Makati City: Philippines

(Source: Wow Philippines)

In the pre-Spanish era, Makati was ruled by Lakan Tagkan, a native chieftain, and his wife Bouan. The area was predominated by the swamps and cogon grass overlooking the banks of the Pasig River. It was Don Miguel de Legaspi, the founder of Manila and first Governor-General of the Philippines, who first spotted the area. Legaspi asked the name of the place but, because of the language barrier, was misinterpreted by the natives. Pointing to the receding tide of Pasig River, the natives answered, “Makati, kumakati na,” meaning “ebbing tide.” Between the years 1578 to 1670, Makati was a “visita” or district of Santa Ana de Sapa under the jurisdiction of a Franciscan priest named Pedro de Alfaro. Makati was then known as San Pedro de Makati in honor of its patron saint. In 1914, Philippine Legislature Act. No. 2390 changed the name San Pedro de Makati to Makati, which remained to date as its official name.

Manila American Cemetery and MemorialPerpetually green and abloom, it is known to be the biggest American cemetery outside of the USA. It is one of the loveliest and most serene spots in the Philippines, inspiring noble emotions in its visitors. It is also one of the places most visited by tourists, especially WW II veterans. The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located in Fort Bonifacio, Makati

Libingan ng mga Bayani / Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers

It serves as the burial ground of the 33,520 Filipino soldiers who were killed in Bataan, Corregidor, and throughout the country during the 2nd World War. Libingan ng mga Bayani is located in Fort Bonifacio, Makati.

Sanctuario de GuadalupeIt is the oldest historical landmark of the city. It is of Doric architecture, with massive buttresses to support its vault of hewn stones taken from the visible but extinct Guadalupe quarry. Sanctuario de Guadalupe is located in Bernardino St., Guadalupe Viejo, Makati.

Ugarte FieldIt is a park at the Makati Stock Exchange Building, which was named in memory of Sebastian Ugarte, Executive Vice-President of Soriano and Co. in 1945. During the corrupt regime of President Ferdinand Marcos, when demonstrations started in 1983 as a result of the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino, Ugarte Field was the rallying point. It is located in the corner of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas, Makati.

Sts. Peter and Paul Church

Built in 1620, it has an architecture typical of the Spanish colonial mission churches: a rectangular single-nave plan composed of the nace, apse, and sacristy. There is a three-tiered papaltiars and keys, symbols of the Papacy - the first being St. Peter who, together with St. Paul, patron of the locality, dominate the façade. The altar with its carved retablo is the focal point. Sts. Peter and Paul Church is located in Barangay Poblacion, Makati.

Ayala Center

Situated right in the heart of bustling Makati, the country's business and financial center is also a commercial complex completely at par with the world's most modern business cosmos. Ayala Center is located along Ayala Avenue, Makati.

DescriptionUrban lifestyle and affluence are nowhere more pronounced in the Philippines than in Makati, the country’s classiest city. Bustling and modern, it is the country’s model for city planning, rising in less than a decade from vast stretches of empty land to become the nation’s premier city.

Geography

Around the northern and eastern borders of Makati City curl the serpentine length of the Pasig River, which separates the premier urbanscape from the adjacent cities of Pasig and Mandaluyong and the municipality of Pateros. Fort Bonifacio and its crowded barangays sprawl along the eastern fringes. Due west is Pasay City, joined at various points to Makati's major arteries via the South Superhighway, Gil Puyat and Taft Avenues. Across Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) from the Ayala Center are the posh villages of Forbes Park and Dasmariñas. The trend spills over Makati's boundaries all the way down the South Superhighway towards the newer subdivisions of Magallanes and Merville Park in Parañaque, and Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa. Villamor Air Base, skirting the highway due southwest, is the headquarters of the Philippine Air Force. The city occupies a total land area of 29.9 sq. kilometers. PopulationMakati City has a population of 444,867, according to the 2000 Census. This figure represents an increase of 39,824 or 8 % over the 1995 Census figure. Among the cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, Makati ranks fifth in population, with a 5 % share. In a span of 97 years, Makati's population grew 193 times. The 1903 Census placed the population at 2,700.

Although its population is slightly less than half a million, the daytime population of Makati City is estimated to be a million during a typical working weekday because of the large number of people who go to the city to work, shop, and do business, especially in the Central

Political SubdivisionThe city consists of three Barangays, which are subdivided into two Congressional Districts. It has been classified as a Highly Urbanized City.

Costumes, Trinkets, and Xong DiIt is an exhibit representing 17 ethnic tribes of the Peole's Republic of China, showing the similarities in costumes and trinkets of our ethnic tribes, hence, the Chinese word Xong Di, meaning brother.

Guadalupe Ruins or Nuestra Señora de GraciaThe original church was of Doric architecture with massive buttresses to support its vault of hewn stones taken from the still visible but extinct Guadalupe quarry. Its walls are solid and stable and built in such a way that they still stand today as when the church was completed in 1629. Located at Bernardo Street, Guadalupe Viejo. Saints Peter and Paul ChurchIt was built in 1620 with architecture typical of the colonial mission churches of rectangular single-nave plan composed of the nave, apse and sacristy. A three-tiered papal tiara and keys, symbols of Papacy, St. Peter being the first Pope with St. Paul, patron of the locality, dominate the façade. Focal point is the intricately carved retablo of the altar. Sri Sri Radha MadhavaIskcon Sri Sri Radha Madhava Center is one of the temples of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which has 400 temples around the world, and was founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The center practices and teaches vedic knowledge, like vegetarianism, yoga, meditation and science of god. Indian clothes and worship articles are available for sale, along with religious and vegetarian cook books.

