PASIG

Young business people in fashionable outfits enjoy happy hour wines and the latest food trends in this pulsing city in the middle of Metro Manila. In Pasig, offices are sleek, restaurants are trendy and residences are (mostly) posh. Because of its strategic location, Pasig has increasingly become commercial over the years. It is home to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the head office of a local conglomerate, a five-star hotel, a top university, high-rise buildings and residential condominiums. Even if it’s a thriving business district, Pasig offers a friendly kind of urban chaos. The ultra-busy people from the area may appear to rush at lightning speed during business hours, but it is not unusual to find twentysomething artists relaxing in a quaint cafe or restaurant, especially in the afternoon — well-tailored suits share the sidewalks with skateboarders. It is impossible to get bored in Pasig because the city offers all sorts of wholesome entertainment for everyone. The Kapitolyo area, in particular, is a favorite gastronomical destination of the cool kids. With a new restaurant opening every so often, it is an inviting melting-pot of different cooking styles, often by hip, young chefs. The city becomes a bit quieter in the evening. The Pasig party scene is a bit tamer than the nightlife in Taguig or Makati. The area is ideal for laid back dinner dates with meaningful conversation. There are also several malls and theaters in the area which are often visited by families on weekends.