One of the major financial hubs in Asia, Makati is easily one of the most flocked cities in Metro Manila especially by young professionals wanting a taste of the city life and looking for a posh and upscale neighborhood. But there's so much more to this bustling city than meets the eye. Here are some of Makati's neighborhood highlights:
Well-known Companies in Makati
Makati is home to companies of both local and international origin, such as McDonald's Philippines, Ayala Land, Inc., and Nestlé Philippines, Inc. And while some companies have placed or relocated their headquarters and flagship stores to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Makati remains steadfast with its banks, foreign embassies, and commercial spaces.
1. McDonald's Philippines
Known locally as "McDo", the master franchise of this international fast food chain was acquired by George T. Yang. McDonald's Philippines is under Golden Arches Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Andrew Tan's Alliance Global Group. Filipinos have come to love McDonald's, and its menu that's especially curated for the Filipino palate. Some staples include the Chicken McDo, Chicken McNuggets, and McDo fries.
2. Ayala Land, Inc.
The leading land developer in the Philippines, Ayala Land, Inc. is an established real estate firm under the Ayala Corporation. This company began in Hacienda Makati, which they developed into what is now known as the financial hub of the Philippines. The company was publicly listed in July 1991 and is now a household name in Philippine real estate and property development.
3. Nestlé Philippines
The world's largest food and beverage company Nestlé also broke through the Philippine market and continues to create, manufacture, and distribute some of the most recognizable F&B products in the country such as Nescafé®, MILO®, NIDO®, Bear Brand®, and Maggi®. Nestlé Philippines is also multi-awarded as a good workplace for its employees and as well as for its sustainability practices.
4. DMCI Homes
Another real estate giant that began in Makati is DMCI Homes, which is the property development arm of DMCI Holdings. DMCI Homes is the Philippines' first to be recognized as a quadruple A contractor in real estate. The company was publicly listed in December 1995. Today, it's one of the most recognized firms in real estate in the country.
5. Manulife Philippines
A Canadian insurance firm and financial services provider, Manulife Philippines was founded in 1901. This firm offers life insurance products, retirement programs, and investment options. Some of the insurance programs include those for education, health, and accident protection.
More Things To See In Makati
Any global city or business district can have local and international companies headquartered in them, but Makati has so much more to offer than high-rise buildings and corporate offices – Makati has interesting and unique places and neighborhoods in it that might even surprise especially those who are paying it a visit for the first time.
1. For The Shopaholics: Malls and Shopping Complexes
Greenbelt is one of the biggest shopping complexes in Makati at 250,000 square meters. Other malls include the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Circuit Makati, Century City Mall, Glorietta, and SM Makati.
Meanwhile, a well-known long-standing chain of upscale stores in the area is Rustan's, run by the Rustan Group of Companies. Some of the shops under the group's belt include Rustan's Department Store and Rustan's Supermarket.
2. For Luxury Accommodations: 5-Star Hotels
Makati has some of the most luxurious 5-star hotels in the country, including The Peninsula Manila (more widely known as Manila Pen), Raffles Makati, Fairmont Makati, Makati Shangri-La, and Dusit Thani, among many others, which are where birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and prom parties of those from Manila's high society are held in.
3. For Nightlife: Poblacion
Dubbed as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, Poblacion is where youngsters from all over the city (and nearby towns) gather to end their stressful semesters, kickstart their breaks from a long work week, or just make weekend memories with friends.
A former red light district, Poblacion is your go-to if you want to do away with the strict dress codes and the pricey door charges of the bars and nightclubs in Bonifacio Global City. Poblacion has many speakeasies, clubs, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants for your next bar hopping weekend or food crawl with friends in the metro.
4. For The Art Enthusiasts: Galleries and Museums
From the Ayala Museum to the Finale Art File, Makati is also home to galleries and museums that anyone who has an eye for art (or for a cute Instagram feed) can go to. Other galleries include the Yuchengco Museum, The Mind Museum, and Michael Yves Art Gallery.
It's good to always remember the opening and closing times of these art galleries and museums so you get to soak in everything in their glory without worrying about time. Check if there are national holidays or notices just in case these galleries and museums are closed for the day for either renovation, remodeling, or a private event.
5. For The Skaters: GOMO Skate Park and Rolyo Skate House
If you were one of those who practiced their shreds while donning skater skirts in 2012 or a Thrasher hoodie in 2016 then you can live out your Tony Hawk dreams in the new GOMO Skate Park in Circuit Makati.
There you can test out your skating skills if you're a beginner, or perfect your shreds if you're a pro-skater. The graffiti walls by independent artists also add to the feel of the skate park, which is all the more reason to stop by!
Rolyo Skate House is another addition to the many attractions in Makati – if you're one of those 80s babies who got into the roller skating craze back then or just an enthusiast who wants to try out something new, then this place is for you. From beginner classes to really cute skating gear, Rolyo is sure to have something for skating enthusiasts of all ages.
Makati: An Ideal Location
Everything you need is within reach – upscale restaurants, groceries, banks, malls, and even your workplace. And despite the cost of living being much higher than in the countryside, you get to expand your networks, meet all sorts of people, grow in your job or business, and gain quick access to the best commercial and recreational spaces in the whole country. If this sounds great to you, feel free to learn more about Makati here.