MAKATI

Makati City is the country's premier financial and business district. Skyscrapers, five-star hotels, and corporate offices of both local and multinational companies may be found here.  It's also where most banks in the country have set up their head offices. It is also the home of high-end stores and shopping enclaves such Greenbelt, Glorietta, and the Rockwell Center. The city's present-day incarnation is definitely a far cry from its origins as a settlement in the swamplands near the Pasig River prior to the arrival of Spanish colonizers. Makati has been described as a city of three areas: the Central Business District, the Old Town or Poblacion area, and the still-disputed Fort Bonifacio area, parts of which now fall under the jurisdiction of Taguig City. Among Makati landmarks are the Spanish era Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church and the Saints Peter and Paul Church. There's also the Ayala Triangle Gardens, a two-hectare landscaped urban park. The origin of Makati's name is quite interesting. Historical accounts reveal that Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi — who became the first governor-general of the Philippines — discovered the area in 1670. He had asked the natives what the name of the place was, but they reportedly misunderstood him and thought he was just asking about the receding tide of the Pasig River. They had supposedly told him, "Makati, kumakati na." Translated, that means, "It's ebbing, the tide is ebbing." In this instance, the word "kati" means "anything that falls and rises like the tide.
read moreread less
RECENT ARTICLES IN Makati
Manila police chief scolds students for hanging out at cyber cafe during school hours

Manila police chief scolds students for hanging out at cyber cafe during school hours

Some students who play hooky worry that they might get caught by teachers or their own parents. But 12 student-gamers were caught at a cyber cafe by someone they didn’t...

Japanese-inspired ‘craft milk bar’ FRNK opens today

Japanese-inspired ‘craft milk bar’ FRNK opens today

Those who love creamy drinks but have had enough of milk tea can now turn their attention to FRNK, a new Japanese milk bar that opens in Makati City’s Glorietta 3 mall...

Coconuts Colloquium Manila: Struggles, rewards, and learnings of Filipina leaders

Coconuts Colloquium Manila: Struggles, rewards, and learnings of Filipina leaders

This one is for the ladies — and everyone who supports them. We have organized Coconuts Colloquiums in Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Jakarta and this month, we’re...

Makati City councilor who ‘reeked of liquor’ crashes into pick-up truck

Makati City councilor who ‘reeked of liquor’ crashes into pick-up truck

A Makati City councilor has been injured after figuring in a car crash in Makati City earlier today. Makati City 2nd district Councilor Nemesio Siddons Yabut Jr. was traveling...

Former VP Jejomar Binay fails to vote after machine repeatedly rejects his ballot

Former VP Jejomar Binay fails to vote after machine repeatedly rejects his ballot

The midterm elections did not get off to a good start for former Vice President Jejomar Binay after his ballot was repeatedly rejected by the vote-counting machine (VCM) today in...

Sibling Rivalry: Makati mayoral candidates Abby and Junjun Binay argue in church forum

Sibling Rivalry: Makati mayoral candidates Abby and Junjun Binay argue in church forum

Fights between siblings are normal but perhaps most aren’t as intense as this one between Makati mayoral candidates Abby and Junjun Binay. The two had a very public...

Q House by Quirks Novelties & Curiosities serves up fun, quirky snacks like banana cue fries and sweet flatbreads

Q House by Quirks Novelties & Curiosities serves up fun, quirky snacks like banana cue fries and sweet flatbreads

There are tons of cafes in Manila, but this one’s a little different. Q House, opened by Quirks Novelties & Curiosities gift stores, is a newly-opened all-day cafe...

Actor Migo Adecer to be charged with falsification of public documents for using fake driver’s license

Actor Migo Adecer to be charged with falsification of public documents for using fake driver’s license

Actor Migo Adecer has already apologized for his unruly behavior when he was arrested for side-swiping two traffic personnel last week, but that doesn’t mean he’s...

Classes suspended after Makati Science High School classroom catches fire

Classes suspended after Makati Science High School classroom catches fire

A classroom in the Makati Science High School caught fire last night, moving the school to suspend classes today. The classroom was on the sixth floor of a building located in...

The Coconuts Manila guide to Poblacion: Restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs in Makati’s hippest hood

The Coconuts Manila guide to Poblacion: Restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs in Makati’s hippest hood

Most of us grew up knowing Makati’s Poblacion neighborhood as Manila’s red light district. Throughout the aughts, however, it began its transformation into hipster...

POPULAR NEIGHBORHOODS

  • Quezon City

    Quezon City

    Quezon City or QC has been dubbed as the "City of Stars," as three of the...

  • Manila

    Manila

    Manila is the capital of the Philippines This vibrant city is a culturally...

  • Makati

    Makati

    Makati City is the country's premier financial and business district...

  • Parañaque

    Parañaque

    Parañaque City is located in the southern portion of Metro Manila It is a...

  • Taguig

    Taguig

    Taguig City is a mix of residential, commercial and industrial Its financial...

  • Pasay

    Pasay

    Pasay City is a mix of residential and commercial establishments It also boasts...

view all