Table of Contents
Introduction
Taguig City’s emblem and pride nestle at Bonifacio Global City which is one of the leading commercial, financial, and lifestyle hubs across the country. BGC, as it’s commonly called, is a 440-hectare commercial development with a master plan patterned after the functionality of Seoul, the Singaporean systems, the innovations in Vancouver and the visionary outlook of Paris. The master plan received an award in the USA’s 1997 Gold Nugget Award for Best Community/Town Site Plan with a land area covering over 500 acres. The commercial project is home to several malls and entertainment spots such as Market! Market!, SM Aura Premier, Uptown Mall and The Mind Museum.
‘ProbinSyudad’
Tagged as a highly urbanized and 1st class city in Metro Manila, Taguig is surrounded by other cities and provinces such as Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Pasay, Makati, Taytay, Pasig, Cainta, Pateros, and located on the western shore of Laguna de Bay. Despite being among Metro Manila’s bustling business centers, the city government is doing a conscious effort to keep Taguig as a “probinsyudad,” by “striking a balance between modernization and tradition, advancement and the environment, the urban, and rural.” The city is doing this by introducing integrated urban farms and parks, most notably the Taguig Lakefront Community Park.
The Department of Science and Technology, Manila American Cemetery, and the Heroes’ Cemetery are just some of the notable landmarks that can be cited in the area. For historical sites, the city has the parola, the Felix Manalo Shrine, the Blue Mosque, the St. Anne Church, Dambanang Kawayan, Veterans Museum, and Simboryo, to add to the list.
University City
Taguig is also gaining the moniker “university city” because of the various schools in the area. Prestigious international schools are located here catering to the residents of Metro Manila such as British School Manila and International School Manila. Other schools in the city are Taguig City University, University of the Philippines Professional Schools, De La Salle University, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Let this Taguig City map be your guide on your next trip.
Economic Background
Taguig, especially BGC, is host to a bustling commercial district with 16 commercial and universal banks, 10 rural banks, 1,126 manufacturing firms, 243 restaurants, 13 registered batching plants, 2 shopping malls, 24 cottage industries, and 7,776 commercial and industrial establishments that are registered.
Call Centers
Some of the call center companies found in Taguig are J.P. Morgan, Accenture, TELUS International Philippines, FarmOutUSA, Technology Solutions, Merlin Philippines, Sutherland Global Services, and ePerformax.
Banks
There are numerous banks located in the city of Taguig such as the Philippine Veterans Bank, Asia United Bank, Bank of Commerce, Philippine Business Bank, RCBC Savings Bank, Robinsons Bank, Security Bank, HSBC Savings Bank, Philippine National Bank, BDO, BPI, Metrobank, and Banco de Oro.
Hospitals
Taguig is also home to several public and private hospitals such as the Taguig City Hospital, Taguig Doctors Hospital, Taguig-Pateros District Hospital, Holy Mary Family Hospital, Dr. Sabili General Hospital & Health Services, Cruz-Rabe Maternity & General Hospital, and St. Luke’s BGC.
The city government, led by Mayor Lani Cayetano, invested heavily on improving the local health sector which resulted in 3 new operational Super Health Centers. They also implemented the Doctor-On-Call program that targets faster emergency response. This means an increase in the demand for medical personnel who will facilitate, manage, and oversee the establishment of new medical facilities and services.
Big Companies with Notable Building Designs
These companies aren’t just big in the industry but they also have over-the-top building designs. The top 7 on the list are Globe Telecom, Google, Migo, Unilever, Zendesk, and HSBC and they are all situated inside BGC.
BGC Career Opportunities
Net One and Bonifacio Technology Center are just among the Filipino and multinational corporate office buildings in the area. Prominent companies such as the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Shangri-La at the Fort, which are connected to each other, are inside Bonifacio Global City. For career opportunities in schools and universities, Uptown Mall is near the Japanese, American, and British international schools along with other local schools.
