Have you heard about this: Manila made the Top 10 List...?

Question

"Along with Paris and Rome, Manila landed no.10 in list of 'TEN PASSPORT WORTHY LOCATIONS.' Manila was described as a city with friendly people, some excellent nightlife, few historical sights that are worth the effort, plus some of the most cavernous shopping malls in Asia. At first sight, the city may seem clamorous, unkempt and rough around the edges, but what it lacks in architectural sophistication it makes up for with an accessible chaotic charm. The way to enjoy it is to step into the fray and go with the flow, which is exactly what Manilenos have learned to do. Yahoo likewise cited problems such as traffic and pollution which prevents it from becoming a serious tourist destination. Manila was also listed as the 5th most searched intl city on its search engine behind London, Cancun, Frankfurt, San Juan but turned up ahead of Bangkok, Paris, Rome, Puerto Vallarta and Amsterdam. Manila attracts budget travelers looking for beaches and nightlife.

MABUHAY!!!

Answer 1

hey you guys!!! I'd better appreciate the news, than contradicting it...

Answer 2

This news is old. I first read it on Yahoo! back in December 2006.

(And yes, Manila is included in the Top 5 Most Searched Destination in Yahoo!, although the reasons can be pretty much debatable.)

Answer 3

Link please?

Unfortunately, I can't share the same enthusiasm you have for Manila. Honestly, I despise that city with passion. For the life of me, I don't understand why people would visit Manila for "beaches and nightlife" considering it does not have any beaches, and the "nightlife" is limited to small pockets such as Libis (Eastwood).

I understand your pride, which I may say I do have for other parts of the country than Manila, and it is nice to have that pride, but don't let it blind you to the reality of things.

The Glorietta bombings might not help a bit. It might in-fact trigger searches in search engines. Tourist destination? Give me a break.

Our base of operation near NCR is in Marikina. THAT place I am proud. I live in a province waaay north in Luzon. THAT place I'm proud.

Manila have a looooong way to be a desirable tourist city. Mega malls aren't enough to lure tourist. They need to clean up the crime, then the streets (literally!), then the politics. Maybe then a couple of daring tourist might just visit Philippines, not as missionaries, eco-tourist, or sex-touring losers.

Answer 4

Yey Manila! Manila's not that bad and it's the entry point for all who comes to Philippines to savor the scenic spots all over the archipelago.

Azrach18..does have a point. The travel advisory is enough to scare eveyone and avoid Philippines altogether during their Asian trips...

Answer 5

(Riyadh time: nearly eleven in the evening. Just came back from desert.)

I heartily applaud the news and congratulate the authors of the survey, Dear Heart.
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Now, that said, I would like to meet the points raised by Little Boy Blue, Azrach 18,:

1. The survey would hardly cover such recent news as the Glorietta incident;

2. The article says "Manila attacts budget travelers looking for beaches and nightlife". Nothing said about beaches in Manila. And if it did, we could always take the tourists on boat rides from Pasig and out into the breakwaters, park the boat with Luneta yonder, and take a swim in clear, blue waters of the Bay. I speak from experience. Also, the term "Manila" nowadays refer not only to the city proper, but to the entire metropolitan area surrounding it, and this includes Marikina. Bataan beaches as well as Cavite's share the same Bay of Manila. One can hardly blame city folks as saying those beaches are their own, than Azrach can dissuade people in the provinces to make distinction between Marikina and Manila. ("No, I am not from Manila. I am from Marikina!" - and they wil rightfully answer, "Ah, yes! Taga Maynila. (A Manila folk!)

3. Travel Advisory - We can no more hope to get rid of this, as we can expect OFWs to take no more than token regard of warnings from Govt. agencies, whose only concern is to cover their a@#sses. If, somehow, there is any possibility that the forest fires could be blamed on these officials, you would somehow see Southern California included in the next Travel Advisory.

Finally, I would advise Little Blue Boy (Azrach 18) and others like him, to have more respect for AGUADULCE. When she posts something, "itaga mo sa bato" (You can mark it on stone.) it is authentic. Unlike people who claim to be Filipinos, but would profess to personally "hate the city (Manila) with passion", the city that symbolizes the country he claims to belong.

Answer 6

They made the Philippines sound like a paradise. I wonder what percentage of the tourists coming in that saw that write up would be disappointed after one week here. I consider that false advertising. Sorry.

Answer 7

Mabuhay! India is one of the cheapest destination to travel but Manila, Manila... I keep coming back to Manila. Simply no place like Manila.. i'm coming home to staaayy. yeah!

Answer 8

Manila fully deserves the honour - for being one of the most foreigner-friendly and genuinely hospitable city.
It is high time our lyricists composed and Pop-singers rendered a special song titled 'Manila, mon Amour !'
:-))

Answer 9

Damn, and I only visit three times a year!! I guess its time for a change to future plans and add couple more trips to visit the big M.

Answer 10

5th most searched intl city on ITS search engine? which search engine?

who made the survey?

Answer 11

Whoa! That's a great news! I'll visit Manila then.. <*-*>