(SPOT.ph) Poblacion (or as the kids call it these days, “Pobla” or “Pobs”) is one of the busiest places in Makati City, aside from the Central Business District, at least. It is home to lots of neighborhood restaurants, hip watering holes, and the 200-meter P. Burgos Street—the city’s red-light district. But there’s a lot more to do in this neighborhood aside from eating and drinking. It's a poblacion, after all, and it’s only proper that one of Makati’s city centers has a long list of places to check out.
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Here are 10 things to do when you find yourself in Poblacion:
Find out how Makati flourished through the years
Museo ng Makati, which is an 1800s house by the river, contains artifacts and treasures about the city's historical and cultural heritage. Through photographs and dioramas, find out how Makati started out as a sprawling marshland in the 16th century and eventually grew into the modern city it is today. It also hosts art exhibitions and other events.
Museo ng Makati is at J.P. Rizal Street corner Mabini Street, Poblacion, Makati. It is open from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Get some work done in a coworking space
It's easy to get distracted from work when in Poblacion, especially with a cool bar in almost every corner. But Acceler8 by UnionSPACE at Rockwell Center gives you a quiet space to get some work done and have the best excuse to party right after. Day pass is at P500, which includes high-speed Internet, free refreshments, and free printing and scanning services.
Acceler8 Rockwell is at 5/F Phinma Plaza, 39 Plaza Drive, Rockwell Center, Poblacion, Makati City.
Tap into your inner detective
If you've been wanting to try out an escape room challenge, Mystery Manila has an outpost at the third floor of Century City Mall. Gather your friends and choose from seven available cases, from getting to the bottom of a haunted house controlled by an old doll to saving the world from an alien assault. Don't worry, you have an entire hour to figure out everything.
Mystery Manila is at 3/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue corner Salamanca Street, Poblacion, Makati City. It is open from Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; every Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and every Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Paint a masterpiece over wine
Sip & Gogh lets you do your two favorite things: sip wine and go all out in unleashing your inner van Gogh. Three-hour sessions are at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. There are also special sessions for painting specific subjects like dragonflies, cherry blossoms, sunset skies, and koi fishes. The P1,000 fee comes with painting instructors, snacks, drinks, art materials, and an apron.
Sip & Gogh is at 4/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue corner Salamanca Street, Poblacion, Makati City. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Catch the latest blockbuster
You have two cinemas to choose from if you find yourself in Poblacion, and they're both luxurious. Cinema 5 at Power Plant Cinemas features leather seats, a free popcorn tumbler, and free drink for only P400. If you want to go for the unlimited treats, you can book tickets at the mall's Cinema 8 for P550.
Century City Mall's Cinema 3, on the other hand, lets you watch the latest blockbuster in reclining seats while snacking on a cookie and drink from Toby's Estate or a bag of popcorn and a drink from Taters. Tickets are at P520.
Have a solo staycation at Z Hostel
Z Hostel is a luxury hostel and party destination rolled into one. You can drink and party until the wee hours of the morning on their sixth-floor rooftop, then doze off on their bunk beds after one heck of a good time. They have four-bed dorm rooms, if you want some privacy but still open to small talk with strangers; and eight-bed rooms for the outgoing staycationers. The latter has easier access to the Roofdeck, too. They also offer private rooms if you're really looking for some me-time.
Z Hostel is at 5660 Don Pedro Street, Poblacion, Makati City. Rates start at P650.
Travel back in time at Makati's second oldest church
Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church (a.k.a. San Pedro Macati Church) was founded in 1620, two decades after Makati's oldest church, Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church, broke ground in 1601. The former, which is located in Poblacion, follows the Baroque style of having a rectangular nave and an altar with carved reredos. It was declared an important cultural property in 1937 by the Philippine Historical Research and Markers Committee, which was the former name of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
San Pedro Macati Church is at 5539 D.M. Rivera Street, Poblacion, Makati City.
Get active at The Rockwell Club
When it comes to getting fit, The Rockwell Club has a number of facilities to choose from: a 25-meter lap pool, three fitness centers with gym equipment, a boxing gym, dance studios, three open-air tennis courts, indoor badminton courts, three basketball courts, two squash courts, and a table tennis table. The Rockwell Club is a members-only leisure club, which is offered to Rockwell Residents (P2,500+ per month) or shareholders. Guests of members are also welcome, so time to use the "friend card" if you know someone living in a Rockwell Land building.
The Rockwell Club is at 23 Amorsolo Drive, Rockwell Center, Poblacion, Makati City.
Get familiar with the latest on Philippine art
Pineapple Lab, a creative hub in a residential area in Poblacion, is home to artists who want a safe space to go crazy in their chosen medium. It hosts film screenings, performance art nights, art exhibitions, pop-up stores, workshops, and artist talks. Established in 2015, Pineapple Lab also offers residency programs for local and international artists as part of its mission to foster new artisans.
Pineapple Lab is at 6503 R. Palma Street, Poblacion, Makati. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Get inked at Arte Tattoo
Arte Tattoo is known for its minimalist designs, mandala patterns, and floral tattoos. Its tagline is "tattoo is a form of healing meditation," which is why the mandala is pretty big for its owners Charles Arteta and his partner, Kel Laquindanum. They also use vegan ink, which, unlike the non-vegan counterpart, doesn't contain glycerin from animal fat and bone char.
Arte Tattoo is at General Luna Building, Don Pedro Street, Poblacion, Makati City. It is open from Thursday to Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m.; and every Wednesday and Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
