1. NCR
Geography
The National Capital Region (NCR), more commonly referred to as Metropolitan Manila,
is the country's premiere urban region and considered tbe the political, economic, social
and cultural center of the Philippines.
Among the 17 administrative regions, NCR had the second largest population with
11.86 million (2010 census of population, NSO) in an are of 636 square kilometers.
NCR is bordered by the provinces of Bulacan to the north, Rizal to the east, Cavite to
the south-west andLaguna to the south. Manila Bay lies to the west and Laguna de Bay
to the south-east.
It is the only region without any province but is instead subdivided into 17 local
government units (LGUs) compromising of 16 cities and one municipality. The 16 cities
include: Caloocan, Malbon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Taguig,
Makati, Manila, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasay, Pranaque, Las Pinas and Muntinlupa.
Pateros is the lone municipality in the region. Each of the 16 cities and one municipality
in Metro Manila is governed by a Mayor. Of the 17 LGUs, Quezon City has the biggest
land area of 161.12 sq. km. constituting one-fourth of the total land area of NCR. The
smallest area in the Municipality of Pateros with a total land area of only 2.10 sq. kms.
Climate
Manila features a tropical wet and dry climate that borders on a tropical monsoon
climate. Together with the rest of the Philippines, Manila lies entirely within the tropics.
Its proximity to the equator means that the temperature range is very small, rarely going
lower than 20o
C and going higher than 38o
C. However, humidity levels are usually very
high which makes it feel much warmer. It has a distinct, albeit relatively short dry
season from January through April, and relatively lenghty wet season from May through
December.
Population
With an annual growth rate of 2.02, the total populaton of NCR as of May 1, 2010 is 11,
855, 975 (NSO Quickstat, NCR, December 2012). The 2010 population is higher by
1.93 million compared to the 2000 population of 9.93 million. The region's population is
almost 12.8% of the entire country's population which is 93, 337, 852.
NCR is the smallest among the 17 administrative regions but is the most densely
populated. Together with regions III and IV-A, these three comprised more than one
third of the country's population.
Table 1. Population for the Philippines and Its Regions, Province and Highly Urbanized
Cities, based on 1990, 2000, 2010 Census
Region/Province/HUC May 1, 1990 May 1, 2000 May 1, 2010
Philippines 60, 703, 810 76, 506, 928 92, 337, 852
NCR 7, 948, 392 9, 932, 560 11, 855, 975
City of Malabon 280, 027 338, 855 353, 337

2. City of Navotas 187, 479 230, 403 249, 131
City of Valenzuela 340, 227 485, 433 575, 356
Caloocan City 763, 415 1, 177, 604 1, 489, 040
City of Marikina 310, 227 391, 170 424, 150
City of Pasig 397, 679 505, 058 669, 773
Pateros 51, 409 57, 407 64, 147
Taguig City 266, 637 467, 375 644, 473
Quezon City 1, 669, 776 2, 173, 831 2, 761, 720
City of Makati 453, 170 471, 379 529, 039
City of Mandaluyong 248, 143 278, 474 328, 699
City of San Juan 126, 854 117, 680 121, 430
City of Manila 1, 601, 234 1, 581, 082 1, 652, 171
City of Las Pinas 297, 102 472, 780 552, 573
City of Muntinlupa 278, 411 379, 310 459, 941
City of Paranaque 308, 236 449, 811 588, 126
Pasay City 368, 366 354, 908 392, 869
Among all the cities and municipality in NCR, Quezon City has the largest population
with 2.76 million followed by city of Manila and Caloocan with 1.65 and 1.48 million.
Municipality of Pateros has the smallest population with only 64, 147 residents.
The total population of children aged zero to fourteen (0 - 14) years old based on the
2010 NSO Census reached 3, 432, 903 which is equivalent to 29% of the total
population of 11, 796, 783 in Metro Manila.
