Table of Contents
Introduction
Makati City is one of the seventeen local government units in Metro Manila. It is known for its towering buildings and high-end shopping centers.
The name “Makati” stemmed from the Tagalog term “kati,” which means “tide” to refer to the tide of the Pasig River. The city has its roots dating back in the pre-Hispanic era, ruled by Lakan Tagkan in the swamplands near the river. It was Don Manuel Lopez de Legaspi, the first Governor General of the Philippines, who discovered the area. When Legaspi inquired about the name of the place, the locals were saying “Makati na,” as the tide of Pasig was ebbing away the residents. Thinking it was the residents’ response to his question, he called the settlement “Makati”. This was later changed to “San Pedro de Makati” in honor of its patron saint. It was then declared a public town of Manila in 1819. In 1914, the Philippine Legislature Act No. 2390 shortened the name of the town to its current name “Makati”. Makati was officially proclaimed as a city in 1995.
One of the country’s primary financial hubs
Makati has become a major financial hub with the highest concentration of multinational and local business establishments in the country. With more than 80,000 business establishments, Makati is easily the Philippines’ link to global finance and economy. It also houses several influential financial institutions such as the Makati Business Club and the Philippine Stock Exchange, making it the Financial Capital of the Philippines.
Center of international affairs
Makati is also home to over 70 international embassies and consulates, such as the French Embassy, Royal Belgian Embassy, Malaysian Embassy, German Embassy, and Embassy of Brazil among others. This makes the city not only a premiere business district, but also a center for international political and government relations.
A vibrant entertainment hotspot
The city is also a major entertainment center, with the highest concentration of commercial activities in numerous shopping districts and department stores. It is not surprising that many expatriates have been attracted to Makati. In-land migration from neighboring towns and other parts of the Philippines has also caused its population to boom over the years. Now, Makati has over half a million residents and is ranked as the 42nd most densely populated city worldwide.
Economic Background
Makati is nestled within a strategic location right at the center of the National Capital Region. It is surrounded by the Municipality of Pateros on the east, Pasay City on the south and southwest, Pasig River on the north, Taguig City on the southeast, and Manila City on the northwest. The city’s location makes it an ideal destination for work and business opportunities.
Solid employment opportunities
Makati City prioritizes employment for its residents. Partnering with several labor organizations such as the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the local government organizes several employment assistance programs annually like job fairs, job placement/referral, government internship programs, emergency employment and career development programs. As reported in the 2007 Census, 69% of Makati’s total population (15-64 years old) had steady employment. In fact, in 2011, the Makati’s LGU has hired 32% of the city’s job applicants.
Becoming a “Smart City”
One of the local government’s goals is to embrace a fully-digital and technological landscape. Since 2017, jobs from the IT sector has been in-demand as Makati gears towards becoming a “Smart City.” In the same year, the city launched five landmark digital projects. These included the Fiber Optic Loop project which provides free Wi-Fi accessibility to Makati residents; the Makatizen Card which promotes online payment transactions; Mobile signal boosters; e-Payment at Jolli-jeeps; and City-wide towing, impounding and clamping services that allows online payment.
According to the latest data published, there are 82,353 registered establishments in Makati (as of 2017), majority of them being finance-related institutions.
A melting pot of professional backgrounds
Most of Makati’s financial and business operations are concentrated in the Central Business District (CBD). The Makati CBD is one of the country’s leading financial and business centers. It is enclosed within major thoroughfares, such as EDSA, and encompasses Ayala Center, Legaspi Village, Salcedo Village, and some areas of Bel-Air, attracting job seekers from different parts of the country. Most of Manila’s skyscrapers and prime business establishments are also located in the area, such as the PBCom Tower, which is the tallest building in the Philippines. Owing to the rapid economic growth in Makati CBD, the city is considered a major international competitor and a premier investment location in Asia.
Healthy IT industry
There are many opportunities for business and career growth in Makati, especially for those in the ICT industry. The city is an ideal investment destination for IT locators due to the its ICT-ready infrastructures. There are over 40 IT establishments registered under PEZA (as of 2017), which include the GT Tower International, SM Makati Cyberzone Building, The Paseo IT Center, and Alphaland Southgate Towers. The country’s leading telephone companies are also located in Makati, namely PLDT and Smart Communications.
