TENThings You May Not Know

About Manila

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1The district of Intramuros was the original Manila during

the Spanish occupation. The districts beyond its walls were known as the extramuros of Manila, or “outside the

walls.”

It was only in 1901, upon the arrival of the American forces, that Intramuros and all of its outskirts were

collectively recognized as the City of Manila.

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2 Intramuros was occupied by British forces between 1762-1764.

This occurred during the Seven Years War, a conflict between Britain and France. Britain declared war on Spain, and by default the Spanish-Philippines, after Spain became concerned that the losses suffered of France to the British were threatening Spanish interests.

The British occupation ended upon the signing and enactment of the Treaty of Paris in February 1763.

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3June 24, otherwise known as Manila Day or Araw ng Maynila, is a day commemorating the foundation of Intramuros.

So while this date is observed all throughout the City of Manila now, Araw ng Maynila actually celebrates the foundation of Spanish Manila, and not the Manila that includes the then-suburbs situated outside the walled city.

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4Quiapo, the primary district square of Manila, is widely known as the “old downtown of Manila”. It is the home of the Quiapo Church, which is the home of the Black Nazarene.

While most people could easily assume that the iconic statue of Jesus Christ originated from Spain due to the country colonizing the Philippines for three centuries, the Black Nazarene was actually crafted and transported from Mexico.

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5Binondo, recognized by all as the city’s Chinatown, also happens to be the oldest one in the world.

It was officially established by the Spaniards in 1594 to serve as a settlement for the Catholic-Chinese in the country, but the area already served as a trading location for Filipinos and Chinese even before the colonial era.

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6The City of Manila is currently comprised of a total of six (6) districts.

With the exception of the 4th district which is the location of the city’s Port Area, all of the districts have their own public market, otherwise known as pamilihang bayan or palengke.

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7The aforementioned Port Area is the location of the south terminals of the Port of Manila.

The largest port in the Philippines, the Port of Manila is located in the city’s Port Area and Tondo area and faces Manila Bay.

It spans a total land area of 137.5 hectares.

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8With a population of over 12 million as per the latest census, the city of Manila is officially the second most populated city in the Philippines.

Its total inhabited land area on the other hand officially measures 2,498 hectares.

This puts the city’s population density at 43,079 inhabitants per square meter, making it the most densely populated city in the world.

© maoefe / Wikimedia Commons

9 Manila is home to the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest extant university charter in both the Philippines and the whole of Asia.

Founded by then-Archbishop of Manila Msgr. Miguel de Benavides, the university’s existence pre-dates even that of calculus. The mathematical study was first introduced in 1684 via Gottfried Leibniz’s “Nova Methodus” and later in Isaac Newton’s “Principia” in 1687.

UST on the other hand, was established on April 26, 1611.

© MayZamora / Wikimedia Commons

10

Many are of the opinion that, when seen from the top, the Manila City Hall resembles the form of a casket.

While it can’t be argued that it indeed has the shape of a casket from an aerial standpoint, the neo-classical structure’s hexagonal layout was actually intended to resemble the shield of the Knights Templar.

The resemblance was intended to symbolize the influence and protection the Roman Catholic Church gives to the Philippines.

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