•Capital: Manila

•Languages:
Tagalog,
English
There are sixteen cities that
make up the National Capital
Region or Metro Manila,
Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati,
Malabon, Mandaluyong,
Marikina, Muntinlupa,
Navotas, Parañaque,
Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City,
San Juan, Taguig, and
Valenzuela, as well as
the Municipality of Pateros.
• The name came from the
vernacular terms “lo-ok,”
meaning interior, and
“nasa sulok,” which
means in the corner,
implying its location.
 The city is historically
significant because it
was the center of
activities for the
Katipunan, the secret
militant society that
launched the Philippine
Revolution.
It was in a house in
Caloocan where the secret
meetings were held by
Andres Bonifacio and his
men, and it was within the
city’s perimeters where the
very first armed encounter
took place between the
Katipunan and the
Spaniards.
Bonifacio Monument.
The main landmark of Caloocan
City, the Bonifacio Monument is
located at the intersection of
Rizal Avenue and EDSA. The
monument commemorates the
most proletarian of all Filipino
heroes, Andres Bonifcio.
The monument likewise
marks the first encounter
between Andres Bonifacio
and his revolutionary group
called Katipunan with the
Spanish soldiers on August 3,
1896. The monument was
immortalized by the Filipino
nationalist Guillermo
Tolentino.
• Bonifacio Day (30th of
November). The highlights the
exploits and heroism of Andres
Bonifacio, the city’s pride and
leader of the Katipunan who
fought against Spanish oppression
and tyranny, as a means of
reawakening the nationalistic
spirit of public.
• Fusion of different provinces
can be found in the numerous
restaurants and fastfoods in
the city.
• In the 16th century, Manila (then
Maynilad) grew from an Arab
settlement on the banks of the
Pasig River ruled by Rajah
Sulayman, a Moslem sultan of
Bornean nobility. It was then
called Maynilad, from the word
“nilad,” a flowering shrub growing
abundantly along the banks of
Pasig River.
•Fort Santiago - Marking its
entrance at the northewestern tip to
Intramuros. Fort Santiago was one of
the oldest fortifications of Intramuros
started in 1571 and completed nearly
150 years later by Filipino forced
labor. The pre-Spanish settlement of
Rajah Sulayman, the last Filipino
ruler before the coming of the
Spaniards, was a wooden fort,
• on the ashes of which was built
the Spanish fortress which was
Spain’s major defense position
in the ward off pirates and
invaders. It is also known as the
“Shrine of Freedom,” in memory
of the heroic Filipinos
imprisoned and killed here
during the Spanish and
Japanese eras. Partly rebuilt
from the ruins World War II,
• It is now a park and
promenade housing a
resident theater
company, PETA, which
used ramparts, an old
garrison, and small
chapel as theaters for
both traditional and
modern plays.
•Manila Cathedral
- The Seat of the
Catholic Archdiocese
of Manila, it is
presently the 6th
cathedral to rise on the
site since 1581.
•Malacañang Palace
Museum / Malacañang
Palace is considered to be
one of the most historic
structures of the
Philippines. It has been the
official residence of the
highest chief executive of
the country since 1863.
 Feast of the
Black Nazarene
Most famous of all Manila
festivals is the Feast of the
Black Nazarene or “Pista ng
Itim na Nazareno.” This is
celebrated each January 9th of
the year.
It is marked by a
tumultuous procession
attended by a full-packed
crowds filling the entire
surroundings of the Quiapo
Church and portions of
Quezon Boulevard where
the church is located.
• The story about the true origin
of the city’s name, “Las
Piñas”, varies. Some said that
traders from the province of
Cavite and Batangas shipped
first their piña (pineapples) for
sale to this town before they
are distributed in nearby
markets.
• Others related that it was
”Las Peñas” (not Las Piñas),
evident by the quarrying of
stories and adobe which
were used to construct
buildings and bridges. The
name could have originated
from two political groups
that ruled the place at that
time.