Figure 1.Popuation of Childreb, 0-14 years old, NCR, 2010 Census
Source: NSO 2010
Figure 2. Child Population in the National Capital Region
Source: Household Population by Age Group and Sex by Province and Highly
Urbanized City, NCR, NSO, 2010
The data above illustrate that there are more males (1, 771, 244) than females (1, 661,
659) in the region. Almost four out of ten children belong to under five age group.
Transportation
The metropolis has an extensive system of highways connecting the various cities and
municipality. The major roads include ten radial roads, which branch out from central
Manila and five circumferencial roads which from a series of cencentric semi-conductors
arcs around downtown Manila. Most of these roads are very important transportation
arteries. One is the C4 (Circumferencial Road 4), also called Epifanio de los Avenue or
more popularly as EDSA.

3. It is the major thoroughfare in Metro Manila connecting five cities in Metro Manila,
namely Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City Caloocan.
Metro Manila is notorious for its traffic jams. A trip that should take 20 minutes will last
an hour or more especially during rush hour. Consuquently, the Metro Manila
Development Authority has constructed many projects to decongest traffic. There are
two different repid transit system in Metro Manila: the Manila Light Rail Transit System,
or the LRT, and the Manila Metro Rail Transit System, or the MRT. The Yellow Line
(LRT-1) and the Purple Line (LRT-2) from the LRT network, while the Blue line (MRT-3)
forms the MRT network. Philippine National Railways (PNR) also operates two main-
line railway lines within Metro Manila, all part of the once-flourishing Luzon railway
system. The northern line, known as Northrail and connecting Manila to Caloocan City,
is currently closed. Line extensions are proposed to Valenzuela City and further on to
Bulacan and Pampanga. the trans-metro Manila protion of the still-open southern line,
known as Southrail, commences at Tutuban station in Tondo, Manilak, passes through
the cities of Manila Makati, Taguig, Paranaque adn Las Pinas, and ends in Barangay
Buli, Muntinlupa City, before entering the province of Laguna. Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (NAIA), which straddles the bounday between Paranaque City and
Pasay City, is the country;s busiest airport. It consists of a domestic terminal and two
international terminals. There are two main runways ans the hangar of the Philippine
Airlines is located near the Villamor Air Base. NAIA will be closed in favor of the
DiosdadoMacapagal International Airport in Pampanga, as the major gateway of the
Philippines.
Language
Filipino, also Pilipino, is the Tagalog language designated as the national language and
one of two official languages of the Philippines. Filipino/Tagalog is the first language of
a third of the population of the Philippines, It is centered around Metro Manila but is
known almost universally throughout the country.
Education
Based on the 2011 report of DepEd-NCR there are 514 public elementary schools with
preschools and 246 high schools. In these schools, there are 53, 033 teachers
deployed. There are 1, 873 day care centers all over the region with 144, 070 day care
children enrolled.
Economy
Metro Manila is the financial, commercial and industrial center of the Philippines. Makati
is the largest financial and economic hub of the metropolitan area and the country.
regarded as the metropolis' central business district (CBD), it is the base of many
Philippines' largest corporations including the Ayala group of Companies, as well as the
nation's major banks. The Makati area is built around the former Nielsen Air Base, an
American installation during World War IIm and its runways now form the district's main
roads, which cross each other at the Makati Triangle, home of the nation's stock
exchange. Disserent well-known skyscrapers in Metro Manila are here like PBCom
Tower and G. T. International Tower. Foreign corporations also have their main
Philippine hubs here.

4. New developsments seeking to become vibrant centers of their own are Bonifacio
Global City in Taguig; Eastwood City in Quezon City; the Manila Bay City Reclamation
Area inthe cities of Pasay, Paranaque and Las Pinas; and Alabang Estates, madrigal
Business Park, and Fillinvest Corporate City in Muntinlupa. triangle park in Quezon City
is the latest addition to the list. Ortigas Center is thesecond most important business
district in Metro Manila. Situated in Mandaluyong and Pasig,it is home to the
headquarters of several major Philippine companies such as San Miguel Corporation
and Meralco, and hosts mani shopping malls and hotels. The Asian Development Bank,
also has its headquarters here.
