Manila's Iconic Film & TV Locations You Can Actually Visit

Intramuros, Manila's walled city, is Metro Manila's most prolific filming location. The Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and imposing fortifications have made it the go-to setting for period dramas and historical epics. Fort Santiago, with its massive stone walls and dramatic gateways, appears in virtually every film about Philippine history.

Heneral Luna (2015) and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018) both used Intramuros extensively to recreate the Philippine Revolution era. The 1998 epic Jose Rizal filmed throughout the walled city to depict the national hero's life and times. International productions have discovered Intramuros too--the South Korean action-comedy The Golden Holiday showcased San Agustin Church and Manila's streets. Netflix's 2025 series Kontrabida Academy used the San Agustin Convent Museum's colonial architecture and stone halls for the academy's dramatic interiors.

The Intramuros Administration actively supports filming and has published guidelines for filmmakers, photographers, and content creators wanting to capture the Walled City's timeless charm. You can walk the same cobblestone streets that have appeared in dozens of productions, stand where revolutionary heroes stood in films, and experience the living history that continues to draw filmmakers from around the world.

When The Bourne Legacy came to Manila in 2012, it marked the first time the Philippines received location credit in a major Hollywood production. The film's crew spent 45 days shooting around Metro Manila, and the result was some of the most thrilling chase sequences in the franchise--all filmed on real Manila streets that you can visit today.

The iconic motorcycle and foot chase scenes that close the film were shot at multiple accessible locations: San Andres Market in Malate, where the chase begins with its bustling market atmosphere; Jones Bridge spanning the Pasig River; Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard with its wide lanes perfect for high-speed sequences; and various streets through Remedios and Malate districts. The production also filmed at San Andres corner Quirino and Taft Avenue, creating an authentic Manila experience that felt completely different from the franchise's typical European settings.

You can recreate the chase route yourself (at legal speeds, of course), experiencing the same streets that Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz raced through. Jones Bridge, in particular, has become a popular spot for film enthusiasts to photograph, with its art deco pylons and views of the Pasig River providing the perfect backdrop.

Rizal Park, also known as Luneta, has served as a filming location since the earliest days of Philippine cinema. The 60-hectare urban park's wide open spaces, iconic monuments, and historical significance make it irresistible to filmmakers.

The 1998 film Jose Rizal naturally featured the park prominently, though the actual execution scenes were filmed at the shores of Morong, Bataan for practical reasons. Classic Filipino cinema made extensive use of Luneta--the 1954 film Luneta took its title directly from the park, while golden age films like Soltero and Ikaw Ay Akin featured scenes at the park's landmarks, including the Deaf/Mute cafeteria. Ishmael Bernal's Pabling used Luneta as a central setting. Albert Yearsly filmed the Rizal Day Celebration at Luneta as early as 1909, making it one of the first locations ever captured on film in the Philippines.

The park remains completely free and accessible to the public. Walking through Rizal Park means treading on ground that has appeared in over a century of Philippine cinema, from silent films to modern productions.

Quiapo Church and Plaza Miranda represent the beating heart of old Manila--chaotic, deeply Catholic, and utterly authentic. This accessibility and character have made Quiapo a favorite location for productions seeking to capture real Filipino urban life.

The 1982 romantic drama The Year of Living Dangerously starring Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver, filmed scenes in Quiapo alongside the famous Banaue Rice Terraces. More recently, the hit teleserye FPJ's Batang Quiapo has showcased the area extensively, with the first episode screened via big screen at Plaza Miranda, directly opposite Quiapo Church. The production authentically captures daily life in Quiapo, though filming there presents unique challenges due to the crowds and constant activity.

Visiting Quiapo Church means experiencing one of Metro Manila's most vibrant areas. The church itself, dedicated to the Black Nazarene, draws millions of devotees annually. The surrounding area features the famous Quiapo market, where you can find everything from religious items to electronics. It's an assault on the senses in the best way--exactly what attracts filmmakers seeking authenticity.

The National Museum Complex, particularly the National Museum of Natural History with its stunning Helix Atrium, has emerged as a premier filming location for productions seeking modern, visually striking architecture. The Tree of Life structure--a sleek, modern helix modeled after DNA--creates an unconventional aesthetic that contrasts beautifully against the building's neoclassical facade and classic white interior.

While specific productions filmed at the museum aren't always publicized, the location database maintained by Film Philippines lists the National Museum as an available venue, and the dramatic architecture has appeared in various contemporary Filipino productions. The museum's significance extends beyond its filming potential--it houses world-class collections of Filipino art, natural history, and anthropology, all accessible with free admission.

