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Manila, Philippines (September 2012)

Manila is a noisy, sprawling, traffic congested city that is a testament to failed urban planning. There is a charm in the chaos, though, and Filipinos do not seem to mind the cacophony of the city. While the city seems unstructured, there are some beautiful parts such as Rizal Park, where people come to take bucolic respite from the city’s disorder, and Intramuros, the city's historical enclave with its stone houses and grassy courtyards, which are the among the last vestiges of when the Spanish colonized the Philippines. Colorful and flamboyantly decorated jeepneys are ubiquitous in Manila, originally having been adapted for urban transportation from jeeps left over from U.S. troops after World War II. A visit to Manila is essential to capture the frenetic (but friendly) Filipino atmosphere, before heading off to one of the beautiful archipelago beaches of the Philippines.
Manila Philippines Photo Travelogue cover page.
Manila Philippines Photo Travelogue cover page.		 Map of the Philippines with the star indicating Manila.
Map of the Philippines with the star indicating Manila.		 Entrance to the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
Entrance to the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.		 It contains the largest number of graves of U.S. military dead of World War II. The total is 17,201.
It contains the largest number of graves of U.S. military dead of World War II. The total is 17,201.
The cemetery comprises 152 acres.
The cemetery comprises 152 acres.		 Close-up of one of the thousands of crosses.
Close-up of one of the thousands of crosses.		 Manila high rises in the background.
Manila high rises in the background.		 While the cemetery is sacred ground, construction nearby has boomed.
While the cemetery is sacred ground, construction nearby has boomed.
Trees with graves in the background.
Trees with graves in the background.		 More crosses lined up with trees in the background.
More crosses lined up with trees in the background.		 Most of those who are buried here died in operations in New Guinea and the Philippines.
Most of those who are buried here died in operations in New Guinea and the Philippines. 		Close-up of a memorial plaque.
Close-up of a memorial plaque.
Ahead, is the memorial plaza, which contains two large hemicycles.
Ahead, is the memorial plaza, which contains two large hemicycles.		 Closer view of an entrance to one of the hemicycles at the memorial plaza.
Closer view of an entrance to one of the hemicycles at the memorial plaza.		 The hemicycles contain 25 mosaic maps that recall the achievements of American armed forces in the Pacific, China and India.
The hemicycles contain 25 mosaic maps that recall the achievements of American armed forces in the Pacific, China and India. 		Names of the dead are listed on pillars at the cemetery.
Names of the dead are listed on pillars at the cemetery.
Inscribed on the columns are tablets of the names of the 36,285 missing.
Inscribed on the columns are tablets of the names of the 36,285 missing.		 Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.
Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.		 Entrance to Rizal Park, an historical urban park located in the heart of Manila.
Entrance to Rizal Park, an historical urban park located in the heart of Manila.		 A map of Rizal Park.
A map of Rizal Park.
The execution of pacifist Dr. José Rizal on December 30, 1896, sparked the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish colonizers.
The execution of pacifist Dr. José Rizal on December 30, 1896, sparked the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish colonizers.		 View of the Rizal Monument. Dr. José Rizal became a martyr and a national hero of the country.
View of the Rizal Monument. Dr. José Rizal became a martyr and a national hero of the country.		 A soldier guarding the Rizal Monument.
A soldier guarding the Rizal Monument.		 Rizal Park (also known as Luneta Park or colloquially Luneta) is adjacent to the old walled city of Manila, now Intramuros.
Rizal Park (also known as Luneta Park or colloquially Luneta) is adjacent to the old walled city of Manila, now Intramuros.
Since the Spanish colonial era, Rizal Park has been the favorite spot for locals to take in the beautiful surroundings.
Since the Spanish colonial era, Rizal Park has been the favorite spot for locals to take in the beautiful surroundings.		 It is also a favorite destination for tourists.
It is also a favorite destination for tourists.		 Statue in Rizal Park entitled La Madre Filipina.
Statue in Rizal Park entitled "La Madre Filipina."		 One of several types of buggies available for hire at the park.
One of several types of buggies available for hire at the park.
Another buggy for hire. Business looked slow that day.
Another buggy for hire. Business looked slow that day.		 Another entrance to Rizal Park.
Another entrance to Rizal Park.		 A ticket booth with dragons. Note the sign that says, Comfort Room Inside.
A ticket booth with dragons. Note the sign that says, "Comfort Room Inside."		 Filipinos getting their afternoon exercise in the park.
