Makati: What it’s known for
Makati Skyline | Photo taken by Z Hostel
When you hear someone mention “Makati,” the first thing, probably, that comes to mind would be the tall buildings standing from left to right, thus comprising the “urban jungle” we call today. Known to be Metro Manila’s Central Business District, Makati houses the offices for both the local and the multinational companies.
Makati is also famous for its multicultural lifestyle, with it being a home to various nationalities. “Expatriates often choose to live in Makati, which has caused a large expatriate community to grow in the area with citizens from all over the world,” MakatiCity.com stated.
However, Makati isn’t only about the tall buildings and the different kinds of people you can encounter in the streets. If you know just where in Makati to go, then you will surely find whatever it is that you are looking for – may it be a place to shop, to eat, or to just chill and relax.
Philippine Primer rounds up a list of some of the things to do and to enjoy whilst in Makati:
SHOP:
Glorietta 4
Whatever it is you need to get, from the budget-friendly to the most high-end items, Makati is a go-to place for every shopaholic at heart.
- SM Makati
- Glorietta
- Landmark
- Greenbelt
- Rockwell Center
- Century City Mall
DINE:
Hole in the Wall at Century City Mall
While you can always dine in restaurants that are found in malls stated above, you could also try to explore and find hole-in-the-wall restaurants that would surely give you a new and unique dining experience.
Legazpi Village is a business cum residential village with two beautiful parks that foster either a relaxed or active lifestyle. It also has the vibrant Greenbelt – a refreshing commercial enclave that houses trendy global and local restaurants and cafés making the village a favorite cosmopolitan destination – the village of choice for most expats.
Just like Legazpi Village, Salcedo Village is one of the go-to places to anyone who just wants to try good food from chic and hip cafes and restaurants. It is also known for the Salcedo Weekend Market, a weekly event which features a whole range of products — from handcrafted products to artisanal delicacies.
Hole in the Wall is one of the most sought-after places in Makati because of its bustling culinary scene. It was conceptualized by Charles Paw and his chef partners, who wanted to bring a “unique food experience” in Manila. People come here not only to check out the various eateries they choose from, but also for its cozy, hipster-looking interiors, making the place one of a kind.
ART SCENE:
saGuijo Cafe + Bar Events | Image grabbed from Saguijo’s website
Makati is also home for people who are searching for a place where they can unleash their inner artsy self. From band gigs, film screenings, to exhibits, and theater performances, you will definitely be able to find a place to go to in the country’s business district.
The Collective is a big courtyard with a collection of unique shops and hangout places for the young and the hip. It is a great place for artists, art enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs to meet and chill, especially in events such as exhibits, bazaars, skate events, etc. The Collective’s B-Side also welcomes artists and musicians of different genres to perform in music nights scheduled during some days of the week.
12 Monkeys got its name from the 12 people who own the place — this includes Radio DJ Tony Toni, CNN Philippines SportsDesk anchor Jinno Rufino, and Parokya ni Edgar front man, Chito Miranda. The place features some of the country’s hottest bands, which play alongside some of the up-and-coming artists of today.
Located along Palma Street in Poblacion, Makati, Pineapple Lab is a cultural center, as well as an art and photography gallery which highlights the works of local artists. They also hold exhibits and screenings of local indie films, making it one of the places artists and art lovers go to every now and then.
Known to be one of the leading contemporary art galleries in Southeast Asia, Silverlens Gallery also collaborates with various international art festivals and institutions by showcasing art works and masterpieces by various local and foreign artists.
Ayala Museum, located in Makati’s central business district, is a 4-storey gallery presenting a wide range and collection of archaeological artifacts, dioramas, and chronological exhibitions which consist some of the major events in the country’s history. It also features some of the finest artworks made by the most notable Filipino artists.
Featuring the private art collection of RCBC Chairman Alfonso T. Yuchengco, the Yuchengco Museum opened its doors to the public in 2005. This museum features a variety of artworks from the 19th century to the present, as well as local, cultural, historical and design exhibits, which is geared to fosteingr art appreciation among the public.
Source: MakatiCity
