Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and vibrant street life. It’s also known for its unique time zone. In this blog post, we will explore everything you need to know about Manila time, including its history, current time zone, and how to adjust to it if you’re planning a trip.
First, let’s talk about the history of Manila time. Prior to 1844, the Philippines used a variety of local times based on astronomical observations. In 1844, the Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines, Narciso Claveria, introduced a standardized time based on the meridian of Manila, which was set at exactly 120 degrees east of the Greenwich Meridian. This became known as Manila time, and it was used throughout the Philippines until the American occupation in 1898.
After the American occupation, the Philippines adopted the time zone system used in the United States, which is based on the Greenwich Meridian. As a result, Manila is currently 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+8). This means that when it’s 12:00 pm in London, it’s already 8:00 pm in Manila.
If you’re planning a trip to Manila, it’s important to adjust to Manila time before you arrive. One way to do this is to gradually change your sleep schedule a few days before your trip. For example, if you’re traveling from the United States, you can start going to bed an hour earlier each night to gradually adjust to the 8-hour time difference.
Another way to adjust to Manila time is to stay hydrated and avoid caffeine and alcohol. These can disrupt your sleep patterns and make it harder to adjust to the time difference.
It’s also a good idea to avoid staying indoors during the day and instead, try to get outside and get some sunlight. This will help regulate your body’s internal clock and make it easier to adjust to the new time zone.
In conclusion, Manila time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+8) and it’s important to adjust to it before your trip. By gradually changing your sleep schedule, staying hydrated, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and getting outside during the day, you can make the adjustment to Manila time much easier. And once you’re there, you’ll be able to fully enjoy all that Manila has to offer.
