Mesmerised by Manila

For a modern megacity, the streets of Manila are surprisingly narrow. This harks back to the time when the country was ruled by the Spanish — when streets were paved for horse-drawn carriages, not an endless stream of vehicles.

At Bonifacio Global City, where Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila is located, we are lucky to enjoy wider pedestrian streets and picturesque parks as this financial district is one of Manila’s newest. In cooler weather, we like to encourage our guests to explore the area on foot. It’s good for them, good for the environment and there’s plenty of good scenery to be had!

You can imagine our excitement, then, when we discovered Bambike. The socio-ecological enterprise hand-makes bamboo bicycles with fair-trade labour and sustainable building practices. Their bicycles are sturdily (and rather amazingly) constructed from natural bamboo and abaca materials, which are then bonded with aircraft-grade alloys.

We love the idea of supporting a socially and environmentally responsible cause, so we quickly formed a partnership with them. There are now several Bambikes in our lobby for rent and we’ve organised a number of Bambike eco tours to share a different sightseeing experience with our guests.

On these tours, our guests are guided on a safe cycling route through Intramuros, Manila’s oldest district and the former administrative centre during the Spanish colonial era. There are many noteworthy historical sites along the way, so guests get to stop and rest from time to time, making it a suitable activity for all ages and fitness levels. If you’re curious, come for a ride with us!

San Agustin Church

Welcome to the oldest church in the Philippines! San Agustin Church was first built between 1587 and 1606 as part of the Spaniards’ campaign to spread the Roman Catholic faith. Ravaged by war and a string of natural disasters, it had to be rebuilt three times through the course of its 400-year history.

Today, San Agustin remains an active church in a country where an estimated 85% of the population are Christians. It’s a good idea to time your visit during mass if you’re keen to see its interior for free. Also, do make time for the San Agustin Museum. It’s an eye-opening treasure house of antiques that offers glimpses into Manila’s past.

Manila Cathedral

The structure that stands on this site is actually the eighth incarnation of the Manila Cathedral, rebuilt in 1951 following its destruction during World War II. From the ruins of its famous façade, a new and more modern cathedral was constructed — similar in appearance to the original but with a more functional use of space. Because of this, the Manila Cathedral of today has a particularly eclectic character, with a striking Neo-Romanesque façade, Byzantine motifs, bronze doors and pineapple finials.

Like San Agustin, Manila Cathedral still welcomes worshippers to this date. In fact, just last year, Pope Francis held mass within its remarkable walls!

Fort Santiago

Guarding the entrance to the Pasig River is Fort Santiago, a former settlement that the Spanish converted into a key defence installation. During colonial times, the fort is said to have hosted as many dignitaries as it did prisoners. Its dungeons were where national hero Jose Rizal was incarcerated before his execution in 1896.

In his honour, Fort Santiago now houses the Rizal Shrine museum to help visitors learn more about this enigmatic man. The intellectual, said to have been conversant in 22 languages, boldly called for a number of reforms to the Spanish colonial system. He lobbied for freedom of speech and equal rights before the law for his fellow men, making him a radical in the eyes of the Spanish. This eventually led to his imprisonment and execution.

As you tour the dungeon cellblocks, look out for brass footprints set into the pavement. These mark Jose Rizal’s final steps as he walked to his execution spot in Rizal Park.

These stories and more will unravel as you cycle your way through the historic enclave of Intramuros. Each titbit of information will add to your understanding of how Manila’s unique character was forged from its tumultuous history and the unwavering strength of its people.

I hope you have the chance to visit our beautiful city and recommend that you opt for a more immersive, adventurous and environmentally friendly way to take in the sights. See you at Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila soon!

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