Manila’s Chinatown

I am originally from San Diego, California, but have lived in Manila most of my adult life. I know no other city better, and Manila is very much my home. In almost 40 years in this city, I’ve seen it evolve—and it is constantly evolving. I am well-versed in textbook history, but can also relate to you how things work (or don’t) here. And maybe the underlying cultural issues that have brought us to this point. I first came to the Philippines to Davao in 1983 for 3 months to satisfy an undergraduate requirement. It was such a wonderful experience that I had to return—and I did—in 1985 and 1987, then settled in Manila the next year for a 2-year teaching contract. Two years have now stretched into 38. Manila is a love-hate relationship. In the extreme. So the challenge is to learn to live with it and make the most of it. One guest said that sounded like surrender. Manila is like a wisened old lady who has seen it all. She’s got stories to tell, and secrets to share. My tours focus on imparting understanding historical context, and appreciation for the city of Manila. I like for my guests to see Manila beyond the obvious sensory overload. We can spend most of our time walking around Old Manila, but we can also spend some of our time by vehicle seeing other parts of Manila, learning its architectural heritage, and seeing nearby eclectic districts around old Manila.