How to spend your time in Manila?

Manila, both loved and hated by so many. On first arrival driving out from the airport to the hotel, can be a shocking experience for those visiting a 3rd world country for the first time.Sadly, you will adjust to seeing the old and the young starving and begging on the streets. You will learn to tell those charming little children selling flowers that 100php for their flower necklace is too expensive. If you dont know the right places or people, it can be a very hard place to live.
However, for all the poverty - there is now a new Manila arising. Courtesy of company outsourcing and Philippines love for all things western you will find you can get around town easily as most people speak at least a little English.
How to spend your time? (and money)IN MANILA.

1. Beauty Services.
Every second shop you will see is either a hair salon or massage spa. If you go to the locals, (not in the malls) the prices can be delightfully cheap! Just a few dollars can get you manicures, pedicures, haircuts and massages.
If you are heading to the malls, you can expect their services to be just under western prices. I recommend going to the locals, dont be alarmed by the shop front - they are very personable, do a good job and will love to practice their English with you!
If you are after the full spa experience I have been to Ace Water Spa, hotpools, coldpools, saunas etc, and the resteraunt there is A-mazing!

2.Eating out.
There are some great places here, but prices can be steep depending where you go. There are all the well known westerner eat-outs: Johnny Rockets, Subway, Mcdonalds etc.. which are good, but try to branch out and try some new foods! If in a Filipine restaraunt try some foods like adobe, caldereta or tapas. They are all pretty basic to the palate. If feeling adventurous you could try bulit... an egg half hatched.
But most places include some sort of western dish if you are a picky eater. Some places to check out are: Gloriettas, The Fort, Metro walk. They all have hundreds of places to choose from. They are best to visit at night, the mood is great.
The best finds are the places tucked away, like Cafe Ysabel ( San Juan)or Mom & Tinas (Pasig)
Buffetts are big here, and can offer great value for money.
Another popular eat-out are the Korean Bbbq Buffets.
There is also a buffet/ cruise on Manila Bay, I think its about 2hrs or so - Im actually going next week so I will have to update!
Intramous has some amazing places to eat, walk down the side streets (not too far!) I found one that was run by nun's but I cant remember the name!
And San Juan is a foodie heaven. Just drive down the main streets and make your choice!

3. Shopping.
So many choices! The trick is - avoid going there on the dates of the 15th & 30th...everyone here gets paid on those days. Pure hell! go a few days before and its great! Mall of Asia (MOA) number one in variety  - its #1 in Asia. It also has a skating rink and all sorts of things so its really a full day and night out. Most malls here are really set up as an "experience" alot people just go there and hang out for the day. Another good one is SM Aurora in The Fort / Taguig. Its just opened and the shops are a little pricer but have a good range, they've got a garden on the rooftop with fountains. Great place to grab a coffee.
SM are the giants of department stores here, and prices are ok.
Robinsons is more upmarket and expensive but the range is good.

If you are after markets the best ones Ive found are St.Francis (Ortigas) and Greenhills (San Juan)

4. Entertainment.
Different options are:
Resorts World - Casino and everything else rolled into one. Im pretty sure they have a website so you can check it out.

Cinemas - Most people here dont seem to really go to the movies, I guess because of the black market on dvds. But if you enjoy the expereince I recommend it as the cinemas are usually empty. But take your own snacks, most of the Cinemas dont seem to have the candy counters as such. They usually sell just popcorn and soft-drink.

Karoke - every second block you will find one,sometimes its even just in a tin shed that is used as a meat market by day..lol. There is a definite passion for it here and it can be  a fun night.


Historical sites -
Manila is full of historical sites and the best place to start is Intramous. Built by the Spanish, today the guards still wear the traditional costume and most areas still have the cobblestone streets.
I came across this site which seems to have quiet a few I havent seen yet:
www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/10-histor … tro-manila

If you have kids some good places to go are:
The Avilon Zoo, Rave Rainforest Park (Pasig), Manila Ocean Park, Mall of Asia,
There are heaps more but im just trying to think off the top of my head places Ive been.

There are often alot of celebrations for Saints etc. with the majority of the Country being Christian - I love watching the parades, they usually have a big band and procession, fireworks. Only bad if you are stuck behind them in traffic

And omg... avoid all Starbucks like the plauge! constantly packed full of people all on laptops and iphones with no room to move!

Christmas time here, I will say I am amazed. Many might not realise but for the longest time I have been so cynical and hated living here (the tag morefuninthephilippines ive always used in sarcasm) but Christmas here will soften any cynic.