You can also get to try their delicious vegetarian Prasadam (food offered to God). The center is located at

Village, Makati and is very near the Makati commercial district. Their telephone number is 8963357, and is open from 4.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the morning, and from 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. in the evening.

Nielsen Tower / Airport(Ayala Ave. cor. Makati Ave.). Now the Filipinas Heritage Library, the place provided the first private domestic flight of the Philippine Airlines and Iloilo-Negros Air Express Company immediately after WW II until the airport opened in Pasay City in 1951.

Ayala Museum

(Makati Avenue, Makati ). The museum is a unique show window of Philippine history and culture. It features 60 dioramas (tri-dimensional portraits) depicting significant events of Philippine history and scaled down reproductions of native boats and foreign ships. Philippine Army Museum(McArthur Drive, Fort Bonifacio). It is a repository of antique guns, cannons, tanks, and other relics of WW II as well as captured paraphernalia, ammunition, and weapons of the New People's Army (NPA). A special feature is a tunnel with several arteries leading to different exits.

Museo ng Makati(J.P.Rizal St. Poblacion, Makati). Primarily a municipal museum, it is the reservoir of the artifacts, treasures, and relics of the town's glorious past. It is also a venue of various exhibits showcasing the different regions of the country.

Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center

(395 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati). Established in 1945, this library provides accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information about the United States. It is a place where lectures and seminars are held. Film screenings and video tape recordings are done here as well. It is likewise a venue of visiting performing artists. Makati Park and Garden(J.P. Rizal St.). Considered as the city's main garden park, it has well-lighted park walks around fully landscaped gardens, a man-made lagoon and waterfalls, a gazebo and ornamental islet lighted fence, adjoining park spaces, and an amphitheater for cultural shows like the performing arts of ballet, folk dances, stage plays, contemporary and traditional bands.

Alliance Francaise Art Gallery

(22 Keystone Building, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati). This art gallery features paintings done by young and contemporary Filipino artists

Finale Art File

(G-20 Sunvar Plaza, Pasay road, Makati). It features artworks on canvas, art photographs, and pottery.

Galleria Aurora

(19 Ponce St. San Lorenzo Village, Makati). Displays are limited to paintings done by more than 50 artists.

Galeria Jupiter

(74 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air, Makati). This gallery showcases Oriental art objects and furniture. Also found here are Chinese and Korean antiques and ceramics.

Luz Gallery

(Locsin Bldg., Makati & Ayala Ave., Makati). It features interesting art pieces such as old prints, artifacts, old ceramics, antiques, sculptures, and brass figures.

Osmundo Gallery

(Dusit Hotel Nikko, EDSA, Makati). This gallery showcases antique furniture, Philippine saints and folk art, excavated Philippine pottery, Chinese porcelain, and heirloom pieces.

Ayala Center

(Ayala Ave., Makati). Right in the heart of bustling Makati, the country's business and financial center is a commercial complex at par with the world's most modern business cosmos.

Makati Cinema Square

(cor.Amorsolo St., Makati). Under the roof is an extensive collection of shops offering everything and anything from the finest merchandise at bargain prices, quality dining, blockbuster entertainment to top-of-the-line recreational facilities.

Makati Stock Exchange

(Ayala Ave. Makati). It houses the trading of stock.

Likhang KamayIt is a yearly exhibit of top of the line native handicrafts. Likhang Kamay is instrumental in the discovery and development of native crafts producers.

Chinese New Year

Frames of fireworks donated by the business sector are ignited after the presentation of the Dragon and Tiger dances. It is one of the events viewed by thousands of spectators.

Belen sa Makati

The façades of buildings are decorated by crèches and complemented by locally made lanterns in celebration of the yuletide season.

Caracol

(last Sunday of January). Conceptualized in 1988, Caracol is a Spanish term for a snail and refers to the "the shell used by the people to protect them from life's detrimental realities." It invites the viewers in merrymaking. A combination of the three major ethnic festivals of the country, it was declared the official festival of Makati through the passage of Resolution 351

Flores de Mayo

It is one of the biggest processions in Metro Manila participated in by 120 young ladies representing the 32 barangays of the municipality, tourism oriented establishments, local and government offices and corporations based in Makati.

Likhang Kamay

It is a yearly exhibit of top of the line native handicrafts. Likhang Kamay is instrumental in the discovery and development of native crafts producers. COSMIt is the venue for giving recognition to Ten Outstanding Students of Makati, the crème de la crème of youth leaders representing the private and public schools. Ganito Kami NoonHost and guests representing the local government and socio-economic sector wear turn-of-the-century native costumes during this event. Highlight of the evening is the Rigodon de Honor presided by the Mayor and his lady. Bailes delos Arcos(June 29). The dance is performed on the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul at Barangay Poblacion by daughters of past participants with impeccable reputations, as homage to the Virgen dela Rosa for her kindness. The "Dance of Virgins" is performed by young ladies. Pasko sa MakatiHighlight is a raffle draw for the rank and file employees of the city. Chinese New YearFrames of fireworks donated by the business sector are ignited after the presentation of the Dragon and Tiger dances. It is one of the events viewed by thousands of spectators. Belen sa MakatiThe façades of buildings are decorated by crèches and complemented by locally made lanterns in celebration of the yuletide season. SenakuloIt is a street re-enactment of the life, death, and passion of Jesus Christ. The event is mounted during the Lenten Season in the barangays