Manila

Manila (pop. 1,581,082, 2000 Census) (Maynila in Filipino) is the capital city of the Philippines, located on Luzon, at Manila Bay. The city is also one of the 17 cities and municipalities that comprise the larger Metro Manila region.

Sub-municipalities

Manila is divided into 897 barangays (small political subdivisions). These barangays are grouped into 100 zones and further into 14 sub-municipalities. Manila is also divided into six congressional districts.

• Binondo(china town)[?]
• Ermita[?]
• Intramuros[?]
• Malate[?]
• Paco[?]
• Pandacan[?]
• Port Area[?]
• Quiapo[?]
• Sampaloc[?]
• San Miguel[?]
• San Nicolas[?]
• Sta. Ana[?]
• Sta. Cruz[?]
• Tondo[?]

Interesting Spots

• Rizal Park or Luneta
• Intramuros
• Fort Santiago
• Malacañang Palace
• Ermita and Malate Night Life
• National Museum
• National Library
• Cultural Center of the Philippines
• Folk Arts Theater
• University Belt
• Port Area
• Chinatown
• Malls and Shopping Centers
  • Harrison Plaza
  • Robinson's Place Manila
  • SM City Manila
  • Divisoria
  • Tutuban Center
• Churches
  • Redemptorist Church or Quiapo Church
  • San Agustin Church
  • Binondo Church
• Sports
  • San Lazaro Hippodrome
  • Rizal Memorial Complex
• Cemeteries
  • North Cemetery
  • La Loma Cemetery
  • Chinese Cemetery

[List above requires prose]

History

Manila began as a small Muslim settlement at the mouth of the Pasig River along the shores of Manila Bay. The name came from the term maynilad, literally "there is nilad." Nilad is a white-flowered mangrove plant that grew in abundance in the area.

During the time when Manila was ruled by Rajah Soliman[?], a Spanish expedition led by Martin de Goiti[?] arrived in Manila and conquered the settlement. One year later, Miguel López de Legaspi went to the town and proclaimed the Philippine Islands for Spain and establishing the city of Manila as its capital. The enclave of Intramuros[?], at the southern banks of Pasig River was built to protect the Spanish colonizers.

World War II

Manila was captured by Japanese forces on January 2, 1942 but on February 5, 1945 American General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled a promise to return to Manila and on February 23 the city was liberated.

Manila and USAFFE

The headquarters for USAFFE were located here as were the 31st Infantry Regiment and the 808th Military Police Company[?]. The headquarters and bulk of the Philippine Division was located just to the south, at Fort William McKinley. The headquarters for the USAFFE Air Force was on the outskirts of town, at Nielson Field. Nearby, at Nichols Field was the 20th Air Base Group. A battalion of the 12th Quartermaster Regiment[?] was located in the port area and training was conducted there for quartermasters of the Philippine Army[?].

There were 6 airfields, for the Far East Air Force, within 130 km of Manila, notably Clark, Nichols, and Nielson Fields.

External Links

• http://www.manila.gov.ph: Official City portal
• http://www.cityofmanila.com.ph: Another Official City portal