Manila Bay, Manila

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the CCP Complex lies in the heart of the Manila Bay Reclamation Area and is home of lots of places to see. It was built in 1969 and the Main draw is the Large Complex that functions as settings for plays and operas and concerts. Also within the complex is the Coconut Palace, an architectural wonder made from the coconut tree mixed with other indigenous material. The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the Product Design and Development Center, the Folk Arts Theater, Philippine Center for International Trade and Exhibitions (PHILCITE), Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel and Manila Film Center.

It also has the Folk Arts Center, used for shows, ferry terminals going to Bataan province and Manila Bay Cruises and lots of Restaurants and Bars.

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Find yourself with nothing to do in Manila? If you are a fan of the Beatles you might want to check out some of the sights in Manila associated with the Beatles' visit on July 4, 1966. Their visit to the Philippines was a significant event in their history...not necessarily in a good way!

Having just played a series of controversial concerts in the sacred Budokon in Tokyo, the Fab Four arrived in Manila as part of their World Tour in the summer of the 1966. If the 1960's wasn't already in turmoil enough....it was even worse in the Philippines under the strict control of the Marcos' gov't. What possessed Brian Epstein to book them into the Philippines at that time still is a wonder to this day! After landing at the airport, the four lads were wisked away and brought to the Manila Yacht Club and put on a private boat in the middle of Manila Bay. It was the 1st time they had ever been separated from their manager and the Beatles were quite shaken by this. The Yacht Club is still there and pretty much looks the same as it did in the 1960's. It is located on Roxas Blvd.

The Beatles stayed at the Manila Hotel just down the road from the Yacht Club. From the information I have obtained on the internet it is not 100% clear which rooms they stayed in. The Hotel itself has undergone major changes since then...with a major addition in 1976 of the "tower". The room numbers were changed in the old section of the hotel to accommodate the new addition. The Hotel itself has no records of room occupancy dating back that far but from what I understand they stayed on the 4th floor of the old section....possibly in adjoining suites 401-403-405 and 407. Paul McCartney did manage to sneak out of the hotel at one point and hopped in a taxi to tour the dowtown area.

The Beatles gave two concerts that day...one in the afternoon and one in the evening. According to the contracts signed, there were only supposed to be about 30,000 tickets sold for each event. The local promoters were greedy of course and managed to sell over 80,000 tickets for each show. The tickets sold for about $3 on average. The concert took part at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. It is still there and is pretty much unchanged from the way it looked in the 1960's. I asked the guards at the front entrance if I could go inside to look and they nicely obliged. The stage was set up in the far field with 80,000 onlookers in the field and in the football stands. Although the shows were terribly crowded and slightly unsafe, the two shows went off without any major problems. The football stadium is located in Pasay City right across the street from Harrison Shopping Plaza.

The next day the Beatles had a sceduled day off to relax before boarding their British Airways flight to London. They had planned to relax and stay in their hotel room. Without their prior knowledge, the President and First wife Mr. & Mrs. Marcos had gone ahead and planned a reception at the Presidential palace in honour of the Beatles. Apparently, their manager Brian Epstein was informed but politely declined the offer but the presidential office insisted. The Beatles were not even informed of the request so they obviously were not going to show up. The next morning, they woke up to a flurry of phone calls from the Press. They wanted to know why they had "snubbed" the first family! It was all over the tv news and in the newspapers. It was at this time that their manager made last minute arrangements to fly out of Manila. They packed up their stuff but they were not granted a police motorcade like they usually have arranged on these kinds of trip. They had to wait in the lobby of the Manila Hotel for a taxi! Now, the lobby has changed somewhat since then. The grand lobby as seen today was added in the mid-1970's along with the tower. The lobby in July of 1966 was the immediate part of the lobby as soon as you enter the hotel. It was just a long stretch of lobby back then that extended out to the right and to your left. It is still intact today and can be seen upon entering the hotel itself. The Beatles waited there and finally got a few taxis to take them and their entourage to the airport.

