POPE FRANCIS' PASTORAL VISIT IN THE PHILIPPINES

This picture is through the courtesy of the Yahoo News

His Holiness Pope Francis had at last arrived in the Philippines at 5:31 P.M. of January 15, 2015 as part of his January 15-19, 2015 Philippine pastoral visit. The whole country rejoiced as roads were closed and major transport facilities like the Metro Rail Transit and the Light Railway Transit in Metro Manila were shut down one hour before the plane he was boarding touched down the Villamore Airbase. All flights of that same time were cancelled and rescheduled just to make sure that the Holy Pontiff was safe in his arrival at Villamor Airbase. Classes were all suspended and the weekdays of January 15, 16 & 19, 2015 were declared holidays.

The huge crowd outside Manila Cathedral waiting for the Pope to appear at the Church's main door

Indeed, Filipinos counted the event as such a historical one as the country is noted having more than 80% Catholics. The preparation was that big and almost everybody wanted to see the Holy Father in person.

Outside Manila Cathedral where huge crowd attended his holy mass

The Philippine Government highly worked on the security of the Pope. In fact, thousands of police officers and military staff served as the frontliners wherever the Holy See goes.

Just one of the tanks stationed near the Manila Cathedral

The crowd management system was highly organized to avoid casualties and huge crowd reaching to millions will surge along the streets and landmarks where the Pope is expected to pass.

The Red Cross Volunteers stationed in Intramuros near Manila Cathedral

The Red Cross Organization in Manila was very active to address the mass casualty incidents which might result in this huge crowd of people. They were all installed in specific venues where the Pope was expected to be there, namely: The Malacanang Palace, The Manila Cathedral, The Mall of Asia, University of Santo Tomas and in Tacloban City.

For a comprehensive update, you may check on this link for the activities of Pope Francis in the Philippines.

An up-close shot of Pope Francis along Roxas Boulevard corner Buendia Avenue in Pasay City, Philippines on his way to SM Arena dated January 16, 2015 as captured by Richard Macasero

METROPOLITAN MANILA

Note: This post has been updated to September 7, 2026

METROPOLITAN MANILA with a land area of 636 square kilometers, is widely known as METRO MANILA, which is consist of 16 Highly Urbanized Cities:  (1) Caloocan, (2) Las Pinas, (3) Makati, (4) Malabon, (5) Mandaluyong, (6) Manila - the capital city, (7) Marikina, (8) Muntinlupa, (9) Navotas, (10) Paranaque, (11) Pasay, (12) Pasig, (13) Quezon City, (14) San Juan, (15) Taguig, and (16) Valenzuela; and a municipality of Pateros.

MAKATI CITY

Makati City is the leading financial, commercial, and business center of the Philippines, which is a part of Metropolitan Manila.   It serves as the premier economic hub and financial capital of the country, hosting major corporate headquarters, banks, and foreign embassies.  It covers a land area of about 21.57 square kilometers, bordered by the Pasig River to the north, Taguig to east, and Pasay to the west.  It comprises 33 barangays, featuring the prominent Makati Central Business District (CBD), the historic Poblacion district, and affluent enclaves like Forest Park.  It boasts one of the largest and most dense collections of skyscrapers in the Philippines.  It is founded in 1670 as San Pedro de Makati, it evolved from an agricultural town and the site of the nation's first airport into a modern metropolis.

The financial district along Ayala Avenue, the Wall Street of the Philippines

Ayala Avenue is a 1.9-kilometer major thoroughfare in Makati City, that serves as the core of the country's financial industry.  It is widely known for housing the headquarters of top local and multinational corporations, major financial institutions, and the Philippine Stock Exchange, thus, it earns the reputation of being the Wall Street of the Philippines,

The Glorietta Malls of Makati Business District captured from One Ayala Mall balcony

The festive Christmas at Ayala Triangle Gardens

MANDALUYONG

Mandaluyong City is a highly urbanized, progressive economic center located at the heart of Metropolitan Manila, widely known as the "Tiger City".   It has an area of 9.29 square kilometers consisting of 27 barangays which is divided into 2 political districts.  It is bordered by Manila to the west, San Juan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, Pasig to the east, and Makati across the Pasig River to the south.

It shares the bustling Ortigas Center business district with Pasig City, featuring soaring corporate skyscrapers and commercial zones.  It is home to world-class shopping complexes like SM Megamall and Shangri-La Plaza, as well as major corporate headquarters including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC).   Its major thoroughfares like EDSA run directly through the city, connecting commuters to the rest of the capital region via multiple MRT-3 stations.

Part of the massive SM Megamall

SM Megamall ranks generally between 5th and 10th largest shopping mall in the world, depending on whether the list measures Gross Leasable Area (GLA) or total floor area.  It is approximately 474,00 to 500,000 square meters (about 5.1 to 5.4 million square feet).  It is situated in Ortigas Center of Mandaluyong City.

