Metropolitan Manila[1][4] (Filipino: Kalakhang Maynila,

Kamaynilaan), commonly known as Metro Manila or

simply Manila, is the capital region of the Philippines, is
the seat of government, the 2nd most populous and the
most
densely
populated region of
the
country.
The National Capital Region (NCR) is composed
of Manila, the capital city of the country, Quezon City, the
country's most populous city, and the cities
of Caloocan, Las
Pias, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlu
pa, Navotas, Paraaque, Pasay, Pasig, San Juan, Taguig,
and Valenzuela, including the only remaining municipality
of Pateros.
The National Capital Region, with an area of 619.5 km 2,
has a population of 12,877,253,[2] making it the second
most populous region in the Philippines, as well as the 9th
most populous metropolitan area in Asia. The total
urbanized area, referring to its continuous urban
expansion
into
the
provinces
of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Batangas,
was
listed as having a population of 24,123,000 by
Demographia,[5] making it the 4th most populous urban
area in the world. These 5 provinces, plus Metro Manila
and Pampanga, sum to 30.7 million residents as of the
newly counted census of 2015.[2]
The region is the center of culture, economy, education and government of the Philippines. NCR is
one of the 12 defined metropolitan areas in the Philippines according to the National Economic and
Development Authority.[6] Designated as a global power city, NCR exerts a significant impact on
commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment, both
locally and internationally. It is the home to all the consulates and embassies in the Philippines,
thereby making it an important center for international diplomacy in the country.
Its economical power makes the region the country's premier center for finance and commerce. NCR
accounts for 37.2% of the gross domestic product of the Philippines.[7]
The region was established in 1975 through Presidential Decree No. 824 in response to the needs to
sustain the growing population and for the creation for the center of political power and the seat of
the Government of the Philippines.[8]
The Province of Manila, the progenitor to the present-day Metro Manila, is one of the eight original
provinces that revolted against the Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. The province was
honored as one of the sun rays in the Flag of the Philippines, with each of the eight sun rays
symbolizing one of the eight revolutionary provinces.

Economy

The National Capital Region accounts for 37.2% of the gross domestic product of the Philippines in
2013.[7] Furthermore, it has the highest per capita GDP of the country at 183,747. [52] The
employment rate of NCR is at 89.6% as of 2012.[53]According to Brookings Institution, the 2014 share
of output by industry in Metro Manila is as follows: trade and tourism: 31.4%, business/finance:
28.6%, local/non-market: 15.6%, manufacturing: 12.5%, transportation: 4.9%, construction: 4%,
utilities: 2.8%, and commodities: 0.3%.[54]
Old downtown district of Manila.

Metro Manila will add 1.85 million square meters of office spaces between 2015 and 2017 in the
central business districts in Makati, Taguig, and Quezon City as more global firm such
as Google and HSBC seeks to outsource business process in the Philippines.[55] The vacancy rate for
office spaces remains low, at less 3% in the year-end of 2014.[56] Manila remains as the least
expensive capital city in the Asia-Pacific to occupy prime office space at an average rent of $22 per
square meter per month.[57]
Metro Manila makes it to the "Global Top 30" cities according to property consultancy firm Jones
Lang Lasalle, citing its economic scale, vast population, large gross domestic product and BPO
specialization as its competitive edge.[58]Furthermore, the region ranks 3rd for the top business
process outsourcing global destinations, next to Bangalore and Mumbai.[59] The region's retail sector
remains strong, bolstered by remittances abroad, BPOs, and its tourism sector.[60]
Historically, the main business district of the metropolis was Binondo, where commercial trading
flourished since the 15th century. By the 1960s, economic activities shifted from Binondo to Makati. It
transformed Makati it into one of the leading financial centers in Asia. Still, Binondo remained as a
cultural and financial center because of the vast Chinese population residing and doing business in
the area.
The minimum wage of Metro Manila is at 481 ($10.77) for non-agricultural workers and at 444
($9.94) for those working in the agricultural sector,[61][62] the highest minimum wage among all the 17
regions of the country.[63]

Business districts

Makati City is widely acknowledged as the financial capital of the country, where one can find the
Makati Central Business District (CBD). Interesting landmarks in Makati's Central Business District
include Ayala Center, composed of Glorietta and Greenbelt, Ayala Museum, and Yuchengco
Museum. Also in Makati is Rockwell Center. Most multi-national company offices and embassies in
the Philippines are situated in Makati. Also posing as a competitor for a vibrant business center are
Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Eastwood City in Quezon City, Ortigas Center in Pasig City, Manila
Bay City Reclamation Area in the cities of Pasay, Paraaque and Las Pias, and Alabang Estates
and Madrigal Business Park in Muntinlupa.