Other Work Opportunities
With the long list of schools situated in Taguig and the K-12 program of DepEd, the demand for teachers and non-teaching personnel also increased. Aside from the teaching industry, several job opportunities are also available in the real estate sector with all the commercial and residential projects being developed within and near Taguig. This includes employment opportunities for engineers, architects, and real estate agents, just to name a few.
Transportation
What makes BGC as the employment hub in Taguig is its accessibility to public transportation. Commuters have several options to choose from when going to the workplace and coming home and vice versa via the UV Express, jeepney, and provincial bus terminals with routes going to Rizal, Antipolo, Marikina, Pasig, Alabang, Mandaluyong, Laguna, and other nearby cities and provinces. These terminals are situated at Market! Market! and SM Aura.
The BGC Bus Transport system is the public transport system in BGC maintained by the Bonifacio Transport Corporation, which runs within the area with the exception of two routes that traverse outside Taguig. These routes pass by several office buildings and rally points and follow a definite pick-up and drop-off schedule. They are Express Routes, Night Route, Weekend Route, Nuvali Express, Arca South Express, and Ayala Avenue Express.
Future projects and infrastructure
Business establishments continue to boom in Taguig, particularly in BGC, as the city’s tax rates are comparatively lower than other neighboring cities making it a viable place for a business. Growth and expansion in the following years can be expected not just in terms of commercial establishments but also when it comes to residential communities such as townships.
Office Spaces
More upcoming projects and developments are expected to rise in Taguig as BGC continues to expand in terms of commercialization. The BPO industry market, for one, is getting more competitive in the country and BGC is a viable location for office spaces. One of the reasons why BGC is the next target for BPO office expansion is that Makati no longer has provisions for new office buildings. Another reason is the better working environment and lower cost compared to Makati.
Other upcoming developments for office and commercial spaces are the BGC Corporate Center 2, Asian Century Center, EcoPrime Tower, Park Triangle Corporate Plaza, Project Cube 5th Avenue, Seda Hotel BGC Tower 2, Southeast Asian Center, Time Square West, World Commerce Place, among others.
Residential Communities
Taguig has a combination of real estate projects that cater to the middle and upper-class communities. Townships in Uptown Bonifacio and Veritown Fort are currently being developed offering condominiums and residential units with luxurious amenities to meet the demands of the growing population within BGC. Another set of residential towers to look forward to is the Sunshine Fort and Grand Hyatt Tower 2 by Federal Land-Hyatt which are located near St. Luke’s BGC hospital. Other residential projects that are expected to rise in BGC are Viceroy Residences, Uptown Ritz, St. Moritz Private Estate, Part Triangle Residences, Avida Towers Turf, and Avida Towers Verte.
Other Infrastructure
A project by the Infracorp Development Inc., owned by tycoon Andrew Tan, which targets to establish a two-kilometer Skytrain monorail that will connect Fort Bonifacio in Taguig to Makati has been granted by the Department of Transportation an “original proponent status.” The Skytrain monorail is a P3 billion-worth project that will use monorail technology through an automated cable propeller. This will reduce the travel time to 5 minutes only from uptown Bonifacio to MRT Guadalupe without any expenses from the government.
The project will also make provisions to connect other transportation hubs in the area where the monorail will pass through. About 60,000 to 100,000 estimated commuters will benefit from the project every day. The proposal will still be reviewed by the Investment Coordination Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority.
Pit Stops in Taguig City
Entertainment hubs
As the country’s ‘City of stars,’ Quezon City doesn’t fall short on entertainment avenues. Take a look at some of them:
Foodie Spots
Quezon City is one of the top go-to cities for dining in Metro Manila. Here’s where to satiate your every craving:
Hospitals
The local government of Taguig City believes that having quality health services will empower their constituents to greater productivity. Here are some of the hospitals found in Taguig:
Educational Institutions
The local government of Taguig City aspires to provide world-class education to its constituents. And with this are quality schools, both local and international, that provide the necessary education every Taguigeño require:
Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Taguig
PUP Taguig branch is a public university which provides quality and relevant education in the tertiary level. PUP is known to be the first polytechnic university in the country. Among its notable alumni are broadcast journalist Mario Teodoro Failon (Ted Failon), TV reporter Maan Macapagal, record producer Jonathan Manalo, TV actor Bayani Rogacion, Jr. (Bayani Agbayani), and televangelist Eduardo Cruz Villanueva.
