European Grand Prix for Choral Singing twice, joining the elite ranks of only four choirs in the world to achieve this feat. Founded in 1963 by National Artist for Music, Professor Andrea O. Veneracion, this talented ensemble specializes in Madrigal, a Renaissance period music style and performs as resident artists of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. The Phoenix-like Manila Cathedral

Like a phoenix in a clergyman's cassock: The Manila Cathedral has risen from its own ashes not once, but eight times since its original construction in 1581, adopting a gorgeous Romanesque architectural style that takes you right back to medieval Europe.
Source => toychinmej.wordpress.com

7. Intramuros: Gossiping Walls of History

If walls could talk, Intramuros would speak a mile a minute with tales of conquistadors and galleons: This walled city in Manila was once the bustling seat of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. Inside its ramparts, you'll find San Agustín Church, the nation's oldest, and the original campuses of the University of Santo Tomas and the Ateneo de Manila. Though it took a hit during the Battle of Manila in 1945, ongoing restoration efforts are giving this old-timer a fresh lease on life.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Designer's Barefoot Dream at Traslación

If divine intervention took shoe shopping to extremes, Manila's Traslación would be a high-end designer’s barefoot dream: Every January 9th, Manila witnesses the astonishing procession of the Black Nazarene image to Quiapo Church, where hundreds of thousands of devotees defy footwear, opting to walk barefoot in penance. Led by marshals from the Minor Basilica, known as the Hijos del Nazareno, this religious extravaganza is known as "Nazareno" or the Traslación. Unfortunately, the divine footwear sale had to be halted in 2021, 2022, and 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source => en.wikipedia.org