Manila History - The Philippines was one of the most developed and prosperous countries after World War II, but neighboring countries surpassed it when corruption in the government took over. Now, the country is slowly trying to make up for its losses through foreign investors and overseas contract workers, and the fact that majority of the locals can speak English.

Manila is the present capital of the Philippines, and it is known as "The Pearl of the Orient". It occupies a unique position in Philippine political geography, for it is both a chartered city, and also it fulfills the functions of a province for the four cities and thirteen municipalities composing its metropolitan area known as Metro Manila.

Little is known about Manila History during pre-colonial times, except that Manila was a small tribal area around the Pasig River. The name comes from the words "may" ("there is") and "nilad" (a type of plant that grew near the Pasig). In the 14th century, three rajahs (Muslim community leaders) governed the Manila area. They were Rajah Sulayman and Rajah Matanda who ruled the communities south of the Pasig River, and Rajah Lakandula who ruled the community north of the river. Manila was then the northernmost Muslim sultanate in the islands. It held ties with the sultanates of Brunei, Sulu, and Ternate in Cavite. When the Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi came to Manila, the Spanish missionaries he took with him rebuilt Manila after a battle with Rajah Sulayman's troops.

The Spaniards then controlled Manila until the US seized control during the Mock Battle of Manila Bay. The two countries signed a treaty that Spain was to hand over their control over Manila to the Americans for the sum of $20,000,000. They staged a battle so that the Spanish forces would save face while handing over Manila and the other Spanish settlements to the United States.

More Manila History. Although Manila is currently a little rough around the edges, it is struggling to return to its golden age. Despite some evidence of bad governance and poverty, Manila is irresistible to those who are interested in its rich history and beautiful people.