Sandy and Tom: MANILA, PHILIPPINES

MANILA, PHILIPPINES

FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 1, 2014

“Pearl of the Orient” as Manila is called is the capital of the Philippines (and with a population of 12 million, one of the world’s largest capitals). Once part of a Malay kingdom, a Hindu empire and a Bruneian sultanate, the city was discovered by the Spanish in 1560’s (the Philippines was named for King Philip of Spain) and they ruled for over 300 years until the US won control with the Spanish American war in 1898. The US gave them their independence June 12, 1963. Extensively damaged in WWII in fighting between the American and Japanese armies, the city is now a bustling port with modern sky scrapers and old markets neighborhoods.

The traffic in Manila is scary. They drive on the opposite side of the road from us but they cut over lanes and squeeze in front of each other it is a wonder they do not have more accidents than they do. We saw only one person on a bicycle that had been run over. We were glad we were on a big tour bus. I don’t think we will complain about Atlanta traffic again but as Atlanta population increases it will get like Manila.

On tour we visited the American Memorial Cemetery, the largest outside the continental United States. There are over 32,000 white marble crosses. The five Sullivan brothers are buried here. The people of Manila love Gen. Douglas MacArthur. There was so much destruction of the city when the Americans came to take the city back from the Japanese. Over 100,000 people lost their lives here.

We visited San Augustin Catholic Church, the oldest structure in the Philippines, which dates back to 1571. The Spanish forced the people to join the church by withholding all recognition as a person if they didn’t. Today the population is 85% Catholic.

Our tour took us to the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex, on reclaimed land situated for about 10 kilometers along Roxas Boulevard, entirely reminiscent of the glory years of the Marcoses. Our guide said it was all Ms. Marco’s doing. It has an International Convention Center, a Folk Arts Theater, a Coconut Palace, and a deluxe hotel with a view of Manila Bay.