The museum complex surrounding Rizal Park includes the National Museum of Fine Arts (home to Juan Luna's iconic Spoliarium), the National Museum of Anthropology, and the Natural History Museum. All three are open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with free admission, making this an essential cultural destination whether or not you're following film locations.

Manila's historic bridges have become character actors in their own right, appearing in chase scenes, romantic moments, and establishing shots that announce "this is Manila."

Jones Bridge with its art deco pylons and views of the Pasig River, appears in international films featuring high-speed chase scenes through Manila. Reconstructed after World War II using deep steel girders, Jones Bridge connects Binondo to Ermita and has become an iconic landmark frequently photographed by visitors and featured in productions showcasing Manila's urban landscape.

Quezon Bridge named in honor of President Manuel Quezon, features its own distinctive art deco towers inspired by the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia. Like Jones Bridge, it was reconstructed after the war and represents the resilience of Manila's infrastructure. Both bridges are accessible to pedestrians and vehicles, allowing you to experience the same views that have appeared in countless films.

The bridges are particularly photogenic at sunset, when the golden light hits the Pasig River and the art deco architecture glows warm. Street photographers and filmmakers return repeatedly to capture these structures that represent both Manila's history and its ongoing urban life.

Escolta Street holds a special place in Philippine cinema history. The cinema was set up at Escolta Street at the corner of San Jacinto Street for early film screenings, making it literally where Filipino audiences first experienced movies. During the 1930s through 1950s, Escolta served as Manila's primary commercial and entertainment district, home to grand Art Deco theaters including the Capitol Theater and Lyric Theater.

The Capitol Theater designed by Juan Nakpil in 1935, featured a stunning Art Deco facade showcasing two Filipina muses in traje de mestizas. Fully air-conditioned with 800 seats, it represented the height of Manila's entertainment culture. The Lyric Theater established in the early 1900s, could house up to 1,600 moviegoers and became a landmark of Manila's downtown theater scene.

Though many of these theaters have fallen into disrepair or been demolished following Escolta's decline in the 1960s, the street retains its historical atmosphere. Preservation efforts have brought new life to some buildings, and Escolta's vintage architecture continues to attract filmmakers seeking period settings. Walking Escolta means seeing where Philippine cinema culture began--where generations of Manileños first fell in love with movies in grand palaces built specifically for that purpose.

The University of Santo Tomas in Sampaloc, Manila, founded in 1611, is the oldest existing university in Asia. Its historic buildings, tree-lined campus, and distinctive architecture have made it a filming location for numerous productions seeking academic settings with genuine historical weight.

While specific film titles aren't always publicized due to production agreements, IMDb lists UST as a filming location for multiple productions. The 21.5-hectare campus spreads along España Boulevard, featuring a mix of heritage buildings and modern facilities. The Main Building, with its distinctive architecture and historical significance, provides filmmakers with an instantly recognizable academic setting.

As an active university campus, UST maintains restricted access in certain areas, but the grounds are generally accessible to visitors who wish to experience the historic atmosphere. The university has contributed significantly to Philippine education and culture for over 400 years, making it a natural choice for productions seeking to evoke scholarly tradition and institutional gravitas.

These filming locations cluster in specific areas, making it practical to visit multiple sites in a single day. A "Historical Manila" route could include Intramuros, Fort Santiago, Rizal Park, and the National Museum--all within walking distance of each other. A "Bourne Legacy Chase Route" could follow the motorcycle scenes from San Andres Market, through Malate, across Jones Bridge, and up Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard.

Most locations are free to access, though some (like Fort Santiago and the museums) have nominal entrance fees. Many are best visited early morning or late afternoon to avoid midday heat. Intramuros is particularly atmospheric in the golden hour before sunset, when the stone walls glow warm and the tourist crowds thin out.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and your camera. These locations were chosen by filmmakers for their visual impact--they're inherently photogenic, and you'll want to capture your own shots. Consider hiring a guide for Intramuros to learn the full historical context that makes it such a powerful filming location.

Whether you're a film enthusiast, a history lover, or simply looking for a unique way to experience Metro Manila, these filming locations offer a fresh perspective on the city. You're not just visiting tourist sites--you're walking through living sets that continue to tell stories on screens around the world.

Film tourism adds another dimension to exploring Manila by connecting real locations with cinematic moments.