The PUP branch in Taguig is located at Gen. Santos Ave. in Lower Bicutan. It aims to become the main source of commercial and industrial professionals in Taguig, in response to the rapid growth of the city’s industrial and commercial sectors. Among the courses offered are bachelor and certificate courses in the fields of business, education, engineering, administration, and computer studies.
Taguig City University (TCU)
Taguig City University (TCU) is one of the local public universities found in Taguig. It is established in 2004 at Gen. Santos Ave. in Upper Bicutan. The university offers both bachelor and graduate courses in the fields of education, business, administration, social science, engineering, tourism, and computer studies. Despite being in its early years, TCU aims to produce graduates who are able to adapt to the challenges of technology in the global community.
Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig
TUP Taguig was established in 1977 at 14 East Service Road in Western Bicutan. It is a satellite campus which offers bachelor, graduate and certificate courses. While its bachelor’s program mainly focuses on engineering and electronics courses, TUP Taguig’s masters and certificate programs offer courses in the fields of architecture, science, and technology. In accordance with DepEd’s new secondary education curriculum, TUP Taguig has started to offer K-12 education for senior high school students.
TUP Taguig aims to provide higher and advanced vocational, technical, technological, industrial and professional education in engineering and technology that could rival even the leading universities in Asia.
In their pursuit of excellence, TUP Taguig is now ISO certified and is currently the main provider of technology education in the southeastern region of Metro Manila.
Philippine School of Interior Design
For over five decades, PSID continues to provide quality tertiary education in the field of interior design. Their programs include basic and advanced courses involved in designs and the arts. In 2011, the school’s management launched PSID Ahlen Institute, which offers a four-year Bachelors of Science in Interior Design degree. In 2016, PSID-Ahlen has received full government recognition through CHED.
International School Manila
The International School Manila is a private institution located in Fort Bonifacio, which offers basic education — from elementary to middle school up to high school. ISM’s curriculum is international in orientation, which includes special features such as English as a second language, design technology, robotics, and learning support. Students are also offered foreign language courses in Mandarin, French, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.
British School Manila
The British School Manila is another international school that offers private quality education from elementary to secondary levels. It is located in Bonifacio Global City.
BSM’s primary education is based on the English National Curriculum, for English, Mathematics, and Science. Information communication technology (ICT) is integrated into all lessons and activities. Their senior school program from grades 7 to 13 awards an International Baccalaureate Diploma to students upon completion. The school aims to produce graduates who are able to compete at a global level.
Leaders International Christian School of Manila
The Leaders International Christian School of Manila is also an international school located in Fort Bonifacio. LICS provides quality Christian education from preschool, lower school (grades 1 to 4), middle school (grades 5 to 8) and upper school (grades 9 to 12). As a Christian institution, LICS follows a Bible-centered curriculum using U.S. and Montessori educational materials. LICS not only strive to inspire academic excellence in their students, but also develop their Christian character and life skills necessary to succeed in the actual world.
TRANSPORTATION HUBS
Circumferential Road 5
Circumferential Road 5, more commonly known as simply C-5, is a massive transportation hub on its own, with various transportation options that pass through the cities of Parañaque, Taguig, Makati, Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City and Valenzuela.
C-5 runs through Taguig’s Upper McKinley Road and the edges of Market! Market! and SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City. People coming from the other cities connected by C-5 may reach Taguig through jeepneys, vans, and buses that plow through the road network.
C-5 will connect Taguig to more cities upon the completion of the C-5 South Link Expressway, which stretches to the Manila-Cavite Expressway. It is expected to start operation in Q1 of 2020.
