Metro Manila: Philippines' premier metropolis

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Metro Manila: Philippines' premier metropolis

Metropolian Manila (also referred to as Metro Manila or the National Capital Region or NCR) is the Philippine's premier urban center and seat of government. Metro Manila includes the capital city of Manila.

In the 1970s, there were only 4 cities - Manila, Quezon City, Pasay, and Caloocan (Kalookan) - among the cities and towns in Metro Manila. As of January 2009, there are 16 cities - 12 of the towns became incorporated as cities - and only 1 town or municipality (Pateros) that comprise Metro Manila. The government agency for Metro Manila, in coordination with the local government units, is the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or MMDA.

Metro Manila (NCR) has 4 districts: Capital District, CAMANAVA District, Eastern Manila District, and Southern Manila District.

(Video from youtube.com; posted by Surothanep 01.10.07)

The relatively newer cities of Metro Manila and their year of cityhood are:
Mandaluyong City (1994)
Muntinlupa City (1995)
Pasig City (1995)
Makati City (1995)
Marikina City (1996)
Las Pinas City (1997)
Paranaque City (1998)
Valenzuela City (1998)
Malabon City (2001)
Taguig City (2004)
Navotas City (2007)
San Jaun City (2007)

Although at one time, Quezon City was made the capital of the Philippines, Manila has always remained as the nerve center of the country and is where Malacanang Palace, the residence of the President of the Philippines, is located. The districts of Manila include Binondo, Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port Area, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa, Singalong, and Tondo.

As the major political, economic, and social urban center of the country, the Philippines' premier metropolis - Metro Manila, with its Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as either the gateway or starting point for tourists and out-bound Pinoys, will always play a key role in Pinoy life.