Metropolitan Manila
Metropolitan Manila
Metropolitan Manila
Economy
The National Capital Region accounts for 37.2% of the gross domestic product of the Philippines in
2013.[7] Furthermore, it has the highest per capita GDP of the country at 183,747. [52] The
employment rate of NCR is at 89.6% as of 2012.[53]According to Brookings Institution, the 2014 share
of output by industry in Metro Manila is as follows: trade and tourism: 31.4%, business/finance:
28.6%, local/non-market: 15.6%, manufacturing: 12.5%, transportation: 4.9%, construction: 4%,
utilities: 2.8%, and commodities: 0.3%.[54]
Old downtown district of Manila.
Metro Manila will add 1.85 million square meters of office spaces between 2015 and 2017 in the
central business districts in Makati, Taguig, and Quezon City as more global firm such
as Google and HSBC seeks to outsource business process in the Philippines.[55] The vacancy rate for
office spaces remains low, at less 3% in the year-end of 2014.[56] Manila remains as the least
expensive capital city in the Asia-Pacific to occupy prime office space at an average rent of $22 per
square meter per month.[57]
Metro Manila makes it to the "Global Top 30" cities according to property consultancy firm Jones
Lang Lasalle, citing its economic scale, vast population, large gross domestic product and BPO
specialization as its competitive edge.[58]Furthermore, the region ranks 3rd for the top business
process outsourcing global destinations, next to Bangalore and Mumbai.[59] The region's retail sector
remains strong, bolstered by remittances abroad, BPOs, and its tourism sector.[60]
Historically, the main business district of the metropolis was Binondo, where commercial trading
flourished since the 15th century. By the 1960s, economic activities shifted from Binondo to Makati. It
transformed Makati it into one of the leading financial centers in Asia. Still, Binondo remained as a
cultural and financial center because of the vast Chinese population residing and doing business in
the area.
The minimum wage of Metro Manila is at 481 ($10.77) for non-agricultural workers and at 444
($9.94) for those working in the agricultural sector,[61][62] the highest minimum wage among all the 17
regions of the country.[63]
Business districts
Makati City is widely acknowledged as the financial capital of the country, where one can find the
Makati Central Business District (CBD). Interesting landmarks in Makati's Central Business District
include Ayala Center, composed of Glorietta and Greenbelt, Ayala Museum, and Yuchengco
Museum. Also in Makati is Rockwell Center. Most multi-national company offices and embassies in
the Philippines are situated in Makati. Also posing as a competitor for a vibrant business center are
Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Eastwood City in Quezon City, Ortigas Center in Pasig City, Manila
Bay City Reclamation Area in the cities of Pasay, Paraaque and Las Pias, and Alabang Estates
and Madrigal Business Park in Muntinlupa.
Shopping centers
Metro Manila currently has the largest number of malls in the Philippines. The largest being SM
North EDSA, in Quezon City. Before the expansion of SM North EDSA, the SM Mall of Asia was the
largest; prior to that the largest was SM Megamall in Ortigas Center.
Other shopping centers in Ortigas Center include Robinson's Galleria, Shangri-La Plaza, and The
Podium.
Recently opened in Pasig is a new development called Frontera Verde, which currently
hosts Tiendesitas, a tiangge-style shopping center. Soon to rise are a new SM development as well
as several other malls. In the Central Business District of Makati, the Ayala Center hosts other malls,
including Glorietta and the upscale Greenbelt shopping districts. Also in Makati is the Rockwell
Center. These places are frequented by members of Metro Manila's upper classes.
Taguig City has a mall named Market Market!, which is strategically located in a transportation hub
within Fort Bonifacio Global City.
In the City of Manila, the largest malls include SM City Manila and Robinson's Place-Ermita.
Cubao is Quezon City's Central Commercial Area that hosts 5 malls that includes the ultramodern Gateway Mall. Other malls include various SM chains in the metropolis. Aside from Cubao,
there is also Eastwood City, located along Libis.
Metro Manila has a lot of markets, locally called palengke. One of these are the Central Market,
located in Quiapo district of Manila, and Divisoria Market, also in Manila. Cloverleaf Market in
Balintawak, Quezon City supplies most of Metro Manila's fruit and vegetable products. Navotas Port
Market supplies most of Metro Manila's fish products. Other smaller markets include the markets of
Cubao Farmers, Nepa-Q Mart, Muoz, Balingasa, Galas, Santa Mesa, Novaliches Talipapa,
Baclaran, Pasay Libertad, and Pasay Cartimar, the latter also being one of the largest pet markets in
the Philippines.
Midway between a mall and a market are the Philippine-only tiangges, or airconditioned markets
selling goods such as clothes, shoes, accessories, computer parts, mobile phones, CDs, VCDs,
MP3s, iPods, and DVDs. Among these can be found in Greenhills Shopping Center in the
municipality of San Juan and St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong City.
NOTABLE PERSON
This article is a list of notable people from Metro Manila, the capital region of the Philippines.
