Manila

Manila existed as Maynila, a Tagalog fortified polity, by 1258—three centuries before Europeans arrived. By the late 16th century it was a walled Muslim settlement controlling customs on all Pasig River commerce. On June 24, 1571, Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi defeated Rajah Sulayman at the Battle of Bangkusay and built Intramuros on the ruins. The walled city—six meters high, three kilometers around, 160 hectares enclosed—became the capital of the Spanish East Indies and the Asian terminus of the Manila galleon trade linking to Acapulco.

For 333 years, Manila served as Spain's foothold in Asia. The Parian (Chinese quarter) stimulated colonial commerce; the city became the religious and educational center of the Spanish East Indies. American occupation from 1898 brought new governance; Japanese invasion brought devastation. The 1945 Battle of Manila entirely flattened Intramuros—one of the most destructive urban battles of WWII. Unlike Warsaw, Manila's walled city was never fully rebuilt; the Intramuros Administration continues reconstruction eight decades later.

Today Manila proper holds 1.9 million people (2024 census), second to Quezon City in the metro region. It contributes ₱1.04 trillion to GDP (4.7% national share), ranking fourth among Philippine cities. Around 60,000 establishments operate here: banking, commerce, retail, media, legal services, arts. The $30 billion BPO industry—powering 5.5% GDP growth in Q2 2025—has Manila as its anchor, with call centers and back-office operations serving English-speaking markets worldwide.

The 'Pearl of the Orient' title dates to a pre-war elegance now mostly destroyed. Manila's 2020-2025 cultural plan aims to restore heritage tourism, but the city's present identity centers on services rather than preservation—a pattern of serial destruction and functional reinvention that defines its 750-year history.