Welcome to Manila—where the traffic doesn’t move, the sun doesn’t quit, and your sweat glands discover hidden talents you never knew existed. It’s a place where the air smells like a mix of isaw and ambition, the chaos is breathtaking, and the people? Warm, witty, and ready to offer directions (even if they’re sometimes vaguely wrong).
Whether you’re here for 3 days or 30, don’t you dare leave your common sense, your powerbank, or your SPF behind. This isn’t your average travel guide. “Surviving Manila” is your step-by-step cheat sheet to not melting into a human siomai while dodging potholes, power outages, and the occasional political drama. All lovingly authored by someone who’s survived it all—from EDSA gridlocks to barangay-level tsismis warfare. Me.
Let’s goooo!
Hydration & Food Safety: Because We Want Memories, Not Gastrointestinal Drama
Don’t Drink Tap Water
Nope, not even for brushing your teeth. Bottled water is your BFF in surviving Manila. Look for sealed brands like Wilkins, Summit, or Absolute —and skip the unlabeled ones sold in reused bottles. Your stomach will thank you later.
Think Twice About Ice
That ice in your mango shake? It might be tap water in disguise. When in doubt, say, “No ice, please.” You’ll still get your sugar fix without the surprise stomach twist.
Follow the Locals
A packed carinderia = fresh food. An empty one at lunchtime? That’s the universe screaming “don’t risk it.” If locals are lining up, you know it’s Surviving Manila-approved.
Bring Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS)
Keep ORS packets handy—they’re cheap, available at Mercury Drug or Watsons, and a literal lifesaver if things go south. In surviving Manila, the heat and food can surprise you—be prepared.
Personal Safety: Look Chill, Stay Sharp
Dress Down Your Bling
Unless you want to donate your AirPods to a stranger, keep those gadgets and valuables tucked away. Use anti-theft bags and keep your backpack in front in crowded areas. Rule #1 of Surviving Manila: blend in, not bling out.
Grab is Your Friend
Download Grab or Joyride for safe, cashless, and hassle-free rides. Hailing a taxi off the street is a gamble you don’t need to take in your Surviving Manila journey.
Download Joyride: Android | IOS
Be Money Smart
Split your cash. Keep a decoy wallet with small bills, and store your real stash elsewhere. Also, always bring small change—vendors rarely have change for PHP 1,000.
Keep Copies of Important Docs
Take photos and upload digital copies of your passport, IDs, and insurance to the cloud. In surviving Manila, the streets are unpredictable—your paperwork shouldn’t be.
Heat & Sun Protection: Survive the Manila Meltdown
SPF is Non-Negotiable
We’re not playing. The Manila sun can turn you into chicharon. Use SPF 50+, and reapply every few hours. Especially if you’re walking, sweating, or getting that golden-hour selfie.
Hats, Umbrellas, and a Dash of Shame-Free Self-Care
You’re not being dramatic—you’re being prepared. Use a wide-brim hat or carry a foldable umbrella to block UV rays and the occasional summer rain. Surviving Manila means dressing like you’re headed to the beach—even if you’re just going to SM Megamall.
Cooling Towels, Face Mists, and Bimpos
Channel your inner Tita: always have a bimpo (face towel) in your bag. Add a mini fan or cooling towel if you want to level up. Surviving Manila is 50% preparation, 50% perspiration.
Avoid the “Bake Hours”
Between 11 AM and 3 PM, the sun becomes a villain. Plan indoor activities during these hours—malling, museum hopping, or napping like a champ.
Embrace the Pamaypay life
Locals don’t just carry foldable fans (pamaypay)—they wield them like queens in a teleserye finale. Cute? Check. Practical? Absolutely. Metro Manila’s heat? Effortlessly. And if you want to go full diva mode, snag a handheld rechargeable fan—basically your own portable aircon, sans the Meralco bill. Char!
Mosquito Control: Don’t Be a Dengue Buffet
Spray and Pray (But Mostly Spray)
Use mosquito repellent with DEET or citronella oil on your skin and clothes. Reapply religiously, especially around dusk and after sweating. Nothing ruins surviving Manila like a week in the hospital.
Dress for Defence
Loose, light-colored long sleeves and pants do wonders. Mosquitoes love dark clothes and exposed ankles—don’t give them an easy buffet.
Watch for Stagnant Water
Avoid hanging out near puddles, open drains, or potted plants with standing water. That’s mosquito real estate, and you’re not here to pay rent with your blood.
Choose Screened or A/C Rooms
Whether you’re in a condo or a beach hut, make sure your sleeping area is mosquito-proof. Bonus: air-conditioning also deters pests and lowers your heat index.
Health Musts: Pack Your Inner Nurse
Check Your Shots
Before flying in, get vaccinated for Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, and Tetanus. Ask your travel clinic about recommended shots for tropical destinations. Surviving Manila starts before you land.
Pack Prescription Copies
If you take regular meds, bring a doctor’s note or prescription just in case immigration or customs ask. Also, pharmacies may ask for a script before selling certain meds.
