anning your trip to the Philippines in 2021? Manila is the capital city of the Philippines and most likely the starting point of your expedition.  Manila is a booming metropolis with over 1.78 million population and a  destination for solo travellers as well as people travelling with families. I visited Manila for the first time in late 2019 and was surprised to find Manila an amazing tourist destination with rich cultural history, a modern lifestyle, and plenty of places to explore.