Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
There was this group of farmers severely hit by drought. Their animals and crops were dying. Each night they gather to worship and pray for the rain to come.
One evening, a little girl attended the gathering. Everyone noticed her because she was carrying a colorful and big umbrella. One woman asked her: “Why did you bring that umbrella, didn’t you see, its drought? What’s that umbrella for? The girl replied: “Are we not praying for the rain?”
We all pray for this pandemic to end soon. Yet, at times we sound very pessimistic with our forecast. I don’t want to argue if you talk about science, but I pray that one day, I’ll wake up with no more pandemic, and everything is back to normal. This is also one of the reasons why I still keep on doing some travel guides so that people can use them when they are allowed to travel again. As the slogan of Cebu Pacific says: Every Juan Will Fly Again

So what’s the place that I should visit first when everything is back to normal? I will visit Manila. Apart from leisure, I have so much to arrange and do in Manila related to our small business. I have so many friends in Manila that I want to visit and some of my foreign friends would want to visit our country the moment they can.
Things to Do and Tourist Spots in the Nation’s Capital: Manila
Contents
If you are looking for a lovely and underrated place to go through, Manila is here to challenge you. There is a fortress, standing still from colonial attacks, beautiful Baroque churches urging you to go and the vast, packed market, with the most significant malls that will make you feel like you are not standing between the streets of Manila. So, either you are a local or foreign tourist, exploring the nation’s capital will bring you tons of treasured memories.
Things To Do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots | Photo from the Fb page of Manila Ocean Park
Attractions for Kids
Are you bringing kids during your tour? Well, that’s not a problem. There are many places to go with them like the Kidzania, Manila Ocean Park, Museo Pambata, The City Zoo, and lastly, is the famous Star City. You will not only enjoy these places, but they also provide learnings for the tourists and visitors.
Ayala Museum
Showing off the Philippine art, ethnology and archeology are prominent here inside Ayala Museum— an air-conditioned former stock exchange building. Gallery walk inside this museum will let you see the historical differences of the materials used from the past. Works of Fernando Zobel and Juan Luna are also displayed inside this museum.
One of the exhibits in Bahay Tsinoy | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots | Photo by Ramon FVelasquez
Bahay Tsinoy
Since the Chinese lived with the Filipinos, they created their history, and it was printed here in Bahay Tsinoy. Every detail of their experiences is written inside this museum, including their prints, ceramics, and other photographs.
Kalesa Ride
Take a chance to ride a Calesa when in Manila. This two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage could be especially if it is your first time. However, you need to agree first on the price before hopping in to avoid some problems.
Chinatown | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Chinatown
This place does not seem like a tourist spot because of the noise and the traffic, but it shows how the Chinese managed to create their legacy within Manila. Temples like Kuang Kong and Seng Guan Buddhist Temple and the herbal stores should be visited by the tourists.
Chinese Cemetery
This cemetery is intended for Chinese citizens who were not allowed to be buried in Catholic cemeteries. The temple of Chong Hock Tong is the oldest in Manila, and it resembles the temple in Fujian, China.
For Santiago | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago was built in 1571 and served as a significant contribution from the Second World War, but a lot of this was restored. Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, was incarcerated here before the Spaniards executed him. They created a shrine that replicates his ancestral home.
Divisoria Market
Are you looking for affordable products? This is the best place for you. Clothing, foods, accessories, and handicrafts are all available. Bargain with the vendors is typical in the everyday life of this market.
Greenbelt | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Greenbelt Mall
Greenbelt Mall is located below Makati’s skyscrapers, and it is the home of the shopping industry. Shop here if you’re interested in Calvin Klein, Gucci, and Prada. If you have time to chill, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are also available in this location.
Greenbelt Chapel
Surrounded by malls and buildings of apartments, you will find the Greenbelt Chapel standing. This chapel has been here since the 1980s, and they are usually celebrating weddings and other religious ceremonies. If you see it, it’s a pavilion with a circular design and open arches, and stained glass in the center of the ceiling.
Intramuros | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Intramuros
This part of the city is the oldest part in which you can feel the ambiance of living in a European town, especially if you put yourself in a walk or riding a calesa. Do not open your eyes only to the churches, courtyard and the colonial architecture, the statue of King Carlos IV will welcome the visitors on Plaza de Roma and the Puerta de Isabel II gate, with the figure of the Queen.
Jeepney Rides
Jeepneys became part of Manila’s identity, and these vehicles are adapted from American jeeps, painted with vibrant colors. These are also the cheapest vehicle to roam around the city, but you need to endure the overloaded drive.
Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Santa Cruz Church
Officially known as the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church, a baroque church building established in the 17th Century. The church went through a series of reconstruction and repairs.
Malacañang Palace
President Duterte formerly refused to move in the Palace because of ghosts. If you’re brave enough, then plan for a tour. Philippine Presidents are required to move here after it was built for Don Luis Rocha.
Binondo Food Trip | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Binondo Food Trip
Behind the old buildings of Binondo lies old restaurants and small eateries offering great Chinese cuisines. When visiting the place try to just sample foods so that you will have the chance to visit more places to eat around the area.
Local Specialties
You will not get tired of tasting Manila’s delicacies for the taste is oozing to your taste buds. There’s this halo-halo, a mixture of fruits and evaporated milk. The roast pork, chicharon, and crispy pork which are some of the best in the world and typical snacks here in the Philippines may also be tried here. Lastly, the balut, at first you’ll find it disgusting, but when you tasted it, surely you will order a lot of it.
Binondo Church | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Binondo Church
The Binondo Church is located right in front of Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Metro Manila. It was founded in 1596 by the Dominican priests to serve the Chinese Christan converts in the area. The original building was destroyed in 1762 and was severely damaged during World War II.
Manila Baywalk
Watching the sun goes down in Manila Baywalk is unique as you see the water gleam from the far side of the bay while live street performers are ruling the night with their music. Across the long road are the giant skyscrapers and as you go down to the Yacht Club, you will find cafés and restaurants good for chilling.
Manila Cathedral | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Manila Cathedral
After founded in 1571, it survived the disasters that came like fire and the war. It was undergone restoration, and the monument in Plaza de Roma was rebuilt for 8th time. Pope Francis held a mass here in 2015, and its internal design like the marble floor and glass windows were constructed by Galo Ocampo.
Casa Manila
In San Luis, Intramuros, this house museum depicts the household of Filipinos during the Spanish period. This house is not simple for it has a passageway onto the courtyard with trees and a fountain. The interior of the house presents artifacts that you might want to know about their history.
National Museum | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
National Museum of Fine Arts
This museum is composed of prominent artists’ works from the 19th and 20th centuries. The well-known painting laying inside this museum is the Spoliarium by Juan Luna.
Paco Park
With the ambiance of solemnity, Paco Park was a cemetery around the 19th century with its circular form. Still, sooner, the remains of the people lying beneath the ground were delivered back to their families. Don’t be blind, despite it being a cemetery, the middle part of the park is a garden with lawns, trees, and flowerbeds. You will also find here the chapel of St. Panchratius.
Quiapo Church | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Quiapo Church
Just like the other old churches, this church was challenged by multiple earthquakes and war. Despite facing hardships, its Baroque facade remained with its Corinthian columns. People are visiting this church because of their faith in Black Nazarene.
Videoke
Filipinos love singing, and Manila is a music place for all times. Videoke and Karaoke bars can be found all across the surrounding area so if you are planning to hang out, look for videoke or karaoke bars.
Rizal Park | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Rizal Park
This park is integral to Philippine history for they executed Dr. Jose Rizal here in the former called Bagumbayan. His remains are guarded day and night by the Marine Corps. Additionally, this park is also a rare space green island among the obstructed streets of the city.
SM Megamall
SM Megamall is considered the 2nd largest mall in the country. Part of this mall is the Megatrade Hall wherein they are conducting multiple events and conventions.
San Agustin Church | Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
San Agustin Church
This structure is considered as a UNESCO site and also the oldest church in the country. The architectural design of this church delineates Baroque style, and the interior is a must-see for its aesthetic value and moldings.
San Agustin Museum
The monastery of the church had been reconstructed and turned to a museum after it was wrecked during World War II. This museum holds the faith and its historical value to the Filipinos. There are paintings, statues, crucifixes, and other antique equipment for exhibits.
Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
Pasay Seafood Market
If you are looking for a market to buy seafood for your cravings, this is the best to visit. It is located near Mall of Asia, and most of the restaurants are buying fresh seafood from here.
Metro Manila, as the center of the country, serves as the main entry point to all other areas of the country. Hence, if you plan to visit somewhere else, I invite you to take a closer look at what this busy city has to offer. I am sure that you will enjoy a thing or two (or even everything), as you journey in Manila.
Things to do in Manila | Tourist Spots
How to Get to Manila
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also known as Manila International Airport, is the main gateway for tourists visiting the Philippines. It serves as the hub for the country’s airlines like Cebu Pacific Air.