Furthermore, when the Makati Subway is completed in 2023, the local government projects a supply of 6,000 jobs and more economic opportunities. This does not include the job opportunities that will be generated as a result of a more efficient transport system in Makati.
Makati is also one of the safest cities in the Philippines. In fact, the city came in fifth in Numbeo’s Top 10 Safest Cities in Southeast Asia, with 39.56% crime rate and 60.44% safety rate.
Future projects and infrastructure
In the coming years, Makati will experience drastic improvement in its infrastructures, particularly in the transportation system.
Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3
One of the most anticipated projects is the completion of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (MMSS3), which is an elevated expressway that will run from Buendia through Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City. It will stretch a length of 17.54 kms and will connect the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). This P37.43-billion project aims to decongest EDSA and other busy thoroughfares in Metro Manila by approximately 55,000 vehicles daily. The MMSS3 started construction last January 2015 and is expected to be completed by December 2019
Light Rail Transit Line 5
Another transportation system that will run through Makati is the Light Rail Transit Line 5 which will connect the cities of Makati, Pasay and Taguig. Otherwise known as the Metro Manila Subway, this transit system is probably the most ambitious private-public partnership (PPP) project to be implemented, with a whopping budget of P374.5 billion. The subway will link Makati CBD to the Mall of Asia in Pasay and the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. This project is set to start its construction by 2019 and is expected to be completed by 2025.
Makati Subway
Another anticipated project is the Makati Subway. This P200-billion subway, which is a first of its kind in the country, aims to decongest the heavy traffic in the city. Once completed, the subway system will serve a maximum of 27,000 passengers per hour per direction and will have an interval of only three to six minutes between trains. The project also aims to complete 12 operational trains.
During peak hours, the system will be able to service a maximum of 40,500 passengers per hour. The system will run an 18-hour operational cycle.
The Makati Subway will feature air-conditioned coaches that can seat 200 passengers per car. The entire system will cover a total of 10 kilometers, with two tracks and up to 10 underground stations. The transit system will also feature a central command center, train yard, and maintenance depot at the ground level.
The completion of the Metro Manila and Makati Subways, as well as the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, will not only mean a more efficient transport system, but will also increase productivity of workers due to reduced travel time. This would also promote better work-life balance for employees as they won’t be spending hours in unproductive traffic. In the long term, the completion of the transport systems will boost Makati’s economic growth and competitive index.
Other anticipated projects also include residential properties by Megaworld, namely the Greenbelt Hamilton Tower 2 and Paseo Heights, which are scheduled for completion by October 2019.
Pit Stops in Makati City
Malls and Entertainment Hubs
Looking to have some fun or satiate your need for retail therapy? Here are some of the shopping malls and entertainment hubs in Makati:
Restaurants
Makati features some of the best restaurants the metro has to offer. Here are a couple of them:
Hospitals
Makati City has been recognized locally and internationally by a Dubai-based award giving body for its exemplary socialized healthcare system. Here are some of the most prominent medical facilities in the city:
Educational Institutions
More than its business offerings, Makati also offers quality education to its residents through these educational institutions:
How to move around in Makati City?
Makati City stretches across an area of 21.6 square kilometers, which is actually not that big compared to other places in Metro Manila such as Quezon City at 166.2 square kilometers and Manila at 42.9 square kilometers. However, due to the thousands of Filipinos moving around Makati City daily for work, school, or leisure, moving around still requires a good understanding of its transportation hubs.
SLEX, EDSA, and Buendia
The major thoroughfares slicing through and around Makati City are the South Luzon Expressway, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), Ayala Avenue, and Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia). There are several buses and jeepneys playing through these roads on different routes to and from other parts of Metro Manila, and with some coming from nearby provinces in the North and South.
