Manila Leisure

Filipinos like a flutter, and there are plenty of outlets catering to those who seek the excitement of placing a bet. The upper classes of society like to be seen on the golf course or in one of the city’s casinos.

Cockfighting

Cockfights take place every Sunday at several cockpits around Manila and at many locations in the provinces. The highly prized birds are fitted with sharpened blades and paraded before the charged-up crowd, then bets are placed with the calador. This sport can get rather bloody and is offensive to many first-time spectators.

Golf

Metro Manila's 11 golf courses are some of the best places to tee off in the Philippines. Apart from reasonably priced fees and good club facilities, there is fresh air, pleasant sunshine and friendly, English-speaking caddies who offer professional advice.

Kayaking

There are several places scattered throughout Manila and its outlying areas where the whole family can enjoy boating. The Taal Lake Yacht Club rents out boats that are in effect non-sinkable and require no previous experience or training to use, and are therefore ideal for family entertainment .

Gambling

There are two casinos in the city for those who wish to try their luck at cards, roulette or the slot machines. The new Casino Manila is the largest hotel gaming facility in the country. It has been designed to radiate opulence and comfort. The casino covers 15,000 square metres of floor area, occupying four floors, and features 123 table games and 626 slot machines of 30 different types.

For spectator sports with a splash of local colour, there’s nothing like the horse races at the Santa Ana Tracks and the San Lazaro Hippodrome for betting thrills.