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Manila Mayhem: Sweat, Street Food, and Seriously Strange Vibes

@Mila Sanders2/9/2026blog

okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm instant ramen right now. 1720681… that’s the timestamp on my phone, which is probably about to die. 1608985581 - that’s the time i started this, and honestly, i’m not entirely sure what i’m even saying. the humidity here is… intense. like, you could grow a whole ecosystem on your skin. it’s 25.59°C feels like 26.06, temp min 25.59, temp max 25.59, pressure 1016, humidity 71, sea level 1016, grnd level 1007. yeah, that’s… a lot. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.

manila. it’s a sensory overload in the best and worst ways. i landed yesterday and immediately felt like i’d stepped into a hyper-saturated film. everything’s bright, loud, and smells vaguely of grilled something. i’m staying in this tiny room in Poblacion - seriously, it’s basically a closet with a window - but it’s close to everything. i found a decent taco stand on Yelp, which is a win.

first thing i did was wander around Binondo Chinatown. it’s insane. like, seriously, the oldest Chinatown in the world. you’re dodging scooters, vendors yelling prices, and people just… existing. i overheard some guys arguing about the best siomai - pork dumplings - and it sounded incredibly serious. someone told me that the best halo-halo (a shaved ice dessert) is at Amor Powers, but i haven’t braved the crowds yet. i’m too exhausted.

Manila street scene


spent the afternoon exploring Intramuros, the old walled city. it’s kinda touristy, but still cool. you can rent a bamboo bike and cycle around - which i did, and promptly got hopelessly lost. i ended up at Fort Santiago, which was… okay. a lot of history, a lot of crumbling stone. i’m not a huge history person, tbh. i’m more of a ‘what’s the nearest good street food’ kind of traveler.

Someone at the hostel said, ‘Don’t trust the jeepneys. Seriously. They’re like, sentient.’ I’m not entirely convinced, but I’m keeping my eyes peeled.


seriously, the jeepneys are a whole thing. they’re these brightly painted, repurposed school buses, and they’re the main form of public transport. they’re chaotic, they’re loud, and they smell like a mix of exhaust and something vaguely floral. i managed to flag one down to Quiapo Market - a massive, sprawling market selling everything from electronics to live chickens. it was… an experience. i bought a ridiculously oversized fan for 500 pesos. it’s probably useless, but it looked cool.

Jeepney in Manila


my feet are killing me. i’m pretty sure i’ve walked approximately 20 miles today. i need to find a decent massage. and maybe a shower. and definitely more food. i heard that the best adobo (a Filipino dish) is at Lydia’s - but i’m still trying to figure out how to get there.

Filipino street food


if you get bored, Cebu and Davao are just a short drive away. i’m thinking of heading north tomorrow. i’m also seriously considering just staying here and eating all the street food. that’s the plan, at least until my stomach revolts. i’m checking out TripAdvisor for some more recommendations.

pro-tip: bring bug spray. seriously. the mosquitos are relentless. and don’t be afraid to haggle. it’s expected. and learn a few basic tagalog phrases - it’ll go a long way. ‘Salamat’ (thank you) is a good start.

overall vibe: chaotic, vibrant, exhausting, delicious. i’m not sure i’ve ever experienced anything quite like it. i’m gonna go find some more ramen.

check out this local board for events: https://www.facebook.com/events/manila/

and for some hotel deals: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g298460-Manila.html

if you're looking for more food options: https://www.yelp.com/manila-ph

seriously, i need sleep. or maybe just a really, really strong coffee.

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About the author: Mila Sanders

Believes that every problem has a solution (or at least a workaround).

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