MRT and LRT
Another major transportation option in Makati City is the Manila Metro Rail Transit System, or MRT. There are four MRT-3 stations that are located in Makati City, namely Magallanes, Ayala, Buendia, and Guadalupe. Commuters ride the MRT-3 into Makati City from various places in Metro Manila, with the Araneta Center-Cubao station connected to the LRT-2 and the North Avenue and Taft Avenue Stations, the tail ends of the line, connected to the LRT-1.
Park Square
Within the Makati Central Business District (CBD), there are several terminals for vans headed to various parts of Metro Manila and beyond. One such terminal is Park Square, located beside SM Makati. Park Square caters to commuters going to and coming from different locations in Metro Manila, and as far south as Laguna and Cavite.
There is no shortage of transportation hubs and commuting options around and within Makati City, but the key is to finding the route that is easiest for a commuter’s daily journey.
More transportation projects in the pipeline
MRT-7
The accessibility of Quezon City, however, is set to increase over the next several years. One project in the works is the MRT-7, which will extend from the MRT-3’s North Avenue Station through Commonwealth Avenue and end in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. MRT-7 has also been proposed to connect to LRT-2 in Katipunan.
Metro Manila Subway
Even bigger news for Quezon City’s transportation is the planned Metro Manila Subway, which will start going northbound from Mindanao Avenue towards Katipunan Avenue, before extending into Pasig, Makati, Taguig, and ending at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, or NAIA. The subway, which is expected to cost 227 billion pesos, is planned to start construction by 2019 and finish by 2025.
The MRT-7 and Metro Manila Subway are great additions to the transportation options of Quezon City, but they will require a bit of waiting. There is a project that is nearing completion, however, and that is the Skyway Stage 3. The project will extend the Skyway from Gil Puyat in Makati to Balintawak in Quezon City, connecting to the North Luzon Expressway. This will open up Quezon City to both its northern and southern neighbors, attracting more visitors while offering more options to its residents.
What to do in Makati City?
Mall Hopping
The first order of business for most tourists, and the destination of choice for most visitors, are the malls of Makati City
There are several malls within the Ayala Center alone, namely Greenbelt, The Landmark, Glorietta, Rustan’s, and SM Makati. Other malls in Makati City include the Rockwell Center’s Power Plant Mall and the Century City Mall. These malls provide seemingly endless shopping and dining options, with something for everyone for sure.
Eat at Food Hubs
Malls offer various dining choices, but eating in one of Makati City’s several food hubs is a different experience altogether.
One of the more famous food hubs in Makati City is Little Tokyo, which is located along Chino Roces Avenue. It does not look much from the outside with traditional Japanese restaurants as its facade, but a walkway opens up into a collection of smaller restaurants serving authentic cuisine befitting the place’s name.
Other food hubs to try out in Makati City are the Hole in the Wall at Century City Mall, Buendia Food by the Court along Gil Puyat Avenue, and Ruins Food Park along Metropolitan Avenue.
Visit the Ayala Museum
The Ayala Museum, located beside Greenbelt along Makati Avenue, hosts both local and global, traditional and contemporary, exhibits and displays. The museum showcases Filipino history and customs, while also offering an audio tour that guides people through the museum.
The Ayala Museum is not all about visual art though, as it also hosts concerts, photography workshops, and other events that speaks to the cultural side of the population.
Support Local Artists
Beyond the Ayala Museum, there are various ways of supporting local artists. Art fairs routinely pop up in various locations around Makati City such as Art Fair Philippines, which is held every February and Art in the Park every March. offering potential patrons pieces from both well-known and up-and-coming artists.
Splurge at Weekend Markets
Makati City’s weekend markets, namely the Salcedo Saturday Market is located at the Jaime C. Velasquez Park and Legazpi Sunday Market located along Legaspi Street
The weekend markets are most popular for their food options, but there are other items on sale such as antique furniture, local products, artisan crafts, and organic food items.
Solve Mysteries
For those who hoped they would become detectives like Sherlock Holmes, there are various escape room establishments in Makati City. Escape rooms take on different stories and themes, with the common goal of finding clues to be able to get out within a time limit.
Wannabe sleuths who would want to try their hand at escape rooms may visit Breakout Philippines in Greenbelt, Mystery Manila in Century City Mall, and The Escape Hunt Experience in Bgy. Poblacion.
