A Visa-Free Guide To Be A Makatinese
The world is now moving — literally, and for Filipinos whose traveling abroad was traditionally deemed as an airplane away, can now enjoy the perks of being internationally while still in the Philippines, specifically in Makati.
A jeepney or a bus ride away to another country might sound strange and magical.
But blame the internet for this whimsy as people are now treating Makati City as another nation.
Calling it “United States of Makati”.
This trend started after a TikTok account posted a video of huge buildings in Ayala Avenue.
With the text “United States of Makati” and the song “Empire State of Mind,” which is a must-listen song to blast once you step foot in New York City.
And as a test on how creative Filipinos can get, netizens created different narratives from the trend.
Calling residents in Makati “ Makatinese” and employees as OFWs, redefining from Overseas Filipino Workers to Onsite Filipino Workers.
And if you’re curious on what makes Makati seem like another country.
Here’s a guide to which places to go to and activities to try.
No need for visa or passport, just your willingness to take a glimpse of what it takes to be a Makatinese.
Where To Touch Some Grass?
While there are numerous parks in different cities of the Philippines, the Ayala Triangle Gardens offers a different taste for the park-goers.
A wide garden space in the middle of the bustling Makati Central Business District.
Offering a sense of serenity in the midst of city noise.
Where people can picnic, relax, catch up with peers, or if you just want to be one with the leaves and trees.
If planning to experience pop-up markets like the ones in Central Park, New York.
On weekends, Salcedo (on Saturdays) and Legazpi Parks (on Sundays) are hosting a regular weekend market.
Where you can shop for favorite foods, flowers, fruits, veggies, and accessories.
These weekend markets were the inspiration for the social media lifestyle “Salcedo girls,” referring to gals who go to this market wearing curated urban-casual outfits.
Because of the community it built and the accessibility between each other, as you can just walk around to transfer and visit all these parks.
These green spaces in Makati make it special compared to ones outside of the city.
“Gala” in the Gallery
In igniting your passion for art, the Louvre in Paris is not the only place to be.
Along the compounds of Chino Roces Avenue in Makati, there are free-admission galleries that are worth visiting to fulfill your gallery date needs.
If you are into pop culture and edgy pieces — Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery often exhibits artworks that scream street art and modern realism.
Think of it as your Pinterest moodboard evolved into an art masterpiece.
And speaking of evolving, a cafe and gallery in one building is seen at Silverlens Gallery.
It continues to innovate art by focusing on Southeast Asian exhibitions, and featuring contemporary Filipino.
While downstairs — gallery hoppers can satisfy their thirst at Silverlens Cafe.
If most of the galleries outside Makati have traditional white-cube spaces inside malls or standalone museum buildings.
In Chino Roces, nearly all of the galleries are repurposed old industrial hubs and storage units,
Making their interiors not your typical ones.
And as much repetition, the walkability of these galleries within each other makes art lovers interested in visiting.
Side Quest Maxxing
Sidequests or doing activities outside of your normal work and school routine are now in,
And in Makati, there are plenty of places to activate your “sidequest maxxing.”
If your hands are craving clay and pottery, no need to brave the Mountain Province of Sagada.
As you can enroll in pottery classes at Bumi and Ash or Pottery Sessions.
Where you make your own ceramic pieces while showcasing your personality through your own design and aesthetic.
And for fitness enthusiasts whose dilemma is the lack of open spaces in the country.
Every Sunday, a car-free Ayala Avenue is there for people to enjoy, where they can walk, run, or ride bicycles.
On a surface level, this “Makatinese” trend might seem just a simple, fun, and online interaction,
But on a deeper level, the deprivation of developed urban spaces in the country made its way for Filipinos to fantasize a city like Makati.
The world is now moving, yes, and we hope it moves to the time when our roads are not cracked and bumpy.
Or there are enough sidewalks to walk on, and the civic spaces are accessible.
And if, for now, Makati will suffice for the needs of Filipinos to experience an ideal city, then let it be more than just an online fantasy.
Good thing these jeepneys and buses on the way won’t ask you for a visa.