The traditional business center of Chinese-Filipino businessmen and the country's CBD
prior to the development of the Makati CBD was the Binondo District in the City of
Manila.
Labor
Based on the July 2012 NSO Quickstat on NCR, the employment rate in the region is
90.1% with a labor force participation rate of 63.2%. The table below shows that there
was a slightly increase in the employment rate in the region from 2010 to 2012,
however, 16 out of 100 employed were underemployed.
National Capital Region
Metro Manila, otherwise known as National Capital Region, is the center of Luzon
and the capital region of the Philippines. Unlike the other 17 Philippine regions,
NCR does not have any provinces. It is composed of 16 cities – namely the City of
Manila itself, Caloocan, Las Pinas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina,
Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasay, Pasig, Paranaque, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig,
Valenzuela – and the municipality of Pateros. Metro Manila is bounded by the
Cordillera Mountains on the east, Laguna de Bay on the southeast, Central Luzon
on the north and Southern Tagalog Region on the south.
Metro Manila is composed of almost all the cultural groups of the Philippines. The primary
language used is Tagalog with English as the secondary language. Metro Manila lies entirely
within the tropics and because of its proximity to the equator, the temperature range is very
small. It has a distinct, relatively short dry season from January through April and a long
wet season from May through December.
The region is considered as the political, economic, social, and cultural center of the
Philippines and is one of the more modern metropolises in Southeast Asia. According to
Presidential Decree No. 940, Metro Manila is the Philippines’ seat of government but the City
of Manila is the capital. The Malacanan Palace, the official office and residence of the
President of the Philippines, and the buildings of the Supreme Court of the Philippines are
based in Metro Manila.
Metro Manila is the shopping center of the Philippines. Three “megamalls” are located in this
region and these are SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall and SM City North Edsa which is the 2nd

5. largest mall in the world. Makati is regarded as the main central business district of Metro
Manila while Ortigas City is the second most important business district in Metro Manila.
Metro Manila is a place of economic extremes. Many high-income citizens live in exclusive
communities such as Forbes Park in Makati and Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa. In contrast to
these residences are the slums and illegal settlement scattered across the metropolitan area
and are often found in vacant government land or in districts such as Tondo.
Metro Manila is rich in historical landmarks and recreational areas. Located west of Metro
Manila is the famous Rizal Park, also known as the Luneta Park. Rizal Park features the Rizal
Monument, a statue of the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Near Rizal Park is the
400-year-old Imperial City known as Intramuros, a walled domain which was once the seat
of government during the Spanish Colonial Era and American Period.
In terms of educational institutions, there are 511 elementary schools and 220 secondary
schools in Metro Manila. There are around 81 colleges and universities, thus it is considered
as the educational center of the country. Many students from all parts of the Philippines
head to Metro Manila to study.
The most populous cities and municipalities in National Capital Region are:
City/Municipality Province
Area
in km²
Population
Total Density/km²
Quezon City Second District 166.20 2,679,450 16,121.80
City Of Manila First District 38.55 1,660,714 43,079.48
Caloocan City Third District 53.33 1,378,856 25,855.20
City Of Pasig Second District 48.46 617,301 12,738.36
Taguig City Fourth District 45.21 613,343 13,566.53
City Of Valenzuela Third District 47.02 568,928 12,099.70
City Of Parañaque Fourth District 46.57 552,660 11,867.30
City Of Las Piñas Fourth District 32.69 532,330 16,284.18
City Of Makati Fourth District 21.57 510,383 23,661.71
City Of Muntinlupa Fourth District 39.75 452,943 11,394.79
Marikina (Pronunciation: /mərɪ ˈkɪ nə/; English: City of Marikina; Filipino: Lungsodng Marikina),
located in the island of Luzon in the Philippines, is one of the cities that make up Metro Manila,
the National Capital Region. Marikina shortly became a former capital of the Province of
Manila during the declaration of Philippine Independence from 1898 to 1899.
