IT used to be an unadorned stretch of rocks that served as home to transients and wooden fishing boats. But today, what was once a barren seawall along Manila Bay is now a haven for foreign and local tourists.

After a major facelift under the Roxas Boulevard Plan headed by then Manila Vice-Mayor Lito Atienza, the Baywalk has turned into one of Manila’s main tourist attractions. It’s a short walk away from major hotels in Manila such as the Manila Hotel, Manila Diamond Hotel, and the Hyatt Hotel. Big, bright lights alongside a row of tall coconut trees now line the stretch of Roxas Boulevard. The seawall was also converted into a mini-park that overlooks the magnificent view of the bay.

As early as 5 o’clock in the morning, people flock the promenade to walk, jog, or ride their bikes. The adventurous also try fishing, with milkfish and mackerel as the usual catch. But the best time to start your visit is around four in the afternoon. While waiting for the famous Manila Bay sunset, many people usually jog or walk their dogs on the beautiful cobblestone walkway.

Beer and Dine

Baywalk comes to life after sundown. Bars and restaurants that have sprouted along the once empty stretch start opening and the brightly colored lights add a festive atmosphere to the area.

Grilled food is the main staple in many of the restaurants – almost all of them offer barbecue. But there are still other choices like Chinese, Japanese, Italian and American cuisine.

For those who are not into the sit-down dining experience, hamburger and hotdog kiosks can be found all over the place. Coffee shops and refreshment bars also abound. Each restaurant has its own theme or gimmick to attract their customers: some have circus acts like people on stilts and jugglers while others feature live bands. Your musical taste will probably determine where you’d want to dine with the variety of musical genres on offer, from reggae to classic rock to R ‘n B.

Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao has his own restaurant serving mostly Filipino dishes called MP Knock Out. Its customers are entertained by a live band which performs inside a boxing ring that serves as stage. Scantily clad waitresses, much like the round girls in the ring, walk around to serve their customers’ dining needs. Food is priced a bit steeper than that of other places in Malate, with beer costing P60 compared to the usual P45.

All bars and restaurants along the Baywalk only serve beverages in cans to curb potential trouble makers from using bottles as weapons.

If the night scene along the Baywalk gets a little too noisy, you can plant yourself across the street. Beside the Rajah Sulayman Park, flanking the Aristocrat Restaurant (yes it still stands!) is a row of small restaurants made from stacked container vans. The upper deck has been secured with guard rails and converted into an open-air eating and dining area. It has an excellent view of the bay and the Baywalk scene but it’s removed enough so patrons can enjoy a modicum of quiet.

Cruisin’

For P200, you can also take the one hour and 15 minute cruise around Manila Bay. Add another P300 and you can have your dinner on board. The elderly or those tired of walking the stretch from the United States Embassy to Quirino Avenue can also take the Baywalk Shuttle for P20 per trip.

Those who are on a tight budget can simply hang around and sit on the long line of granite benches and enjoy the free dinosaur exhibit right across Rajah Sulayman Park. History buffs can also enjoy reading Manila’s history on plaques across the stretch. There is even a life-sized statue of Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino and the late Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson sitting on a park bench and reading a newspaper.

All in all, the Baywalk is a place for the whole family to enjoy. Security is excellent, with roving Baywalk patrols manning the strip. On each end of the complex are police officers and bike patrols. The store owners also have a text-brigade system – they’re directly linked to the Baywalk patrol where they can report unruly customers or trouble-makers.

As an American couple from Idaho had said during their recent visit to the Baywalk, “Baywalk is a great place to relax and unwind.”