The 16th largest city in the country is also one of the richest — in terms of money and, more so, options for amusement. The restaurant scene is ace, art galleries and museums come aplenty. There are three times more hotels in this city than anywhere else in the country and if you can imagine the money that generates — we can’t, we’re bad with numbers — we’ll understand why you’d want to live here. Some of us don’t have that option, however. So the closest thing to living in Makati is a staycation, the Coconuts Manila way.
FRIDAY
2pm. For a truly feeling-mayaman staycation, check in at Raffles Hotel (1 Raffles Drive, Makati). Hot tip: Charge your stay to your Mastercard credit card and get a discounted room rate and a slew of freebies till July 31, 2015. It’s called the Makati Staycation Program. Barely two years old, Raffles Makati has already charmed many a well-travelled guest with its high-ceilinged suites, impeccable service, and beautiful dining establishments. You read that right: There are no rooms in Raffles, only suites — 32 spacious, crisp, and irresistible suites, to be precise. The Long Bar on the ground floor is one reason to peel you away from your room come cocktail hour, thanks to the potent but terrific concoctions that can be custom-made according to your taste and mood, the nice kinetic pamaypays, and the fact that you can throw caution — and peanut shells — to the wind and onto the floor whenever you desire. The Writers Bar at the lobby will make you feel like you’re in a wealthy person’s library.
3pm. Speaking of Writers Bar, start your weekend by indulging in the classic afternoon tea, which is included in the Mastercard Priceless Staycation Promo. The well-lit area, with its well-spaced tables, plush couches, and floor-to-ceiling shelves, will put you right in DND and R and R mood. Biscuits and scones served in beautiful multi-tiered china accompany the different kinds of tea on offer.
6pm. Head out to M Café, right across Ayala Museum, for pre-dinner cocktails. Stay outdoors, near the garden and the water, where you can idly watch shoppers go by as you sip on your Juicy Fruit Mojito (PHP225). Not feeling like having alcohol? The Kamias + Calamansi Fruit Shake (PHP175) is really refreshing.
8pm. Work up an appetite by walking towards Ayala Triangle, where the newest location of Kanin Club is. The food is extremely delicious and extremely affordable. Have the Crispy Dinuguan (PHP274), which is actually lechon kawali topped with dinuguan gravy. The Ginataang Hipong (PHP313) should provide the balance to the pork. Of course, what’s a Kanin Club meal without the rice? The Loaded Fried Rice (PHP188) is Kanin Club’s heavy hitter. Bring down the carbs and walk back to Raffles.
SATURDAY
6am. Roll out of your king-sized bed early and head out to the Ayala Triangle Gardens. This way, not only can you get the most of your Saturday, you will also get to experience another side to Makati. Still quiet, still dark, and the air still crisp and clean, enjoy the city as though it’s your own. Join the health buff residents of Makati; run a few rounds in the garden. Or maybe not: You can choose to walk at your own pace and admire the many pieces of public art scattered around the park. Stretch a little, breathe.
9am. Hit the famed Salcedo Market (Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati; 6am-2pm) for a buffet-like breakfast, maybe to score a few finds to take home, and to people-watch. Cuisines from all over the world are well represented here. Fancy burrito for breakfast? There’s the well-loved Barbacoa Burrito from Taqueria Mia. Craving Indian food? Kashmir is there. Feeling like having pastries and coffee? Choose your poison at any of the many stalls offering exactly that. Hot tip: Treat the market as you would a buffet. Have a go, surveying everything first, before making a mad dash for the wagyu shawarma. You never know what you might find when you turn the corner.
11am. Need help digesting breakfast? Looking for a less crowded joint? Hit two birds with one stone and swing by Toby’s Estate (G/F V Corporate Center, 125 LP Leviste St, Salcedo Village, Makati. Mon-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri & Sat 8am-12am, Sun 8am-10pm) for an excellent cup of coffee. The Gilbraltar (PHP130) is everyone’s top pick, but a flat white can easily do the trick.
12pm. As you’re already in Salcedo, head out to the Goethe Library and pretend you’re in Germany. Apart from books, there are CDs, films, magazines, and newspapers that you can access, even if you’re not a library member. There are nooks and corners, too, perfect for ingesting all that culture from one of the world’s powerhouses.
3pm. Hit Circuit Makati (Bgy Carmona, Makati City) and try something new. The old Sta. Ana racetrack has been transformed to become a venue for the different. Case in point: The first ever Skate Park in Metro Manila, aka the Mountain Dew Skate Park, is right here. If you’re not the thrasher type, sit pretty and see just how alive this whole counter culture is. Want to do something more engaging? Get your focus on and try karting. CityKart Racing (Mon-Thur 3pm-12am, Fri-Sun 10am-12am), also in Circuit, is like go-karting except it’s faster and the technology is better and you’ll feel like you were Marlon Stockinger—or something. The racetrack is new and legit and will definitely rev up your adrenaline.
5pm. Head back to the hotel and freshen up. Your staycation includes happy hour at the Writers’ Bar — indulge and drown the full day away.
8pm. Hit Il Ponticello (2/F Antel Corporate Center, 121 Valero St, Salcedo Village. +63 2 5539971) for a truly classic Sabado night. The ‘90s favorite gimikan just reopened and like you, it’s all grown up! Relive your youth and order Ponti’s pizza. The Valdostana (PHP480), with a delicate layer of prosciutto on top of the dough, is the current talk of the town. Replace the famous buffalo wings (it’s no longer on the menu!) with pasta instead. The Pomodoro Salsiccia (PHP390) with generous servings of sausages, is yet another crowd favorite. Be sure to finish before they dim the lights at 10pm. This is when you’ll start to party.
SUNDAY
8am. Before checking out at 12noon, indulge in Spectrum’s breakfast buffet. There are over two dozen choices, across different cuisines and diets. Take your time, have that congee, a few strips of bacon, and maybe some Japanese. Don’t forget to start with fruit, maybe try and get creative by making your own sandwich. Have taho, why don’t you?
10am. Head out to the Ayala Museum (Makati Ave cor Dela Rosa St, Ayala Center, Makati. +63 2 7598288. Tue-Sun 9am-6pm). Permanent exhibitions, mostly from the mighty Ayala family, dot four floors of the museum. The Diorama Experience is terrific, while the Gold of Ancestors and the “Millennium of Contact” Exhibits are super interesting. At the fourth floor is the Filipinas Heritage Library, where the book collections of the Ayalas could be found. As a Staycation Program guest, you get 40% for two persons. Make it an educational date, then!
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