On the west coast of the Philippines, in the south-east of the Metro Manila District, Taguig is an urban centre and commercial, industrial hub developed from a local and historic fishing community. The city lies on the shores of Laguna de Bay and has a highly urbanised centre, considered to be one of the key business districts in the area. Home to over 800,000 people, Taguig is the seventh most densely populated city in the Philippines.

The key landmark of Taguig, Parola, is a 17th Century lighthouse that guards the Napindan Channel and once acted as a secret venue for meetings during the revolution for Philippine Independence and marks a spot of stunning natural beauty. Two religious sites, The Blue Mosque and St Anne’s Church, are both impressive pieces of local architecture and, built in 1587, the latter is one of the oldest churches in the country. The Veterans Museum is another historical site, exhibiting a series of war stories, told through advanced modern technology and its tour includes walking through a secret tunnel used during WWII. Downtown Taguig has an abundance of modern facilities, including a captivating nightlife scene, innovative art structures, a mega shopping mall and a mind museum, teaching about contemporary science.

The other cities of the Metro Manila area surround Taguig, making it easy for drivers to reach the city via any of the highways that navigate the region, many of which are only half an hour away. Visitors can use a number of public transport services within and around the city, including the local buses and metro, although the city centre is small enough to navigate by foot. The nearest airport is Ninoy Aquino International Airport, only a 30-minute drive from Taguig Town Hall.

Before Spanish colonialism, Taguig belonged to the Kingdom of Tondo, although there is evidence of Chinese civilisations having inhabited the area and a part of the Ming Dynasty. From a small fishing community, Taguig has grown into a central urban hub, only recently becoming a city in 2004. Its name comes from the Tagalog word for “rice thresher”, which was a key occupation of the area, once shortened by a Spanish friar who found the language difficult and pronounced the people “tega-giik”.