(SPOT.ph) What used to be part of the Philippine Army camp is now one of Metro Manila's major urban developments—the Bonifacio Global City flanked by EDSA and C-5 Road. It is now home to towering residential condominiums, hundreds of establishments including retail stores, restaurants, wellness centers, and malls, and a few patches of land and parks for recreation. You can spend a weekend there and have everything you need, from delicious food options to everything in between.
WHERE TO GO
J.Y. Campos Park, 3rd Avenue
Contact: 909-6463
E-mail: inquiry@themindmuseum.org
www.themindmuseum.org
Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday)
Bring your nieces and nephews to this interactive museum that makes science and math fun. Of course, you can just go there yourself and be amazed like a six-year-old at the humongous dinosaur and whale displays, as well as the metal ball that makes your hair rise. There are over 250 things to view and try out, so you'll definitely won't get bored in this educational spot.
Park Triangle North, 11th Avenue
Contact: 711-5439
E-mail: info@kidzania.com.ph
manila.kidzania.com/en-ph
Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Saturday), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
KidZania takes
Contact: 0917-242-0331
E-mail: hello@trapeze.ph
www.trapeze.ph
If you're a fan of Cirque de Soleil, then you should check out the Flying Trapeze School and learn how to do the swings and jumps yourself. It's also a good way to stay fit
26th Street
Contact: 218-2577
E-mail: info@artsatbgc.org
www.bgcartscenter.org
Much to the delight of artists and enthusiasts in the Metro, BGC's newest cultural hub opened early in 2017 and boasts state-of-the-art facilities. BGC Arts Center comprise the towering Maybank Performing Arts Theater, which houses an auditorium, rehearsal halls, exhibit spaces, and classrooms; the sprawling Alveo Central Plaza, and the open-air Sun Life Amphitheater. Stay tuned for exhibit openings and theatrical runs to fully experience this artist playground.
Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater
Bonifacio High Street, 5th Avenue
To maintain BGC's pride as a walking city, Bonifacio Art Foundation started organizing a mural festival in 2015 to fill the otherwise bare walls and parking areas with colorful works of art. You can now find masterpieces by international street artists like Bunnie Reiss and Andrew Schoultz adjacent to proudly Pinoy murals by local artists like Trip 63. SM Aura recently joined this advocacy in encouraging public art and now showcases beautiful wall paintings by Mercedes Olondriz, Archie Oclos, and Anina Rubio.
Public Parks
Track 30th and Terra 28th, named after the BGC streets where they're located, encourage fun-filled activities in the area. The former is perfect for jogging and yoga, while the latter is a good place to bring the kids for a round or two of well-loved Filipino games.
WHERE TO EAT
If you’re looking to food hop around Bonifacio Global City, a day is not enough to check all the best or newest restaurants that the place has to offer. We list down some of the must-try places for each food strip, but don’t be limited to these because there are so much more in every corner.
Bonifacio High Street: If you're looking for a different taste of
The Fort Strip: Boutique Burger Kitchen along 26th Street is exactly what a diner should look like—fun, bright, and filled with knickknacks. Good luck trying to fit the Classic Cheeseburger (P280) in your mouth (and stomach) because it's generous in its serving of the beef patty and usual fillings.
W City Center: Ibiza Beach Club BGC at 7th Avenue corner 30th Street may not be by the beach, but you'll definitely experience the tropical vibe of its original branch in Cebu. You should try their signature 15-Course Grill (P2,500) and feast on Filet Mignon, Baby Back Ribs, Tiger Prawns, and Crispy Pork Belly. Cap off the night with a glass of Mimosa.
Bonifacio Stopover: Much like its precursor Le Jardin Restaurant which used to be at W Fifth Building, Le Jardin Café at Bonifacio Stopover Corporate Center is French-inspired, but this time with dishes you love at an affordable price. Their must-try is the Croque Monsieur (P320), a delicious dish of bread with homemade ham.
Shangri-La at the Fort: Pink's Hot Dogs own version of a speakeasy, Hotel Bar takes pride in its privacy and rustic interiors. It offers 11 classic cocktails so you won't have a difficulty looking for a familiar drink after a long night.
