By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The city of Manila has been hailed as one of the 53 best cities in the world, according to the Time Out Index 2022 released earlier this week.
The list published by magazine Time Out placed Manila in the 34th spot following Kuala Lumpur and Paris.
It noted that despite the city’s “bad rap for chaos” due to overpopulation and traffic jams, Manila takes pride in its rich arts and culture.
“The legacy of Chinese, Spanish and American influences makes Manila an underrated hub for art and culture, with unique customs and cuisine to boot,” the description read.
Time Out also mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic that gripped the country in economic recession, and the various health-related rules and protocols including liquor bans and the wearing of face shields in open spaces.
It said the city was “admired by many for the welcoming and infectious smiles of its people,” and was voted as the third most resilient in its 2022 survey, with 60% saying the city is resilient and 78% raving about “its nightlife and party scene.”
Tourists were encouraged to experience a glimpse of the city which was tagged as “thriving again.” – ag