Tour of Manila | A Welcome Note for @steemph.manila

If you check their introductory post, you will see that they have very ambitious goals. Below is a snapshot of the group's Statement of Direction.

In support of this, I'll be giving a tour of Manila's most iconic places and all liquid SBDs this post will generate shall be sent to their account. Ready?

Divisoria

It is impossible to talk about Manila without mentioning Divisoria. I grew up in Davao hearing of this fabled shopping paradise. It is a commercial center known for low-priced goods and its popularity is unprecedented. It remains to be the place to be when you need to shop for affordable items like clothing, accessories, bags, shoes, and even jewelry.

Manila Zoo

The Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden is home to about a thousand animals from 90 species as of April 2015. The zoo's most popular resident is Maali, an Asian elephant who arrived at the zoo in 1977 as 3 year old calf transported from Sri Lanka, after being poached from the wild. Other Animals residing in Manila Zoo includes a Bengal tiger, Malayan civet, monitor lizard and hippopotamus.

Manila Bay

Manila Bay is a natural harbour which serves the Port of Manila in the Philippines. Strategically located around the capital city of the Philippines, Manila Bay facilitated commerce and trade between the Philippines and its neighbouring countries, becoming the gateway for socio-economic development even prior to Spanish occupation.

Successive changes in and around Manila Bay are largely due to the intertwining impacts of continued industrialization, unrelenting increase in population, and the incessant human activities catering to livelihood and habitation. These factors are directly degrading the overall environment of Manila Bay and these impacts are manifested in the continued deterioration of the water quality within the bay. Hence, swimming in its waters has been prohibited since 2004. However, it has remained to be one of the most visited sites in Manila. Just recently, a promenade was constructed along the bay and everyday tourists and metro Manila residents come here to jog, stroll around, bike, skate, listen to music from live acoustic bands, sample the foods from a row of restaurants and snack areas, or simply watch the breathtaking Manila Bay sunset.

Binondo

Binondo is a district in Manila and is referred to as the city's Chinatown - and is the world's oldest. It was established in 1594 by the Spaniards as a settlement near Intramuros for Catholic Chinese, it was positioned so that colonial rulers could keep a close eye on their migrant subjects. It was already a hub of Chinese commerce even before the Spanish colonial period. Binondo is the center of commerce and trade of Manila, where all types of business run by Filipino-Chinese thrive.

Locals and tourists alike flock Binondo for the annual celebration of Chinese New Year in hope of attracting prosperity, closer family ties and peace. Most Filipino-Chinese families usually clean their homes thoroughly, prepare lucky money in red envelopes, serve sweet foods and display various food and fruits on a table, which is believed to invite good fortune. People also participate in parades and dragon dances that are organized in this China Town .

Rizal Park

Also known as Luneta Park or simply Luneta, is a historical urban park in the Philippines. Located along Roxas Boulevard, Manila, adjacent to the old walled city of Intramuros, it is one of the largest urban parks in Asia. It has been a favorite leisure spot, and is frequented on Sundays and national holidays. Rizal Park is one of the major tourist attractions of Manila.

Situated by the Manila Bay, it is an important site in Philippine history. The execution of national hero Jose Rizal on December 30, 1896 fanned the flames of the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Kingdom of Spain. The area was officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor, and the monument enshrining his remains serves as the park's symbolic focal point. The Declaration of Philippine Independence from the United States was held here on July 4, 1946 as were later political rallies including those of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that culminated in the EDSA Revolution.

I do hope you enjoyed this mini tour. Your support for the community will be much appreciated.

If you are from Manila or its nearby provinces like Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueava Ecija, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, and Rizal, you may follow @steemph.manila, comment on any post, and somebody from their core group will get in touch with you.

References
Divisoria
Manila Zoo
Rizal Park
Binondo
Manila Bay