The demonym of Metro Manila is "Metro Manileo" or simply "Manileo."
Publications Building (now Guzman Institute of Electronics) in Soler Street in Manila, the Capitan
Luis Gonzaga Building (1953), and the Boulevard-Alhambra (now called Bel-Air) Apartments
Building in Roxas Boulevard & where Manila Bay Hostel is located on the 4th floor. The art deco
apartment is near T. M. Kalaw Avenue & beside Miramar Hotel. It was built in 1937. [2]
Apart from the Ideal Theater, Antonio also designed several other theaters in Manila, including the
Dalisay, Forum, Galaxy, Life (1941), Lyric and Scala Theaters. As of 2014, only the Forum, Life and
Scala Theaters remain standing; though the Forum and Scala Theaters have been gutted. [6]
Congress altar and improved the Quiapo Church in 1930 by erecting a dome and a second belfry.
He was hailed as a National Artist for Architecture in 1973.
Art music
Antonio J. Molina (26 December 1894 29 January 1980) was
a Filipino composer, conductor and music administrator. He was
named a National Artist of the Philippines for his services to music.
He was also known as the Claude Debussy of the Philippines due to
his use of impressionism in music.
Early life
Molina was born in Quiapo, Manila, the son of Juan Molina, a government official, who founded the
Molina Orchestra.[1]:147He attended the Escuela Catolica de Nuestra Padre Jesus Nazareno
in Quiapo, Manila, and college at San Juan De Letran where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1909.
Musical career
Molina made his first composition in 1912 titled Matinal, which is preserved in an unpublished
volume called Miniaturas, Vol. 1.[1]:147 He was appointed to teach harmony, composition, music
history, and violincello at the UP Conservatory of Music, pursuing a career in music education until
being appointed dean of the Centro Escolar Conservatory of Music. He founded the CEU String
Quartet which was professionally organized and financed by its music school.
As a composer Molina is credited with over 500 compositions.
Independence activists
Melchora Aquino de Ramos (January 6, 1812 March 2, 1919) was a Filipina revolutionary who
became known as "Tandang Sora" ("Elder Sora") because of her age.
Scenic arts
Panchito Alba (born Alfonso D. Tagle, Sr.; February 25, 1925[1] December 18, 1995) was
a FAMAS award-winning Filipino film actor who almost exclusively appeared in comedy roles. He
was billed as either "Panchito Alba" or simply "Panchito". He was known for his swarthy looks and a
The first time Dolphy played a serious role was in a 4-in-1 drama movie, with Barbara Perez who
played a blind girl in the segment inspired by Charlie Chaplins movie City Lights.
After his contract with Sampaguita expired, he left the company. When he joined the production
studio, his talent fee was P1,000 per movie. By the time he left, he was earning P7,000 per picture.
Sports
Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno, Order of Lakandula (born January
30,
1957
in Manila)
is
a
six-time
World Ten-pin
bowling Champion Filipino bowler. He has won the World Cup of
Bowling four times (1976, 1980, 1992 and 1996). [1] Nepomuceno has
also won the World's Invitational Tournament in 1984 and the World
Tenpin Masters championship in 1999.
In its September 2003 issue, the Prestigious Bowlers Journal
International named Paeng as the Greatest International Bowler of
All Time.
He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for three records:
[2]
Location
Male Winner
Country
1976
Tehran, Iran
Paeng Nepomuceno
Philippines
1980
Jakarta, Indonesia
Paeng Nepomuceno
Philippines
1992
Le Mans, France
Paeng Nepomuceno
Philippines
1996
Paeng Nepomuceno
Philippines
and 3) for having won the most number of bowling tournament titles.
Currently, Paeng has 131 career bowling titles. Paeng who still actively competes up to this day is
the only bowling athlete to have won or awarded titles in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East
and Africa.
Visual arts
Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto (May 30, 1892 April 24, 1972) was one of the most important artists
in the history of painting in the Philippines.[1] Amorsolo was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine
landscapes. He is popularly known for his craftsmanship and mastery in the use of light.
influential
Filipinos
Araneta and Jorge
B.
the favourite Philippine
and visitors to the country.
had
to
resort
to
pasted and mounted them
patrons could then choose
Amorsolo did not create
themes; he recreated the
elements.
TOURISTS SPOT
National Museum Located at the former Senate building, it houses many artworks
by renowned Filipino artists,including Juan LunasSpoliarium.
Museum of
the Filipino
People Located almost beside the National Museum, it houses artifacts from
different regions of the Philippines displaying the diverse and colorful culture this
archipelago has to offer.
Intramuros This walled city steeped in Old Spanish history is where several
Spanish churches and other landmarks are located, such as the Manila Cathedral,
San Agustin Church with its 4,500-pipe organ, and the parks such as the Puerta Real
Gardens and the Baluarte de San Diego.
Rizal Park (Luneta) Here is where you can see the monument of National Hero Dr.
Jose Rizal. A few meters away is a light and Sound Show, held at the exact place
where he was executed. It is also a great place to stroll and enjoy picnics with your
family.
