Bonifacio Global City (BGC)

Modern planned area with maximum safety and walkability. Expensive and has no local character, but very comfortable and secure. Best if safety is your top priority.

BGC doesn't feel like the Philippines at all - it's clean streets with actual sidewalks, modern high-rises, manicured parks, and upscale shopping like you'd find anywhere in the developed world. Built from scratch as a planned community, so everything is organized and easy to navigate. Fort Strip and Burgos Circle have restaurants and bars open late, all safe to walk between at night with good lighting and constant security. Costs significantly more than the rest of Manila, but you know what you're getting. Wealthy Filipinos, expats, and tourists - everyone speaks English. Eating alone is normal any time of day. The trade-off is zero local character - it's basically an American suburb dropped into Manila. Fine if you want comfort and safety, disappointing if you wanted to experience actual Filipino culture.