Unit 3

Lesson 1: Socio-Cultural Aspect

Manila is also the home of performing artists in the country. There is the Philippine Cultural Center, Folk
Arts Theater facing Manila Bay,the historic Metropolitan Theatre, which is currently being renovated and
an open-air theatre in Rizal and Paco parks. The many libraries and museums include the National Library
and the National Museum, known for its anthropological and archeological exhibits; the National Institute
of Science and Technology, with a scientific reference library and large collections of plants and animals;
the geological museum of the Bureau of Mines and Geosciences; the Planetarium; Fort Santiago, which
houses original works of the Philippines patriot and national hero Jose rizal; and the Kamaynilaan Library
and Museum, which contains valuable carvings, paintings, and antiquated manuscripts.

The famous outdoor recreational area of the Manileños is Rizal Park, with a Japanese garden, Chinese
garden, an open theatre, a grandstand, an Ocean Park and a long promenade adjacent to the manila bay.
Other areas include the Manila Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the Meñan Garden and Paco Park.
Athletic facilities include the Rizal Memorial Stadium and YMCA center both located in Manila.

People and Religion

The natives of Manila were known as Tagalogs, inhabitants from other parts of the archipelago inhabited
the city, like the Bicolanos, Visayans, Ilokanos, Kapampangan, Pangasinan and Moro groups as well as
tribal groups like the badjao and Igorot. Today, residents of manila are called Manileños. Approximately
94% of the population in Manila is Malay-Indonesian by ethnicity with some European,Spanih, Chinese or
American ancestry. In fact, the oldest china town in the world is in Manila. It was established in 1954 at
Binondo, Manila. This is historically where the Spanish allowed the converted sangleys(indigenous filipinos
wives and mixed-race descendants) to live. This small town was already the place of Chinese business
before the Spanish arrived in the Early 16th century.

The popular language use is Tagalog. However, English is the official business and educational language.
At present,the millennials speak in bilingual- Taglish(combination of tagalog and English).

Manila is mainly a Christian city and more of them are Catholics. The city is also composed of people of
other faiths and religions. There are several places of worship for Buddhist, Muslims and Hindus because
of the large number off foreigners both from the east and the west who have made the city their home.
Today, Catholics predominate, comprising 93.5% followed by Iglesia ni Cristo 1.9%, Protestants 1.8%,
Buddhists 1.1%, Moslems and others comprising the remaining 1.4% of Manila’s population.
The Climate

Manila is very fortunate because it is sheltered from extreme weather conditions due to the hills of Sierra
Madre which serve as the wall of the city from typhoons coming from the Pacific, and the Mountains of
the Bataan Peninsula. The tropical climate is characterized by a wet season that last from June to
November and by a dry season lasting from December to May.The wettest months are July, August,
September and October, when thunderstorms are common and most storms are strong. In fact,most of
Manila area is submerged into water during rainy season. The average amount of rainfall totals about 80
inches(about 2000 mm).

Economy of the City

Manila is the home of various fast food chains like Jollibee, Mcdonald’s and famous restaurants like Max’s
Chicken House and Aristocrat and to add to government coffers are hotels offering international cuisines.
Besides, Manila is busy with manufacturing activities which include fabric production, publishing and
printing, food and chemical processing. Manila is also producing lumbers, ropes and soaps. Manufacturing
companies are small and mostly are located in the crowded areas of Tondo, Binondo and Sta. Cruz, which
are near main thoroughfares of the city and railroad and truck terminals. Heavy industries are located in
the districts of Paco, Pandacan, and Sta. Ana.

Manila is also the center of trade and finance in the Philippines. Trade grows within the Metropolitan area
and between the city and the provinces and other countries. Most of the Philippines’ imports and exports
pass through the port of Manila. Financial institutions headquartered in Manila include such
establishments as the Development Bank of the Philippines, the Philippine National Bank, the Philippine
Veterans Bank, the Government Service Insurance System and many private commercial and
development banks. Private insurance companies and flea markets also contribute to the mobilization of
savings for investment. The two main contributors to the city’s coffer are Divisoria and Paco markets.

Indeed, the city is the economic, administrative and social center of the nation. Manila city generates
nearly half the country’s total Gross Domestic Product(GDP). It has a vital seaport in the country and it
has elegant business districts. However, in spite of affluent people inhabited in Manila, there are still slums
and shanty towns. Besides, the economic growth in Manila has brought with its challenges such as
overpopulation, drug use and crime, pollution and traffic congestion. Overcrowding in the city has caused
other problems such as inadequate healthcare, sanitation and a rise in poverty.
City’s Transportation

Public transportation in and around Metro Manila is provided principally by buses, jeepneys, kuliglig, e-
trikes, the famous kalesa and taxis. Traffic congestion is a big problem, especially during rushed hours at
thebridges and mainthoroughfares during the morning and evening, such as, in Roxas Boulevard, in Rizal
and Taft Avenues, Carriedo, Quiapo and Binondo Bridges and Quezon Blvd. Adjacent towns serve as
dormitory suburbs and many people commute to the city, adding to the traffic problem. Bus operate
routes to northern and southern Luzon.

Railroad services operated by the Philippine National Railways also connect the city with northern and
southeastern Luzon. An elevated rail line linking Caloocan City and Baclaran was completed in 1984. It was
the first phase of transit system called the Light Rail Transit. It is connected to Caloocan, Quezon City,
Makati City and pasay City.

Inter-island and international transportation is provided by domestic and foreign airlines and by shipping.
Manila South Harbor, with its enclosed custom house, warehouses and sheds, is sheltered by a low
breakwater. There are no railway lines in the port area, and cargo is transported from the piers by trucks
or barges. The piers and warehouse of Manila North Harbor are busy with heavy traffic from all port in
the Philippines. In the 1980’s additional port facilities for international shipping were built, partially on
reclaimed land in the area between the two Harbors.

Design of Houses and Buildings in Manila

During the Spanish period, Manila was called the Paris of Asia because of the buildings’ architectural
designs, but not the homes of ordinary Manileños, which were made of nipa huts for the less fortunate
and combination of wood and concrete for the middle class family. But government and private
established establishments architectural styles reflect American, Spanish, Chinese and Malay influences.
Rizal Park and a number of government buildings were designed by US architect and city planner Daniel
h. Burnham, the one who designed Baguio City. At present, modern building including multi-storied
commercial houses or condominiums are commonly made of reinforced concrete and hollow blocks that
can stand even strong earthquakes. Houses of modern design are common in the districts of Sampaloc,
Ermita, some areas in Tondo and Malate. Spanish style houses with tile roofs, barred windows, and thick
walls were common before World War II and have remained popular today. The churches of the city are
American, Spanish or European in character. The Manila Cathedral was rebuilt in the 1950’s and is an
important landmark. It succeeds five earlier cathedrals, the first dating from the mid-16th century that
were destroyed either by earthquakes or during wartime.

Manila is a great city and a mystic place for many residents and tourists alike. Despite its noise and tragic
stories and tales, it remains a home for many Filipinos who dream of good fortunes and life. Manila is a
living witness of the past centuries.