Malate District is located in the southern part of Manila. In the north it is bordered by the Ermita area, and in the west - with the area Paco. The name of the district comes from the Tagalog word "ma-ALT", which means "salty". According to legend, the tidal waters of Manila Bay at the time the flooding of the land, which today houses the town. Salty sea water mixed with fresh water in the wells, turning the drinking water in the same salty as the sea.

Before the advent of the Spaniards on the territory of Malate was a small fishing village. In the 16th century, during the Spanish colonial period, the main center of the district was Malate Church, around which later formed a cult among pregnant women. It was believed that the patroness of the church, Holy Mother of God, happily helping resolve the burden.

When in the late 19th century, the Philippines were Americans, they see as the future Malate exclusive residential area for American families. Immigrants from the United States, as well as the Spanish mestizo families settled modern high-rise buildings and spacious bungalows.

After the Second World War a serious damage caused by the retreating Japanese occupation troops and mortar attacks, carried out by the Americans and Filipinos, however did not leave the area in ruins. Evacuated rich family left their luxury homes in Malate, returned and took up the reconstruction of their private possessions. Until the 1970s, Malate district was exclusively residential.

Today, Malate is divided into two parts: to the west of Taft Avenue are possession of wealthy immigrants, and to the east is the house of the middle class. Once exclusively a sleeping area in the 1970s began to turn into a commercial center with apartment buildings, apartments and the former gradually becomes small hotels or guesthouses. In Malate were restaurants and cafes, which was the result of a "spillover" from a nearby business Hermits. It is in this area of ​​Manila each year passes gay parade, and indeed the area is considered the center of nightlife followers of non-traditional sexual orientation. However, the western part of Malate is a quiet area, where representatives of the middle class, located student accommodation and schools.

Here are the offices of the Department of Finance, several major banks and the headquarters of the Navy of the Philippines. Tourists are interested in the country's first sports stadium - Memorial Sports Complex. Rizal - and the Manila Zoo and Botanical Garden, located in Malate. At the intersection of Roxas Boulevard and Pedro Gil Street Manila Bay promenade begins, where you can find cafes and restaurants for every taste and budget. Before Malate Church Rajah Solaiman Park is the main attraction of which is "dancing" fountains. A little farther away Circus «Remedios», opened in 2006.