Manila is the capital of the Philippines. The city derived its name from Tagalog word ‘may nilad’ which means "there is nilad’. This refers to the growing mangrove plant in the region. In the 16th century, Manila developed from a Muslim settlement on the banks of the Pasig River.
The US occupied and controlled the archipelago from1898 to 1946. The Metropolitan Manila region became independent in 1975. The city, which was severely affected by World War II, reincarnated and developed much to become the important cultural and economic center of Philippines.