🇵🇭 ManilaPhilippines
Manila Modern & Moveable: A Week of Chaos, Climbing, and Calibers
Manila is a city that defies a simple description. It's a beautifully chaotic blend of deep-rooted history, hyper-modern mega-malls, and some of the most vibrant urban energy you'll ever encounter in Southeast Asia.
Whether you are navigating the streets or searching for the best indoor climbing walls, a trip here is bound to keep you on your toes. Here is a breakdown of my recent adventures in Metro Manila.
The Fabric of Manila: From Barangays to Jeepneys
To understand Manila, you have to look at its roots. Long before Spanish colonization, the region was made up of localized, close-knit communities known as barangays. Named after the historical wooden boats used by early Austronesian settlers, the term "barangay" is still used today as the official term for the inner-city neighborhoods and smallest administrative divisions across the Philippines.
Navigating between these historic zones today requires a bit of patience and an open mind when it comes to transport.
The Icon of the Road: Jeepneys
You can't talk about Manila without mentioning the iconic Jeepney. Originally repurposed from US military jeeps left behind after World War II, these flamboyantly decorated vehicles serve as the main shared-shuttle system for locals.
They also operate on their own unique set of rules. It is completely normal for a Jeepney to stop dead in the middle of the road to let passengers on or off, even right in the center of a busy roundabout!
Travel Tip: If you want a more predictable ride, download Grab. The rideshare app is relatively cheap in the Philippines, especially considering the intense city distances and traffic times you will face.
Setting Up Base: Pasay & SM Mall of Asia
During my stay, I opted to base myself around the massive SM Mall of Asia (SM MoA) complex located in Pasay.
- Proximity to Airport: Quick escape from terminal.
- Bay Views: Incredible sunsets right outside.
- Retail Therapy: Massive selection of food & shops.
The mall interior is bright, modern, and absolutely massive (they even had a giant Corgi installation when I visited!).
Pro-Tip on Mall Culture: In Manila, malls are community hubs, but don't show up too early. Between Monday and Thursday, most malls open relatively late at 11:00 AM. If you're an early riser, plan your breakfast elsewhere!
Action & Adrenaline: From Bullet Holes to Climbing Walls
I didn't just come to Manila to sit in cafes. I wanted to get active, which led me to two entirely different kinds of indoor sport venues.
1. Calibers at Armscor Shooting Range (Makati)
First up was a trip to the Armscor Shooting Ranges located in the neighboring city of Makati. I'm no expert marksman, but I wanted to give target shooting a try. I rented and tested out both a CAL .45 and a CAL .40 S&W handgun.
As you can see from the target, the accuracy wasn't half bad, and the recoil on both firearms was surprisingly manageable!
2. Bouldering at Boulder World (SM MoA)
Right in my backyard at the SM Mall of Asia was Boulder World. It's a great commercial gym with a solid variety of sets.
While working on some problems, I ran into Han, an awesome climbing coach visiting from Singapore (give his page a look: @hanjosephclimbs).
It's a small world in the global climbing community! After a grueling session on the wall, Han and a group of us headed over to Iceberg - Seaside for an amazing Filipino dinner to recharge our batteries.
3. Exploring Boulder Space (Quezon City)
Not content with just one climbing gym, I made the trek up north to Quezon City to check out Boulder Space.
This facility has massive, sweeping geometric walls and a fantastic, airy warehouse vibe. The setting here was creative and forced me to use some technical body geometry to top out. It is definitely a must-visit destination if you are a climber visiting Metro Manila!
The Verdict
Manila can be loud, fast-paced, and intimidating at first glance, but beneath the traffic jams is a city bursting with sport, community, and incredible hospitality. Have you ever tried bouldering or navigating a jeepney route in the Philippines?