Imperial Manila

Imperial Manila (Filipino: Maynilang Imperyal) is a pejorative epithet used by sectors of Filipino society and non-Manileños to express the idea that all the affairs of the Philippines, whether in politics, economy and business or culture, are decided by what goes on in the capital region, Metro Manila, without considering the needs of the rest of the country, largely because of centralized government and urbanite snobbery.[1] Empirical research finds that Imperial Manila and its persistence over time has led to prolonged underdevelopment in Philippine provinces.[2]

This sentiment is sometimes expressed by the proverb "Not a leaf can fall in our country without Malacañang's permission."[a] Another expression of Manila's powerful influence was voiced by National Artist of the Philippines Nick Joaquin, who said, "When Manila sneezes, the Philippines catches cold."[4]

  1. ^ Martínez, David (2004). A Country of Our Own: Partitioning the Philippines. Los Angeles, California: Bisaya Books. p. 202. ISBN 978-0-9760613-0-4.
  2. ^ Tusalem, R. F. (2019). "Imperial Manila: How institutions and political geography disadvantage Philippine provinces". Asian Journal of Comparative Politics. 5 (3): 235–269. doi:10.1177/2057891119841441. S2CID 159099808.
  3. ^ Martínez, David (2004). A Country of Our Own: Partitioning the Philippines. Los Angeles, California: Bisaya Books. p. 447. ISBN 978-0-9760613-0-4.
  4. ^ Joaquin, Nick (1990). Manila, My Manila: A History for the Young. City of Manila: Anvil Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-9715693134.


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