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Makati City Information

The country’s premier and most class city, the financial center — Makati, where is offers a life-style of comfort and relaxation, wholesome environment, deluxe class hotels and restaurants as well as various places of interests.

Brief History

The history of Makati dates as far back as the time when Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi first set foot on it and gave it its present name, as derived from the Tagalog phrase meaning "ebbing tide". Of course Makati had been in existence even before that, but all we know about it is that it was then part of the territory ruled by a chieftain called Lakan Tagkan and his wife, Bouan, who were living in Namayan, now part of Sta. Ana, Manila.

In 1589, when a permanent seat in the city corporation was put up for sale at a public auction in accordance with the custom of the period, Captain Pedro de Brito, then aside to the Spanish Army of Staff and chief constable of the Audencia, purchased the property which included the territory now occupied by Makati, for 1,400 pesos.

The House of Probation and its adjoining church were to be built on a hill called Buenavista, within the confines of a cattle ranch which the founders owned in a district called Makati. the church was to be placed under the patronage of Saint Peter. (This condition probably accounts for the prefixing of San Pedro to the name "Makati", which later on also came to be called "Sampiro").

Three centuries later in 1914, by Act No. 2390 of the Philippine Legislature, the name "San Pedro de Makati" was changed to "Makati" which has remained its official name today.

Geography

Makati is located within the quadrangle of One Hundred Twenty degrees (120) latitude north and One Hundred Forty Three degrees (143) longitude east. It is bounded on the north by the Pasig River facing the city Mandaluyong, on the east by the Municipality of Pateros and on the northwest by Manila and on the south and southwest by the city of Pasay.

Political Subdivision

Makati is one of the eight (8) cities of the National Capital Region. The city is composed of two (2) districts further subdivided into thirty two (32) barangays the biggest of which is Forbes Park with 8.5 percent while the smallest is Kasilawan with 0.3 percent of the area.

Climate

Like anywhere else in the country, Makati has no pronounced seasons: the dry summer months from November to May and rainy months from June to October.

Population

Makati has total population of Four Hundred Fifty Three Thousand One Hundred Seventy Three (453,173) with an anuual growth rate of 2.3% as of 1995.

Language

Filipino is commonly used being the national language. English is also widely spoken and the second language is for commercial and legal translation.

Cultural Tourist Attractions

Ayala Museum
Location: Makati Avenue, Greenbelt, Makati

The museum is a unique show window of Philippine history and culture.

Features 60 dioramas (tri-dimensional portrait) of half a million years of Philippine history, scaled down reproductions of native boats and foreign ships, and the making of a Filipino statesman of international renowned in the Carlos P. Romulo room.

How to get there: From Taft Avenue, one can take an Ayala bound bus and get off at Makati Avenue. A three minutes walk further on Makati Avenue leads to the museum, which is just across the Ayala Center.

Travel Time: Approximately 40 to 45 minutes.

Philippine Army Museum
Location: McArthur Drive, Fort Bonifacio

A repository of antique guns, cannons, tanks, and other relies of World War II as well as captured paraphernalia, ammunition, and weapons of the NPA. A special feature is a tunnel with several arteries leading to different exits.

How to get there: Take the LRT from Taft then get off at Baclaran Terminal. Take another bus to EDSA then get off at North Forbes Park. Take any PUJ to the Millionaire’s Village then get off at the entrance of Fort Bonifacio.

Travel Time: Approximately one (1) hour.

Museo ng Makati
Location: J.P. Rizal St., Poblacion, Makati

The Museo of Makati was created through Municipal Ordinance No.: 1896. Primarily a municipal museum, it is the reservoir of the artifacts, treasures, and relics of the town’s glorious past. Special feature will be the "living" exhibits of the different regions of the country showcasing attributes uniquely their own.

How to get there: From Taft take PUJ to Pedro Gil then get off at the Philippine General Hospital. Take the L. Guinto Guadalupe PUJ then get off in front of the Museo.

Travel Time: Approximately one hour and ten minutes.

Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center
Location: 395 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati

Established in 1945, this library provides accurate, up to date, comprehensive information about the United States. It is also a place where lectures and seminars, exhibits of all kinds of screening of films and videotape recording. Performances of visiting artists are also held occasionally.

How to get there: From Taft, take the LRT or Buendia Station. Then take any bus with Gil Puyat/Buendia signboard then you ask the bus conductor to drop off at Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center.

Travel Time: Approximately one hour.

Alliance Francaise
Location: 22 Keystone Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati

This art gallery features painting made by young Filipino artists.

How to get there: From Taft, take the LRT and get off at Gil Puyat Station. Take a bus to Ayala and get off at Keystone Bldg.

Travel Time: 30 to 40 minutes

Finale Art File
Location: G-20 Sunvar Plaza, Pasay Road, Makati

It shows art works on canvass, art photographs and pottery.

How to get there: From Taft, take the LRT and get off at Gil Puyat Station. Take PUJ or bus passing along Pasong Tamo Street. From Pasong Tamo take a Mantrade bound jeepney and get off at Sunvar Plaza.

Travel Time: Approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

Galleria Jupiter
Location: 74 Jupiter Street, Bel-air, Makati

This gallery showcases Oriental art objects and furniture. Also found here are Chines and Korean antiques and ceramics.

How to get there: from TM Kalaw LRT (UN Station) take the LRT and get off at Gil Puyat Avenue. Take any PUJ bound for Buendia Extension and get off at Bel-air.