While people in the Visayan and Mindanao Region can travel to Manila via Ferry and Bus, air travel is still the most convenient considering the travel time and the cost.
For people in my hometown Bacolod City, the airline that offers the best price for Manila is Cebu Pacific.
While commercial flights are not yet available at the moment, you can check the website of CebPac or some get some updates from their FB page: Cebu Pacific Air
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My partner and I would like to bring our students to Kalesa Ride for a field trip. We aren’t sure of what our students got to feel, others may have fun, and they might get bored, but one thing we can assure is to reach out to them and give them the benefit of the doubt. Every student has a different personality and perspective toward the destination. We suggest considering having multiple chaperones or nurses double-check each one from time to time so we can be alerted and prevent such misfortune. A practical plan and organization before, during, and after a field trip is a must.
I would choose the National Museum of Fine Arts if I were a teacher. My goal is for my students to learn about the fine arts in the Philippines. Regarding the query, what behavioral issues might arise and how to handle them First, having trouble controlling annoyance. I will remind the students to behave because we are visiting one of the best landmarks in Manila. Students may experience some travel sickness and some may feel excited to be with their classmates, which may result in uncomfy noises. In addition, I’ll carry first aid supplies in case one of my students gets sick. The second is being distracted. Students are required to pay attention to the tour leader while they explore the museum. Rules and regulations must be adhered to. I want them to treat everyone with respect and make their field trip educational. The last warning is that students may cause major issues by damaging off-limits property. The tour leader will then caution them not to take any museum property beyond the designated areas. Young people and adults alike should be accountable for their own actions. If I were a teacher, I would do everything in my power to keep my students secure and free from danger. Remember to have fun on the field trip.
If I would be a teacher of the class, I would bring my students in place that they will amaze them is in Manila Ocean Park. Before our tour I will give them the rules and regulations to be follow. The behavioral that may I encounter during the field trip is being naughty of the children, I will tell them that that during our field trip they must be behave because if will they not listen I give them a disciplinary actions. Second is being loud or noisy, I will make sure that they will follow my instructions so that they our field trip is peacefully and more enjoyable than they expected.
If I would be a teacher of the class and I would bring my students in place that they will amaze them is in Manila Ocean Park. Before our tour I will give the students rules and regulations. The behavioral that may I encounter during the field trip is being naughty of the children, I will tell them that during our trip they must be behave because if they they will not listen I give them disciplinary actions. . Second is being loud or noisy, I will make sure that they will follow my instructions so that our field trip is peacefully and more enjoyable than they expected.
Erica Rabotin Estor
Jenelyn Guarin
As a teacher, I want my students to see the beauty of old Manila and how it is still being preserved up to this day. That’s the reason why I chose Intramuros. Everyone was excited and they were really surprised the moment we stepped inside. During our tour, I had encountered some behavioral problems. One of my student wasn’t following the instruction that we are not allowed to touch the colonial architectures. What I did is I reminded him that there are rules that were given beforehand. I have also observed that after a long tour, the excitement turned into tiredness and exhaustion. I’ve decided to give all of us a 10- minute break for us to rest and rehydrate. Lastly, I have observed that my students doesn’t stay in place as one group. Each one of them has their own circle of friends that they tend to scatter around without minding each other’s businesses. On our way home, I explained to them the essence of this field trip. This is not only for entertainment and break. Thus, it’s also an activity to promote camaraderie and to create memories with your companions.
Canag, Rodelina O.
Clemente, Ma.Arcelie D.
BSIT 3G1
Negros Occidental is an amazing location where you can glide to happiness while marveling at how amazing the location is. It has the most amazing history in addition to offering tranquility and a natural vibe with a dash of modern and traditional.
We aim to give the 15 children who will be taking part in the field trip the flexibility to enjoy and breathe in the pure air in a location like Negros Occidental. In order to ensure everyone’s satisfaction and to think back on the past and how it affected our economy and industry, we anticipate visiting historical landmarks and the most fascinating events occurring in Negros Occidental. The aforementioned field trip is not an easy one; it comes with a host of behavioral issues, including aggressiveness, disorderly conduct, and immorality. You can also include mishaps and other types of before, during, and after events. As educators, we’ll make sure to maintain their safety in order to prevent this from happening, help lead them with regulations and guidelines beforehand, and measure their capabilities so the activities that will be conducted during the said event have the safest and most vivid recollections.
MARINO, JERIH M.
NIEBLA, MARILYN M.