At the rooftop of Lancaster Hotel

Lancaster Hotel Manila is a 42-story tower along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.  It is just a block away from the MRT Shaw Boulevard station.  It overlooks the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club and sits minutes away from Shangri-La Plaza and SM Megamall.  It offers apartment-style suites equipped with kitchen or dining facilities, air conditioning, and separate sitting areas.

With the backdrop of the massive and modern building of Mandaluyong City Hall

SM Mega Tower (left) and BSA Twin Towers (right)

Archdiocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy

MANILA

The City of Manila is the historic capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines, which is divided into 16 administrative districts, including Intramuros, Binondo, and Quaipo.  It is located in the eastern shore of Manila Bay at the mouth of the Pasig River.  It is famous for its attractions like the historic Walled City featuring Fort Santiago and the Manila Cathedral, Rizal Park and Binondo - the oldest Chinatown in the world, famous for its food and heritage.

The Pasig River with the background of Sta. Cruz and Quiapo buildings

At the poolside of Sofitel Hotel in CCP Complex

Skyscrapers in Manila and the Manila Bay as viewed from the Sofitel Hotel from CCP Complex

Manila Bay coastline as captured from Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex(Model: my son)

Bayview Park Hotel Manila

The Post Office Building

Quiapo Bridge captured from Arroceros Forest Park (Model: my son)

At the walls of Intramuros with the backdrop of the buildings of Manila along T.M. Kalaw St.
Intramuros is a historic, 0.67 square kilometer walled district in Manila founded and initially built starting on June 12, 1571, by Spanish Governor-General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.   It is considered as the oldest part of the city and the center of Spanish colonial power in the Philippines.  Its initial fortification prior to the building of the massive wall consisted of a palisade of palm logs.
The historic and symbolic Manila Cathedral
The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as the Manila Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic basilica and the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Manila.  It is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Concepcion, the principal patroness of the Philippines.

The captured facade of Manila Cathedral

Manila Cathedral was originally constructed in 1571 as a parish under the Archdiocese of Mexico, the church became the seat of the new suffragan Diocese of Manila, which was established on February 6, 1579, by Pope Gregory XIII.

Palacio del Governador: A Hispanic Legacy
T.M. Kalaw Avenue: A busy district of Ermita
Welcome Rotonda: Separates Manila and Quezon City

MUNTINLUPA CITY

Muntinlupa is a highly urbanized, first-class city in the southernmost part of the Metro Manila, known as the "Gateway to Calabarzon".   Calabarzon is Region IV-A, one of the 18 administrative regions of the Philippines, which stands for the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.  It has an area of 39.75 square kilometers consisting of 9 barangays and that includes the most progressive business district of Ayala Alabang.  It borders Taguig, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Cavite (Dasmarinas, Bacoor), Laguna (San Padro), and Laguna de Bay.

It is home to major business and lifestyle districts like Alabang (including Filinvest City and Alabang Town Center).   It is famous for upscale communities like Ayala Alabang Village.  It also has the main national penitentiary New Bilibid Prison which is managed by the Bureau of Corrections.  It is often referred to as the "Emerald City" due to its notable green spaces compared to other dense areas in the metropolis.

Alabang Business District

Posadas Village Clubhouse in Sucat, Muntinlupa City

PARANAQUE CITY

Paranaque is a coastal, highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, known for its entertainment complexes, major transportation hubs, and rich cultural heritage with a land area of 46.57 square kilometers divided into 16 barangays, bordered by Pasay, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, and Manila Bay.

It is noted for being an entertainment city with massive beachfront tourism and gaming district home to luxury resorts like Solaire Resort & Casino, City of Dreams Manila, and Okada Manila.  It is the cradle of Baclaran Church - a formally known National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, famous for being an international pilgrimage site.   It is also home to Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Aseana City and the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), a major multi-modal public transport terminal.

The Skyway above South Expressway with the backdrop of Azure Urban Resort Residences

Okada Manila Luxury Hotel and Casino Resort

Okada Manila, is a 5-star luxury resort which covers a vast oceanfront area of about 30 to 44 hectares in Entertainment City, Paranaque City, where it features two main 15-story hotel wings (Pearl Wing and Coral Wing) connected by sky bridges.  Its distinct gold-colored glass facade reflects the famous Manila Bay sunset.  Its complex houses over 1,000 luxurious rooms, suites, and upscale villas equipped with modern smart controls and  luxury amenities.

The Dancing Fountain at Okada Manila

This dancing fountain at Okada Manila measures 37,464 square meters, an iconic multi-color dancing water feature as large as 50 Olympic-sized pools.  The water jets of the fountain can shoot water higher than its 19-storey hotel building.  It is equipped with over 700 high-power water jets.

PASAY CITY

Pasay City is a major urban center in Metro Manila, famous for housing the main international gateway, Ninoy  Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with a land area of 13.97 square kilometers consisting of 201 barangays divided into 20 zones across 2 legislative districts.