BGC Bus System
The BGC Bus system is the primary public transportation used to move around Bonifacio Global City. There are a total of seven routes offered to get around BGC, with each route featuring stops at the most popular leisure destinations and most active workplaces in the area. The Upper West Express, East Express, Lower West Express, and North Express routes are only offered on weekdays, while the Central Route, North Route, and Night Route are operational for the whole week.
Fare for each trip is an affordable Php 13.00, which can be paid through an exact amount in cash or through Beep cards. The BGC Bus system terminal is located along EDSA near the Ayala Avenue MRT Station, and passengers may hop on or get off at each route’s designated stops.
In addition to the seven routes within Bonifacio Global City, the BGC Bus system also offers express rides on weekdays to and from nearby Arca South, Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and Ayala Avenue in Makati City.
Market! Market! Transport Terminal
Market! Market! hosts an expansive transport terminal that caters to commuters heading to places around Taguig and nearby cities, up to the South.
In addition to the BGC Bus, commuters can ride on buses headed towards the Ayala Avenue MRT terminal on EDSA and to the South, particularly Alabang, Muntinlupa and San Pedro, Laguna.
There are also various jeepney and FX routes from Market! Market!, including jeepney routes to Guadalupe, Gate 2, Gate 3, Kalayaan, and Nascor, and FX routes to Pasig, Ortigas, Tipas, Rosario, and Bicutan.
Coming Soon: Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange
The government broke ground on the Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange, also known as the South Integrated Transport System, in January 2018, kicking off construction for a structure that is expected to help ease traffic by moving 4,000 provincial buses out of major roads. The provincial buses that will use the terminal will be going to and coming from southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The Taguig ITX will feature a centralized ticketing area where passengers will be able to check the schedules of their respective rides. There will also be pedestrian walkways that will connect the facility to the FTI station of Philippine National Railways and to the proposed Metro Manila Subway.
The expected opening of the Taguig ITX is within the first half of 2020.
What to do in Taguig City?
Shop ‘til you drop
Taguig hosts some of the most popular shopping destinations in Metro Manila, namely SM Aura Premier, Market! Market!, Bonifacio High Street, Uptown Mall, Venice Grand Canal Mall, and Vista Mall Taguig
The malls cater to people from different walks of life, from the luxury brands in SM Aura Premier to the budget finds in Market! Market! There is something for everyone in the malls of Taguig, and what better way to find out which one best suits your lifestyle than to visit all of them?
Visit the Mind Museum
The Mind Museum, located at Bonifacio Global City’s J.Y. Campos Park, is an educational facility that aims to foster the love for science among kids and kids at heart.
The museum features several galleries focused on the branches of science, as well as traveling exhibitions that keep visitors coming back.
The Mind Museum offers various promotions and group tours, which is perfect for schools that want to add a dash of science to their students’ field trips. Families are also very welcome, as the exhibits represent memorable bonding experiences between parents and their children.
Learn at KidZania
QParents with kids who want a more active learning experience will want to visit KidZania, an educational play city where children can take on various jobs such as pizza makers, firefighters, nurses, pilots, and more. Facilitators handle each experience, with KidZania offering more than 100 role-play activities for children aged 4 to 17 years old.
Kids in KidZania are safe and secure, as each of them will wear an RFID security bracelet that matches with their accompanying adult. Children are only allowed to leave the facility if they are with their registered guardian.
Take trapeze lessons
It is not normal to see a trapeze set up in the middle of the city, but Flying Trapeze Philippines is not offering a normal activity to begin with.
People who sign up for trapeze lessons will be strapped in and taught by an expert on how to swing, release, and fly. No degree of familiarity is required with the trapeze, as the instructors will teach everything there is to know.
In addition to the adrenaline rush, trapeze lessons are a great workout as they utilize the whole body. Flying on the trapeze may be the most beautiful kind of exercise possible.
Enjoy the nightlife
Taguig offers a bustling nightlife, with two of the more popular establishments being the Palace Pool Club and the Valkyrie Nightclub.
The Palace Pool Club offers cocktails and live DJs, and true to its name, there is a pool right in the middle of the club where guests can swim if they want to. Right next door is the Valkyrie Nightclub, which is a massive club that often gets filled during weekends with people partying into the night and early morning.