Shopping centers
Metro Manila currently has the largest number of malls in the Philippines. The largest being SM
North EDSA, in Quezon City. Before the expansion of SM North EDSA, the SM Mall of Asia was the
largest; prior to that the largest was SM Megamall in Ortigas Center.
Other shopping centers in Ortigas Center include Robinson's Galleria, Shangri-La Plaza, and The
Podium.
Recently opened in Pasig is a new development called Frontera Verde, which currently
hosts Tiendesitas, a tiangge-style shopping center. Soon to rise are a new SM development as well
as several other malls. In the Central Business District of Makati, the Ayala Center hosts other malls,
including Glorietta and the upscale Greenbelt shopping districts. Also in Makati is the Rockwell
Center. These places are frequented by members of Metro Manila's upper classes.
Taguig City has a mall named Market Market!, which is strategically located in a transportation hub
within Fort Bonifacio Global City.
In the City of Manila, the largest malls include SM City Manila and Robinson's Place-Ermita.
Cubao is Quezon City's Central Commercial Area that hosts 5 malls that includes the ultramodern Gateway Mall. Other malls include various SM chains in the metropolis. Aside from Cubao,
there is also Eastwood City, located along Libis.

Metro Manila has a lot of markets, locally called palengke. One of these are the Central Market,
located in Quiapo district of Manila, and Divisoria Market, also in Manila. Cloverleaf Market in
Balintawak, Quezon City supplies most of Metro Manila's fruit and vegetable products. Navotas Port
Market supplies most of Metro Manila's fish products. Other smaller markets include the markets of
Cubao Farmers, Nepa-Q Mart, Muoz, Balingasa, Galas, Santa Mesa, Novaliches Talipapa,
Baclaran, Pasay Libertad, and Pasay Cartimar, the latter also being one of the largest pet markets in
the Philippines.
Midway between a mall and a market are the Philippine-only tiangges, or airconditioned markets
selling goods such as clothes, shoes, accessories, computer parts, mobile phones, CDs, VCDs,
MP3s, iPods, and DVDs. Among these can be found in Greenhills Shopping Center in the
municipality of San Juan and St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong City.

NOTABLE PERSON
This article is a list of notable people from Metro Manila, the capital region of the Philippines.
The demonym of Metro Manila is "Metro Manileo" or simply "Manileo."

Architecture and urban planning

Pablo Sebero Antonio (January 25, 1901 June 14, 1975) [1] was
a Filipinoarchitect. A pioneer of modern Philippine architecture,[2] he
was recognized in some quarters as the foremost Filipino modernist
architect of his time.[3] He was conferred the rank and title of National
Artist of the Philippines by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1976.
Antonio was born in Binondo, Manila in 1901. He was orphaned by
the age of 12, and had to work in the daytime in order to finish his
high school education at night. He studied architecture at the Mapua
Institute of Technology but dropped out of school.
Ramon Arevalo, the engineer in charge of the Legislative Building
project, funded Antonio's education at the University of London. He
completed a five-year architecture course in three years, graduating in 1927.
Antonio first came into prominence in 1933 with the construction of the Ideal Theater along Avenida
Rizal in Manila. His work caught the eye of the founder of the Far Eastern University in
Manila, Nicanor Reyes, Sr., who was looking to build a school campus that was modern in style.
Between 1938 and 1950, he designed several buildings on the university campus in the Art
Deco style.[3][4] The FEU campus is considered as the largest ensemble of surviving Art Deco
architecture in Manila,[5] and in 2005, it received an Honorable Mention citation from the UNESCO for
the body's 2005 Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation. [5]
Antonio also designed the White Cross Orphanage (1938) along Santolan Road in San Juan City,
and the Manila Polo Club (1950) in Makati City.[3] He likewise designed the Ramon Roces

