Guadalupe Ruins – Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church
Makati has figured prominently in the annals of Philippine history. This community was one of the cradles of the revolt against Spanish colonial rule, and following the assassination of Ninoy Aquino in 1983, it became the epicenter of the protest movement against dictatorial rule.
Though a small community before, the city is known for its great contributions in the history that are seen through its landmarks of the city’s spirited past. Here are some of its proudest attractions that tells of Makati’s existence and the role it has played in history.
Guadalupe Ruins – Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church
When in Makati, one should not miss to visit the very historical Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church. It is a Doric architecture with massive buttresses to support its vault of hewn stones taken from the still visible but extinct Guadalupe quarry. Free from ornamentations, its walls are solid and stable and built in such a way that they still stand today as when the church was completed in 1629.
This 400 year old antique church is a favorite church wedding venue option for many Manileñas. The church was formerly called Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe founded by Augustinian fathers in 1601 and was dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1603.
Located in Bernadino Street, Guadalupe Viejo, Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church is easy to find. Coming from the north of EDSA, take a right turn on Bernardino Street where Loyola Memorial Home is situated. Coming from south of EDSA, take the road down going to Pateros then left turn on J.P. Rizal then up left to get you to northbound EDSA.
Saints Peter and Paul Church
Another old church in Makati is the notable Saints Peter and Paul Church. Built in 1620, the architecture of the church is a typical of the colonial mission churches: a rectangular single-nave plan composed of the nave, apse and sacristy. A three-tiered papal tiara and keys, symbols of the Papacy, the first being St. Peter who, together with St. Paul, is the patron of the locality, dominate the façade. The altar with carved retablo is the focal point.
Saints Peter and Paul Church is located at D. M. Rivera Street, Poblacion in Makati.
The Museo ng Makati on J. P. Rizal Street in Poblacion is the repository of Makati's heritage and culture. Constructed in 1918, the building served as the town hall of Makati from 1918 until 1961 offers a slice of Makati's history. The community museum houses ethnographic and archaeological artifacts, including fossil remains of pre-historic animals and earthenware. The history of Makati is shown in a collection of rare photographs, dioramas, and murals.
The Filipinas Heritage Library
From its beginnings as part of the Ayala Museum, it found its new home in 1996 in the historic Nielson Tower, the country's first commercial airport. The Filipinas Heritage Library is described as an electronic library: it discharges the traditional library functions of information storage, retrieval, and dissemination using the latest information and telecommunication technologies. The Library aims to become a one-stop electronic research center on the Philippines, linked to local and international libraries. In addition, it is engaged in digitization projects, CD-ROM publishing, as well as the development of web pages and electronic databases.
Libingan ng mga Bayani
Within the Ft. Bonifacio Army Reservations, Libingan ng mga Bayani is the resting place of 33,520 Filipino soldiers who were killed in Corregidor, Bataan and throughout the country during World War II. It is where the tomb of the Unknown Soldier is enshrined, as well as the headstones of Filipino statesmen.
The American Cemetery and Memorial
Adjacent to the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the American Cemetery and Memorial stands as a solemn reminder of the heroism of American soldiers during World War II. Significant battles of World War II are engraved on the walls of the Memorial. Information on significant military events are depicted and recorded in the map rooms, with 25 intricately designed maps, and in the battle museum in glass mosaic mixed with tinted concrete and colored fine aggregates. Completed in 1960, architect and landscape designer Gardner A. Daly of San Francisco took pains in keeping its park-like setting perpetually green and bloom.
Getting around
The Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA) pass along the southeast part of Makati and connects the city with Mandaluyong City and Pasay City. The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) runs through the western part of Makati and connects the city with Manila to the north and with southern Metro Manila. The Skyway, an elevated highway built on top of SLEX, provides residents coming from southern Metro Manila a fast way to reach Makati.
Buses plying the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA/C-4) route from Baclaran in Parañaque to Quezon City and Caloocan City pass through the central business/financial district daily. Jeepneys ply Makati's inner roads and connect the city to its surrounding towns and cities. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) on EDSA has four stations located in Makati: Guadalupe, Buendia, Ayala and Magallanes. The Philippine National Railways meanwhile has three stations: Buendia, Pasay Road and EDSA.
Accommodations
• Makati Shangri-La Hotel - Ayala Avenue Corner Makati Avenue, Makati, Manila, Philippines 1200
• LPL Suites Greenbelt - 112 LPL Tower, Legaspi Street, Makati, Manila, Philippines 1229
• The Peninsula Manila - Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, Makati, Manila, Philippines 1226
• New World Hotel Makati City - Esperanza Street corner Makati Avenue, Makati, Manila, Philippines 1228
• Hotel Celeste - 02 San Lorenzo Drive Corner A.Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo Village,, Makati, Manila, Philippines
• Somerset Olympia Makati Serviced Residence - 7912, Makati Avenue, Makati, Manila, Philippines 1200
• Ascott Makati Serviced Residence - 6Th Floor, Glorietta 4 Ayala Center, Makati, Manila, Philippines
• Copa Businessman Hotel - 912 Arnaiz Avenue, Makati, Manila, Philippines 1223
• The E-Hotel Makati - 906 A. Arnaiz Ave., (formerly Pasay Road), San Lorenzo Village, Makati, Manila, Philippines 1223
• BSA Suites Makati - 103 C. Palanca St. Legaspi Village, Makati, Manila, Philippines