Exchange Rates
Singapore Dollars |
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1.4590 |
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2.0230 |
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2.3229 |
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0.2134 |
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Manila Weather
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Saturday - 4th Jul |  | Heavy Showers
| Max | : | 31°C (88°F) | | Min | : | 25°C (77°F) |
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Sunday - 5th Jul | | Heavy Showers
| Max | : | 32°C (90°F) | | Min | : | 25°C (77°F) |
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Monday - 6th Jul | | Heavy Showers
| Max | : | 30°C (86°F) | | Min | : | 25°C (77°F) |
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| The 7,107 beautiful tropical islands that make up the Republic of the Philippines sit in the lapping warm waters of the Philippine Sea, the South China Sea, and to the south, the Celebes Sea. Hong Kong is nine hundred and fifty kilometers away to the southeast, and Singapore is two thousand four hundred kilometers to the northeast. Manila is an expansive city with all the luxuries that a capital city affords, and you will find excellent service and good manners.
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The hot and humid tropical climate means that the average temperature is around twenty-six degrees centigrade. The hottest season is the summer, from March through to May, the rainy season lasts from June to November, and the coolest season is from December to February. From May to October the southwest Monsoon sweeps over the islands, and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon blow in from November to April.
The capital City of Manila is part of Metro Manila, which is made up of seventeen settlements, and has over fourteen million inhabitants. The city was constructed as a fortified settlement by Spanish Jesuit missionaries, to defend themselves from the invading forces of the ferocious Chinese pirates who sailed the South China Sea, as well as from the Philippine natives themselves.
From 1565 to 1898 the Philippines were a colonial dominion of Spain, and this has left a wealth of influence on the native cultures of the Malayo-Polynesian and Chinese people who inhabit the islands. Spanish architecture is a great influence throughout the Philippine islands, and the Spanish language and cuisine has also left its mark. The sovereignty of the islands has been disputed many times, with the Chinese, Spanish, British, Americans and Japanese all ruling at some point in its history.
Metro Manila has risen like a Phoenix from the ashes of the Second World War, bringing about the modern thriving economic hub that it is today. Manila is now a cosmopolitan and diverse mixture of cultures, and an experience never to be forgotten.
Manila is bisected by the river Pasig, with eight districts, Binondo, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa, and Tondo to the north of it, and Ermita, Intramusos, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port, San Andres Buki, and Santa Ana to the south.
Binondo, is Chinese in heritage, and is the main centre for business in the city. Quiapo, is well known for its interesting shopping, from value electrical goods to handicrafts. Sampaloc, is where you will find the fragrant and intensely colourful flower market of Dangwa on Maceda Street. San Nicolas is where you will find the exciting Divisoria flea market, filled with a treasure trove of thrifty finds. Santa Cruz, is a hubble-bubble mix of businesses and residences jostling for competition with each other. Tondo, is one of the oldest and the largest of the districts.
Hotels in Manila and the Philippines will give you a fantastically wide choice of accommodation for your stay, no matter how long you intend it to be. There is a choice of accommodation open to you from beautifully furnished luxury rooms to family rooms, and luxury suites to fully serviced hotel apartments and penthouses. As with all noteworthy international hotels a twenty-four hour concierge service, as well as airport pick up and valet parking are generally standard, and a relaxing spa and well-equipped gym are a must. Nothing is too much trouble for the highly trained concierge, who will be able to help you with anything you should desire. Your comfort, happiness and well-being is top priority.
The rippling Azure blue waters of a luxurious swimming pool, with lush tropical plants for shade, large comfortable loungers, and efficient waiter service to bring you everything you want, will set you at your ease. Salt water spa's and Jacuzzis, as well as highly trained massage therapists will wash away any jetlag you might have to leave you carefree and ready for an exciting stay in your Manila hotel.
The rooms are well appointed relaxing and spacious, with all the latest home comforts from HDTV and DVD to fast Internet connections essential for the business and executive traveler. Naturally a wake-up call service is available to you should you request it, and baby sitting services are very useful to allow parents to dine in comfort and relax in the evening. There is an enviable air of refinement and five star luxury to be found for the business or holiday traveler, and also an extremely fine in-house selection of bars and restaurants to cater for your every culinary desire. Try a selection of local dishes to set your taste buds dancing in the sumptuous surroundings of the restaurant, or have room service and a relaxing meal in the comfort of your own room.
When dining out you will find a tremendous variety of cuisines to choose from. American food is popular worldwide. This great city is reputed to have the best Spanish cuisine in the Far East, which is not surprising with all its history as an old Spanish colony. If you are feeling adventurous then you should try some regional dishes such as Banana Cue if you have a sweet tooth, or Kwek Kwek, and Balut for the brave and more adventurous gourmet.
This forward thinking and modern city has English, as its second language, which makes it all the easier to enjoy its delights, pleasures and distractions. With so much variety born of its multi ethnic past, and vivacity for the future, Manila is an experience of a lifetime to treasure. It will warm you with its tropical climate, entertain with its heady mixture of cultures, and leave you wanting more with its shopping and luxury hotels.
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