Know the Best Hospitals
Just in case:
- The Medical City – Ortigas
- St. Luke’s Medical Center – Quezon City or BGC
- Makati Medical Center – Makati
- Asian Hospital and Medical Center – Muntinlupa
Save them in Google Maps before you need them.
Pack a Mini First-Aid Kit
Include:
- Paracetamol
- Loperamide (anti-diarrhea)
- Antihistamines
- Motion sickness pills
- Antacids
- Mosquito bite cream
- Band-aids
- ORS packets
- Hand sanitizer
You are now the group’s honorary medic.
What should be in your First Aid Kit? Essential First Aid Kit Checklist: Must-Have Travel Safety Items
Alcohol Spray > Gel
Why? You can spray handles, toilet seats, even utensils if needed. Plus, it dries faster in Manila’s humidity.
Skip the Strays
Don’t pet random dogs or cats no matter how cute they look. Rabies is still a thing here. Admire them from afar like a responsible animal lover.
Real Talk: Anti-rabies vaccines at private clinics? Pricey. A single dose can range from PHP 2,399 to PHP 2,599. Want it for free? You can get it at selected Barangay Health Centers—but prepare your soul and your snacks because the queue is longer (and slower) than EDSA at rush hour. Yup, it’s that kind of character-building experience.
Tech, Apps & Street Smarts: When in Doubt, App It Out
Download These Before You Arrive:
- Grab / Joyride / Angkas – Safe transport
- Sakay.ph – Navigate jeepneys and MRT like a pro
- GCash / Maya – Cashless payment
- StaySafe PH – Emergency and health updates
- Google Translate – Download the Tagalog pack!
Get a Local SIM
Get Globe or Smart with a prepaid data plan. PHP 300–500 will get you decent coverage for a week or two. Surviving Manila requires good data and great signal.
Local Survival Tips: For the True Tita Experience
Always Bring a Bimpo
You’re not really surviving Manila if you’re not constantly dabbing your forehead. Bonus points for pastel floral prints. Instant respect from the locals.
Toilet Paper is a Luxury
Carry tissue and wet wipes—some public CRs (that’s “toilet” or “Water Closet”) won’t have TP or soap. Also, prepare coins for entrance fees to some restrooms (PHP5 – PHP10).
Use Overpasses
Crossing a main road without one is basically a self-administered Final Destination scene. Use pedestrian bridges—even if it means a little cardio.
Know Your Emergency Numbers
- Philippine National Police: 117
- Fire & Ambulance: 911
- MMDA Traffic Hotline: 136
Save them in your contacts because you never know when you’ll need a lifeline while surviving Manila.
Basic Tagalog = Big Bonus
A little goes a long way:
- “Salamat po” – Thank you
- “Magkano ito?” – How much is this?
- “Nasaan ang CR?” – Where’s the bathroom?
- “Ingat ka” – Take care
Locals will love you for trying—and it’ll make Surviving Manila feel a little more personal. Also nobody here uses “Mabuhay” to greet each other.
Pro Tips for Using Tagalog:
- Add “po” and “opo” to sound more respectful (especially with elders or in formal settings). Example:
- Locals appreciate foreigners who try to speak Tagalog, even if it’s not perfect. Effort = 100 pogi/ganda points!
- Pair your Tagalog with a smile—it’s the universal language of warmth in Manila.
Want to learn more? Filipino For Beginners: The Must-Know Basic Phrases and Pronunciation
Surviving Manila Commutes (a.k.a. the Hunger Games)
Metered Taxis — Especially the Airport Ones? Big X.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: metered taxis (especially the ones lurking at the airport) are a hard pass for me. I haven’t set foot in one since pre-pandemic days, and let’s just say, I’m not exactly rushing back. Not to throw shade on the entire industry—may mga matinong drivers diyan—but many of my rides were borderline traumatic: questionable hygiene, sketchy meters that jump faster than your ex into a new relationship, and drivers who give off telenovela kontrabida vibes.
If you’re fresh off a flight and sweating bullets at NAIA, do yourself a favor—opt for a legit ride-hailing app or airport-accredited taxi. Your wallet, your nose, and your peace of mind will thank you.
MRT, Jeepneys & FX
- Wear your bag in front.
- Say “Para po!” when you want to get off.
- Carry small bills.
- Jeepney ride starts at PHP13. While FX fare depends on the destination.
- Don’t stare—it’s rude. (Just subtle side-eye.)
Motorbike Taxis = Speed Demons
Use Angkas or Joyride if you want to dodge traffic. It’s fast, it’s efficient, and it comes with a helmet (sanitize first, of course). Only the brave and balanced ride these, but they are the MVPs of Surviving Manila traffic.
More commuting tips: Getting Around Metro Manila – Navigating the Vibrant Capital
The Final Word: Be Street-Smart, Sun-Safe & Tita-Ready
Surviving Manila isn’t just about keeping your valuables close or drinking the right water—it’s about soaking in the culture, knowing when to pause, and laughing through the sweat. This wild, warm, wonderfully chaotic city will embrace you—as long as you embrace it prepared.
So lather on that SPF, load up your GCash, and remember: Stay hydrated. Stay vigilant. And always bring a bimpo.
Ingat, beshie. You got this!
