The city is most popularly referred to as the Pearl of the Orient. This nickname appears in the lyrics of the city's official hymn and is also depicted in the city's
coat of arms.[1]
Pearl of the Orient (
Spanish: Perla del Oriente), first used in 1751 by
Jesuit historian Juan Delgado in reference to the city's rich trade history even prior to the
Manila-Acapulco Galleon era. It was made popular by
José Rizal who gave the name Pearl of the Orient Seas (
Spanish: Perla del Mar de Oriente) to his nativeland on the eve of his execution in 1896.[2] It is then sometimes used to describe all of the Philippines.
Distinguished and Ever Loyal City (
Spanish: Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad), the royal title granted to the city by
King Philip II in 1574 which also appeared in the original coat of arms of Manila.[2]
Venice of the Orient (
Spanish: Venecia del Oriente), in reference to the city's low-lying ground intersected with many picturesque canals, particularly in the area of
Binondo.[3] It was made popular in the late 19th century by several authors including
Graciano López Jaena.[4]
Rome of the East (
Spanish: Roma del Oriente), also the City of Churches, particularly in reference to the walled city of
Intramuros which, prior to
World War II, contained several convents and churches of six major religious orders. Spanish Manila served as the center for missionaries for the whole of Asia and Oceania.[5]
City of the Sun (
Spanish: Ciudad del Sol), coined by the Spanish poet Salvador Rueda during his visit to Manila in 1915.[6]
Havana of the Orient, in reference to the city's large tobacco export industry in the early 1900s.[7]
Queen City of the Pacific, from the 1938 documentary film Manila: Queen City of the Pacific written by American filmmaker
André de la Varre.[8]
America's First Chinatown, in reference to Spanish Manila's (and eventually American Manila's)
Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown.[10]
City of Man, a nickname given to the city by
Imelda Marcos in the 1970s which was also the name of her tourism and infrastructure development campaign for the city as governor of
Metro Manila.
The city is most popularly referred to as the Pearl of the Orient. This nickname appears in the lyrics of the city's official hymn and is also depicted in the city's
coat of arms.[1]
Pearl of the Orient (
Spanish: Perla del Oriente), first used in 1751 by
Jesuit historian Juan Delgado in reference to the city's rich trade history even prior to the
Manila-Acapulco Galleon era. It was made popular by
José Rizal who gave the name Pearl of the Orient Seas (
Spanish: Perla del Mar de Oriente) to his nativeland on the eve of his execution in 1896.[2] It is then sometimes used to describe all of the Philippines.
Distinguished and Ever Loyal City (
Spanish: Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad), the royal title granted to the city by
King Philip II in 1574 which also appeared in the original coat of arms of Manila.[2]
Venice of the Orient (
Spanish: Venecia del Oriente), in reference to the city's low-lying ground intersected with many picturesque canals, particularly in the area of
Binondo.[3] It was made popular in the late 19th century by several authors including
Graciano López Jaena.[4]
Rome of the East (
Spanish: Roma del Oriente), also the City of Churches, particularly in reference to the walled city of
Intramuros which, prior to
World War II, contained several convents and churches of six major religious orders. Spanish Manila served as the center for missionaries for the whole of Asia and Oceania.[5]
City of the Sun (
Spanish: Ciudad del Sol), coined by the Spanish poet Salvador Rueda during his visit to Manila in 1915.[6]
Havana of the Orient, in reference to the city's large tobacco export industry in the early 1900s.[7]
Queen City of the Pacific, from the 1938 documentary film Manila: Queen City of the Pacific written by American filmmaker
André de la Varre.[8]
America's First Chinatown, in reference to Spanish Manila's (and eventually American Manila's)
Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown.[10]
City of Man, a nickname given to the city by
Imelda Marcos in the 1970s which was also the name of her tourism and infrastructure development campaign for the city as governor of
Metro Manila.