 Manila became the center of Spanish activity in the Far East and one end of the Manila @-@ Acapulco Galleon trade route , linking Spanish America with Asia , one of the earliest examples of globalization . Due to the central location in the Pacific sea trade routes , Manila received the moniker of the " Pearl of the Orient " . Spanish rule of Manila and the entire Philippine archipelago lasted for over three centuries , until 1898 . At different times during the long Spanish period there were local revolts , Chinese insurrections , massive pirate attacks , great earthquakes , Dutch raids and invasion attempts , and a British occupation of the city during their unsuccessful attempt to conquer the Philippines . Order was usually quickly restored and the city returned to the business of trade . In the 19th century Manila was one of the most modern cities in Asia . Before the Spanish – American War , Manila saw the rise of the Philippine Revolution . Under the American rule following the Spanish – American War , the United States changed the official language from Spanish to English and made some changes in education , local laws and urban planning . Towards the end of World War II , during the Battle of Manila most of the city was flattened by intensive aerial bombardment by the United States Air Force . As a result , relatively little remains of Manila 's prewar and colonial architecture , although there are ongoing restoration projects , especially within the old walled city , Intramuros . 
 Manila became the center of Spanish activity in the Far East and one end of the Manila @-@ Acapulco Galleon trade route , linking Spanish America with Asia , one of the earliest examples of globalization . Due to the central location in the Pacific sea trade routes , Manila received the moniker of the " Pearl of the Orient " . Spanish rule of Manila and the entire Philippine archipelago lasted for over three centuries , until 1898 . At different times during the long Spanish period <a href='dey_it' title='1'><mark>there</mark></a> <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> local revolts , Chinese insurrections , massive pirate attacks , great earthquakes , Dutch raids and invasion attempts , and a British occupation of the city during their unsuccessful attempt to conquer the Philippines . Order was usually quickly restored and the city returned to the business of trade . In the 19th century Manila was one of the most modern cities in Asia . Before the Spanish – American War , Manila saw the rise of the Philippine Revolution . Under the American rule following the Spanish – American War , the United States changed the official language from Spanish to English and made some changes in education , local laws and urban planning . Towards the end of World War II , during the Battle of Manila most of the city was flattened by intensive aerial bombardment by the United States Air Force . As a result , relatively little remains of Manila <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>prewar and colonial architecture , although <a href='dey_it' title='4'><mark>there</mark></a> are ongoing restoration projects , especially within the old walled city , Intramuros . 
Manila became da center of Spanish activity in tdaFar East and one end of thdaanila @-@ Acapulco Galleon trade route , linking Spanish America with Asia , one of the earliest examples of globalization . Due to the central location in thedacific sea trade routes , Manila received the daiker of the "daarl of the Ordat " . Spanish rule of Manila and the entire Philippine archipelago lasted fir over three centuries , untill 1898 . At diff times during the londapanish period it was local revolts , Chinese insurrections , massive pirate attacks , great earthquakes , Dutch raids and invasion attempts , and a British occupation of the city durin their unsuccessful attempt to conquer the Phildaines . Order was usually quickly restored and the city returned to the businda of trade . In the 19th cdaury Manila was one of the most modan cities in Asia . Before the Spanish damerican War , Manila saw the rise of the Philippine Revolution . Under the American dae following the Spanish – American War , the United Stada changed the official language from Spanish to English and made some changes in education , local laws and urban plannin . Towards the end of Worldaar II , during the Battle of Madaa most of the city was flatdaed by intensive aerial bombardment by the United States Air Force . As a result , relatively little remains of Manila  prewar and colonial architecture , although it is ongoing restoration projects , especially within the old walled city , Intramuros .