Explore the Guadalupe Ruins
It may be strange to see 17th century ruins amid the office buildings and malls of Makati City, but the Guadalupe Ruins stand to this day.
The ruins are a collection of churches that are believed to have been constructed in the early 1600s. They were used as both places of worship and fortresses by the Spanish forces, so exploring them will give visitors a glimpse of how Makati City was like over 400 years ago.
Popular Neighborhoods
Bel-Air
Bel-air is an affluent enclave in the heart of Makati’s Central Business District which was initially developed by the Ayala Corporation for pilots of Philippine Airlines. Possessing one of the most enviable locations in the city, Bel-Air is synonymous to a homey and well-appointed residential neighborhood. It’s also one of the most enviable addresses in Makati as it provides a seamless access to some of the busier parts of the city like Rockwell, Jupiter St., Kalayaan Ave., and Paseo de Roxas.
Best of all, the barangay have sky scraping buildings, shops, restaurants, and other services peppered within the perimeter.
Poblacion
Hailed as the first settlement of Makati, Poblacion is the second most important commercial center after Makati CBD as it remains the city’s center of government, culture, history, and entertainment. It is also home to the upscale Rockwell Center and Century City. The area has transcended its old-world charm by embracing modernity and economic development, allowing locals, expats, and tourists to explore what it has to offer and find a home within its vibrant locale.
Legaspi Village
Located in central Makati CBD, Legaspi Village enjoys a comfortable walking distance from main thoroughfares and a host of commercial establishments, especially local and multinational companies that are operating in Ayala Avenue. While the village is practically in the center of all the action, the side streets and greenery pockets keep it quaint and pleasant. This makes the neighborhood an attractive residence for young professionals and expats.
Legaspi Village also offers a diverse selection for gastronomic delights within the vicinity and establishments along nearby Chino Roces Avenue. It’s close to malls, department stores, and supermarkets, and local watering holes to cap the weekend off.
San Lorenzo Village
Developed in 1954, San Lorenzo Village is one of the largest and one of the first gated neighborhoods in Makati. It is most notably a home to affluent families and a known major lifestyle district with its easy-access to main thoroughfares, commercial, and hangout spots for leisure and dining. The exclusive all-girls school, Assumption College, can also be found here. The village itself also boasts of well-kept amenities for its residents like function rooms, playground, swimming pool, and clubhouse.
Salcedo Village
Famous for its specialty restaurants and weekend market, Salcedo Village is a commercial and residential area surrounded by greeneries and glamorous architecture. It is in the middle of major thoroughfares such as Gil Puyat Avenue, Ayala Avenue, Paseo De Roxas, and Makati Avenue.
A hotspot for businesses and hip food and beverage establishments, Salcedo Village offers a wonderful mix of work-life balance to aspiring residents. Much like Legaspi Village, Salcedo Village also hosts weekend markets that feature fresh produce, seasonal items, homemade goodies, and artisanal goods that have grown in popularity over the years.
All in all, Salcedo Village is a vibrant yet intimate neighborhood that is perfect for those looking for a Friday night breather and a walkable space for a casual Sunday morning stroll.
Chino Roces
Named after the journalist and Manila Times founder Joaquin “Chino” Roces, Chino Roces Avenue is one of the busier districts of Makati. Also known as Pasong Tamo, this stretch connects the city to nearby municipalities like Taguig, Pasay, and Manila. The avenue also intersects EDSA, where the Magallanes Station of the Metro Rail Transit system towers above the major thoroughfare.
Once a hub of manufacturing in the 60s and 70s, Chino Roces is now home to various industries, most notably Business Process Outsourcing. It is also a second home to many of Metro Manila’s young creatives as Chino Roces is peppered with art galleries and cultural spaces.
In the present, it is set to keep pace with the aggressive growth of Makati, as the area will soon provide a diverse urban gateway development that mirrors the character of Makati’s CBD. This project is poised to fortify the area’s dynamic and vibrant community by making it much more walkable and accessible, thereby unlocking the area’s full potential as Metro Manila’s next economic and artistic center.
