---
type: "Article"
title: "Philippine Tour of the 7,000 Islands – Part 1: Manila – Negros"
description: "The Philippine nation spreads over 7,107 islands. Depending on the tides… On being invited by tourasia, the Asia tour organizer, and Singapore Airlines, we set out to explore this Southeast Asian archipelago."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/philippines/7000-islands-manila-negros"
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 9
tags: ["Beach", "Nature", "Philippines"]
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/round-trip"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-04T13:35:25+00:00 }
verified:
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sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: 7000-islands-manila-negros.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Walter Schaerer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:35:25+00:00
---

# Philippine Tour of the 7,000 Islands – Part 1: Manila – Negros

> A Swiss traveler explores the Philippines via Manila and Negros Island on a tourasia-organized round trip, uncovering Spanish colonial heritage, iconic jeepneys, and sugar-cane plantation history across this Southeast Asian archipelago.

## Destination
Philippines — Manila (Intramuros, Makati) and Bacolod/Talisay on Negros Island, Visayas

## Getting there
Singapore Airlines flies from Zurich via Singapore to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Onward domestic flights depart from Manila's Centennial Airport (a separate facility), with a roughly 75-minute flight to Bacolod on Negros Island.

## When to go
The article notes oppressive, humid heat as a constant factor but does not specify a recommended season.

## Why visit
Manila rewards curious visitors with Spanish colonial architecture and famously warm, genuine hospitality, while Negros offers a window into Philippine sugar-plantation history and distinctive muscovado sugar production.

## What to see
- **Intramuros (Manila old town)** — Walled Spanish colonial district containing Fort Santiago and historic churches, unique in Southeast Asia.
- **Fort Santiago** — Massive stone fortress within Intramuros, once the main seaward defense of colonial Manila.
- **Jeepneys** — Colourful stretch conversions of US Army jeeps that serve as the city's primary public transport throughout the country.
- **Sugar baron mansion in Talisay** — Elegant wooden colonial mansion with shell-panel walls, illustrating the wealth of Negros sugar families.
- **Hawaiian-Philippine Company** — Historic sugar-cane operation on Negros, notable for importing Hawaiian workers and still using steam engines for cane transport.

## What to do
- **Stay on the Bayleaf Intramuros roof terrace** — The hotel claims the only roof terrace in Manila, with views over the Fort golf course and city skyline.

## Good to know
Manila has multiple airports and terminals — travellers must confirm both the correct airport and terminal for domestic connections, and should allow extra time due to severe rush-hour congestion. There is no subway; jeepneys are the main alternative.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/golf-course-skyline-Bayleaf-Boutique-Hotel-Manila.jpg"
    caption: "View of the Fort golf course and Manila skyline"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/waiting-staff-Fairmont-Hotel-Manila-Makati.jpg"
    caption: "Friendly servers in the Fairmont Makati"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Verkehr-Jeepney-Manila-Philippinen.jpg"
    caption: "Jeepneys in Manila"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Pferdekutsche-Fort-Santiago-Manila.jpg"
    caption: "Elegant horse drawn carriage at Fort Santiago"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Waechter-Fort-Santiago-Manila.jpg"
    caption: "\"Heavily guarded\" Fort Santiago"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/besetztes-Rollfeld-Flughafen-Manila.jpg"
    caption: "Busy Manila airfield"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Dampflokomotive-Muscovado-Zuckerrohr-Transport.jpg"
    caption: "Steam engine of the Hawaiian-Philippine Company for transporting sugar cane"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Unbenannt.png"
    caption: "Receiving room in a sugar baron’s mansion"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Holzfassade-Herrschaftshaus-Bacolod.jpg"
    caption: "\"Airy\" wooden façade at night"
```