Manila is a bowl of halo-halo: everything Filipino all mixed up across sixteen cities. It’s vibrant, overwhelming, overcrowded, and yes, a bit smelly.

This is your guide to having a blast in the real Manila, far beyond where tourists usually tread. Rock out at an indie bar, walk the paths of Philippine revolutionaries, get a library card (seriously!), ride transit to beat the traffic, rub shoulders with hipsters, hunt down rare smoked balut, choose your dinner while it's still swimming, go 8-bit retro-gaming, and savor a rooftop sunset bay view with a $1 drink.

Forget the guidebooks written by AI bots. Explore the views, the eats, and the experiences that only locals know.

Every recommendation includes a QR code and Google Maps link, so you'll navigate like a champ.

You'll be ahead of the pack even before you arrive, because this book has all the details on arrival formalities, the online immigration form you need, choosing your mobile data service (pick wisely!), the inside scoop on hotels, and the local hotel booking app that can be 50% cheaper than the foreigner price.

Want to date Filipinas? You'll learn how to fish in a stocked pond, and why Manila's hostess bars are a tourist trap.

Overcome the challenges of the Philippines -- scams, petty crime, bad service -- and revel in the beauty and raw energy of Manila.

Don't just see Manila. Live it. Mabuhay!