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Content accurate at time of publication
01 Jan 2012
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NENITA DY, Singapore Airlines manager marketing communications and services, shares the attractions in Makati City, the country’s financial hub. |
BEST VIEWS
Catch some of the best views at 5-star hotels like Makati Shangri-La and New World Makati City, as well as from the top floor of the Tower Club in Philamlife building. At 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays, catch the dazzling fireworks display at SM Mall of Asia, located at Sunset Avenue.
CHILL OUT
Salon de Ning at Peninsula Manila Hotel caters to a sophisticated crowd who revel in the decadence of the Shanghai room, or marvel at the New York-inspired decor (above) of the Zeppelin room. Trendy types gravitate towards Robot Club, a futuristic setup with a range of music from house to mash ups.
FAVOURITE PLACES TO SHOP
SM (or Shoemart) Department Store has a wide range of affordable footwear. For Filipino designs, Rustan’s Department Store carries labels like Criselda Lontok, while Greenbelt 5 has some of my favourite local designers like Lulu Tan Gan, Paradi and Myth by Randy Ortiz.
GREAT EATS
Via Mare Oyster Bar at Greenbelt 3 serves local treats like bibingka (a traditional rice cake dessert) and salabat (brewed ginger tea). Salcedo Village has several good small restaurants: I like Masseto for its duck confit and cheese souffle; and Relish at Ponte for its truffle oil pasta and slow roasted grilled beef belly. A. Arnaiz Avenue is home to eateries including premium Japanese restaurant Tsukiji which serves excellent wagyu ohmi sirloin and hontoro (tuna belly) sashimi; and Milky Way Cafe with a wide selection of local specialities such as its famed kare kare (oxtail stew).
BEST WAY TO GET AROUND
Walk through the pedestrian-friendly walkways connecting Salcedo and Legazpi villages on both sides of Ayala Avenue, one of the main thoroughfares in the Central Business District. Or get there in comfort in a cab for about 60 pesos (US$1.40), hop onto a colourful jeepney (above) or take the Ayala Loop minibuses that ply the city centre.
A WALK IN THE PARK
Ayala Triangle Gardens, a 20,000 sq m landscaped courtyard between Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas, offers a welcome respite and is great for a stroll. Another oasis that’s right smack in the business district is Washington Sycip Park (at Gamboa and Legazpi Streets), surrounded by beautiful old trees and a lush garden.
GETAWAY
Just an hour’s drive from Makati is the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City, a popular retreat for locals that now boasts a larger hotel complex and spa. Also check out Pico de Loro Cove on Hamilo Coast (above), which comprises condominiums, a hotel, beach and country club.
PHOTO GETTY IMAGES
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