On June 10, 1574, King Philip II of Spain gave Manila the title of Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad ("Distinguished and Ever Loyal City"). In 1595, Manila was proclaimed as the capital of the Philippine Islands and became a center of the trans-Pacific silver trade for more than three centuries.

Manila became the capital of the Philippines when King Philip II of Spain gave it the title of “Distinguished and Ever Loyal City” in 1574. It was officially proclaimed as the capital in 1595 and remained so for more than three centuries.