CCP Complex Houses the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) that has a main
theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo), little theater (Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino)
and experimental theater (Tanghalang Huseng Batute), the Philippine International
Convention Center. This cradle of arts and culture is located along Roxas Boulevard.
Ballets, symposuims, concerts and plays are staged here.
Coconut Palace Complex Come marvel at how the different parts of the tree of
life-the coconut tree- are put to use in this abode by the sea.
Museum) Museo
Pambata is the first
hands-on interactive
childrens
musuem in the
Philippines. It has
an
exciting learning
center with six
theme area,
namely: Kalikasan
(Environment),
Maynila Noon
(Old Manila),
Tuklas (Science), Paglaki Ko (Career Option), Katawan Ko (Body Works) and Bata sa
Mundo (Children in the Global Village). It also has a reading resource center and
childrens playground. It is also a venue for childrens activities such as storytelling,
puppet shows and various workshops.
Quipo Church Home of the Black Nazarine whose feast is celebrated every January
9, and attended by millions of devotees who have been touched by the Nazarenes
miracles. The Black Nazarene is an image of Christ brought by Augustinians in the
17th century, and is said to grant miracles. Quiapo is also a haven for bargains.
Las
Pias
Baywalk Found along Roxas Boulevard, it is a perfect haven for lovers and families
alike. It has a stream of all fresco restaurants serving fresh seafood and other
Filipino cuisine. It is best to go here in the afternoon, just in time to see the
Manilas Chinatown Located in the Binondo district, Chinatown symbolizes the long
history of Chinese presence in the Philippine pre-dating the arrival of the Spaniards.
The chinesse have been influential in business, culture, which have been absorbed
into Philippine life.
History
See also: History of Manila
Further information: Capital of the Philippines
on, Quezon City eventually served as the national capital from 1948-1976. It was reinstated back
to Manila through Presidential Decree No. 940 owing to its historical significance as the seat of
government of the Philippines since the Spanish colonial period. Presidential Decree No. 940 states
that Manila has always been to the Filipino people and in the eyes of the world, the premier city of
the Philippines being the center of trade, commerce, education and culture. [9]
During the war, President Manuel L. Quezon created the City of Greater Manila as an emergency
measure, merging the cities of Manila and Quezon City, along with the municipalities
of Caloocan, Las Pias, Mariquina, Pasig, Paraaque, Malabon, Navotas, San Juan del Monte, San
Pedro de Macati, San Felipe Neri, Muntinlupa and the Taguig-Pateros area. Jorge Vargas was
appointed as its mayor. Mayors in the cities and municipalities included in the City of Greater Manila
served as vice mayors in their town. This was in order to ensure Vargas, who was Quezon's principal
lieutenant for administrative matters, would have a position of authority recognized under
international military law. The City of Greater Manila was abolished by the Japanese with the
formation of the Philippine Executive Commission to govern the occupied regions of the country. The
City of Greater Manila served as a model for the present-day Metro Manila and the administrative
functions of the Governor of Metro Manila that was established during the Marcos administration.
On November 7, 1975, Metro Manila was formally established through Presidential Decree No. 824.
The Metropolitan Manila Commission was also created to manage the region. [8] On June 2, 1978,
through Presidential Decree No. 1396, the metropolitan area was declared the National Capital
Region of the Philippines.[10] When Metro Manila was established, there were four
cities, Manila, Quezon
City, Caloocan, Pasay and
the
thirteen
municipalities
of Las
Pias, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paraaque, Pasig, San
Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela and Pateros. At present, all of these municipalities except for one have
become an independent charted city, only Pateros remains as a municipality.
President Ferdinand Marcos appointed his wife Imelda Marcos as the first governor of Metro Manila.
She launched the City of Man campaign. The Cultural Center of the Philippines, Metropolitan Folk
Arts Theater, Philippine International Convention Center, the Lung Center of the
Philippines, Philippine Heart Center, the Kidney Center of the Philippines and the Coconut
Palace are all constructed precisely for this purpose. The City of Man campaign was discontinued
when the Marcos were ousted from power after the People Power Revolution.
After the 8 years of dictatorship, President Marcos was overthrown by the people at a peaceful
revolution in EDSA in February 1986, where they stayed there for three days. The movement was
known as the People Power Revolution and made headlines such as "the revolution that surprised
the world".[11]
In 1986, President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order No. 392, reorganizing and changing the
structure of the Metropolitan Manila Commission and renamed it to the Metropolitan Manila Authority.
Mayors in the metropolis chose from among themselves the chair of the agency. Later on, it was
again reorganized in 1995 through Republic Act 7924, creating the present-day Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority. The chairperson of the agency will be appointed by the President and should
not have a concurrent elected position such as mayor. Former Laguna province governor Joey
Lina was the last to serve as the Officer-In-Charge governor of Metro Manila. [12]
In the year-end of 2014, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino proposed that San Pedro, Laguna be
included in Metro Manila as its 18th member city.[13]