Unique and Affordable Christmas Finds at Circuit Makati Bazaar

With Christmas coming in less than a month, I bet that a lot of you are now cramming to get your children and god children some cool and unique gifts this Christmas. And with bonuses all flowing this weekend, I'm pretty sure that you are still after those items than can help you save a bit. Guess what, why not head to Circuit Makati Bazaar this weekend, and splurge on to some unique and amazing finds that come with pocket-friendly prices.

After the stunning and inspiring switch on ceremonies on Ayala Triangle Garden's Light and Sound Show, and the fantastic Ayala Avenue's Street Light Display, the unstoppable Makati City now brings a unique and amazing Christmas bazaar at the city's newest outdoor recreational area, the Circuit Makati.

A 3-day event that showcases exciting yuletide rewards, Circuit Christmas Bazaar features over 200 booths of budding kidtrepreneurs, instagrammers, celebrity entrepreneurs and Wellworth Department Store.

Tune Hotels opens its Ortigas branch

As Tune Hotels continues to spread out like mushrooms in different parts of the world, offering affordable yet cozy accommodation to everyone, here in Manila, they recently opened their latest branch right at the very heart of Ortigas Business Center.

If I'm not mistaken, it was in Kuala Lumpur when I first heard of Tune Hotels. Though, I didn't really have that chance to try it out, here in Ortigas, I had my moment to see the whole lot and just know what's in store to anybody who will avail of their services and accommodation.

Tune Hotels Ortigas is located along Shaw Boulevard, a stone-throw away from One San Miguel building and probably 10-minute walk from MRT Shaw Station. It has this radiant and recognizable colors that is hard to miss. And yes, just like any other Tune Hotels in the world, it offers nothing but straight-forward, simple yet a hint of sophisticated service that anyone could enjoy.

The Living Art Project: Fun and Inspiring Night at Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences

Envisioned to become a landmark within Makati's Central Business District, the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences recently launched its share of artistic flare through a gathering of performers, whom they collectively called "Live Art: The Living Art Project".

Since it first opened its doors in 2009, the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences keeps inspiring its guests with it eye-catching art decors that are mostly made by our local artists.Taking inspiration from the life and works of its namesake, the great Pablo Picasso, who inspired a movement and helped develop a variety of styles, the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences launched  – a coming together of local performance artists to celebrate life, music, culture, passion and art.

John David Cruz

General Manager, Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences

Happened last February 26, invited guests, which includes The Picasso’s Top 2013 Corporate Accounts, members of the media and hotel patrons, were greeted and eventually accompanied by mimes and harlequins throughout the night. There were caricaturists doing seated portraits which also served as souvenirs from the Living Art Project.

Makati City's Caracol 2014

If you think that the most developed city in the country is nothing but advancement and tall buildings, Caracol 2014 proves that there is more in  Makati City that you could think of. Dubbed as the city's Mardi Gras, Caracol is the celebration of earth's beauty and love through a street dance parade that showcases the beauty of our planet and the talent of Makati students and residents.

A total of 12 contingents from Makati's elementary schools, secondary schools and clusters competed on this year's Caracol Festival. Three groups are elementary pupils from Palanan, Maximo Estrella and Fort Bonifacio Elementary Schools, another three are high school students from Bangkal, Pitugo and San Antonio High Schools and six came from the six residential clusters of Makati City.

On this year's festival, the final street dance competition was held at the 21-hectare family entertainment and leisure village, Circuit Makati. This is this their second year here, and with a space as wide as a coliseum that can fit huge number of people, the place was unimaginably full yesterday with spectators and supporters who eager to see each contingent's performance.

Art Fair Philippines 2014

Time is indeed flying so fast, and just like that the 2nd Art Fair Philippines has just opened and it will be open to the public starting today, February 20 until February 23, 2014. And just like last year, it is still at the 6th and 7th floor of The Link, Ayala Center, Makati City.

I was one of the lucky few who got to see first the pieces that will be on display as the organizer decided this year to hold a collectors' day a day before the official opening. I'm not a collector, but luckily, since I'm now connected to Habitat for Humanity Philippines, and Kenneth Cobonpue, who is one of the featured artists of this fair, has chosen his latest piece, The First Light, to be on display in this exciting and artistically orgasmic display of Filipino artistry - which by the way is created to help raise funds for the families affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda, local name) - I am here!

This year's Art Fair Philippines still features modern and contemporary art, but with a much wider space with the exhibition venue designed by Leandro V. Locsin and styled by design luminary Kenneth Cobonpue, more galleries were showcased, both local and international, but still with emphasis to local ingenuity.

It's Christmas in Makati City!

Yes, its that time of the year again where Christmas lights are all over the major thoroughfares of Makati Central Business District visible and adding delight to every passerby of this modern and evolving city. With this year's theme "Season of Sharing", get ready to be welcomed by amber-colored Christmas light, white ribbons, colorful rings and arches that depicts Filipino tradition of festivity.

