I just came back from my 2 week vacation in Manila.  I was lucky because there were no storms or typhoons when I was there.  The weather was beautiful and the sightseeing excellent.  We drove to Batangas,  about 4 hours from Manila.  The sugar plantations on the way there are huge,  and the beaches and resorts top notch.  Tagaytay was spectacular,  and so were the hot springs in Laguna.  The pineapple farms in Tagaytay were  beautiful.   I went fishing near Batabungkay,  and caught several fish,  some crab,  lobsters,  and even a flying fish.  That was a lot of fun. 

I also went to Subic Bay,  Olongapo,  and Angeles City.  The nightlife there was excellent.  Beautiful Pinays were everywhere.  Manila has many fine universities and schools.  Huge shopping malls are everywhere.  I love to go to the markets and haggle with the shopkeepers.  Sometimes I tell my driver to just drive anywhere for a couple of hours.  There is a street in Manila that sells ony lechon  (roast pig).  The smell there is intoxicating.   Tiny foodstalls are everywhere.  People are  always on the go and always eating. 

Manila is a city of 12  million people.  It is an old city,  probably about 1,500 years old.  It is always changing,  yet always stays the same.  I love it there.  Manila will be my 2nd home.