WHERE TO SHOP
1/F Serendra Piazza, McKinley Parkway
Art Bar is just one of several specialty stores by National Book Store. It houses art supplies from imported brands and exclusive collections, such as Pebeo, Sennelier, Winsor & Newton, Caran
Recreational Outdoor Exchange
B1, Bonifacio High Street
Also called R.O.X., this three-storey outdoor shop is every sports enthusiast and adventurer's paradise. You can get your rash guard, hiking gear, running shoes, and backpack at this place, all in one go.
Ewok Building, 7th Avenue corner 30th Street, Bonifacio High Street
Uniqlo C3 Annex, the brand's largest standalone store in the Philippines, opened in BGC in 2016. The first floor houses its seasonal collection, the second floor is for women's wear, and the third floor is dedicated to the kids' section and men's line.
Fully Booked
B6, Bonifacio High Street
An hour is not enough to browse everything that Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street has to offer. It has four levels with rows and rows of shelves filled with books of every form and genre: Fiction, self-help, photography, travel, comics, and more. It regularly holds events like book readings and workshops in an enclosed space located at the fifth floor.
5th Avenue corner 30th Street, Bonifacio High Street
Central Square is quickly becoming one of our go-to malls in the Metro. You can window shop for your dream house at Pottery Barn, go crazy on toys at Hamleys, and buy fancy teas at TWG. Did we mention that it's where the first 4DX cinema opened?
WHERE TO PAMPER YOURSELF
G/F Park Triangle, 32nd Street corner 11th Avenue
Contact: 0915-418-5321
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Salon Beauvoir's interiors feature high ceilings, white walls, and green and purple accents. There's even a chandelier that's nice to look at as you get your much-deserved hair treatment. They also offer tea, complementing that Parisian feel.
Unit 2I 2/F Crescent Park Residences, 30th Street corner 2nd Avenue
Contact: 478-4057
Open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Monday to Friday); 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Entering Manos Nail Lounge feels like you just stepped into a tropical resort because of its rattan-inspired chairs and beige and white accents. You can choose from getting a classic mani-pedi to availing an exfoliating scrub service. Make sure to choose a calming jasmine blend for the scrub for a truly relaxing session.
G/F F1 Hotel, 32nd Street corner Lane Q
Contact: 805-8888
Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Monday to Saturday) and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Sunday)
Much like how the Japanese are in their art, designs, and movies, minimalism is evident in
Kerry Sports Manila
5/F Shangri-La at the Fort, 3rd Avenue corner 30th Street
Contact: 820-0888
Open 24/7
Kerry Sports Manila offers a different kind of pampering—the one where you basically take better care of your body through an active lifestyle. It has an NBA-grade indoor basketball court, a couple of tennis and squash courts, gym facilities, and an outdoor lap pool. If you just want to wind it down, they have a wellness spa where you can choose from a number of massage options, from the traditional
WHERE TO STAY
Shangri-La at the Fort
30th Street corner 5th Avenue
Contact: 820-0888
Website: shangri-la.com/fort
Shangri-La at the Fort has more than 500 guestrooms and suites that all reflect elegance, thanks to its marble and silk accents. Their Premiere Suite, which has a chandelier hanging in the center of the 96-square meter room, is perfect for when you want to indulge in a luxurious stay.
For all weekends of August 2017, they have special weekend staycation rates including buffet breakfast at High Street Café for two.
WHERE TO PARK
Three Parkade
30th Street corner 5th Avenue
Slots: 1,071
Rate: P50 for first three hours + P10 per succeeding hour
Bonifacio Stopover
Rizal Drive corner 31st Street
Slots: 116
P50 first three hours + P50 per succeeding hour
28th West
28th Street corner 5th Avenue
Slots: 401
P50 first three hours + P50 per succeeding hour
HOW TO GET THERE
BGC Buses regularly ply the streets of the city. Routes start at the EDSA-McKinley Terminal across the MRT-Ayala Station, which adds convenience for commuters. There are also two new routes added on August 7: the Upper West and Lower West Express buses, which has two and three stops. The standard BGC Bus fare is at P12 and they accept payment through the Beep card.