My manila guide... Part-2

Hi all,
Now that the most important bit (food) has already been discussed, i thought i will briefly go through other stuff.
About places to stay, the first time i went, i stayed in a hotel .. and the next time, i stayed in a condo apartment. I have to tell you that staying in the condo apartment was definitely better. It gave me a feeling that i was a high flying investment banker in canary wharf or something similar!!
Shopping ... I think the filipinos are craaazy about shopping. So many malls and shops compared to the size of the city. When i went to makati, it felt like one HUGE shopping mall with some roads!! The shopping malls in makati include greenbelt 1,2,3 and then they also have 'the mall of asia' (apparently the 2nd largest mall in asia!) .. and so many other malls which i havent seen.
Travel ... i think the local traffic in manila is horrendous .. but hey, i am from madurai .. so thats fine as long as i am in a A/C car!! They have these jeepneys (modified jeeps) ... which operate on a similar concept to share auto. I havent been on the metro yet .. ( I have been pampered so far!).
Cost ... The cost of living is similar to India in my opinion. Of course if you go into posh places, u need the pay the price, but overall, i found it good value for money.
Lets hear ur opinion, after June!

Ranjit