Philippines Travel and Real Estates Guide Luzon Area Metro Manila Manila Brief History

Manila - Metro Manila - Islands of Luzon, Philippines

Manila: Brief History

Long before the arrival of the Spaniards headed by Adelantado Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in Manila in 1571, a town called "Maynilad" (from the word "nild") was flourish.

Pre-Spanish Maynilad was originally a Moslem settlement ruled by a Moslem sultan, Rajah Sulayman of Borneon nobility. It was a small but a prosperous trading port lying between two (2) great bodies of water, Pasig river and Manila Bay.

When the Spaniards heard of this Moslem settlement on the shore of a great bay in Luzon, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (who at that time was in Panay Island) sent forth his men headed by marshall Martin de Goiti and Captain Juan de Salcedo to the first expedition to Maynilad on May 8, 1570.

Upon arrival in Maynilad, the Spanish Fleet was welcomed and feted by the friendly Filipino-Moslem natives. However, the morning of May 24, 1570 proved to be a red day for the two races- for there was a fierce battle; thus the Spaniards defeated the natives and conquered Maynilad under the name of the King of Spain.

But courageous and high-spirited Filipino-Moslems who fled to nearby Bagumbayan and Tondo didn't lose hope in fighting back the Spaniards to retake Maynilad. On the other hand, marting de Goiti did not stay long in Maynilad. So the following year, in 1571, Governor General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi brought his entire force to Maynilad and for the second time conquered Maynilad on June 24, 1571 - proclaiming it as the country's capital and permanent seat of the Spanish government in the East.

As a result of these successive conquests; Adelantado Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi ordered the creation of a municipal government of "Cabildo", set of Spanish style houses, monasteries, nunneries, churches and schools - thus gave birth to "Intramuros" - the "Ever Loyal and Distinguished City of Spain in the Orient."

Under Spain, Manila became the great entrepot in the Far East. The Manila Acapulco Galleon Trade between Philippines and Mexico flourished from the years 1571-1815. So from the 16th to the 19th centuries, Manila was Intramuros.

Manila has led a far from placid existence. After Legazpi's conquests, it was assulted by a succession of Chinese warlords, Dutch and Portugese fleets from Indonesia, and a British Occupation Force. It then underwent a facelift when in 1898, American signs were standing side if not totally replacing the Spanish for the next 50 years. A four year occupation by the Japanese Imperial Forces followed in the forties declaring Manila an "Open City".

Its mad culmination was the destruction of the city and its people by bombings and killings at the close of World War II, making Manila as one of the most heavily destroyed capitals in the world. The birth of Philippine Independence in 1946 gave Manila the title the "Premiere City of the Philippines."

And since Manila's most winning characteristic is its "inflappability" - the history of Manila is the history of the Philippines.

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Philippines Popular Destinations

Luzon Philippines
Camarines Sur
Zambales, Luzon (Olongapo, Subic)
Oriental Mindoro
Palawan (El Nido)
Ilocos Norte (Laoag)
Legazpi City
Sorsogon
La Union

Visayas Philippines
Cebu
Boracay
Bohol
Negros Oriental

Mindanao Philippines
Davao City
Davao del Norte (Samal Island)
Surigao City

Manila Climate - Manila Geography - Manila Festivals - Manila History - Manila Languages - Manila Political Subdivision - Manila Population

Manila Cultural Tourist Attractions : National Museum Of The Philippines, Sta. Ana Church Excavations, Museo Pambata (Children's Museum), Museo Ng Malacañang Palace, De La Salle University Art Gallery, University Of Santo Thomas Museum Of Arts & Sciences, Archdiocesan Museum of Manila, Metropolitan Museum Of Manila, Central Bank Money Museum, Casa Manila, San Agustin Church and Museum

Manila Historical Tourist Attractions : Chinatown, Plaza San Luis, Fort Santiago, Rizal Shrine, Rizal Park, Mabini Shrine, Palacio Del Gobernador, Malacañang Palace, Plaza Sampalucan, Chinese Cemetery, Paco Park And Cemetery, Ermita District, Manila, Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Maynila, Plaza Dilao Paco District, Manila, University Of Santo Thomas, San Miguel District, Manila, Isla de Convalencia (Hospicio de San Jose), Pasig River, Manila Bay, Escolta, Manila, Philippine Normal College

Manila Man-made Tourist Attractions : Liwasang Bonficacio, Meban Garden, Ayala Bridge, Japanese Garden, Kanlungan Ng Sining (Atist's Haven), Manila Hotel, Carfel Seashell Museum, Manila Zoological Garden, Light and Sound Sculptural Show of Jose Rizal, Rizal Monument

Manila Religious Tourist Attractions : Ermita Church, Santa Cruz Church, Quiapo Church, San Sebastian Church, Binondo Church, Santa Ana Church, Paco Church, Malate Church, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church

Manila Hotels and Accommodations : Atrium Hotel Manila, Ambassador Hotel Manila, Hyatt Regency Manila, Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila, Las Palmas Hotel Manila, Lotus Garden Hotel Manila, Mabini Mansion Hotel and Residential Suites, Manila Hotel Manila, Miramar Hotel Manila, Orchid Garden Suites, Palm Plaza Hotel Manila, Pan Pacific Hotel Manila, Pearl Hotel Manila, Traders Hotel Manila, Tropicana Apartment Hotel Manila, Westin Philippine Plaza, Bayview Park Hotel Manila, Boulevard Mansion Hotel and Residential Suites, Century Park Hotel Manila, Cherry Blossoms Hotel Manila, City Garden Manila, City State Tower Hotel Manila, Copacabana Apartment Hotel Manila, CSB Hotel Manila, Dakota Mansion Hotel and Residential Suites Manila, Manila Diamond Hotel Manila, Executive Plaza Hotel Manila, Garden Plaza Hotel & Suites Manila, Golden Bay Hotel Manila, Grand Boulevard Hotel Manila, Heritage Hotel Manila

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Ilocos Region : Ilocos Norte, Laoag, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan
Cordillera Administrative Region : Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City
Cagayan Valley : Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino
Central Luzon : Aurora, Bataan (Corregidor), Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales (Olongapo, Subic)
Metro Manila Area : Caloocan, Manila, Las Pinas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paraaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela.
CALABARZON : CAvite (Tagaytay - Taal), LAguna, BAtangas, Rizal, QueZON
MIMAROPA : Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan (El Nido)
Bicol Region : Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon
Central Visayas : Bohol, Cebu Province, Negros Oriental, Siquijor
Eastern Visayas : Biliran, Samar, Leyte
Western Visayas : Aklan (Boracay), Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo
Northern Mindanao : Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Iligan City, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental (Ozamiz City)
South East Mindanao, known as Davao Region : Compostela Valley, Davao City, Davao del Norte (Samal Island), Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Surigao del Sur, South Cotabato (Kidapawan)
Zamboanga Peninsula : Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Dipolog City, Dapitan, Pagadian, Isabela
CARAGA Region : Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur