Manila, the bustling capital city of the Philippines, is a vibrant and fascinating place to visit. With its rich history, stunning scenery, and friendly people, there is hardly a dull moment in this lively metropolis. However, since it is so welcoming and accessible, it serves as a practical entryway to Asia along the Pacific Rim, making it a convenient stop-over or long weekend escape as part of a longer itinerary.
Traveling as a family, we stopped in Manila for three days to break up an otherwise long journey from America’s East coast to India. From there, we journeyed for one extra day to Malaysia’s financial and administrative hub, Putrajaya, before making it to our final destination, Chennai, India.
While in Manila, I found that the two excursions we took from the city were illustrative of the region’s unique geographic position: the historic fortifications of Corregidor Island served as a strategic vantage point for the U.S. during war times; and the scenic Taal Crater, situated on the hotbed of the Circum-Pacific Belt, has shaped the surrounding landscapes. It is no wonder that day trips to these two islands are among the most popular sojourns from Manila, as they demonstrate the area’s distinct features.
Day 1: Corregidor Island
Long before tourists recognized Manila as a traveler’s jumping off point to Southeast Asia, the world’s superpowers identified the Philippines as a strategic bastion in the Pacific. Corregidor Island is proof of that.
The island was a vital stronghold under General Douglas MacArthur during World War II. Today it is a fascinating place to visit for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
It was a one-and-a-half hour ferry ride from Manila to the island, located at the entry of Manila Bay. Once we arrived, we toured the island’s landmarks, including the Pacific War Memorial, the Malinta Tunnel, and Battery Way. We learned about the island’s crucial role in the war and its impact on Filipino history.
Despite the formidable events that these landmarks commemorate, the circular altar at the Pacific War Memorial is most impressive: it sits directly under an oculus through which light falls during daylight hours. The oculus is constructed such that light lands directly on the altar on May 5 at 12 p.m., marking both the day that Allied troops surrendered to Japanese forces and the courage they exhibited over 72 days of bombing. The Philippines were eventually liberated by the US when the war ended in 1945.
The irony, of course, is that devastating battles have occurred against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful equatorial islands, abundant with jackfruits drooping from tree limbs.
After a day filled with historic and scenic sightseeing, we headed back to Manila for shopping at the multi-storied Robinson Place Mall.
Day 2: Taal Crater
Our second day in Manila was spent visiting the iconic Taal Crater, located in Batangas, around two hours from Manila. It was a scenic drive through the countryside to the town of Tagaytay, which sits on a ridge overlooking Taal Lake. Within Taal Lake is Taal Volcano Island, within which there is another crater lake, within which there is a smaller mound known as Vulcan Point. Think of them as concentric rings.
Taal is a complex volcano — the second most active in the Philippines– known for its breathtaking views and unique landscape, but also its frequent seismic activity. The volcano, part of the Ring of Fire, continues to erupt to varying degrees. The crater lake inside the caldera briefly disappeared in 2020, when an eruption left the region covered in ash.
It’s a steep hike up the Taal Volcano to see the crater lake inside, so we chose to ride up the crater on horseback. We were handed face masks to wear along the path up, to reduce inhalation of sulfur dioxide. The trek is steep, but the views at the top are more than worth it. Once at the top, we gazed out over the vast lake on one side and the pastoral scenery on the other.
Having spent the day outdoors on the slopes of a volcano in sultry weather, we were due for the fresh coconut water being sold at the base of the crater. Once back in Tagaytay, we cooled off with icy drinks at one of the hotels overlooking Manila Bay.
I heard a Mariah Carey song play over the hotel’s speakers, and it reminded me of my best friend in elementary school, a Filipino girl, who loved singing karaoke to Mariah and the other greats. It wasn’t until I moved to Guam a year later that I came to realize just how much karaoke was a part of Filipino entertainment.
Eventually, a group of live musicians emerged to serenede us before we drove back to Manila for sunset.
Day excursions from Manila make it an attractive city to be considered by anyone looking to explore the Asia-Pacific region more broadly. With so many beautiful attractions of its own, it’s an easy layover destination. If given a longer stay, I would have spent more time to tour more of the city itself, but I am happy I got to experience some of the natural beauty and historic sites that have come to define it.
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