Tourist Attractions in Northern NCR

MANILA

Source: flickr.com

Roxas Boulevard Baywalk

Foreign and local tourists wishing a whiff of sea breeze may promenade between the Manila Bay seawall and numerous al fresco restaurants. It is a strategic spot to view the world famous Manila Bay sunset whose inimitable vibrant colors continue to be accentuated in the evening by the colorful street lights stretched along the entire 2 kilometer promenade.

Source: frenzfries.blogspot.com

Malacañang Palace / Museum

Malacañang Palace is considered to be one of the most historic structures in the Philippines. It has been the official residence of the highest chief executive of the country since 1863. Located next to the Pasig River, it served as a summer residence for the Spanish governor-general during the early 1800’s. Governor General Rafael de Echague moved the seat of government to Malacañang Palace after an earthquake devastated the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros. Since then, it has been witness to the numerous challenges that have faced the nation and the events that have defined our history. A wing of the palace is open to the public as a Philippine Presidential Museum. The palace tour focuses on all former Presidents of the Philippines and an exhibit are presidential memorabilia highlighting the terms of office of the country’s former chief executives.

Source: imagesofasia.com

Manila Zoological Garden

The Manila Zoo shelters a collection of Philippine and exotic African wildlife. Among the varieties of animals and birds found here are the endangered Philippine Tamaraw and the Tarsier, both indigenous to the Philippines.

Source: merzki.deviantart.com

Intramuros

Intramuros, meaning “within the walls”, was the glorious old city of Manila. Originally the native settlement of Moslems ruled by Rajah Sulayman, it became an encircled city of massive high stone walls, bulwarks and moats with the arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in 1521. Within the walls of 4.5 kms. Encircling an area of 64 ha. rose residences, churches, schools and government buildings with drawbridges as gates which closed before midnight opened at the political, cultural, educational, religious and commercial realm of Spain in the East.

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CALOOCAN

Source: globalnation.inquirer.net

Bonifacio Monument

Bonifacio Circle Monumento, Caloocan City

The main landmark of the city, the Bonifacio Monument is located at the intersection of Rizal Avenue & EDSA. The monument commemorates the most proletarian of all Filipino heroes, Gat Andres Bonifacio. The monument was immortalized by a great Filipino national artist for sculpture, Guillermo Tolentino.

Source:wikimapia.org

San Roque Cathedral

A. Mabini, Caloocan City

The first Catholic Church in Caloocan City. On June 28, 2003, his holiness John Paul II created the new Diocese of Caloocan, comprising Caloocan City - South, Malabon City & the Municipality of Navotas & elevated this Parish Church to the level & dignity of a Cathedral Church. The Holy Father appointed the most Rev. Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr. D.D. as the first Bishop of the New Diocese of Caloocan on August 22, 2003.

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MALABON

Source: travelandpositiveliving.com

Balsa sa Niugan

Started in July 1998, Balsa sa Niugan is owned by Mr. Santy Geronimo, a native from Niugan, balsa has 350 seating capacity, a native inspired place with 43 workers. It has a total land area of 5,000 sq. meters, in both land and water. Located at the heart of Malabon, Balsa was originally a fishpond converted into a floating restaurant and a fishing garden. Its natural landscape, fishing and open dining facilities make it a pleasurable place for guests to dine.

Source: mymalabon.net

Angel C. Cacnio’s Art Gallery

Depository  of paintings and sculptures done by the noted members of the Sining Tambobong Foundation. Contemporary and Modern Malabon painters and sculptors are members of this Foundation. Their works are displayed in both national and international art exhibitions.

Source: wikimapia.org

Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument

This monument has been in its present location for decades. Its base used to be around seven feet tall. But due to the continued rising of the sea level that resulted in constant flooding, the ground had to be constantly raised. That explains the current short base of this monument.

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NAVOTAS

Source: vigattintourism.com

Navotas Fishery Port

Manila Bay provides Navotas with bountiful source of fish and other marine products, which constitute the basic diet of the town’s residents. Navotas, home to low marginal fisherman and big time trawlers, own the most modern sophisticated fishing boats dominating the fishing ground of the country today. Marketing of the catch is done in a modern market complex known as Navotas Fishery Port, premiere fish center of the Philippines with an area of 47.5 hectares and one of the largest in Asia under the supervision of PFDA (Philippine Fisheries Development Authority). It is a traditional landing place of commercial fishing boats operating in various fishing grounds in the Philippines   situated on a 47.5-hectare reclaimed land at the Northeastern section of Manila Bay. Within the complex is a thriving fishing industry, supplying fish in major markets of Metro manila.  Thousands of buyers visit the port daily where an estimated 20 commercial fishing vessels call port and unload a total volume of about 800 tons.  Overland vehicles from different provinces also bring in addition, another volume of 50 tons.  Outside the complex is a business  center with banks, markets, restaurants, and recreational facilities.

Dry-Docking Facilities

Though Navotas is not gifted with vast areas of lands filled with  attractions,  it is home  to  almost  all  vessels  in  the archipelago with its many dry docking facilities along the riverside which can accommodate any type of vessel from fishing boats, passenger vessels, cargo vessels, towing vessels to barges. Dry docking facilities available are as follows:

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VALENZUELA

Source: valenzuela.gov.ph

San Diego de Alcala Church

Bgy. Poblacion

The San Diego de Alcala Parish at Barangay Poblacion, the center of the old town of Polo, was the first Parish on the City. The ruins of the church, while not as old as the parish, is a reminder of the 376 year-history of the town, now the City of Valenzuela.