•Bamboo Organ - The
Unique bamboo organ can only be
found inside the St. Joseph Church
of the Parish of Las Piñas. It was
in the year 1882 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 church that houses the
uniquely famous bamboo organ
was constructed between 1797
and 1819 using adobe (volcanic
stones). Restoration of the church
was done between 1971 and 1975
by Architects Fancisco Maῆosa
and Ludwig Alvarez.
• Town Fiesta/Feast of St. Joseph
(first Sunday of May) - The town
fiesta covers five barangays namely,
Manunyo Uno, Daniel Fajardo, Ilaya
Elias Aldana, and Pulang Lupa Uno. It is
Highlighted with a Banda Parada, the
staging of the Comedia or Moro-Moro,
singing contests, the novena with
“prusisyon” (Parade with Icons), and
fireworks.
• Bamboo Organ Festival is
being held at the Parish during the
month of February. Built in 1832,
this bamboo organ is one-of-a-
kind. The festival is held in honor
of its individuality and the special
sound its construction creates.
Each year the best of local
organists, as well as international
musicians, perform both classical
and contemporary pieces on this
organ.
• Las Piñas has been
recognized as the jeepney-
producing center of the
metropolis, if not the whole
country. Most original
jeepney factories started
business forming the G.I.
jeeps into commuter
transportation.
• The city is also noted for its
salt-making industry, making it
the salt center of Metro Manila
for the past many years. In the
1980s, this industry had been
greatly affected by the
construction of the Coastal
Road and reclamation project
along the Manila Bay.
• When the first Governor-General of the
Philippines, Miguel López de Legazpi,
explored a swamp near the Pasig River,
he asked for the name of the place but,
because of the language barrier, was
misinterpreted by the Tagalog people.
Pointing to the receding tide of the Pasig
River, the Tagalogs answered, “Makati,
kumakati na,” literally meaning ebbing
tide. Makati (maka-ti) means "ebbed
tide“.
• Ayala Museum - The museum
is a unique show window of
Philippine History and culture.
It features 60 diamonds (tri-
dimensional portraits)
depicting significant events of
Philippine history and scaled
down reproductions of native
boats and foreign ships.
• Ayala Triangle Gardens Lights and
Sounds Show or The Symphony of
Lights is held during Christmas
season, from November 16 to
December 30. It is a show
featuring a spectrum of lights
harmonized with Christmas songs.
The musical show represents the
Filipinos' colorful and festive
culture. It has become a top
attraction of Makati ever since its
debut in 2008.
• The Nuestra Señora de Gracia
Church, located in Bernardino,
Guadalupe Viejo, was founded by
Augustinian fathers in 1601 and
was dedicated to Our Lady of
Guadalupe in 1603. It is one of the
oldest churches in the Philippines.
The construction of the church
was done in 1629 with its
architecture reminiscent of late
Spanish Renaissance and early
Baroque architecture.
• Makati is known for being one
of the most popular and well-
known shopping destinations
in Metro Manila. The city is
also known for being a major
shopping hub, it is home to
various shopping centers
offering both international and
local retail shops, high-end
boutiques, dining outlets and
entertainment facilities.
• Caracol (last Sunday of January).
Conceptualized in 1988, Caracol is a
Spanish term for a snail and refers to
the “the shell used by the people to
protect them from life’s detrimental
realities,” It invites the viewers in
merrymaking. A combination of the
three major ethnic festivals of the
country, it was declared the official
festival of Makati through the passage
of Resolution 351.
• On May 21, 1599, the town
Tambobong, Malabon was founded as
a “Visita” of Tondo by the Agustinian
friars and remained under the
administrative jurisdiction of the
province of Tondo from 1627 to 1688.
Malabon was officially made a
municipality of the newly created
province of Rizal on June 11, 1901 by
virtue of Philippine Commission Act
137.
