摘要：This paper aims at clarifying and resolving the controversy that emerged in the Philippines after Dan Brown, in his novel Inferno, allegedly named Manila as a gate of hell. This article believes that there are important thoughts and lessons that can be gleaned from such controversy, not only for the residents of Manila but for all Filipinos as well. Hence, the first substantive section of this article evaluates in detail the actual text of Brown to determine which of its aspects are accurate or inaccurate, and which of its aspects are positive or negative. The second substantive section of this article explores the wider and deeper processes that contribute to the negative image of the said city. The controversy spawned by Brown's negative comment should be taken as an opportunity for the residents of Manila, and the Filipino people, to reflect on some festering problems that are eroding this once beautiful capital city.
