Your Expat
Community in Manila
Jacques Paillard
Adriana Rodrigues Zon
Meet the InterNations Expatriate Community of Manila!
Mabuhay, and welcome to Manila! At InterNations, we connect people from all over the world in a community of like-minded expatriates. In our Manila Community, you'll find all the information you need, from finding answers to questions like "how do I access the healthcare system?" to recommendations such as "What's the first national dish I need to try?". Manila can be confusing at first with its unconventional structure of districts; from the buzzing Metro district to the traditional Chinatown and Pasay River. But not to worry, just look at our guides for moving to and working in Manila to get a feel for this unique capital of the Philippines. If you can't find an answer to your question in the dedicated guide articles, you have the comfort of knowing our forum is full of other expats who are ready to share their experiences with you and guide you through any problems, big or small.
With InterNations, you never stand alone. Whether you move to another city or go on a business trip somewhere — our communities are there to make you feel at home wherever you are in the world. Feel free to also check out our other vibrant InterNations Communities like the ones in Brussels or Riyadh.
Connect with Like-Minded Expatriates in Manila
Join Our Exciting Events in Manila
Attend our monthly events and activities for Manila expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.
Exchange Tips about living in Manila
Get trustworthy advice and local insights from fellow members in our Manila expat forums.
Your New Life in the Philippines
The traditional cuisine of Manila includes Chinese and Asian flavors like pork, mushrooms, peanuts, soy sauce and seafood. You'll also find lots of soups, stews and noodle dishes on the menu, with enough variation to keep everyone's palette happy; from meat and vegetable stews, to spicy pork dishes and light, fresh seafood — this is a national cuisine that is easy to get on board with. When looking for work in Manila, you'll find a variety of industries providing employment for residents. There are job opportunities for expats in manufacturing, shipping, education, retail, fitness and beauty. If you're looking for the center of multinational business, head to Makati, known as the central business district (CBD). For more information about the various districts and industries, read our guide to working in Manila. The city has an interesting past, from the Spanish occupation to independence in 1946. Consequently, there's a huge amount of well-presented history and culture to explore in the city's many museums, such as the enormous National Museum, the dazzling gold of the Ayala Museum, and the immersive Museo Pambata. You'll also find contemporary collections in the modern and fascinating Mind Museum and the ever-changing Lopez Museum and Library. There's plenty of enriching opportunities in Manila.
InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 390 cities across the globe. Get to know fellow internationals in your city, before you're moving, or when traveling somewhere and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in Abu Dhabi or Singapore, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.
Socialize and Network with Like-Minded Expats
Finally, don't forget the social side to your big move; you'll want some like-minded friends to meet up with. Have a look at our event calendar to find meetings and get-togethers on a range of interests such as professional networking, photography, music, wine, football and hiking, to name just a few. And also don't forget our bigger InterNations Official Events in Manila. In no time at all, you'll find that you are part of a community of talented, intelligent and friendly global minds — just join InterNations today!
Jacques Paillard