•Asilo de Huertanos - It
was here that the “La
Independencia”, the voice
of the revolutionary
government, was printed. It
was also where the
orphans of the plague of
1882 were housed.
• Malabon Zoo and Aquarium.
It is a well kept and unique
conservatory of both endemic and
exotic animals, including a large
variety of unusual fishes, stashed
inside a one-hectare tropical
rainforest environment. An
amusing destination for the old
and the young, it indulges its
visitors with the distinct privilege
to pet wild animals that normally
avoid human contact.
• The zoo is an
accommodating classroom
for nature lovers as it
educates people on the
environment preservation
of forest and wildlife.
•Pagoda-Caracol - It is a joint
annual celebration of the Roman Catholic
and Aglipay churches commemorating
the feast of Our Lady of Immaculate
Conception observed every December 8th.
It features a grand fluvial procession of
the venerated image of the Virgin along
the Malabon-Navotas River, coupled with
a traditional street dancing revelry
participated in by colorfully costumed
dancers, young and old.
• The delicacy of Malabon is Pancit
Malabon. Pancit Malabon is a type of
pancit that has yellow-orange color
due to a sauce that includes patis
(fish sauce) and bagoong (shrimp
paste). Its toppings draw heavily
from the fresh seafood that is
available in the area and may include
fresh shrimp, squid, oysters, and
hard-boiled duck or hen eggs, as well
as pork.
• Mandaluyong formed part of what was
once the Kingdom of Sapa of the Great
Majapahit Empire round 1300 More than a
century later, around 1470, it expanded
and was called the Kingdom of Namayan.
The vast kingdom comprised what are now
Quiapo, San Miguel, Sta. Ana, Paco,
Pandacan, Malate and Sta. Ana in Manila,
and Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Pasay,
Pateros, Taguig, Paranaque, and portions
of Pasig and Quezon City up to Diliman.
• Nowadays, Mandaluyong City
pride itself as the Mall City of
Metro Manila as several malls can
be found in the city.
•EDSA Shrine - The shrine
serves as a monument to
the Virgin Mary, the
protector of those who
participated in the People
Power Revolution of 1986.
• Don Bosco Technical College -
Formerly known as the San Carlos
Seninary, the Don Bosco Technical
College served as the headquarters
to the Japanese soldiers during
World War II.
• San Felipe Neri Church - Like
other Catholic churches in the
Philippines, the church of San Felipe
Neri had been run by Spanish friars. For
some time, it became the site of bloody
encounters between the Filipino
revolutionaries and Spanish soldiers.
SM Megamall Shangri-La Plaza Mall
• The term Marikina is used after
the Americans took possession in
the Philippines on June 1901, and at
the same time, the creation of the
province of Rizal. The area was earlier
called Mariquina after Felix Berenguer de
Marquina in 1787 who was the governor-
general at that time, and the town was
declared a pueblo under the Spanish
colonial government. It is often
abbreviated as MKNA.
• Diocesan Shrine-Parish of Our
Lady of the Abandoned - this
Spanish-era church is located
along J. P. Rizal Street. The church
was started by the Augustinians in
1687 and was finished in 1690. It
was destroyed by earthquakes and
by fires in 19th century, and it has
undergone a series of renovations
since 1963.
• Shoe Museum - The Shoe Museum
houses about 800 pairs of shoes,
slippers and boots belonging to
former First Lady Imelda Marcos, out of
a total of around 3000. It is also a place
which a record-holder as the most
numerous pair of shoes in the world.
• Marikina was given the title Shoe Capital
of the Philippines because of its notable
shoe industry, being the biggest
manufacturer of shoes in the Philippines,
producing almost 70% of shoe production
in the country. Marikina currently holds
the World's Largest Pair of Shoes and
recognized by the Guinness World
Records, also, the Shoe Museum houses
part of the famous shoe collection of the
former First Lady Imelda Marcos, shoes
of the world leaders, celebrities and
shoes of different countries, making it the
largest collection of pair of shoes in the
world.
