The districts of Malate and Ermita are a good place to spend the first and last night of a trip to the Philippines.
I am no authority on the area but walked around early this morning
taking a few pictures while waiting for the Friendly's Guest House to
open.
It seems to me that most of the tourist places are on M.H. del Pilar,
Mabini St., and Adriatico Streets between United Nations Ave and the
Malate Church.
Pension Natividad, Malate Pension, and Friendly's Guesthouse are all near Remidios Circle. Wireless internet is available in the roof top gathering area at Friendly's and the Duck Inn.
The Bay Walk along Roxas Blvd. is great place to exercise in the mornings and the evenings.
In it's hey day Ermita was a major red light district but one of the mayors decided enough was enough and closed most of it down.