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Roxas Boulevard,
which extends from Paranaque City to Manila, is
the Bay Area from where one can have a view of
the famed Manila sunset. Many landmarks are found
in this area, including the Department of Foreign
Affairs and the Philippine Senate buildings. Within
the stretch is the International Trade Center
complex, the Philippine Trade Training Center
and the World Trade Center. Further back is the
Government Service Insurance System building which
houses an art gallery by the bay.
The boulevard is also home to
the country’s premier performing venue,
the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Within
its complex are the Philippine International Convention
Center, the Product Design and Development Center,
the Folk Arts Theater, the Coconut Palace and
the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel. Adjoining the
complex is the Manila Yacht Club and the Philippine
Navy Headquarters. A little farther is the US
Embassy.
San Juan is
built on a hilly terrain, a drive along the old
residential section can be a pleasurable diversion.
Its Greenhills Commercial Center houses some of
Metro Manila’s vibrant music halls. Quezon
City was envisioned by the late President Manuel
L. Quezon (after whom the city was named) to be
the country’s government center. Many of
the national government offices are located here
as well as the country’s leading educational
institution, the University of the Philippines.
Dominating Cubao, Quezon City’s
commercial center, is Araneta Coliseum, the country’s
biggest enclosed entertainment arena. For nightlife,
the Quezon Boulevard, Timog Avenue, Tomas Morato
Avenue and West Avenue strips offer varied, colorful
fares. Marikina City is the Shoe Center of the
Philippines. The city takes pride in its 75.6-hectare
River Park.
Paranaque City is generally
associated with its dry goods and seafood market
and restaurants, and Redemptorist Church, a pilgrimage
site which houses the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual
Help. Las Pinas City has retained much of its
provincial appeal. Visitors flock to this city
to see the world’s only bamboo organ, housed
at the picturesque St. Joseph’s Parish Church.
Metro Manila is one big gastronomic
trip of many cuisines. In Intramuros is Illustrado
Restaurant with its colonial ambiance and Spanish
provincial cuisine. The old Malate district, with
Remedios Circle at its core, is the favorite watering
hole of artists, designers and the café
society who are only too willing to try the varied
international flavors offered by the many restaurants
in the area. Authentic Chinese cuisine can be
had at the old financial district of Binondo.
Aside from Ayala Center, many fine and theme dining
establishments line Jupiter Street and Pasay Road
in Makati City. From theme restaurants to beer-and-grill
gardens, Tomas Morato Avenue, Timog Street, Quezon
Avenue and West Avenue in Quezon City have them
all. Interesting clusters of restaurants and bars
are found in San Juan’s Greenhills and Mandaluyong
City’s Ortigas Center.
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