Pig out at Mercato Centrale
The various shopping malls and commercial spaces around Taguig host a variety of restaurants, but foodies in BGC visit Mercato Centrale every Thursday to Friday.
Mercato Centrale is filled with vendors that offer food in the cuisines of Filipino, Japanese, American, Italian, Mexican, and everything in between. Visitors can buy food from different establishments, then find a seat at one of the provided tables to enjoy their haul.
However, in addition to food, Mercato Centrale also contains a clothing bazaar and a flea market, because what better way to take a break from eating than shopping?
Honor the veterans
The Veteran’s Museum, located in Barangay Western Bicutan, honors the Filipino soldier through life-sized montages and technology-focused exhibits that depict the stories of war.
MThe Veteran’s Museum contains items such as weaponry, war relics, and dioramas that show how Filipino soldiers lived during times of conflict.
Pray at Dambanang Kawayan
Officially named the Saint John the Baptist Parish, Dambanang Kawayan is a parish church in Barangay Ligid-Tipas that has stood for a century. Its altar, wall sidings, ceiling, and benches are entirely made of native bamboo, for a unique design that has stood the test of time.
Cardinal Rufino Jiao Santos formally erected the parish under the patronage of Saint John the Baptist in 1969.
Popular Neighborhoods
Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
Bonifacio Global City is one of the fastest growing business, entertainment and lifestyle districts in Metro Manila. It is also one of the most coveted neighborhoods in Taguig City. From playing a major historical role during the American occupation and the World War II, BGC, otherwise known as The Fort, has rapidly experienced commercial growth, with a plethora of luxury shopping centers, residential towers, corporate offices, recreational facilities, and dining hubs sprawled over the area. Modern residential towers have also been developed in BGC, including The Beaufort by Filinvest, Avida Towers and The Montane by Ayala Land, and Forbeswood Heights.
But aside from the world-class business and residential centers, BGC is also known for its unique culture and contemporary art scene. Dubbed as the Home of Passionate Minds, BGC is designed with playful parks and contemporary office blocks. A walk around The Fort would take one to streets painted with murals and evocative art pieces made by different local and foreign artists, such as Francisco Diaz and Andrew Schoultz. Other art facilities include the BGC Arts Center, which is the centerpiece of The Fort’s cultural district. There’s also the Mind Museum, which is the first ever world-class science museum established in the country.
From the tall, modern buildings, to the vibrant culture of Taguig, BGC indeed perfectly blends modern cosmopolitan living, progressive economy and the artistic Filipino soul.
McKinley Hill
McKinley Hill is one of the (if not the) most luxurious neighborhoods in Taguig City, being the home to many elite people who wants to live a sophisticated lifestyle. This township mirrors the elegant design of the west, featuring buildings and structures that are reminiscent of Mediterranean and European styles. It is a modern cosmopolitan community that emphasizes the importance of beauty, luxury and comfort.
McKinley Hill is easily accessed through major roads, such as Lawnton Avenue, C5 and the McKinley Road. It is also close to Bonifacio Global City and enjoys close proximity to nearby cities like Makati, Pasig, and Pateros.
What separates McKinley Hill from other neighborhoods in Taguig is the holistic and comfortable living experience it offers. Not only does this township give access to several transport systems, but McKinley Hill also offers proximity to key establishments in Taguig. The township is close to 36 condominium units, 470 residential lots, 4 foreign embassies, 4 international schools, numerous multinational companies and a world-class football stadium.
McKinley Hill also offers several lifestyle and recreational options, with many modern shopping centers and excellent chain of restaurants established within the area. The township also features a man-made river that gives visitors an experience akin to that of the Grand Canal in Italy.
