Capital Trivia: Manila

Manila was named for the Sanskrit word "nila", which refers to which colorful plant that grew around the city?

Before European colonization, Manila was settled by Bruneian traders who practiced what religion?

What is the name of the city that has historically competed with Manila for capital status? This "city" is often considered an extension of the Manila metro area.

Which European country sent conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi to Manila in 1571 to establish a Pacific colony?

After Spain, the United States claimed control of the Philippines. Which president was formerly the Governor-General of the Philippines, and advocated for the modernization and beautification of Manila?

Manila's prominence during the Age of Colonialism can be attributed to which useful metal? In the year 1720, over 1,000 bars of this product flowed through Manila.

Which country, with the assistance of the Chinese minority population in the Philippines, captured Manila from 1762-64? However, they were unable to hold the Spanish colony indefinitely.

In the early 1800s, Manila became a hub for an educated liberal class of Filipinos, who are given what term? They largely advocated for independence from Spain.

Manila was one of the first eight provinces to secede from Spain, and is represented as a "ray" on a the Philippine flag, stemming from which object?

During World War II, Manila was a site of a massacre that killed over 100,000 Filipino civilians. Which country committed this atrocity?

Manila sits on a bay with the same name, which borders which major island of the Philippines?

Which river flows through the center of Manila, connecting Manila Bay with Laguna de Bay?

According to a Javanese epic poem, Manila was once controlled by what Indianized empire centered around Indonesia, possibly the 14th century?

Manila is divided up into 897 districts with which name? They have historically been referred to as "barrios".

Manila experiences five to seven of what type of disaster each year? In 2007, one named Ketsana killed over four hundred people.

Nicknamed "the last lung of Manila", which notable park is located in downtown Manila, along the southern bank of the main river?

Which language is closely related to the national language of Filipino, and is the most common language spoken in Manila alongside English?

Which waterfront promenade is one of the most well-known sights in the city, famous for its sunsets and coconut trees?

This district of Manila was flattened during the 1945 bombing campaigns by the Japanese. However, major efforts to rebuild this formerly walled area built by the Spanish.

Which district serves as the financial heart and geographical center of Manila, hosting tourist destinations including Rizal Park?

b. 1929, wife of autocratic husband Ferdinand, notorious for her massive shoe collection.

b. 1893, known as the "Father of Philippine Cinema", directed the silent film 'Dalagang Bukid" in 1919.

b.1936, one of the most prominent businesspeople in the Philippines, he chairs a group of companies that manages hospitality, food, and lodging businesses across the nation.

b.1948, she is an Olympic bowler, and regarded as the most decorated athlete in Philippine history, with 78 medals.

b. 1951, she was the first Filipina to earn the title "Miss Universe" in 1969, and remained popular as a prominent actress.

b.1863, he is known as the "Father of the Philippine Revolution", and was one of the founders of the Katipunan, an organization dedicated to Philippine sovereignty.

b. 1855, he is perhaps the most famous and influential Philippine painter, as he inspired the Philippine Reformist Movement.

b. 1594, he is the Philippines' first Christian saint after being executed in Tokugawa Japan.

b. 1962, he is one of the Philippines' most successful musical artists, best known for his love ballads. His works include "Forever", "Forever, Forever", and "My Souvenirs".

b. 1971, she is one of the most successful singers from the Philippines. She starred in the original production of Miss Saigon and is the singing voice for Jasmine in the Disney film "Aladdin".

Which sports dominates Philippine culture, with each neighborhood typically having their own court dedicated to this fast-paced sport?

On January 9, Manila hosts the procession of the Feast of the _____ _______, a Catholic event dedicated to a dark statue of Jesus Christ.

The Philippines National Police reports that crime in Metro Manila "drops to zero" each time that which famous boxer enters the ring to fight?

Which fruit, called "buko", is one of the most important crops for the Philippine economy?

Filipinos perform which daily activity more than all Americans and Europeans combined. Filipinos "produce" 142 billion of these each year.

In 1991, which volcano erupted not far from Manila, producing 20 million tons of toxic sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere?

After World War II, the United States left thousands of military Jeeps in the Philippines. What is the local name for the informal taxi cabs that popped up in Manila, as well as the rest of the nation?

The Philippines produces the highest amount of foreign _____ in the world, making up around 25% of this occupation's overseas population.

Although Manila only spans around 24 square miles, it has about 1.6 million residents. This gives it the status of having the world's highest _________ _______.

Which restaurant chain is often called "the Filipino McDonald's", and is represented by a "busy-bee"?