Joanna James
Concealed among Makati's myriad shopping malls and luxury hotels are some of the most enigmatic and historically important places in the Philippines. Make sure to visit these places on your trip here.
Libingan ng Mga Bayani is Philippines' national cemetery. It is the final resting place of over forty thousand Filipino soldiers who fought the second world war. It also houses the graves of important people of Philippines' politics, including two past presidents of the country. Best times to visit the cemetery is during sunset. The tragic beauty of the place is beyond words.
The wealthy locals of Makati come to the Ayala Triangle Park seeking refuge from their busy schedules. The lush greenery and the picturesque walkways provide for a relaxing ambience in the middle of the city. Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas form the triangle. Bordering the triangle are posh restaurants, multinational companies, banks and skyscrapers that house all kinds of apartment types.
Makati is home to one of the country's two stock exchanges. It occupies Ayala Tower One, overlooking the Ayala Triangle Park. The building is unique in terms of its architecture. Although you might not be able to walk inside the stock exchange without going through a few security gates first, you can admire its aesthetics while taking a stroll past it.
This is a small park down Legazpi Avenue. It is a quaint place. Although there is nothing much to do, it is a good place to escape to, from the city's busy life. If you come here on a Sunday, you can visit the Legazpi market. It sells local, organic food that you cannot find anywhere else in the city. It is within walking distance from Ayala Triangle stays such as Somerset Millennium Makati.
This is perhaps the best-known landmark in Makati. The famous sculptor Peter De Guzman portrays the slain senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. as he appeared right before he was shot. Aquino is considered a national hero of the Philippines. He and his wife fought hard to overthrow the dictatorship of the previous regime.
If you are a history buff, this is the best place to learn about Philippines' history. It is also one of the cultural hubs of the city. The museum hosts a number of events to educate and create awareness of the heritage values of the Philippines and Makati. It also has on display, the art of some of the best painters of the Philippines. It holds separate sessions for artists, every day of the week from 10 am to 7 pm.
The heritage library is located inside an old airport tower. So, expect to run into an eccentric reading experience. As for their collection, the library has books that are from the days of Spanish rule of the country. This is a must visit if you love reading.
This is the city's only UNESCO world heritage site. This church is venerated by Catholics all over the world, because of the namesake Virgin Mary image that can be found here. Built by the Augustinian priests, the church features aspects of the European-Baroque architecture. Irrespective of your religious belief, you should come here for the unique atmosphere.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