Barangay Ususan
Barangay Ususan is one of the 28 barangays in Taguig City. It is bound on the north by Pateros, on the south by Barangays Tuktukan and Bambang, on the east by Barangays Calzada and Ligid Tipas, and on the west by Fort Bonifacio. What makes it one of the most noteworthy neighborhoods is its ideal location, being situated near McKinley Hill and Bonifacio Global City. Furthermore, the development of the C5 Extension and a bridge that spans across the South Luzon Expressway gives residents easy access to major transportation facilities such as the NAIA airport and other places including the Manila-Cavite Expressway, Las Piñas and Parañaque. Owing to its location and accessible transportation system, several residential developments have been established in Ususan, namely SMDC’s Grace Residences, Cypress Towers, C5 Mansions and Acacia Estates by DMCI Homes.
The local government of Ususan endeavors to upgrade the quality of its basic services and management system for its constituents. In fact, it has received various recognitions, including Best Executed Shake Drill Scenarios, Southern Police District National Capital Region (SPD NCRPO) – Most Supportive Barangay in 2017, and the Showcase Barangay for Taguig City in 2017.
When it comes to entertainment and lifestyle, Brgy. Ususan has a lot to offer, with several recreation facilities established in the locality. Among these include Starmall and SMDC Grace Mall.
Barangay Pinagsama
Barangay Pinagsama is yet another of Taguig’s 28 barangays, which is located in the western region of Taguig City. It is the second most populous barangay in Taguig, with a total population of approximately 57,343 (2015 census). The barangay is bordered by Fort Bonifacio on the north, Central Signal Village on the southeast, Ususan on the northeast, Western Bicutan on the west and North Signal Village on the east.
Dubbed as the International Gateway of Taguig City, Pinagsama is fast becoming a commercial and business center. The barangay not only administers the luxurious McKinley Hill within its jurisdiction, but will also house a new visionary destination in Taguig known as the Arca South.
Arca South is expected to be materialized in early 2019. This mixed development will feature a number of residential condominiums, green spaces, multipurpose pods, park cascades, outdoor market, shopping centers, and even innovative workspaces and business offices. Once completed, Arca South is set to be another central business district in Taguig alongside Bonifacio Global City and a coveted neighborhood within Pinagsama.
Barangay Pinagsama is also known for its modern tourist destinations, including the Venice Grand Canal Mall. The locality is home to several international embassies, namely the British Embassy, Korean Embassy, Embassy of the State of Qatar and the Embassy of UAE, as well as prominent international schools.
Western Bicutan, Taguig
Western Bicutan is the most populated barangay in Taguig, with a population of over 90,000. It is also the largest barangay in terms of land area, covering almost 1/8th of Taguig. It is located in the southwestern region of the city.
Among the landmarks within Western Bicutan’s jurisdiction include the FTI Complex, the Veterans Museum, Taguig City Hospital, and the Technological University of the Philippines.
Barangay Tuktukan, Taguig
Barangay Tuktukan is another barangay in Taguig and is the center of the city where the government of Taguig is located. Though the barangay is not as big as its neighboring localities and only houses a population of over 10,000, it still remains a progressive neighborhood in Taguig.
Several shopping malls and commercial establishments can be found in Tuktukan, among which include Vista Mall Taguig, Puregold Price Club, and All Home Mall. Several residential developments are also established in Tuktukan such as Vista de Lago and Camella Homes.
Tuktukan is easily accessible through buses and other public utility vehicles. Some of its access points are Carlos P. Garcia Ave (C-5), McKinley Road, and South Luzon Expressway.
Tuktukan is also less than an hour away from premier business locations in Taguig and other neighboring cities. Under favorable traffic conditions, it would only take 18 minutes to get to Fort Bonifacio, 13 minutes to McKinley Hill, and 16 minutes to Arca South. From Tuktukan, it would only take 27 minutes to reach Makati CBD, 30 minutes to Ortigas Center, and 52 minutes to Eastwood City.
Despite the cultural and economic progress in Taguig, certain infrastructures continue to link the city to its historical past. One example is the Simboryo located in Tuktukan, which is the centerpiece of Sta. Ana Catholic Cemetery. It was built by the Filipinos in the 1700s and reminds Taguigeños of their ancestors’ hard work.