After years of displaying a wonderful and futuristic spectacle on the avenues of Ayala, Paseo de Roxas and Makati, Makati City has brought the dim lights back through a display of amber-colored Christmas lights this year mounted on the trees around the three avenues.

Though amber in color, Mel Ignacio, Assistant Vice President of Ayala Land, said that these lights are still LED lights, which are still safe for the trees they hanging on to. She also added that this year, Makati's Christmas celebration will be going beyond the spectacle and pleasure derived from streets all aglow. The city that makes it all happen is also a city with a heart.

Makati Celebrates 115th Independence with Philippine Bamboo Flag Museum

Just like a bamboo, secure and flexible, on this year's celebration of Philippine Independence, the country's fast-moving city, Makati, commemorates the rise from all challenges and adversities of our country through a  three-tiered event that is all in the same breath experiential, educational, and entertaining. And all of these started through the of the country’s first ever Philippine Bamboo Flag Museum.

Taking the lead in mounting a grand event to celebrate 115 remarkable years of Philippine Independence, Makati City proudly presented to the public yesterday a 5-foot tall and covering an almost 50-sqm area Philippine Bamboo Flag Museum, which is open to everyone and will be on display from June 11 until July 31, 2013.

Entitled “Grass: Routes of a Nation”, inside the well-crafted Philippine Bamboo Flag Museum, anyone can get a glimpse of an exhibit showcasing images and vignettes off our nation’s rich history. And through the amalgamation of new and old, this bamboo exhibit also carries QR codes that are ready to provide visitors an interactive way to know more about bamboos - its uses and  to mention the actual bamboo music instruments that are available inside, which kids and adults alike will surely enjoy.

Soul of a City: A Makati City Tour

When we hear the name Makati some of the words that we have in mind definitely include the Binays, high-rise buildings, the Ayalas and their Ayala Avenue, posh shopping malls and the likes. But a few days back I was impressed by how this highly-urbanized city is still keeping some of its prized historical gems through the local government's  initiative to share the historical side of the city, the "Soul of a City: A Makati City Tour."

I was lucky to be a part of its maiden tour a few days back, and together with some media personalities, we were treated to an afternoon of amazement and appreciation of a city we thought is all about high-ends and luxury.

This “Soul of a City" is Makati Tourism Foundation, Inc.'s (MTFI) project to showcase the city’s historical and modern landmarks, heritage sites and prime shopping venues. Launched last May 17, 2013, the project is inline with the foundation’s thrust to further promote the city as one great tourist destination, rich in both character and culture. 

Makati Hosts Art Fair Philippines 2013

Who would've thought that a plain and sometimes scary looking car park could be turned into a place where art pieces burst into an orgasmic riot of creativity and talents made by or very own local artists. I guess, there's really one city that could make things happen, and as far as I believe, this is the best contemporary art exhibit that you could find in the country! Yes, it's Art Fair Philippines 2013 here in Makati!

If you come often here in Makati,  you'll definitely not miss the banners that speak of the words "art", "fair" and "Philippines", and I'm sure that all these banners lead you that one place you'll never expect to be - the Car Park of The Link in Ayala Center.

Kenneth Cobonpue

Transformed by the Filipino design superstar Kenneth Cobonpue, the 6th level of The Link's car park was  turned in to a heaven of art collections from different renowned art studios and galleries in the country to join the first ever Art Fair Philippines. And to add some splash of colors and creativeness to this Contemporary Art Fair, 24 of the most forward-thinking galleries and art groups were chosen for their carefully edited and specially curated shows. Among the galleries featured in the art fair were Art Informal, Altro Mondo, Blanc, Boston Gallery, CANVAS, Finale Art Gallery, Galleria Duemila, Manila Contemporary, MO Space, Silverlens, Tin-Aw Gallery, The Drawing Room and West Gallery among others. 

Makati Lights Up for Christmas 2012!

Once again, the country's  most prestigious Central Business District (CBD) has turned itself in to another captivating and splendid sight as its lights up for Holidays 2012! Yes, boys and girls, it's Christmas time now here in Makati City!

Joined by the local government officials, Makati Central Business District personage, headed by Mr. Jaime Zobel de Ayala, once again added glamour and prestige to the ever developing business district of the country by lighting up over a million of dazzling LED lights to celebrate the forthcoming for Holidays 2012.

From the ever busy thoroughfares - Ayala, Makati and Paseo de Roxas Avenues - these millions of LED lights will be the spectacle that one should catch on this exciting and merry season of Christmas. Designed by the country's renowned floral designer, Zenas Pineda interpreted the vibrant character and continuous growth of the district by utilizing designs that relate to Makati's leadership nature, breaking free from the traditional expectations but maintaining its commitment to protect and cherish the environment.