It’s true that the vast majority of Filipinos speak English. But if you’re spending significant time with people from Manila and southern Luzon, then life gets richer and more enjoyable as your Tagalog improves. After all, it’s the language of daily life. And as any learner will tell you, it’s about as foreign as a…
Manila is a colossal metropolis that sprawls for miles around. It’s a vast yet dense microcosm of almost every facet of the Philippines, yet also feels almost like a country unto itself. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there are plenty of reasons that Manila is well worth visiting. But when we foreigners…
Philippine beach and nature destinations are legendary, and rightly so. But Philippine cities—including the capital, Manila—are rarely on anyone’s bucket list. Is that a naïve oversight, or is Manila really best avoided? Here’s whether Manila is worth visiting Manila is not the most exciting city in Asia, but it’s much more than just a gateway…
English is spoken throughout the Philippines, especially in Manila. That’s nice for short-term visitors, since Tagalog is not easy for most foreigners to pick up. But even without knowledge of Tagalog, there are so many English words in everyday speech that you may still understand more than expected. English is prevalent in both official and everyday use, so…
Manila and Bangkok are both gateways to tropical paradise, and exciting cities in their own right. But if you have time to visit only one, how do Manila and Bangkok stack up? After visiting Bangkok and living in Manila, here’s my perspective. My comparison of Bangkok vs. Manila There’s no question that Bangkok wins in…
If you speak English, then rest assured that you’ll get by perfectly fine in Manila, and virtually everywhere else in the Philippines. After decades of American control, and close cultural ties ever since, that’s to be expected—especially in such a huge, cosmopolitan city. But English is obviously not indigenous, so what language is local to Manila? This…
Southeast Asia is on the top of every backpacker’s and budget traveler’s list. But if you want to splurge on pampering and futuristic luxury, there’s something for you, too. Where does the Manila fit in that spectrum? Here’s whether Manila is expensive Manila is not expensive to visit, by Western standards. Tourists in Manila will…
Manila gets a bad rap for crime. “Well, duh,” you might think, “It’s a big, gritty city in a fairly poor country.” That’s not wrong, but it doesn’t reflect the reality that most foreigners will experience, either. Manila travel safety in brief Travel safety in Manila is more complicated than “yes” or “no.” Manila’s tourist…
Learning a useful amount of any language is a feat to be proud of. The process is a terrific hobby, and the outcome is valuable and enriching. But all else being equal, Tagalog—the local language of Manila—is hard to pick up. With that in mind, is Tagalog worth learning for a trip to Manila? When…
Manila is a destination for some, a jumping-off point for others, and of course home to tens of millions. You’ll get as many takes as there are people. But, by and large, what is Manila known for? This is what Manila is best known for Domestically, Manila is known as the political, financial, and commercial…