Publications Building (now Guzman Institute of Electronics) in Soler Street in Manila, the Capitan
Luis Gonzaga Building (1953), and the Boulevard-Alhambra (now called Bel-Air) Apartments
Building in Roxas Boulevard & where Manila Bay Hostel is located on the 4th floor. The art deco
apartment is near T. M. Kalaw Avenue & beside Miramar Hotel. It was built in 1937. [2]
Apart from the Ideal Theater, Antonio also designed several other theaters in Manila, including the
Dalisay, Forum, Galaxy, Life (1941), Lyric and Scala Theaters. As of 2014, only the Forum, Life and
Scala Theaters remain standing; though the Forum and Scala Theaters have been gutted. [6]

Juan F. Nakpil (May 26, 1899 May 7, 1986) was

a Filipino architect, teacher and a community
leader. In 1973, he was named one of the National
Artists for architecture. He also served as the
Dean of Filipino Architects.
Biography
He was one of eight children of the Philippine
Revolution veterans Julio Nakpil and Gregoria de
Jess (who married the former after the death of
her first husband Andrs Bonifacio). He died in
Manila in 1986.
Education
He studied Engineering at the University of the
Philippines and later, at the University of Kansas,
where he received his bachelor's degree in Civil
Engineering. He then studied Architecture at
the Fontainebleau School of Fine Arts in France
upon the recommendation of Jean Jacques
Haffner, one of his professors at the Harvard
Graduate School of Architecture.[2]
Career
Nakpil worked at Andres Luna de San Pedro's architectural firm (1928) and at Don Gonzalo Puyat &
Sons, opening his own architectural firm in 1930. [3] Among Nakpil's works are San Carlos Seminary,
Geronimo de los Reyes Building, Iglesia ni Cristo Riverside Locale (Now F. Manalo, San Juan),
Magsaysay Building, Rizal Theater, Capitol Theater, Captain Pepe Building, Manila Jockey Club,
Rufino Building, Philippine Village Hotel, University of the Philippines Administration and University
Library, and the Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna. He also designed the International Eucharistic

Congress altar and improved the Quiapo Church in 1930 by erecting a dome and a second belfry.
He was hailed as a National Artist for Architecture in 1973.

Art music
Antonio J. Molina (26 December 1894 29 January 1980) was
a Filipino composer, conductor and music administrator. He was
named a National Artist of the Philippines for his services to music.
He was also known as the Claude Debussy of the Philippines due to
his use of impressionism in music.

Early life
Molina was born in Quiapo, Manila, the son of Juan Molina, a government official, who founded the
Molina Orchestra.[1]:147He attended the Escuela Catolica de Nuestra Padre Jesus Nazareno
in Quiapo, Manila, and college at San Juan De Letran where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1909.
Musical career
Molina made his first composition in 1912 titled Matinal, which is preserved in an unpublished
volume called Miniaturas, Vol. 1.[1]:147 He was appointed to teach harmony, composition, music
history, and violincello at the UP Conservatory of Music, pursuing a career in music education until
being appointed dean of the Centro Escolar Conservatory of Music. He founded the CEU String
Quartet which was professionally organized and financed by its music school.
As a composer Molina is credited with over 500 compositions.

Independence activists
Melchora Aquino de Ramos (January 6, 1812 March 2, 1919) was a Filipina revolutionary who
became known as "Tandang Sora" ("Elder Sora") because of her age.

