Before I post tips, tricks and How-tos on getting around the metro, here is a brief introduction about Metro Manila..
According to WikiPilipinas.....
Metropolitan Manila (Filipino: Kalakhang Maynila) or the National Capital Region (NCR) (Filipino: Pambansang Punong Rehiyon) is the capital of the Philippines and among the world's thirty most populous metropolitan areas. Metro Manila is one of the two defined metropolitan areas in the Philippines, the other being Metro Cebu.Metro Manila is the metropolitan area that contains the city of Manila, as well as sixteen surrounding cities and municipalities, including Quezon City, the capital from 1948 to 1976. Metro Manila is the political, economic, social, and cultural center of the Philippines, and is one of the more modern metropolises in Southeast Asia. Among locals, particularly those from Manila proper and those in the provinces, Metro Manila is often simply referred to as Manila; however locals from other parts of the metropolis may see this as offensive, owing to city pride and also the fact that some cities are actually geographically closer to the neighboring provinces than to Manila itself. Metro Manila is often abbreviated as M.M.. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is located in Makati City.
Unlike in most provinces wherein you have to travel a few hours before reaching another city, Metro Manila's cities are very close to each other. On the first minute, you are in Manila and just by walking, you can reach Makati or Pasay on the next. It is also very confusing especially because some streets or avenues like Taft or EDSA covers more than one city. So if you want to reach a certain place, you really have to be specific about it. Thats why its always useful that before you leave the place you are staying at, you already know where to go by googling it or checking it on Google Maps.