Filipinos getting their afternoon exercise in the park.
Entrance sign for Fort Santiago, a citadel first built by Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi.
Entrance sign for Fort Santiago, a citadel first built by Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi.		 The defense fortress is part of the structures of the walled city of Manila referred to as Intramuros (within the walls).
The defense fortress is part of the structures of the walled city of Manila referred to as Intramuros ("within the walls").		 A life-like sculpture at Fort Santiago.
A life-like sculpture at Fort Santiago.		 A birdhouse at the fort.
A birdhouse at the fort.
A horse and buggy for tourists.
A horse and buggy for tourists.		 Sign for the Rajah Sulayman Theater at Fort Santiago.
Sign for the Rajah Sulayman Theater at Fort Santiago.		 Rajah Sulayman was the Muslim Rajah of Maynila, who resisted Spanish sovereignty.
Rajah Sulayman was the Muslim Rajah of Maynila, who resisted Spanish sovereignty.		 Nuns at Fort Santiago. It was drizzling rain that day.
Nuns at Fort Santiago. It was drizzling rain that day.
Sign for the Last Walk to Martyrdom for pacifist Dr. José Rizal who was executed on December 30, 1896.
Sign for the "Last Walk to Martyrdom" for pacifist Dr. José Rizal who was executed on December 30, 1896.		 Fort Santiago gate where the occupants passed through to get to the Passig River.
Fort Santiago gate where the occupants passed through to get to the Passig River.		 Sign describing how Lieutenant-Governor General Simon de Anda escaped from British soldiers through the gate in 1762.
Sign describing how Lieutenant-Governor General Simon de Anda escaped from British soldiers through the gate in 1762.		 Close-up of the gate referred to as the Postern of Our Lady of Solitude.
Close-up of the gate referred to as the "Postern of Our Lady of Solitude."
Memorial cross to Filipinos and Americans who died in the dungeon as victims of the Japanese during WWII.
Memorial cross to Filipinos and Americans who died in the dungeon as victims of the Japanese during WWII.		 Sign describing the ordeals of victims of the Japanese at Fort Santiago.
Sign describing the ordeals of victims of the Japanese at Fort Santiago.		 Steps leading to the dungeon.
Steps leading to the dungeon.		 Gates of the dungeon where approximately 600 Filipinos died.
Gates of the dungeon where approximately 600 Filipinos died.
Another dungeon entrance.
Another dungeon entrance.		 Sign describing how the Spanish originally used the dungeons as storage vaults for gun powder.
Sign describing how the Spanish originally used the dungeons as storage vaults for gun powder.		 Another sign for la Baluarte de Santiago, which was was built in 1592 to protect the Pasig River.
Another sign for la Baluarte de Santiago, which was was built in 1592 to protect the Pasig River.		 Side view with steps of la Baluarte de Santiago.
Side view with steps of la Baluarte de Santiago.
The Pasig River as seen from la Baluarte de Santiago.
The Pasig River as seen from la Baluarte de Santiago.		 Manila high rises across the Pasig River.
Manila high rises across the Pasig River.		 Sign for the 114th Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
Sign for the 114th Proclamation of Philippine Independence.		 Passageway from la Baluarte de Santiago to the Pasig River.
Passageway from la Baluarte de Santiago to the Pasig River.
Close-up of the passageway.
Close-up of the passageway.		 As I was leaving Fort Santiago, I passed by the Rizal Shrine.
As I was leaving Fort Santiago, I passed by the Rizal Shrine.		 Sign at the Rizal Shrine describing the restoration of Dr. José Rizal's cell.
Sign at the Rizal Shrine describing the restoration of Dr. José Rizal's cell.		 Brick ruins at Fort Santiago, which are part of barracks for Spanish soldiers that were built in 1593.
Brick ruins at Fort Santiago, which are part of barracks for Spanish soldiers that were built in 1593.
Sign describing the ruins and that the Rizal Shrine is a museum built in 1953.
Sign describing the ruins and that the Rizal Shrine is a museum built in 1953.		 Pathway, wall and gardens at the Rizal Shrine.
Pathway, wall and gardens at the Rizal Shrine.		 Building that is part of the Rizal Shrine.
Building that is part of the Rizal Shrine.		 Sign for the Baluarte de San Miguel, which is one of two fortifications guarding the bridge entering Fort Santiago.