Marikina was given the title Shoe Capital of the Philippines[4]
because of its notable shoe industry,
being the biggest manufacturer of shoes in the Philippines, producing almost 70%[5]
of shoe

6. production in the country. The Shoe Museum houses part of the famous shoe collection of the
former First Lady Imelda Marcos, shoes of some of the world leaders and celebrities and shoes of
different countries, making it the world's largest collection of pair of shoes in a museum.[6]
Marikina is the main gateway of Metro Manila to Rizal Province as well as Quezon Province. It is one
of the most awarded metropolitan city in the Philippines, including the prestigious "Most Competitive
Cities in the Philippines" awarded by National Competitiveness Council in 2003 and 2005,[7]
and until
now, Marikina maintains on top 10 list in Philippine rankings, and ranking number 1 in Metro Manila
for many years.[8]
The city is rapidly transformed into a highly urbanized and one of the wealthiest
local government unit in the Philippines. It is also home of some of high-end communities in Metro
Manila, such as Loyola Grand Villas, Provident Villages and gated communities in Barangay
Industrial Valley and Marikina Heights where many of the wealthy and famous live.
CULTURE
Everlasting – This famous and signature dish Marikina-style meatloaf which has similarity of
ingredients to that of Embutido. However, Everlasting dish is cook on the "llanera" or the baking
pan and is garnish with chopped hard boiled eggs, stripes of bell pepper, chopped carrots, slices
hotdogs and the likes. This can be decorated with vegetables which is perfect dish for festive
occasions. erwin
Waknatoy – Also called Woknatoy, is a dish unique to Marikina. The name is unique to Marikina
but the dish itself is not. Waknatoy is simply a variant of Menudo. The only marked difference is
the addition of pickles which gives waknatoy a sweet-tangy flavor. The rest of the ingredients are
the same — meat (pork, most of the time), liver, potatoes, carrots, sausages, bay leaf and
tomato sauce.
Laoya – Sometimes called Lauya, is also a unique dish in Marikina which can be compared with
the typical NilagangBaka except for the addition of luya (ginger), garlic and sweet potatoes
(camote). The dish is cooked by adding those ingredients in the broth and boiling altogether with
the beef, baguio beans, pepper, and cabbage until the broth is ready and the beef has tendered.
Most people would be confused by Laoya’s taste as it is similar to Nilaga or Tinola with beef as
the main ingredient instead of chicken.
Colored PutongPulo – PutongPulo is a small, reddish brown puto made of rice, sugar, baking
soda, and achuete for coloring. It is steamed and topped with a small, thin slice of cheese.
PutongPulo is also famous in Marikina. Aside from its traditional reddish brown color, it also
comes in assorted flavors and colors like white, green, pink, and purple.

7. PininyahangManok – This dish is also a famous in Marikina and also has its own version, aside
for its basic ingredients, Marikina-style PininyahangManok has tomatoes. In the addition of
tomatoes did make it distinctive flavor and color would improve.
BinabayasangAlimango – This signature dish is a rich and flavorful seafood dish that best
served with steamed rice. Basically the main ingredients are crabs and ripeguava, but the
difference is cooked it in a low fire until the crab's shell turns into reddish color and the sauce
become thick.
SinigangsaBayabas – Typically the main ingredient is guava, and the dish depends on what
kind of meat (or seafood), but the authentic dish is came from Marikina and the dish is very
popular in every Marikina home.
Tapsilog – Traditionally, beef tapa is made by marinating slices of beef overnight and then
drying them out in the sun. Arguably, the Tapsi or Tapsilog, a combination of tapa, sinangag
(fried rice), and later itlog (egg), was originally intended to be quick breakfast fare and the word
originally established in 1980's and came from the famous Tapsini Vivian restaurant. But the
combo has become so popular that Pinoys, opt to eat it for lunch and dinner as well. In fact, the
tapsilog has produced a number of iterations (replacing tapa but retaining the "si" and "log")
such as tocilog (tocino) and longsilog (longganisa), among many other iterations.