She is also known as the "Grand Woman

of the Revolution" and the "Mother of
Balintawak" for her contributions.
Aquino was born on January 6, 1812
in Balintawak.[2] Aquino, daughter of a
peasant couple, Juan and Valentina
Aquino, never attended school. However,
she was apparently literate at an early age
and talented as a singer and performed at
local events as well as at Mass for her
Church. She was also often chosen for
the role of Reyna Elena during the
"Santacruzan", a processional pageant
commemorating Empress Helen's finding
of the Cross of Christ, celebrated in the
Philippines in May.[2][3]
Later in life, she married Fulgencio
Ramos,[2] a cabeza
de
barrio (village
chief), and bore six children. Ramos died
when their youngest child was seven and
she was left as a single parent for their
children. Aquino continued her life as
an hermana mayor active in celebrating fiestas, baptisms, and weddings.[2] She worked hard in order
to give her children an education.
In her native town, Tandang Sora operated a store, [4] which became a refuge for the sick and
wounded revolutionaries.[2]She fed,[2] gave medical attention to and encouraged the revolutionaries
with motherly advice and prayers. Secret meetings of the Katipuneros (revolutionaries) were also
held at her house . Thus she earned the names "Woman of Revolution", "Mother of Balintawak",
"Mother of the Philippine Revolution", and Tandang Sora (Tandang is derived from
the Tagalog word matand, which means old). She and her son, Juan Ramon, were present in
the Cry of Balintawak and were witnesses to the tearing up of the cedulas.[2] When
the Spaniards learned about her activities and her knowledge to the whereabouts of the
Katipuneros, she was interrogated but she refused to divulge any information. She was then
arrested by the guardia civil and was deported to Guam, Marianas Islands,[2] where she and a
woman named Segunda Puentes were placed under house arrest in the residence of a Don Justo
Dungca.[5][6]
After the United States took control of the Philippines in 1896, Tandang Sora, like other exiles,
returned to Philippines until her death on March 2, 1919, at the age of 107 [2] Her remains were then
transferred to her own backyard (now known as Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park, Quezon City)

Andrs Bonifacio (November 30, 1863 May 10, 1897) was

a Filipino revolutionary leader and the president of the Tagalog Republic.
He is often called "The Great Plebeian" and "The Father of the Philippine
Revolution". He was one of the founders and later Supremo (Supreme
Leader) of the Kataas-taasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga
Anak ng Bayan or simply and more popularly called Katipunan, a
movement
which
sought
the
independence
of
the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine
Revolution.[2][3] He is considered a de facto national hero of the Philippines,
[4]
and is also considered by some Filipino historians to be the first
President of the Philippines (through the revolutionary government he
established), but officially he is not recognized as such.

Antonio Novicio Luna (29 October 1866 5 June 1899),

an Ilocano born in Manila, was a Filipino general who fought in
the PhilippineAmerican War.
Regarded as one of the fiercest generals of his time, he
succeeded Artemio Ricarte as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces
of the Philippines. He sought to apply his background in military
science to the fledgling army. A sharpshooter himself, he
organized professional guerrilla soldiers later to be known as the
"Luna Sharpshooters" and the "Black Guard". His three-tier
defense, now known as the Luna Defense Line, gave the
American troops a hard campaign in the provinces north of Manila.
This defense line culminated in the creation of a military base in the Cordillera. [1]
Despite his commitment to discipline the army and serve the Republic which attracted the admiration
of people, his temper caused some to abhor him. [2] His efforts were not without recognition during his
time, for he was awarded the Philippine Republic Medal in 1899. He was also a member of the
Malolos
Congress.[3] Besides
his
military
studies,
Luna
also
[
studied pharmacy, literature and chemistry.

Scenic arts
Panchito Alba (born Alfonso D. Tagle, Sr.; February 25, 1925[1] December 18, 1995) was
a FAMAS award-winning Filipino film actor who almost exclusively appeared in comedy roles. He
was billed as either "Panchito Alba" or simply "Panchito". He was known for his swarthy looks and a

prominent big nose, which was often the target of ridicule.