It is where SM Mall of Asia (MOA) is located, one of the largest shopping malls globally, featuring an arena, amusement rides, and scenic Manila Bay sunsets.  Newport Worlds Resorts - a major entertainment and commercial complex located across from NAIA Terminal 3 is also a part of this bustling city.  Star City - a popular family amusement park situated near the harbor area is also one of its attractions.

The city hosts the majority of NAIA's terminals and major bus lines.  It also boasts a highly dynamic business and tourism activity featured thru reclaimed land developments along Bay City like the SM Central Business Park.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX) cutting through the Newport City

Newport City functions as a mixed-use commercial and business district near Ninoy Aquino International Airport and is a part of the progressive Pasay City.

Sea Residences of SM Central Business Park
SM Central Business Park boasts several high-end hotels and staycation suites as part of its real estate development expansion.  The location is favorable as the airports (domestic and international) are located within the city. 

QUEZON CITY

Quezon City, situated in the northeast part of Metro Manila,  is the most populous and largest city by land area in Metro Manila covering 161.11 square kilometers consisting of 142 barangays divided politically into six congressional districts.  It was founded on October 12, 1993, by President Manuel L. Quezon, after whom the city is named.  It is distinct from Quezon Province.

It served as the official capital of the Philippines from 1948 to 1976 before capital status returned to Manila.  The city is designed as a planned community to relieve congestion in Manila.

The busy major commercial and business district of Cubao

Cubao District as captured from Cubao MRT Station (Models: My wife and son)

A train approaching Cubao MRT Station

The Sunken Garden of the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus

SAN JUAN CITY

San Juan City is the smallest highly urbanized city by land area of 5.95 square kilometers divided into 21 barangays across two legislative districts.  It is bounded by Quezon City on the north and east, Mandaluyong on the south, and the City of Manila on the west.

It is formerly called San Juan del Monte ("St. John of the Mountain") after its hilly terrain and patron saint, St. John the Baptist.  It is known as the site of the Battle of San Juan del Monte (Pinaglabanan), the first major battle of the Katipunan against the Spanish Empire in 1896.  It was converted from municipality into a highly urbanized city in 2007.

It is where Greenhills Shopping Center is located, a famous commercial district known for its retail shops, tech gadgets, and bargain tiangge (bazaar) famous for pearls.  Another landmark it has, is the Pinaglabanan Shrine, a historic park and monument dedicated to the heroes of the Philippine Revolution.  It is also known for its Santolan Town Plaza, a modern lifestyle and dining hub.

The imposing skyscrapers of San Juan City (Photo credit: UP Philippines)

TAGUIG CITY

Taguig City is a major financial, commercial, and residential center in Metro Manila with a total land area of 45.21 square kilometers divided into 38 barangays.  It is situated on the western shore of Laguna de Bay.  It is known for blending historic origins as a fishing community with modern, high-density urban zones.

It is noted for the following features:

1. Bonifacio Global City (BGC): A premier financial and lifestyle district filled with corporate headquarters, high-end malls, and public art.
2. Mc McKinley Hill:  An upscale residential and commercial township featuring European-inspired architecture, notably the Venice Grand Canal Mall.
3. Parks and Recreation:  Offers urban green spaces and recreational hubs like Bonifacio High Street and local city parks.

The modern business district of Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

The high-end Venice Grand Canal Mall

VALENZUELA CITY

Valenzuela City is a busy, first-class, highly urbanized city in Metro Manila located about 14 kilometers north of the capital city of Manila with an area of 47.02 square kilometers divided into 33 barangays.  This city is known as the "Northern Gateway to Metropolitan Manila" because the MacArthur Highway and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) pass through it.

This city started as a small fishing community and was founded as the town of Polo in 1623 when it separated from Meycauayan, Bulacan.  The town was later renamed after Dr. Pio Valenzuela, a famous local hero and leader of the Katipunan revolutionary society.   It was chartered as a highly urbanized city in 1998.

The city is a major center for manufacturing and trade, featuring factories that produce food, plastics, metals, and textiles.   Its local government is recognized nationally for good financial governance and smooth business processes.

It has the popular Valenzuela City People's Park - a popular public park with open spaces, exercise areas, and fountains.  It also has the Museo Valenzuela, a cultural center highlighting local history and art.  It also houses the major religious landmark National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.

An aerial view of Valenzuela (Photo credit to Philippine Tourism)

THANKS FOR READING!

HISTORICAL MANILA TOUR 2011

View Intramuros in a larger map

This event is dated March 27, 2011 reminiscing the historical Manila which was mainly taken in the old walled city of Intramuros and the National Museum together with my friends, namely: Alan Valenzuela, Rome Frias and his auntie, Delia Llamera Abellanosa and Benedick Manalang.

The Intramuros included the following: Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, The Manila-Acupolco Galleon Marker, Aduana Ruins, Palacio del Governador, Memorare Manila 1945 Marker, Casa Manila Museum, Plaza San Luis Complex, Baluerte de San Diego, Fort Santiago, Pintong Postigo and its related environs.