Source: benjielayug.com

Museo Valenzuela

Pag-asa Subd. I Bgy. Marulas

Built to serve as a historical and cultural site, as well as a place for cultural and historical exhibits and performances. It also serves as a starting point for tourism and pilgrimage visitation to the City of Valenzuela.

Source: zamboanga.com

Church of San Roque

Bgy. Mabolo
Seat of the San Roque Festival which dates back to the 17th century. Street dancing is held every 12th day of May.

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QUEZON CITY

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Quezon Memorial Shrine  

The tallest structure in the city, piercing 66 meters to the sky, is a fitting tribute to the founder of Quezon City and one of the country’s greatest statesmen – President Manuel Luis Quezon. The monument, built in the center of the 27-hectare rotunda park, also boasts oftwo museums – one housing priceless Quezonian items and the other memorabilia of Quezon City mayors. The tomb containing the remains of this great man are laid to rest in a bronze casket and marble niche inside the Shrine.

Source: flickr.com

Quezon Memorial Circle

A 26 hectare circular park located in front of the Quezon City Hall Building encircled by elliptical roads. Considered  one of the country’s premier landmarks, the site is a symbol of the people’s gratitude for the First President of the Philippine Commonwealth and for whom Quezon City is named after. It is the spot marked out by President Quezon as the converging point of the principal government offices.

Source: gtte.wordpress.com

Araneta Coliseum   

The world’s largest covered dome (in the 60’s) which towers 220 feet with a seating capacity of 36,000. It has a total land area of 185,000 sq. ft. and a diameter of 367 feet. The coliseum has staged various shows from the moment it captured the Philippines’ first post-war world boxing title by the legendary Gabriel “Flash” Elorde. It also presented the classic “Fight of a Lifetime” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frasier in 1976. Also worth mentioning are the countless beauty pageants and basketball tournaments of national and international tones plus local shows ranging from musical concerts to athletic events.

Our Lady of EDSA Shrine. It was built by the grateful Filipino people in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary for her protection and guidance during the people power EDSA revolution.

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MARIKINA

Source: flickr.com

Marikina River Park

Spurred by the death of natural resources resulting from the continuous growth in residential areas, the City of Marikina took pains in rehabilitating and converting the 220 ha. Marikina River into a sports and recreational park.

Source: content.time.com

Shoe Museum   

The former Bigasang Bayan of Marikina, rehabilitated and converted into a museum. The only shoe repository, existing in the country, it houses a notable shoe collection to include some 778 pairs belonging to the former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos. The museum is a showcase not only of the premier product of Marikina but also of the industriousness and ingenuity of the Marikeños.

Source: atlasobscura.com

Biggest Shoe in the World

Displayed at the Riverbanks Mall gallery, the biggest shoe in the World is certified by the Guiness Book of World Records measuring 5.29 meters long and 2.37 meters wide. It is made of genuine leather and took 72 days to finish. The shoe can be worn by a 125 ft.-tall person fit 30 people inside. The leather material used can produce 250 regular pairs of shoes.

Source: skyscrapercity.com

River Carabaos
Marikina was considered as the largest private hacienda in the Philippines during the early years of Spanish colonization. Its residents were comprised mostly of farmers whose main crops were rice and vegetables. The town folks had bountiful harvest enabling each family to own more than two carabaos, even a dozen or so. At the time, to possess several carabaos served as a symbol of progress for the town and wealth for the families. From stories and accounts of old owners, the Marikina city government traced the old carabao trail which was the regular route taken from their owner's homes to the fields and vice versa. About 28 stone built carabaos were placed in the path along the riverbanks of Kalumpang serving as an attraction and as a marker of the once scenic and abundant Marikina farmland.

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SAN JUAN

Source: flickr.com

St. John the Baptist Church

140 Pinaglabanan Street San Juan

Built on 1895, the church is a sanctuary to the 400-year-old image of the town Patron Saint San Juan Bautista, (St. John the Baptist) where the town derived its name.

Source: philstar.com

Greenhills Shopping Center

Ortigas Ave., Greenhills
The home of the foremost, biggest yet unequalled flea market in the Philippines, the Greenhills Tiangge, where shoppers experience the exciting bargain buys almost the whole year through. Christmas holidays however, bring about an incomparable plenitude of goods and shoppers crowding the vicinity with an animated Christmas show as an added attraction traditionally showcased at the COD Department Store in Cubao.

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MANDALUYONG

Source: flickr.com

San Felipe Neri Church

Rev. G. Aglipay St. cor. Boni Avenue

Like other Catholic churches in the Philippines, it was run by hostile Spanish friars and almost became the site of bloody encounters between the Filipino revolutionaries and the Spanish soldiers during the Revolution of 1896.

Source: whereinmanila.com

EDSA Shrine

Epifanio delos Santos Ave.

The Shrine is a monument to the Virgin Mary, protector of those who bravely risked their lives during the 1986 People Power Revolution erected at the very site of the revolution.

Source: mandaluyong.gov.ph

Dambana ng mga Alaala

Built in memory of the gallant sons and daughters of Mandaluyong.

References:
http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/national-capital-regio/top-destinations/?page_id=4630

http://wikimapia.org/14802256/Dr-Jose-P-Rizal-Monument