Panchito frequently appeared as a comedic foil to Dolphy, with
whom he was best friends in real life.
Panchito was born in Paco, Manila.[1] His mother, Etang Discher,
became a prominent film actress beginning in the 1940s, often
cast in villainous roles. One of his brothers, Emil, also became a
film actor. He was married with children. His aunt, Elaina Discher,
was also a Filipina actress. Panchito's career in show business
began in 1942 when he joined a bodabil troupe called "Travel
Stage Show" which performed in various theaters in Japaneseoccupied Manila[1] The then 14-year-old Dolphy was also a
member of the troupe, thus beginning a lifelong association.
Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr., OGH (July 25, 1928 July 10,
2012), known by his screen names Dolphy, Pidol,
and Golay (1944),
was
a Filipino comedian-actor in
the Philippines. He is widely regarded as the country's King
of Comedy for his comedic talent embodied by his long
roster of works on stage, radio, television and movies.
He had his first movie when he was 19 with Fernando Poe,
Sr. in Dugo at Bayan (I Remember Bataan), billed as
Rodolfo Quizon. It was the father of his future friend
actor Fernando Poe, Jr., who first paved the way and gave
him a break in films playing bit roles as a character actor.
[13]
On a DZMM radio interview, he revealed his first talent fee
was 5 pesos.
In the late 1940s, Dolphy also got into radio through Conde
Ubaldo, a popular radio writer, director and producer. He
joined the program Wag Naman which starred Pancho
Magalona, Tessie Quintana and Baby Jane. His comedy duo
with Panchito also started on radio on Conde Ubaldo shows.
Pancho Magalona recommended Dolphy to Dr. Jose Doc Perez, the owner of Sampaguita
Pictures in 1952. His first movie with Sampaguita was Sa Isang Sulyap Mo, Tita, with Pancho
Magalona and Tita Duran. It was also in Sampaguita were the comedy duo of Dolphy and Panchito
became popular.
Dolphy became famous for playing roles after he was typecasted in Jack en Jill with Rogelio de la
Rosa and Lolita Rodriguez in 1954. He was not the first choice for the role but Batotoy and Bayani
Casimiro. Jack en Jill was a Philippine komiks serial by Mars Ravelo. This was followed with other
movies adapted from komiks by the same author like Silveria, Captain Barbell and Facifica Falayfay.

The first time Dolphy played a serious role was in a 4-in-1 drama movie, with Barbara Perez who
played a blind girl in the segment inspired by Charlie Chaplins movie City Lights.
After his contract with Sampaguita expired, he left the company. When he joined the production
studio, his talent fee was P1,000 per movie. By the time he left, he was earning P7,000 per picture.

Sports
Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno, Order of Lakandula (born January
30,
1957
in Manila)
is
a
six-time
World Ten-pin
bowling Champion Filipino bowler. He has won the World Cup of
Bowling four times (1976, 1980, 1992 and 1996). [1] Nepomuceno has
also won the World's Invitational Tournament in 1984 and the World
Tenpin Masters championship in 1999.
In its September 2003 issue, the Prestigious Bowlers Journal
International named Paeng as the Greatest International Bowler of
All Time.
He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for three records:
[2]

1) for most Bowling World cup wins, 4, in three different decades. 2)

for being the youngest ever to win the Bowling World Cup (at 19
years of age),[3]
Year

Location

Male Winner

Country

1976

Tehran, Iran

Paeng Nepomuceno

Philippines

1980

Jakarta, Indonesia

Paeng Nepomuceno

Philippines

1992

Le Mans, France

Paeng Nepomuceno

Philippines

1996

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Paeng Nepomuceno

Philippines

and 3) for having won the most number of bowling tournament titles.
Currently, Paeng has 131 career bowling titles. Paeng who still actively competes up to this day is
the only bowling athlete to have won or awarded titles in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East
and Africa.

Visual arts
Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto (May 30, 1892 April 24, 1972) was one of the most important artists
in the history of painting in the Philippines.[1] Amorsolo was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine
landscapes. He is popularly known for his craftsmanship and mastery in the use of light.

After graduating from the Univeajor influences on his work.

Amorsolo set up his own studio upon his return to Manila and painted
prodigiously during the 1920s and the 1930s. His Rice Planting (1922),
which appeared on posters and tourist brochures, became one of the
most popular images of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
Beginning in the 1930s, Amorsolo's work was exhibited widely both in
the Philippines and abroad. His bright,optimistic, pastoral images set
the tone for Philippine painting before World War II . Except for his
darker World War II-era paintings, Amorsolo painted quiet and peaceful
scenes throughout his career.

influential
Filipinos
Araneta and Jorge
B.
the favourite Philippine
and visitors to the country.
had
to
resort
to
pasted and mounted them
patrons could then choose
Amorsolo did not create
themes; he recreated the
elements.

