Makati: A Balance of Business and Leisure

[PeterG]

Makati is known as the business district of the Philippines. To balance things around the business area, leisure places are also located here.

Manila, indeed, is the capital city of the Philippines. But the economy is more alive in the business district called Makati City. This is the reason why it is tagged “Wall Street of the Philippines.”

Major business establishments are located side by side in Makati. Ayala Center, located along Ayala Avenue, is home to businesses and financial companies. An example of such powerful businesses is the Makati Stock Exchange.

As a result, Makati is now the place where towering skyscrapers are located. GT Tower, LKG Tower , RCBC Plaza, and Rufino Tower located at the Ayala Avenue are business establishments standing high and proud in the heart of Makati. PBCom Tower, The Enterprise Center, The Shang Grand Tower and JG Summit buildings are also prominent views in the Makati skyline.

Furthermore, business men from all over the world come to Makati to engage in investing in the Philippine economy. They have hundreds of business locations to choose from for their industrial and trading pursuits. This business district makes it easy for them to access different people and services that they need for corporate affairs, affiliations and transactions.

Aside from the complex business and corporate phase of Makati City, therein also lie high end commercial establishments to please every business person and yuppies alike. Leisure and relaxation activities are offered within or around Makati City’s business district hotels.

In contrast, the busy, energy draining, and pressure packed way of living along the business district is toned down by the leisure sites around the area. The popular hang-out places here are where socialites, local celebrities, and elites shop and party. At the same time, it is the restaurants and bars here that gather people for corporate and social events.

Usually, people come and shop at the huge malls that are located adjacent with each other. These malls are not only adjacent with each other but also linked to each with bridge like structures connecting one mall to the next. These malls are Greenbelt, Landmark, Glorietta and SM Makati, respectively.

At night, the places to be for hanging out are Hard Rock Café at Glorietta and Absinth at Greenbelt 3 among others. The night life in Makati is alive and a perfect place for all party animals. Party goers can do bar hopping and clubbing because all bars and clubs are located along the strip. Here, people can listen and dance to techno grooves and DJ mixes.

Another popular leisure activity is the karaoke singing. Red Box Karaoke is the milieu for exercising (while having tons of fun!) your vocal chords. Singing here can be quite expensive but it’s all worth it due to all the conveniences that Red Box Karaoke offers.

On the other hand, if you find leisure discovering culture, history and heritage, Filipinas Heritage Library, Museo ng Makati, and the Ayala Museum are the places recommended for you to visit. The Filipinas Heritage Library is a modern form of library in which the information about the Philippine heritage is accessed electronically through CD-ROM’s. Museo ng Makati is also a place to rediscover local history. Lastly, the Ayala Museum provides a feast of historical art collections which can be a great leisure place for art enthusiasts.