When people find out that I am from the Philippines, and it turns out that they’re thinking of traveling there, the usual question that they ask me is “is it safe to travel there?”<\/p>\n
I have been living in Manila since 1980, and lived 27 years with only minor cuts and bruises, usually caused by my own clumsiness. But that’s coming from a local who’s used to Manila’s…quirks. How does Manila look like to a foreigner?<\/p>\n
Here’s a great article written by an Australian journalist:<\/p>\n
MANILA is everything you’d expect of a bustling Asian city, and quite a few things you wouldn’t expect.<\/p>\n
The Philippines capital, with a population of 11 million, is bustling to the point of being chaotic. It has its share of traffic jams, crime, poverty and pollution. The sight of heavily armed men outside shops and banks, and signs imploring visitors to leave guns at the door, may well unsettle those of a delicate disposition.<\/p>\n
But none of that \u2013 with the possible exception of the impossibly busy streets \u2013 is likely to adversely affect an enthusiastic, adventurous and well-organised tourist.<\/p>\n
If you know where to go, and allow the time to get there, Manila has beautiful and safe public places, plenty of opportunities for a bargain buy, a vibrant night life and \u2013 and this was a pleasant surprise for me \u2013 a thriving visual arts scene.<\/p>\n