Originally Posted by
lofirick
You have probably visited a wrong side of Manila again. Actually Manila is not just Manila, it's a mega city- Metro Manila which is comprised by lots of cities that form in one big metropolis. There' s a bad side of Manila (which you just said) and there's also the nice upscale side and the middle class side of Manila if you know where to look and if you could afford it.
Next time, I suggest you stay in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Poblacion in Makati or the Makati Central Business District. You have probably just been to old town Manila which is like urban hell.
Nope. I've stayed in Makati, and it is exactly what I try to avoid. It's devoid of anything remotely interesting for me (as a tourist). Malls, upscale hotels, and...combinations of the two can be found anywhere in the world, but Intramuros is Filipino history.
The food scene (in the case of both restaurant and street food) has never impressed, and places worth the amble are pollution-choked.
The only reason I would go to Manila these days is to position for cheap J-class routes.