• Muntinlupa was once notoriously
known as the location of the national
insular penitentiary, the New Bilibid
Prison, where the country's most
dangerous criminals were incarcerated.
Consequently, Muntinlupa or "Munti"
became synonymous with the national
penitentiary although it has largely
shaken-off this negative image to
become one of the most progressive
cities in the country.
• Muntinlupa is also home to some of the
best commercial establishments in the
metropolis and is the location of Ayala
Alabang Village, one of the country's
biggest and most expensive residential
communities, where many of the
wealthy and famous live.
• The Japanese Garden Cemetery - The
cemetery is a burial place of
Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, the Japanese
general who became famous during the
Japanese occupation of the country.
• Jamboree Lake - This is the
smallest natural lake in the country, a
favorite hang-out spot for nature lovers,
as well as ordinary passers-by looking
for a cool respite from the tropical
heat. The lake has been in existence
since time immemorial.
• Alabang Town Center is a shopping
mall owned by Ayala Malls in
Muntinlupa. This shopping mall has
become popular for the people for the
citizens of Southern Manila particularly
those from Muntinlupa, Las Piñas,
and Parañaque.
• Samahang Batya Festival
(December – January) –
Display of different costumes
and masks made of paper
mache. This is a yearly
competition of talent and
creativity of the town folks of
Alabang.
• During the Philippine Revolution,
Parañaque became one of the hottest
battle zones due to its location halfway
between the province of Cavite, where the
revolutionaries held sway, and Manila, the
seat of the Spanish colonial government.

• During the American occupation of the

Philippines, Parañaque became one of the
first municipalities in the Metro Manila
region. It was converted into a charted city
on February 15, 1998.
• The National Shrine of Our Mother
of Perpetual Help (Filipino:
Pambansang Dambana ng Ina ng
Laging Saklolo) also known as the
Redemptorist church, popularly
known as the Baclaran church is a
prominent Latin-rite Roman
Catholic church in the Philippines.
• Dampa is a Filipino word
which basically means a “hut”.
If we use dampa in
conjunction fresh seafood, it
connotes a row of restaurants
that cook fresh seafood,
bought at stalls nearby,
according to your wishes. If
Mactan/Cebu has sutokil,
Metro Manila has its dampa.
• Kare-kare is a rich nutty stew
made from ox tail and a
variety of vegetables.
• Every May 14 Parañaque's annual fiesta
is highlighted by its very unique street
pageant called the Sunduan. The term
"sunduan" is derived from the word
sundo which literally means "to fetch"
and relates to an old courtship custom
of waiting on one’s lady love,
accompanying her to the town plaza,
and bringing her home. Sunduan is
another celebration unique to
Parañaque.
• It conveys the message that
Paraqueños are romantics; that
their womenfolk are regarded with
love and respect; and that Chivalry
is alive in Parañaque.
• Pasay became a city on June
21, 1947 with a population of
88,000 and was renamed
Rizal City, after Jose Rizal,
the country’s national hero.
In 1949, it was renamed back
to Pasay.
• The City is known for its
entertainment – business-
restaurants, coffee shops,
and clubs, particularly
those located along Roxas
Boulevard, facing Manila
Bay. A large part of Metro
Manila's "tourist belt" is
located in the City.
• Most of the attractions in the
city are on the grounds of the
CCP (Cultural Center of the
Philippines) Complex,
including the massive main
CCP building, Philippine
International Convention
Center (PICC), Tanghalang
Francisco
Balagtas (formerly Folk Arts
Theater), Manila Film Center,
• Coconut Palace, Product
Development and Design
Center of the
Philippines (PDDCP), Philippine
Trade Training Center
(PTTC), World Trade Center
Metro Manila (WTCMM), Cuneta
Astrodome, Aliw Theater, and
theme parks Star City, Nayong
Pilipino, and Boom na Boom.
