Manila is the pearl of the Philippines, a vast archipelago of over 7,000 islands and 60 million people. Here a mix of Malay, Chinese, American, Spanish and Arab influences created one of the most diverse and colorful societies in the world. At the heart of this unique culture lies bayanihan, the Filipinos' extraordinary spirit of national kinship. The Philippines are also a place of extraordinary physical beauty, from Manila's Intramuros district with its old colonial architecture to the tropical countryside with its forest, waterfalls, and volcanoes.

Manila's strategic location made it one of Asia's major commercial centers. Today the city is a fascinating place where East meets West and the modern stands side by side with the ancient.