They never were paid for these shows. The authorities refused to let their plane leave the ground until they returned the money. This was a significant part of the Beatles history because it was after this incident that they decided to quit touring altogether! This was the final date of the Asian leg of the tour. The Beatles went on to North America from there and vowed to themselves to never tour again and to concentrate strictly on making studio albums. Their last concert live concert was one month later in San Francisco, California. None of the Beatles ever returned to the Philippines again.

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the manila sunset is one of the most beautiful in the world. there are restaurants and bars along roxas boulevard where you can eat or drink while watching the sunset. another location is ccp complex near westin philippine plaza. its a romantic place for your girl.

CCP or The Cultural Center of the Philippines is one of the most renowned artistic theather here in Manila/Pasay as it is already beyond the boundaries of Manila. Every sunday morning , health buffs mostly from manila or pasay area gathers around this complex to join aerobics class, to jog or walk their dogs. During weekdays, the complex is very serene. The air is fresh. As the gentle winds blow, leaves from the trees starts to falls like autumn. Usually, people take an orange colored jeepney ride to tour the CCP complex. I suggest for them to walk from CCP main theather to Folkarts theather down to the coconut palace and the jumbo palace (floating restaurant in Manila Bay). Although the sea is not that clean but it still provides free relaxation getaway without leaving Manila.
You may also take your children to play badminton or tennis in CCP area. There is a spot where you can rent the space including the badminton/tennis net. May not be a five star place but still its fun. :)

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One of our place of stop for our annual Visita Iglesia. Since the church is located at near Malacanang Palace ( Solano St corner Rio Vista St), visitors will pass the strict security of the presidential security guard and sometimes vehicles will not be allowed inside the Solano Street.

The altar displays the statue of the 7 Archangels ( St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, St. Uriel, St. Sealthiel, St. Barachiel and St. Jhudiel).

Parish Priest is Fr. Ernesto Cruz.

This was a very nice location to take a stroll with the outdoor cafe/bars/entertainers and food vendors.. at first i felt a bit tense with the locals and few homeless begging, i guess i stuck out.. but felt more at ease as i walked and watched my surrounding.

Also this location i had my first taste of the local Beer San Miguel Light..tasted very good... As i sat an watch a performer singing american pop songs with a slight out of pick tone of voice.. but it was pleasant and enjoyable. lol
Philipino Idol ur next big star...lol

It is a relatively new name for the commercialized promenade along Roxas Bouleverd. Running from the Philippine Navy Headquarters near Pablo Ocampo Street (formerly Vito Cruz) to American Embassy near TM Kalaw Street, it is a strip blessed with spectacular sunsets, sumptuous dishes served outdoors and lively nights of music and the now famous sperical street lamps made of multicolored lightbulbs.

When partygoers and performers go home and shops close at early morning, the walk becomes a paradise for both morning joggers and bikers. The people will be very few by noontime but in the afternoon, it will again be full of romantic students, locals and tourists waiting for the sun's daily showcase. Street lights will then light up and woderful aromas of delicacies will fill the air signifying the beginning of yet another wonderful evening.

Scorching heat of the tropical afternoon sun is not much of a big deal as the avenue is lined with trees. What spoils the fun is high tide that includes strong waves that splashes sea water on the walk. There'd barely be any place to run too when a typhoon's approaching. But who'd be there anyway in afternoons when the sun's behind the clouds?

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Along the Baywalk, several small stalls are offering Henna Tattoo. Cost from P100 for small designs and P500 for bigger designs.

Henna tattoo lasts 1 to 2 weeks in your body before it is completely gone.

The Baywalk area of Manila, just south of the US embassy on Roxas Boulevard, is the best place to see the sunset. The Baywalk is lined with outdoor bars and food stands, some even sporting live music, but you don't have to eat or drink anything to enjoy the beauty of the spectacle. While Manila's foul air is usually a detriment, the one good thing it does bring to the lives of millions here is beautiful sunsets over the bay. And the locals definitely appreciate it! Just go to the Baywalk and you'll see.

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One of the tourst night spot here in Manila give you the opportunity to walk around with your friends, watching cool sunset, eating dinner with nice amusement while listening music to the band who played makes your night relaxing. As there are lots of restaurants here, you can choose where you like to eat. A place where you can hang on whole night. The afternoon i went here were i missed the sunset but the second time around i did took good views of the sunset already thru my cellphone.