5 Quirky Things To Do in Manila

5 Wonderfully Weird Things to Do in Manila

Manila is a vibrant city where everything seems possible. People are loud, full of life, and seem to know no embarrassment — at least, that’s what it looks like to an outsider. I only spent a couple of days in the metropolis, but I immediately LOVED it. It’s fun, hectic, chaotic, and weird. There’s no other place quite like it.

So, I’ve put together a list of quirky things I did in Manila — hopefully it inspires you to embrace the city’s eccentric side!

1. See the Pros at Work After a Cockfight

While cockfighting is popular in several countries, there aren’t many places where it’s fully legal — let alone hosted in designated cockpit arenas. In Manila, these fights go until one rooster dies.

But what happens to the wounded winner? I had always assumed they were put out of their misery, plucked and maybe cooked for dinner. Not here! The wounded champions are taken to “cock surgeons,” who patch them up with surprising professionalism. Wounds are cleaned with antiseptic and meticulously stitched — all in makeshift surgery stations right outside the arena.

I thought the fights themselves were bizarre enough, but these impromptu post-fight surgeries might be even quirkier.

TIP: La Loma Cockpit in Quezon City is a great spot to catch both the action and the patch-up jobs.

2. Be a Rockstar for a Night with “Rockeoke”

Why settle for regular karaoke when you can be backed by a live band, headbanging as you belt out your favourite song?
Filipinos take karaoke very seriously — and have taken it to a whole new level. All you need to do is (get a little liquid courage first), request a song and sing your heart out.

TIP: During the past decade, at least half a dozen people in the Philippines have reportedly been murdered after singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” These so-called “My Way murders” have led some bars to ban the song altogether. You’ve been warned!

3. Visit the Chinese Cemetery — Where Graves Have Toilets and A/C

The Chinese believe in treating their dead well. Very well. The tombs in Manila’s Chinese Cemetery are mind-boggling. Most include a toilet and a mailbox — how else would you send letters to your deceased loved ones? Some are equipped with air conditioning, others are two stories high. A few even have jacuzzis, Wi-Fi, or round-the-clock security guards. Many of these tombs are bigger and more luxurious than my own house!

It’s not every day you get to wander through endless streets of “fancy shmancy zombie cribs.” This isn’t just quirky — it’s a powerful cultural insight into how different societies view the afterlife.

TIP: The cemetery is massive. Hire a guide at the entrance to get the most out of your visit. These caretakers know the area like the back of their hand and can tell you all the juicy background stories. Plus, they’re hilarious — in true Filipino fashion.

4. MC for a Night at a Midget Boxing Match

Yes, midget boxing… it’s a thing. A bizarre, slightly comedic show where little people duke it out in a boxing ring. The audience? A mix of one confused tourist and about 30 working girls from the bar, screaming with laughter and cheering on their favourite fighter like the world depends on it. Once the match is over and they realize you’re not there for them, the girls sit back down, looking spectacularly bored. Then, four of them climb into the ring to perform some PG-level dance moves that look like they were choreographed at a third-grade recital.

It’s more performance than fight — but it’s so odd, it’s funny. If you’re lucky (or unlucky?), you might even get invited to MC the match. Go ahead — if you dare.

TIP: You’ll find this surreal show in the Burgos area. Entrance is free, but the drinks are expensive — so just order a beer and consider it your unofficial ticket.

If you care to see a short video Midget Boxing Manila

 

5. Slurp Up the Embryonic Juices of a Young Duck

Walking through the streets, you’ll hear vendors yelling, “Balut! Balut!” It’s a local delicacy and a true rite of passage in the Philippines. Balut is a fertilized duck egg — boiled alive and eaten straight from the shell. Add salt and vinegar, slurp up the broth, and dig into the embryo. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely a memorable bite!

TIP: Eating balut can get messy — especially if you’re a first-timer. Bring napkins or wet wipes, just in case.

Final Thoughts

Manila is not for the squeamish or the tightly wound. But if you embrace its madness, you’ll find it endlessly entertaining, disarmingly raw, and completely unforgettable.

A special thanks to my dear friend Aubrey Aliguyon for pointing me in the right direction for a quirky Manila experience

Do you enjoy doing quirky things while traveling?

The post “5 Quirky Things To Do in Manila” first appeared on Travel Cake.