Amorsolo was sought after by

including Luis Araneta, Antonio
Vargas. Amorsolo also became
artist of United States officials
Due to his popularity, Amorsolo
photographing his works and
in an album. Prospective
from this catalog of his works.
exact replicas of his trademark
paintings by varying some

His works later appeared

on the cover and pages of
children textbooks, in novels, in commercial designs, in cartoons and illustrations for the Philippine
publications such The Independent, Philippine Magazine, Telembang, El Renacimiento Filipino,
and Excelsior. He was the director of the University of the Philippine's College of Fine Arts from 1938
to 1952.
During the 1950s until his death in 1972, Amorsolo averaged to finishing 10 paintings a month.
However, during his later years, diabetes, cataracts, arthritis, headaches, dizziness and the death of
two sons affected the execution of his works. Amorsolo underwent a cataract operation when he was
70 years old, a surgery that did not impede him from drawing and painting.
Amorsolo was a close friend of the Philippine sculptor Guillermo Tolentino, the creator of
the Caloocan City monument to the patriot Andrs Bonifacio.

TOURISTS SPOT

National Museum Located at the former Senate building, it houses many artworks
by renowned Filipino artists,including Juan LunasSpoliarium.

Museum of
the Filipino
People Located almost beside the National Museum, it houses artifacts from
different regions of the Philippines displaying the diverse and colorful culture this
archipelago has to offer.
Intramuros This walled city steeped in Old Spanish history is where several
Spanish churches and other landmarks are located, such as the Manila Cathedral,
San Agustin Church with its 4,500-pipe organ, and the parks such as the Puerta Real
Gardens and the Baluarte de San Diego.

Rizal Park (Luneta) Here is where you can see the monument of National Hero Dr.
Jose Rizal. A few meters away is a light and Sound Show, held at the exact place
where he was executed. It is also a great place to stroll and enjoy picnics with your

family.

CCP Complex Houses the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) that has a main
theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo), little theater (Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino)
and experimental theater (Tanghalang Huseng Batute), the Philippine International
Convention Center. This cradle of arts and culture is located along Roxas Boulevard.
Ballets, symposuims, concerts and plays are staged here.

Coconut Palace Complex Come marvel at how the different parts of the tree of
life-the coconut tree- are put to use in this abode by the sea.

Museo Pambata (Childrens

Museum) Museo
Pambata is the first
hands-on interactive
childrens
musuem in the
Philippines. It has
an
exciting learning
center with six
theme area,
namely: Kalikasan
(Environment),
Maynila Noon
(Old Manila),
Tuklas (Science), Paglaki Ko (Career Option), Katawan Ko (Body Works) and Bata sa
Mundo (Children in the Global Village). It also has a reading resource center and
childrens playground. It is also a venue for childrens activities such as storytelling,
puppet shows and various workshops.

Quipo Church Home of the Black Nazarine whose feast is celebrated every January
9, and attended by millions of devotees who have been touched by the Nazarenes
miracles. The Black Nazarene is an image of Christ brought by Augustinians in the
17th century, and is said to grant miracles. Quiapo is also a haven for bargains.

Las

Pias

Baywalk Found along Roxas Boulevard, it is a perfect haven for lovers and families
alike. It has a stream of all fresco restaurants serving fresh seafood and other
Filipino cuisine. It is best to go here in the afternoon, just in time to see the

spectacular sunset mirrored on the Manila Bay.

Manilas Chinatown Located in the Binondo district, Chinatown symbolizes the long
history of Chinese presence in the Philippine pre-dating the arrival of the Spaniards.

The chinesse have been influential in business, culture, which have been absorbed
into Philippine life.

History
See also: History of Manila
Further information: Capital of the Philippines

Map of the Province of Manila (1898)

