Manila is a city of contrasts: a work-in-progress modern jungle stifled by corruption. From the descending plane, you will see squatters alongside the runway. There are 3 airport terminals. Terminal 1 is the old MNL terminal where most airlines dock. Terminal 2 is new and modern facility that only serves Philippine Airlines. Terminal 3 should be opening soon and it is supposed to be world class. Outside the airport, you can visit remnants of bombed World War II buildings such as the Ayuntamiento next to the Manila Cathedral. To this day, it stands unrestored.
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Is this your business?
When arriving in Manila and if on a budget, take a taxi from the taxi rank just outside of the airport. These taxis, although scruffier, are a quarter of the price of the ticketed "Tourist taxis" - but make sure you get the driver to switch the meter on. In October 06 the cost from the airport to anywhere in Central Manila (about 20-30min away) was no more than £1.