Divisoria is a happy and enjoying place to visit in manila. Divisoria can showcase its products with catchy prices that no one can resist. For me it is a perfect place to tour when you have companions. Going to divisoria is like be involving with people and be enlightend by the culture of Filipino living in the city, the busy and hard working side of Filipinos. Divisoria is like a center of price friendly selling stuffs in manila and is well known to all,also it is the reason why it’s so easy to visit that place. But being involved with people is also being involve with their natural habits or “kasanayan” and some bad behavior also. In so crowded place like Divisoria, people can hardly understand or hear each other due to some noise of fellow buyers, so it is more likely people to shout than talking, this technique is for seller to call the attention of their buyers. But we cannot put aside some bad behavior of Pinoy when we go there, like when they feel pressured or encounter fake buyers they get easily annoyed or irritated. Divisoria is also well known of people doing pickpockets and stealing object from tourist but is is a reminder to all of us that if we visit once place we also get involved in their culture and we can encounter many different kinds of people and different characteristic and encounter their habits that seems too offensive for us but for them it just part of their daily life. Tips if we don’t want your belongings to be steal from you, you need to be careful and being mindful of your belongings, for harm come to those who are not being careful.
We are planning together with the faculty that we have a field trip, and I have 10 students I would want to go to Fort Santiago to show the monuments, museums, and dungeons where National hero Jose Rizal was incarcerated. Also, Fort Santiago security officials are rooming around the museum, they also implement the new normal requirement and guidelines. Also, it is not far from Metro Manila, and the cheapest way to get from Manila to fort Santiago.
As I announced the rules regulation, I encounter disrespectful students and backtalk students who say no every time we instruct them to do and challenges my patience as a teacher. So I talk privately to tell them calmly about their behavior on our trip, and if they continue screaming so I make arrangements. For example, if they stop shouting throughout the trip I will treat them to ice cream.
Also, my two students have aggressive behavior that they can not control their emotions. So I warrant them from the rest of the class and they continue yelling at each other. So I allow them to express their feelings so that they can see that I acknowledged their feeling, but after that, I say something calmly to them to loosen their emotion.
Throughout the trip one of my students, I saw him bullying his classmate in front of other classmates. So I call the attention to stop and I talk calmly to the bully student that I’m not tolerating this behavior towards other classmates and that if he continues this behavior I will call his parents and expel him from school. Also, I talk to both parents to know the situation and address the issue.
By: Pia Marie S.Dialng
Wilfred Santillan
Destination: Casa Manila in San Luis, Intramuros
Place to go: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTAS
Behavioral Problems:
*May tend to get mistakes from the rules and regulations inside the house museum.
*May not listen to my advise because feelings of excitement is present
*Security
* Feeling of excitement and curiosity is present.
TAGROS,KIM VERLIE JOY T.
FRANCISCO, CHRISTY MAE
BSIT 3G1
Destination: Ayala Museum
No. of students: 20
Distance: 767 km from CHMSU – Talisay Campus to Ayala Museum
Behavioral problems that may encounter:
1. Students are not behaving on the bus while traveling.
2. Students meandering around the museum and excitedly talking which create noise.
3. Students touching some museum’s stuff such displays a collection of artifacts, paintings and etc.
As a teacher with 20 students to handle for a field trip is a quite responsibility. Expecting different behavioral problems from the students must be addressed. There are so many things or scenarios that we cannot avoid. (1) Like during the trip, on the bus, some students may not behave properly. Some may chattering, vying for a seat or even fighting for some particular reason. (2) Another, during the tour program at the museum, some students may not follow the track and create their own which cause of meandering around and even excitedly talking that create noise. (3) Moreover, along the exhibits and guided classes, some students may touch some museum’s stuff such displays a collection of artifacts, paintings and etc. So to deal with it, as a teacher, it needs to have patience and understanding.Firstly, before going to a field trip, I must orient my students what to do and not to do before, during, and after the trip. Like the expected scenario on the bus, I well tell them that as students they must behave accordingly to what is right. Secondly, when we arrive at the museum, I want them to instill in their minds the purpose of having us there — why we conduct this field trip through a museum? And that is to acquire knowledge, explore the field of arts, science, literature, and other things that they may be seen in the museum. Lastly, I will remind them that every thing or stuff inside the museum is not their property but of museum itself. So refrain from touching them to avoid hazardous accidents. And as we explore the place, they must always have a positive attitude towards others — learn to have courtesy and self-discipline.
Group Names:
Magbanua, Shena L.
Maglasang, Kimberly E.
Pederiso, Enna Mae S.