Nicknamed the Pearl of the Orient, the city is a colorful mix of architecture, culture, and life. Art-deco masterpieces rise amid cobblestone streets where nationalists fought for independence from Japan. Devastated in the wake of World War II, the city has struggled through dictatorships, typhoons, and stifled coups. But through it all, says author and Philippines native Miguel Syjuco, Manila unites. From vibrant "jeepneys" to cubist shanties, The Daily Beast takes a look inside.
