"Makati City - Manila's Business Center" Makati by whvcebu

Makati Travel Guide: 518 reviews and 2,059 photos

Makati along Ayala Ave. has changed considerably

Can you imagine? Look at the building on the picture to the left. The small one there is the ""Gilarmi Apartments"". That's where I lived in 1973, when I just arrived in Manila.

This apartment hotel was the only building along Ayala Avenue. Only at the corner of Epifania de los Santos (EDSA) was the second building on the same side, the ""Urdaneta Apartments"". At the place of the ""Peninsula Hotel"" we used to watch the skydivers usually during a Sunday afternoon. The "Pen" was finished only in 1976.

Opposite the Gilarmi is nowadays the center of private capitalism in Makati, the high rise tower of the AYALA building near Rustan's Super market.

What else was there in 1973? Manila Intercontinental hotel and a few shops which were at the most 1 1/2 stories high. Now, 30 years later, there is almost everything not below 20 stories

Look from Ayala to Salcedo Village

Salcedo Village

Makati at Ayala Ave and Makati Ave. intersection. There is the Peninsula Hotel, one of my favorite hang outs whenever I am in Makati. (behind the fountain cascade)

Near Forbes Park

War Memorila Forbes Park

When visiting Manila, drive to Makati, cross E. de los Santos Avenue, continue thru the lush first class village of Forbes Park to reach the American War Cemetery. It makes me feel sad to look at the crosses and to imagine how many young soldiers died during WW II which was started from my country and has gone around the world.

For every visitor to the Philippines it is a must to see the most beautiful war memerial I have ever seen. I saw a lot of them in Germany, France and other European countries. None of them can compare with the Philippines. About 17000 of marble crosses are placed in a huge park with firetrees around the circle shaped main bulding. There are all the seals of all the states of the US carved into the marble floor. In the lobby of the building you see all the maps of all the battles that have been fought. The inlays to the walls are done with colorful tiny mosaic stones.

What you see on the building looking like columns are concrete walls of about 4 meters widths and 5 meters height. On those walls are all the names, ID number and the unit to which they belonged to. The soldiers buried there are Americans and Filipinos who served mostly in the battlefields around South East Asia and the Pacific against the Japanese.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The most modern part of Metro Manila with all assets you need to live comfortably
Cons:The most polluted traffic roads and intersections along Ayala Ave.
In a nutshell:A modern shopping area that needs substantial adjustment to avoid environmental health damage

Last visit to Makati: Jul 2005
Intro Updated Aug 7, 2006
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Reviews (9)

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Comments (5)

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nimato Sep 2, 2007 at 7:18 AM

I knew that GILARMI Apartment that you used to live in. My dad used to tell us that its the first building there built by GILario, a Filipino married to the first Miss Universe - ARMI Kuusela. :D
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Ramonq Jan 17, 2006 at 3:14 AM

I shall return!!! It's heartwarming to see someone who actually has an affinity to the land of my birth.
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terps94 Aug 3, 2005 at 12:12 AM

was ist los, Wlihelm? Just browsing thru your new travelogues so I have an idea what change since I last time I was home..I'll be going home next month..woo hoo
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deecat May 14, 2004 at 7:31 PM

Great travelogue. What a change from 1973, huh? Excellent introduction with lots of detail and explanation. Beautiful home you once lived in! Good hotel tips also. Thanks for the lovely tour.
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Janni67 Nov 26, 2003 at 3:58 AM

Nice start for an interesting page :)