Manila Bay’s location between the silk and spices of Old World and the New World’s silver made it a natural magnet for maritime traders. The Chinese were the first foreigners to arrive in 98AD but by the late 15th century, Spain had claimed the islands. Later colonized by the U.S., Manila became a true melting pot of different cultures. The country gained independence on July 4th, 1946 and experienced dictatorship till 1986. Manila was originally a group of 17 towns and villages, brought together by President Marcos in 1976. One of these, Makati City, is the now financial hub of the country and the country’s model for urban planning, rising to national prominence, financially and architecturally, in less than a decade. Makati came from the Tagalog word ‘kati’, which means tide, referring to the rise and ebb of the Pasig River on Manila's northern border.
The Pearl of the Orient
