10 Must-Do Things When in Manila, Philippines

It is riddled with corruption, poverty, and hellish traffic but there’s a lot to like about warm-hearted and sunny Manila — the capital city of the Philippines. 



Here are some of the things to do when you find yourself in town: 



1. Check in at The Corporate Inn Hotel Manila along Kalaw. This accommodation in Manila offers top-notch service and very reasonable rates. Our rooms and suites come with air-conditioning, LED TV, Wi-Fi access, as well as a hot & cold shower. In addition, the Manila accommodation also has a business centre, massage service, car rental, and ample parking space. Rates start at PHP 1,788 or $35/ night. 



2. Visit Fort Santiago. The former headquarters of the Spanish colonial administration and served as a prison during the American and Japanese occupation. 



3. Check out the Spolarium at the National Museum of the Philippines 



4. Grab some lunch at Binondo. Try the dumplings at Dong Bei, the signature fried chicken at Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant, the famous hopia at Eng Bee Tin Bakery, and the deep-fried asado and bola-bola at Shanghai Fried Siopao. 



5. Sip Cuban rum, smoke hand rolled cigars, and dance to pulsating salsa beats at Cafe Havana at 1903 M. Adriatico Street. You also have the option of enjoying cold beers and cocktails at Fred’s Revolucion in Escolta. 



6. Experience traditional Filipino favorite at Ilustrado on General Luna Street. For Spanish cuisine like the paella negra and those tasty tapas from Casa Armas at Nakpil Street. 



7. Say a little prayer or just admire the century-old architecture of San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral. 



8. Feast on fresh seafood at overlooking Manila Bay at Seafood Wharf on South Boulevard. 



9. Go on an adventure at Manila Ocean Park. 



10. Take a stroll through Rizal Park and check out the monument, ornamental gardens, and open-air chess pavilion.

READ: A Quick Rundown of 5 of Intramuros' Many Churches

Before becoming a tourist spot with several museums, restaurants, and establishments offering Manila accommodation, Intramuros was once known as the City of Churches. And it is not surprising, as the colonial-era fortress city once had 7 churches. Here are 5 of the 7 churches and their history. 1. San Agustin Church San Agustin Church is the oldest surviving church in the Philippines. First completed in 1607, the church has withstood numerous earthquakes and the bombardment of Manila in World War II that destroyed the 7 other churches inside the walled city. Many notable persons are also interred here, such as the remains of Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Filipino painter Juan Luna. It is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the 4 Baroque Churches of the Philippines, which boasts of well-decorated interiors with an ornate trompe-l'oeil ceiling. 2. Manila Cathedral Built in 1571 as the Church of Manila, it was destroyed and rebuilt seven times throughout its history, with the present-day cathedral constructed finished only in 1958. Despite modern touches to its interior, the present design of the Manila Cathedral is faithful to its original form. It still features the only part of the original cathedral that survived the bombing of Manila in World War II — a facade made of Roman travertine stone. With a Latin-cross plan and floors made of Italian marble, the 3,000-square-foot cathedral is accented by Byzantine motifs and pineapple finials. 3. San Ignacio Church Originally built in 1632, the San Ignacio Church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1852 and rebuilt in 1888. However, it was never rebuilt again after the Japanese burned it down in 1945, during World War II. All that's left of the building are ruins, which are presently found next to the campus of the Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), a state-run university. 4. Lourdes Church and Convent Constructed in 1892, it was the first home of the Capuchin friars in the Philippines before it was destroyed in World War II. Today, the remains of the structure have been incorporated into the El Amanecer building, which houses several commercial establishments like gift shops and Ilustrado, a fine-dining restaurant popular with guests booked at the best Manila accommodation. 5. San Francisco Church and Third Venerable Order Chapel Managed by the Franciscans, the original San Francisco Church was built in 1602 but was heavily damaged in the 1645 earthquake. It was then rebuilt from 1739 to 1750, but like the Lourdes and San Ignacio Churches, it was destroyed during World War II. The church was destroyed along with the Third Venerable Order Chapel beside it, which was built in 1618. The site of the San Francisco Church is now the campus of the Mapua Institute of Technology, with the school's own chapel standing on the former site of the Third Venerable Order Chapel. It is located on Muralla Street, near The Bayleaf Hotel, which offers elegant and affordable Manila accommodations.

A Reprieve for the Holiday Rush: Weekends at Casa Bocobo Hotel in Manila

Take a short break from Manila's heavy traffic and Christmas rush this December. Casa Bocobo Hotel, an accommodation in Manila's historic and cultural district of Malate, is offering a chill weekend deal for solitary travelers and families alike before the end of 2014. The budget-friendly package, Weekend Delight, is an economical option to get away from it all, even if just for 1 or 2 days.

Weekend Delight can be used for check-ins made on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. With hotel rates starting at PHP 1,625 for every weekend night, you and your friends can decide on a date without worrying about the budget. Aside from room accommodations, you will also be entitled to filling breakfasts and free Wi-Fi Internet access anywhere in hotel. These inclusions suit slow mornings — an essential part of every relaxing weekend.

Here are some things to keep in mind when booking this hotel deal in Manila:

• Check-in and check-out time: 2 and 12 PM, respectively.
• Some room options may not accommodate children ages 12 or younger.
• Children taller than 4 feet will be charged an extra person rate of PHP 800.
• Hourly rate for early check-in or late check-out is PHP 250, subject to room availability.
• All rooms are non-smoking, and smoking inside a room will cost PHP 1,500 per day or per incident.
• Guests can use the hotel's limited parking space at a first-come-first-served basis.
• To book the deal, guests have to pay a non-refundable 10 percent reservation guarantee.
• Weekend Delight promo details may change without prior notice.

However, since the deal can only be used until December 28, 2014, you need to make a quick decision to book the promo. It is available at the website of Casa Bocobo Hotel, http://www.casabocobo.com.ph/. Just click the Check Availability and Prices button, then choose the details of your stay in the booking engine powered by DirectWithHotels. The system guarantees instant reservation confirmation and secures booking prepayments with DigiCert, Trustwave, and AsiaPay. As proof that the system has received your prepayment, you will get an email with your accommodation details.

Despite being a budget hotel, Casa Bocobo goes beyond the expectation of its guests with its spacious room options. The accommodations are set in neutral colors and complemented by basic amenities such as air-conditioning, orthopedic bed, private toilet and shower, luggage rack, and 32-inch LCD TV with cable channels. Also, while at the accommodation, Manila cafes can be enjoyed within sight of top tourist destinations such as Manila Bay and Luneta Park.