VIVA MANILA-Must-see sights in Metro Manila

Dear Efrila,

All Southeast Asians are entitled to visa upon arrival to the Philippines. This is free of charge. There's no need to apply for a visa in Indonesia before leaving for the Philippines.

Here are some places of interest in Manila. If you can't view them properly, you can visit the following link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WOWPHILIPPINES/message/2130

The capital of the Philippines, a grouping of twelve cities and five municipalities, is known as Metro Manila but is usually referred to as MANILA. Its residential population of 11,099,800 (2007 estimate) makes it the nineteenth most populous metropolitan area in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia. However during the daytime its population well exceeds 16 million, as residents from nearby cities flock to the capital for work and leisure.

Metro Manila is one of the three defined metropolitan areas in the Philippines, the others being Metro Cebu and Metro Davao.

In 2005, Metro Manila ranked as the 42nd richest urban agglomeration in the world with a GDP of USD 108 billion according to PriceWaterhouseCoop ers. Metro Manila is expected to climb to the 30th spot by 2020 with a GDP of USD 257 billion and an annual growth rate of 5.9%.

Here's a list of places to visit in Metro Manila and its neighboring cities.

The unique bamboo organ can only be found inside the St. Joseph Church of the Parish of Las Piñas. It was in the year 1816 that the construction of this one of a kind instrument started. Fr. Diego Cera initiated building this organ using bamboo, wood, and metal. To date, this famous organ is praised for its unique, rare, and melodious sound that every year a Bamboo Organ Festival is being held at the Parish during the month of February.

The most renowned park in the Philippines, The Rizal Park or also known as Bagumbayan. In this place, historically speaking, the nation's national hero was shot to death because his uprising against the Spanish colonial rule in the country.

He's a jack of all trade who used also his pen and wit to combat the Spaniards and exposed the brutality Filipinos have experienced during that time.

For the young and young-at-heart, Enchanted Kingdom is theme park in Laguna, an hour away from Manila.

Splash Island is a water theme park (like Waterbom in Bali) in Laguna, an hour away from Manila. Get ready for exciting slides and other water activites

Greenhills Shopping Center is the place to be for bargain shopping.

Learn a thing or two about Philippine history in the National Museum of the Filipino People. Here you can view Juan Luna's famous painting, Spoliarium.

SM Mall of Asia is the largest shopping mall in the Philippines and is in the top 10 list of largest shopping malls in the world in terms of gross rentable space. It has an Olympic-size skating rink and an IMAX Theater.

Greenbelt 3 in Makati is an upscale shopping mall where Manila's hippest crowd gather. Walkway from Greenbelt 3 connect you to other shopping malls like Glorietta.

Don't miss the sunset in Manila Bay. Afterwards, stroll along the streets of Malate where restaurants and bars are aplenty.

Go to Manila Chinatown in Binondo to find exquisite Asian merchandise, traditional Chinese medicine, and delicious Chinese food.

Commuting is easier with the MRT and LRT.

The Coconut Palace was commissioned by former First Lady Imelda Marcos for Pope John Paul II's visit in 1981. The Palace is made of several types of Philippine hardwood, coconut shells, and a specially engineered coconut lumber.

Craving for seafood? Dampa in Paranaque serves the freshest catch.

The Philippines is the largest Catholic nation in Asia. Visit the Manila athedral. The present cathedral was constructed in 1954 to 1958 under Archbishop Rufino Jiao Santos of Manila and under the supervision of National Artist for Architecture Awardee, Architect Fernando Ocampo.

The Basilica of San Sebastian is the only all-steel basilica in Asia and is the second largest structure in the world to be made of steel, next only to the Eiffel Tower.

La Mesa Dam Ecopark offer nature-trippers a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Boat rides for the romantics are available here.

Eastwood City Libis is a hip commercial and entertainment district.

Malacanang Palace is the presidential residence.

Quezon City Circle stands proud near the Quezon City Hall.

The Oblation in the University of the Philippines

Ruins of World War 2 remain in Corregidor Island, which served as a focal point for the naval defenses of Manila.

Libingan ng mga Bayani (Manila Heroes Cemetery) is a national cemetery in Fort Bonifacio. Philippine heroes, martyrs, as well as past presidents lay in eternal peace in these grounds. The president of the Philippines has the sole authority to grant permission for individuals to be buried in the national cemetery.

All the places I mentioned can be found in Manila and its neighboring cities.

You should visit other places in the country like Cebu, Subic, Clark, Baguio, Boracay, Cagayan de Oro, Bicol, Palawan, and Davao. There are direct flights from Manado (Indonesia) to Davao via Sriwijaya Air and Merpati Nusantara.

For more information about the Philippines, I invite you to join the following groups.

Discover the 7,107 flavors of the Philippines.Join the WOW PHILIPPINES Group now by sending an email to the following address...WOWPHILIPPINES- subscribe@ yahoogroups.com or by clicking on the following link... http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/WOWPHILIPP INES/

You can contact me if you have any other questions.

I hope you'll enjoy your stay in the Philippines.

Mabuhay!

Remus Mark A. Carballo

your travel agent in Surabaya, Indonesia Mobile Indonesia +62.813.315. 165.77 Mobile Philippines +63.921.653. 5874 (text only)