Written by Bluetree
You're the God of this city
You're the King of this people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are
You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done
In this city...
On today's post I am featuring Metro Manila, the National Capital Region of the Philippines, composed of 16 cities and 1 municipality. Manila City is just one of the cities in this region.
Metro Manila is a very beautiful region, very modern, full of charm and grace, home to the affluent, the famous, and the intelligent upper class of society.
But it also has its sordid side, the harsh realities that cannot be hidden or denied.
Below are pictures of, as well as links to more information about, this city that doesn't sleep.
At the very end of this post, listen to Chris Tomlin's rendition of God of This City, a song written by Bluetree of Northern Ireland while they were in Pattaya, Thailand. I've also posted the amazing story behind this song.
Downtown Metro ManilaPhoto Credit
Composed of 16 cities and 1 municipality, Metro Manila is home to roughly 20 percent of the country's 62 million Filipinos.
The capital, Manila, is situated at the mouth of a natural harbor - the Manila Bay of world-famous sunsets.
Malacanang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine President, stands regally on the banks of the Pasig River, which meanders through the length of the metropolis.
Within the city limits are located the medieval walled city of Intramuros, Spain's stronghold in Asia during its Empire era; Escolta and Sta. Cruz, two of the oldest commercial centers in the country; and historic Paco and Luneta Parks. Here, too, can be found enclaves as exotic and enduring as Chinatown, the Muslim quarter of Quiapo, and the noisy bargain mecca that is Divisoria.
Along the sunset strip lining Manila Bay, luxury hotels vie for the tourist trade with the poshest accommodations and the best views, while a few blocks away along Ermita's bar-lined streets, more racy pursuits await the night owl.
The country's premier business district, Makati, throbs with a different life. Busy sidewalks and avenues lead to hushed office sanctums, sparkling malls, elegant shops, swank galleries and boutiques, and some of the most valuable residential real estates in the country. Evenings, this classy entertainment city pulsates with the thousand and one lights of discos, pubs, bistros, restaurants, music lounges, jazz bars, karaoke bars and 24-hour diners.
Where to stay is never a problem in Metro Manila. The visitor can choose from any of the wide range of accommodations to suit every taste and budget-from the most prestigious hotel chains to deluxe motels to cozy pensions and family-run inns.
A wealth of diversions and attractions await the visitor. Museum tours offer glimpses of the rich historical and cultural heritage of the islands. At Ayala Museum in Makati, colorful dioramas depict scenes from Philippine history. The Cultural Center of the Philippines Museum showcases archaeological 'and ethnological finds, as well as contemporary artworks. The Metropolitan Museum of Manila mounts exhibits of classical and modern masters.
There are also private galleries and specialized museums, like Casa Manila, the model turn-of-the-century Spanish house at Intramuros; the Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago, the Ecclesiastical Art Collection of the San Agustin Church, and the Museo de Malacanang at the Presidential Palace.
Ballet companies, symphony orchestras, theater guilds and pop artists regularly take to the stage. Hotels and restaurants beckon nightly with band music, folk and jazz singers, and ethnic dance troupes. Open-air concerts and performances entertain weekend crowds at Paco Park, Puerta Real Gardens and Luneta Park.
Metro Manila has 3 greens, which offer some of the best golfing in Southeast Asia. Affordable rentals and green fees, coupled with the balmy weather and friendly, English-speaking caddies, make for a perfect golfing holiday.
Highrises of Makati City, Main Financial District,
located South of Metro Manila
Photo Credit: Brian McMorrow
Ortigas Center is another major financial center in Metro Manila
Malacanang Palace, the official residence of the President of the Philippines
Read more about Malacanang Palace here.
Gateway to Intramuros
Photo Credit: Travel Channel
Read: The Grandeur of Intramuros
The Oblation statue at the entrance of the
University of the Philippines
A symbol of academic freedom in our country
Fort Bonifacio Global City
A well-planned city in the making...
Manila Cathedral
Photo Credit: Kohl's Image Galleries
Manila Philharmonic Brass Ensemble
(performing at the San Agustin Church during the 9th International Music Festival)
Photo credit: Estan Cabigas
Map of Metro Manila
And now, a sample of the painful, harsh, bitter-sweet realities of Metro Manila:
Payatas Dump Site in Quezon City
Read: The Payatas Dump Site Success Story
Flickr photos of Poverty in Manila
I was born and raised in Metro Manila. My roots are here. This city has a very special place in my heart.
This is my heart cry: "Reign, Jesus, reign, over Metro Manila!"
9 comments:
Dear Lidj,
Your Metro Manila is an impressing city.
Such beauty one can only dream of.
Such poverty ...the worst of fears.
The Philippines are known in Norway to be good sailors. Many Norwegian shipowners employ most of their crew from the Philippines.
Philippine women are known for their beauty. Even in our small town there are many married to Norwegian men. (Among other my daughter's second cousin.)
Most attend our local Catholic church and are known also for being industrious and very well behaved.
I cannot blame them for longing home when I see this wonderful pictures.
From Felisol
Hi, Lidj! Your city is so beautiful and culturally rich. Yet, it shows us all the paradox of most cities of the world - the rich and elegant vs. the poor and broken.
And, as we know, Christ died for all, but the poor, in their destitue state, are the most likely to seek Him.
Thank you so much for asking about me. This past weekend we were graced with the visit of our pastor and his wife, whom we have known about 35 years. Where does time go?
The days preceding were so busy. I also grew very weary from all the hustle and bustle. Today I have been very exhausted; yet, I finally managed to get a post up just a while ago. Still, I have much catching up to do with dear friends, and you are one of the dearest.
I appreciate you so much. I want to come back and visit more later.
Take care. Blessings upon you, and may the peace of God reign in your life.
In Christ's Love,
Andrea
I really enjoy the tours of your country!
Dear Lidj,
Thank you for your precious comments! I so value your friendship in Christ. You encourage me each time we "speak."
As I watched the videos, I sensed your love and burden for your city. It must be a burden of prayer and love given by God. May the Lord, in His great mercy, remember Manila.
God bless you, my dear sister. As always, you are a faithful one.
With Christ's Love,
Andrea
Manila is a very modern and swish city. Very western innature.Liked reading about it.
I guess I'm uneducated about your beautiful country. My only tie to the Philippines is from sponsoring disadvantaged children through Christian Children's Fund. I had no idea Manila was such a meto city.
My niece's maternal grandma is from the Philippines and said niece's aunt was my best friend growing up. So often I would stay over and 'live' at her home experiencing many of the cultural customs and food.
dear crown of beauty...the philippines are so beautiful, and so are their people.
when i lived in ottawa, and canada, at the time had a shortage of nurses, many young girl filipino nurses came over to work here.
only trouble with those girls though was that they were so kind to the patients that the patients always asked for them instead of a canadian nurse!
where ever they were in the hospital, there was always so much laughter and happiness and that was the best medicine that the patients could ever have.
and such a respect for the elderly they had!
my favourite picture here is of the little lad with his face pressed against the car window.
so sad that he has to beg, and here so many times in canada, people are complaining..not a pretty sight, crown of beauty..
well i better say good night for now cause that mrs. mac called me a long winder today...do you think i am a long winder crown of beauty?..choose between your two friends...me or mrs.mac..which one of us is right, eh?
take care now and thanks for all the information about your beloved country...love terry
Thanks for the invitation to read this well-written and documented post. There is no question you love your home country and the place you were raised. As you said, you have roots there.
What a beautiful city; sadly, behind the beauty is what you referred to as a dark side. One commenter mentioned other cities around the world have common traits including slums housing hurting, lonely, poor and undernourished people of all ages.
Thank you for sharing your life with all who care to read about it.
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