CCP ( Cultural Center of the Philippines)
Coconut World Trade Center
Metro
Palace Manila (WTCMM)
• Pasig was founded in July
1573 with the inauguration
of the mission parish of
Pasig. It received its first
bell with the Our Lady of
the Visitation as the patron
Saint of Pasig.
• Philippine Stock Exchange Center-
The Philippine Stock Exchange
was formed from the country’s
two former stock exchanges, the
Manila Stock Exchange (MSE),
established on August 8, 1927,
and the Makati Stock Exchange
(MkSE), which was established on
May 27, 1963.
• This house of Spanish architectural
design serves as a venue for art shows
and cultural forums.
• A grand celebration of the Pasig day
highlighted by different activities like
the Mutya ng Pasig Pageant, Dancing
Parade, Outstanding Pasiguenos Night,
Arts & Literary Competition, and
Palarong Pinoy.
• Quezon City is the most populous and
wealthiest city in the Philippines.
Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon
City (popularly known to Filipinos as QC)
is one of the cities that make up Metro
Manila, the National Capital Region. The
city was named after Manuel L. Quezon,
former President of the Philippines, who
founded the city and developed it to
replace Manila as the country's capital
for 28 years from 1948 to 1976. Quezon
City is not located in and should not be
confused with Quezon province, which
was also named after the president.
• Having been the national capital,
Quezon City is the site of many
government offices, including
the Batasang Pambansa Complex,
the seat of the House of
Representatives, which is the lower
chamber in the Philippine Congress.
The main campuses of two
noteworthy universities, the Ateneo
de Manila University and the
country's national university,
the University of the Philippines
Diliman, are located in the city.
Barrio Pugad Lawin Balintawak
• Customized calendars is one of the
many livelihood products of residents
in this area. The city also bursts with
the different products and cuisines
found all over the country.
• The City of Taguig is a highly
urbanized city located in south-eastern
portion of Metro Manila in the Philippines.
From a thriving fishing community along
the shores of Laguna de Bay, it is now an
important residential, commercial and
industrial center. The recent construction
of the C-5 highway and the acquisition of
the Fort Bonifacio development area has
paved the way for the cityhood of the
municipality. It will also be accessed by
the future C-6 Road.
• Bonifacio Global City - One of Metro Manila's fastest growing
financial hubs, a 240 hectare world-class business district at the heart
of the city, home to upscale shopping centers, hotels, condominiums,
offices and international schools.
• Parola - Built in the 17th century, it
stands guard at the mouth of Napindan
Channel where the Pasig River crosses
into the Laguna Lake. It became the
secret rendezvous point of the Katipunan
as it planned its moves to achieve
Philippine's Independence. The Parola
was chosen by KKK Supremo, Gat Andres
Bonifacio, as a meeting place because of
its strategic location being the most
accessible channel from Tondo, Manila
and from the Municipios along the Pasig
River and the Province of Laguna.
• Sta. Anang Banak Taguig River
Festival (July 26). A fluvial parade
in honor of the town patroness St.
Anne. The thrills and excitement of the
fishers are replayed after year by the
“pasubo” where fluvial parade
participants in Colorful boats and
spectators by the riverbanks toss
goodies of fruits and native delicacies
to each other.
• Leather Bags. The products
are made of leather and are
available in different designs.
They are supplied in white,
black, and brown colors.
• Valenzuela was named after Pío Valenzuela,
a doctor and a member of Katipunan. The
town preceding Valenzuela that was
originally called Polo was formed in 1621
due to religious separation movements from
parishes of Meycauayan (Catanghalan). Polo
has been occupied twice by foreign armies
other than colonial powers Spain and United
States: first during the Seven Years' War by
the British and by the Japanese during
the Second World War.