Sign for the Baluarte de San Miguel, which is one of two fortifications guarding the bridge entering Fort Santiago.
Horse and buggy at Plaza Armas at Fort Santiago.
Horse and buggy at Plaza Armas at Fort Santiago.		 A tourist buggy going by.
A tourist buggy going by.		 Monk statues at Plaza Armas.
Monk statues at Plaza Armas.		 Plaza Armas fountain with flowers in the foreground.
Plaza Armas fountain with flowers in the foreground.
My next stop was to San Agustin Church, founded in 1571. It is the oldest stone church (built in 1589) in the Philippines.
My next stop was to San Agustin Church, founded in 1571. It is the oldest stone church (built in 1589) in the Philippines.		 The ornately carved main door of San Agustin Church. It is one of only 4 Baroque churches in the Philippines.
The ornately carved main door of San Agustin Church. It is one of only 4 Baroque churches in the Philippines.		 Sign describing the history of the church. It was chosen a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1972.
Sign describing the history of the church. It was chosen a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1972.		 Interior of San Augustin Church. The church interior is in the form of a Latin cross.
Interior of San Augustin Church. The church interior is in the form of a Latin cross.
Details of the ornate Baroque ceiling and chandeliers. I got yelled at since it is forbidden to take photos inside the church!
Details of the ornate Baroque ceiling and chandeliers. I got yelled at since it is forbidden to take photos inside the church!		 Quaint colonial street next to San Augustin Church.
Quaint colonial street next to San Augustin Church.		 View of the distinctive clock tower of the Manila City Hall, which was designed by Antonio Toledo in the 1930s.
View of the distinctive clock tower of the Manila City Hall, which was designed by Antonio Toledo in the 1930s.		 Façade of the National Museum of the Philippines. It was established in 1901 as a natural history and ethnography museum.
Façade of the National Museum of the Philippines. It was established in 1901 as a natural history and ethnography museum.
Depiction of the San Diego wrecksite (sunk by the Dutch in 1600 near Fortune Island, Philippines), discovered in 1992.
Depiction of the San Diego wrecksite (sunk by the Dutch in 1600 near Fortune Island, Philippines), discovered in 1992.		 Exhibit showing the archeological excavation of the Pandanan wrecksite (discovered in 1993 by pearl diver Eduardo Gordovilla).
Exhibit showing the archeological excavation of the Pandanan wrecksite (discovered in 1993 by pearl diver Eduardo Gordovilla).		 Prehistoric Butuan boat discovered in 1978. Eight boats were uncovered in the find, of which three were excavated.
Prehistoric Butuan boat discovered in 1978. Eight boats were uncovered in the find, of which three were excavated.		 Looking down the stairwell of of the National Museum.
Looking down the stairwell of of the National Museum.
Anthropomorphic jar covers from the Ayub Cave with faces that were originally painted red and black.
Anthropomorphic jar covers from the Ayub Cave with faces that were originally painted red and black.		 Anthropomorphic burial jar of unpainted head with perforations and partition at the center.
Anthropomorphic burial jar of unpainted head with perforations and partition at the center.		 Depiction of archeologists excavating a site.
Depiction of archeologists excavating a site.		 Sculpted head and torso of the dead for ancient burial grounds.
Sculpted head and torso of the dead for ancient burial grounds.
Ancient mask on display at the museum.
Ancient mask on display at the museum.		 Borak, a mythical figure with the body of a horse and the head of a man.
"Borak," a mythical figure with the body of a horse and the head of a man.		 Close-up of the head of Borak.
Close-up of the head of Borak.		 Kulintangan, a musical instrument of the Maranao tribe in the Philippines.
"Kulintangan," a musical instrument of the Maranao tribe in the Philippines.
View of Marble Hall at National Museum of the Philippines.
View of Marble Hall at National Museum of the Philippines.		 Stained glass window over the door of Marble Hall.
Stained glass window over the door of Marble Hall.		 Close-up of the stained glass window. The museum's main building was designed in 1918 by an American architect, Daniel Burnham.
Close-up of the stained glass window. The museum's main building was designed in 1918 by an American architect, Daniel Burnham.		 One of many Jeepneys in Manila, the most popular form of public transport.
One of many Jeepneys in Manila, the most popular form of public transport.
They are flamboyantly decorated. Jeepneys were originally made from U.S. military jeeps left over from World War II.
They are flamboyantly decorated. Jeepneys were originally made from U.S. military jeeps left over from World War II.

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