A historical province known as Manila encompasses the former pre-Hispanic kingdoms
of Tondo and Maynila. It became the capital of the colonial Philippines, with Manila (Intramuros)
serving as the center of colonial power. In 1898, it included the City of Manila and 23 other
municipalities. Mariquina also served as the capital from 1898-1899, just as when the sovereignty of
the Philippines was transferred to the United States. The province was dissolved and most of it was
incorporated to the newly created province of Rizal in 1901.
Since the Spanish colonial period, Manila was considered as one of the original global cities.
The Manila galleon was the first known commercially traveled trade route that sailed the Pacific for
250 years, bringing to Spain their cargoes of luxury goods, economic benefits, and cultural
exchange.
During
the
American
period,
at
the
time
of
the Philippine
Commonwealth,
American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham was commissioned to create the grand Plan
of Manila to be approved by the Philippine Government. The creation of Manila in 1901 is composed
of
the
places
and
parishes
of Binondo, Ermita, Intramuros, Malate,
Manila, Pandacan, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Andres, San Fernando de Dilao, San Miguel, San
Nicolas, Santa Ana de Sapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa and Tondo. Meanwhile, the towns and
parishes of Caloocan, Las Pias, Mariquina, Pasig, Paraaque, Malabon, Navotas, San Juan del
Monte, San Pedro de Macati, San Felipe Neri, Muntinlupa and the Taguig-Pateros area were
incorporated into the province of Rizal. Pasig serves as its provincial capital.
In 1939, President Quezon established Quezon City with a goal to replace Manila as the capital city
of the country. A masterplan for Quezon City was completed. The establishment of Quezon City
meant demise of the grand Burnham Plan of Manila, with funds being diverted for the establishment
of the new capital. World War II further resulted in the loss most of the developments in the Burnham
Plan, but more importantly, the loss of more than 100,000 lives at the Battle of Manila in 1945. Later

on, Quezon City eventually served as the national capital from 1948-1976. It was reinstated back
to Manila through Presidential Decree No. 940 owing to its historical significance as the seat of
government of the Philippines since the Spanish colonial period. Presidential Decree No. 940 states
that Manila has always been to the Filipino people and in the eyes of the world, the premier city of
the Philippines being the center of trade, commerce, education and culture. [9]
During the war, President Manuel L. Quezon created the City of Greater Manila as an emergency
measure, merging the cities of Manila and Quezon City, along with the municipalities
of Caloocan, Las Pias, Mariquina, Pasig, Paraaque, Malabon, Navotas, San Juan del Monte, San
Pedro de Macati, San Felipe Neri, Muntinlupa and the Taguig-Pateros area. Jorge Vargas was
appointed as its mayor. Mayors in the cities and municipalities included in the City of Greater Manila
served as vice mayors in their town. This was in order to ensure Vargas, who was Quezon's principal
lieutenant for administrative matters, would have a position of authority recognized under
international military law. The City of Greater Manila was abolished by the Japanese with the
formation of the Philippine Executive Commission to govern the occupied regions of the country. The
City of Greater Manila served as a model for the present-day Metro Manila and the administrative
functions of the Governor of Metro Manila that was established during the Marcos administration.
On November 7, 1975, Metro Manila was formally established through Presidential Decree No. 824.
The Metropolitan Manila Commission was also created to manage the region. [8] On June 2, 1978,
through Presidential Decree No. 1396, the metropolitan area was declared the National Capital
Region of the Philippines.[10] When Metro Manila was established, there were four
cities, Manila, Quezon
City, Caloocan, Pasay and
the
thirteen
municipalities
of Las
Pias, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paraaque, Pasig, San
Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela and Pateros. At present, all of these municipalities except for one have
become an independent charted city, only Pateros remains as a municipality.
President Ferdinand Marcos appointed his wife Imelda Marcos as the first governor of Metro Manila.
She launched the City of Man campaign. The Cultural Center of the Philippines, Metropolitan Folk
Arts Theater, Philippine International Convention Center, the Lung Center of the
Philippines, Philippine Heart Center, the Kidney Center of the Philippines and the Coconut
Palace are all constructed precisely for this purpose. The City of Man campaign was discontinued
when the Marcos were ousted from power after the People Power Revolution.
After the 8 years of dictatorship, President Marcos was overthrown by the people at a peaceful
revolution in EDSA in February 1986, where they stayed there for three days. The movement was
known as the People Power Revolution and made headlines such as "the revolution that surprised
the world".[11]
In 1986, President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order No. 392, reorganizing and changing the
structure of the Metropolitan Manila Commission and renamed it to the Metropolitan Manila Authority.
Mayors in the metropolis chose from among themselves the chair of the agency. Later on, it was
again reorganized in 1995 through Republic Act 7924, creating the present-day Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority. The chairperson of the agency will be appointed by the President and should
not have a concurrent elected position such as mayor. Former Laguna province governor Joey
Lina was the last to serve as the Officer-In-Charge governor of Metro Manila. [12]

In the year-end of 2014, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino proposed that San Pedro, Laguna be
included in Metro Manila as its 18th member city.[13]