Travel Time: Approximately 45 minutes

Luz Gallery
Location: Locsin Bldg., Makati corner Ayala Avenue, Makati

This gallery showcases many interesting art pieces. Among these are old prints, artifacts, old ceramics, antiques, sculptures, and brass figures.

How to get there: From TM Kalaw Taft, one can hail an Ayala bound bus and get off at Makati Avenue. A short walk along Makati Avenue leads to Locsin Building where the art gallery is found.

Travel Time: Approximately 45 minutes.

Osmundo Gallery
Location: Dusit Hotel Nikko, EDSA, Makati

This gallery features antique furniture, Philippine Saints and folk art, excavated Philippine pottery, Chinese porcelain and heirloom pieces.

How to get there: From TM Kalaw, take the LRT and get off at EDSA station. Take another bus to EDSA then get off at the Dusit Hotel Nikko.

Travel Time: Approximately 45 minutes.

Man-made Tourist Attractions

Ayala Center
Location: Ayala Avenue, Makati

Right in the heart of bustling Makati, the country’s business and financial center, is very much the sophisticated commercial complex that is usually found in many of the world’s leading cities.

Bounded by the elegant hotels and restaurants, the complex houses some of the country’s leading commercial establishments.

How to get there: From TM Kalaw, one can hail an Ayala bound bu along Taft Avenue and get off at the bus stop after crossing Makati Avenue the center is three to five minute from Ayala Avenue.

Travel Time: Approximately 40 - 45 minutes.

Makati Cinema Square
Location: Pasong Tamo Street, Makati

Under the roof is the most extensive collection of shops offering everything and anything from the finest merchandise at bargain prices, quality dining, block buster entertainment to top of the line recreational facilities. It also has ample basement parking space, private postal service the Mailing Center and the residential tower ready for occupancy.

How to get there: From TM Kalaw, one can take an Ayala bound bus along Taft and get off at Pasong Tamo. Then take another PUJ to Makati Cinema Square.

Travel Time: Approximately 24 minutes to one hour.

Makati Stock Exhange
Location: Ayala Avenue, Makati

It houses the trading of stock. The emergence of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) in 1993 fulfilled a major policy drive of ex-president Fidel V. Ramos to establish a single unified exchange that will contribute to the development of the capital market and aid in the fruition of the goals and programs of Philippines 2000.

How to get there: From TM Kalaw, one can hail an Ayala bound bus and get off right in front of the building.

Travel Time: Approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

Festivals

Caracol. Conceptualized in 1988, CARACOL is a Spanish term for snail and refers to "the shell used by the people to protect them from life’s detrimental realities." It is a combination of the three major ethnic festivals of the Philippines. Declared official festival of Makati through the passage of Resolution 351. Held every last Sunday of January.

Flores De Mayo. One of the biggest processions in Metro Manila participated in by 120 young ladies representing the thirty two barangays of the City, tourism oriented establishments, local and government offices, corporations based in Makati. Every year, a flower Queen is crowned by the Mayor.

Kasalan. A free mass wedding for unmarried couples whom have lived together without the benefit of a church wedding. Free wedding arrangements with first class receptions. The participants also have the Mayor as Sponsor. Held during "MAKATI! MAKATI!" celebrating the Foundation Day of the City.

Likhang Kamay. A yearly exhibit of top of the line native handicrafts. Instrumental in the discovery and development of native crafts producers. Mounted in cooperation with the Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, International Association of Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows, it supports local artists and artisans by providing venue and marketing. Held between March and April.

Senakulo. A street re-enactment of the life, death and passion of Jesus Christ. Event is mounted during the Lenten Season in the barangays.

TOSM. Ten Outstanding Students of Makati, the creme de la creme of youth leaders representing the private and public schools. The crop has produced many winners outstanding in their professional careers, notably of a Baron at the PMA - Ferdinand Picar; Sid Hildawa, an artist; Chichi Fajardo, newscaster and Julio Benedicto, summa cum laude-economics at Yale University. Held one month before high school graduations in one of the schools.

Ganito Kami Noon. A commemorative Ball hosted by the Mayor and held at the City Hall Quadrangle every first of June. Host and guests representing the local government and socio-economic sectors wear turn-of-the-century native costumes. The highlight of the evening is a Rigodon de Honor presided by the Mayor and his lady.

Bailes Delos Arcos. Performed on June 29 during the feast day of the 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. Dancers are trained for a year.

Costumes, Trinkets And Xong Di. An exhibit representing seventeen ethnic tribes of the People’s Republic of China showing the similarities in costumes and trinklets of our ethnic tribes, hence, the Chines word Xong Di meaning brother.

Pasko Sa Makati. A raffle draw for the rank and file. Considered as a concrete example of NGO’s working with local government. Prices are donated by the private sectors, usually held a week before Christmas with the Mayor hosting the year.

Chinese New Year. Mounted during the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Frames of fireworks donated by the business sector are ignited after the presentation of the Dragon and Tiger dances. One of the events viewed by thousands of spectators.

Belen Sa Makati. Conceived in 1987. Facades of building are decorated by creches and complemented by locally-made lanterns. Barangay halls, school premises, and local government offices put up their own versions of the creche. The event is also one of the biggest affairs of Makati in cooperation with the NGO’s. Starts in December.

Source: Department of Tourism, Philippines