• Arkong Bato means "arch of stone" which
was constructed and built by the Americans in
1910 to serve as borders between the towns of
Polo (which was part of Bulacan)
and Malabon (part of Morong). The arch is
located along M.H. del Pilar Street, the only road
that links MacArthur Highway and North Luzon
Expressway. After Malabon seceded from
Morong and Polo from Bulacan to become
independent municipalities, the arch now
marked as the boundary between brangay
Santulan in Malabon and barangay Arkong Bato
in Valenzuela.
• San Miguel Brewery. Home to the
world-famous Filipino beer
products, San Miguel Beer. It is
located along MacArthur Highway,
Valenzuela.
• Putong Pulo of Valenzuela.
Rice cakes made popular in the
1950’s that were served in the
restaurants of Manila.
• Dubbed as the "Fishing Capital of the
Philippines", Navotas is considered to be a
very important fishing community with 70%
of its population deriving their livelihood
directly or indirectly from fishing and its
related industries like fish trading, fish net
mending, and fish producing having
marginal percentage of inter-Island fish
producers. Navotas occupies a portion of
the Metropolitan Manila bound in the west
with shoreline of Manila Bay, which is a
strategic coastal front and suitable for all
kinds of vessels.
• The Navotas Fish Port complex (NPPC). It is
the premier fish center of the Philippines
and one of the largest in Asia and the first
major fishing port and fish market complex
placed unfer the exclusive jurisdiction,
control and supervision of the Philippine
Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).
The quietest market you’ll find in the whole
country because all market goers whisper
their bid to the fish wholesaler the price
they are willing to pay for the tubs of fish
being sold.
• Navotas is famous for
Fish sauce (patis),
Shrimp paste or
bagoong, Fish meat, and
dried smoke fish.
• San Juan is one of the cities that
comprises the National Capital
Region of the Philippines. It was a
part of the province of Rizal before
the creation of NCR. It is the
smallest city in the region and the
country in terms of land area. San
Juan is also known for the first
battle of the Katipunan, the Filipino
revolutionary organization, against
the Spanish colonizers.
• Pinaglabanan Shrine- The shrine has a
statue of a woman supported by two
children, holding up a bolo, or a machete.
This was built to commemorate the
opening salvo of the 1896 Philippine
Revolution, when the Katipuneros lay
siege to an arms storage facility, called
the almacen, that belonged to the Spanish
Colonial Government. It is this statue that
is depicted on the city's seal.
• Greenhills Shopping Center is
a shopping centre in the city of San
Juan in the Philippines. It has over
2,000 stores, and espouses an
'indoor-outdoor' theme, with the
Shopping Center having the
appearance of several distinct
buildings (some separated by a main
road) that are all interconnected
through pathways and bridges. It
hosts a Roman Catholic chapel and
a Muslim prayer room.
 • Anniversary of San Juan. Founding
anniversary of San Juan as an
independent municipality by virtue of
Philippine Commission Act No. 1625
dated March 27, 1907.

Products, Delicacies,
and Cuisines
San Juan City has some of the best
Chinese Restaurants in a suburban setting.
• The Municipality of Pateros is a first-class
municipality in Metro Manila, Philippines.
This small town is famous for its duck-
raising industry and especially for
producing balut, a Filipino delicacy that is
boiled duck egg. Pateros is also known
for the production of red salty eggs and
"inutak", a local rice cake. Moreover, the
town is known for manufacturing of
"alfombra", a locally-made footwear with
a carpet-like fabric on its top surface.
Pateros is bordered by Pasig City to the
north, Makati City to the west, and Taguig
City to the south.
• Balut-Making. It is considered the major
tourist attraction in Pateros. The very
famous industry has been handed down
from generation to generation and
accounts for about 23% of the whole
Pateros industry.
• Alfombra Slippers Making. Slipper
manufacturing is one of the early skills
of the people of Pateros. It ranks fourth
in the registered establishments of
Pateros.

Products, Delicacies,
and Cuisines
Balut is boiled fertilized duck egg. Its
production is the most popular and
abundant industry in the municipality of
Pateros. Another source of residents’
income is the alfombra, a kind of slipper.