February 2012

A FATE REBORN

Despite its military past, Fort Bonifacio has convincingly morphed into Manila's playground for the young and trendy

A FATE REBORN

WORDS FERDZ DECENA
PHOTOGRAPHY LESTER LEDESMA

A systematic bus system and environment-friendly e-tricycles. Wide, open roads. Towering skyscrapers. Sprawling parks. Art installations. Swanky dining centres and hip establishments. Upscale residential spaces and a cosmopolitan crowd. And, with Bonifacio's original Latin meaning of 'good fate', is it any wonder that the rejuvenated city is so popular?

Just 15 minutes away from the international and domestic airports of Metro Manila, and sandwiched between the two major roads EDSA and C5, the 240-ha Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is an area redefined by smart urban planning from the very start. In a country with a pronounced wet season, no Philippine city is spared from the rains but the Fort has planned for this exigency from the start — a major flood-control facility was installed underground that could contain up to 22 million gallons of water from the drainage. Electric lines were also built underground to make sure the skylines are free from clutter. Aside from making traffic efficient with strategic routes, the roads were also constructed with bikers and runners in mind.

The city's layout was organised with the majority of business offices on the west side, the commercial establishments from the central to the eastern side and the world class schools up north.

Affluent locals and foreign expats have found their home at one of the many plush residences sprouting all over BGC. The exclusive residences boast a clutter-free skyline and scenic views of the nearby golf course and lush, landscaped gardens.

"I really enjoy walking here with the kids; there's enough ground for them to run around," says Vivian Dames, a retired educator and a radio show host from Guam. She's spending her Christmas vacation with her family in the Philippines, enjoying her regular strolls across the open-air mall of Bonifacio High Street. Found at the centre of BGC, it features a kinetic park in the middle where kids can view interactive art pieces while their parents shop.

The open park-type mall has upscale retail stores. Bibliophiles can marvel at the four floors of books at Fully Booked. Outdoor enthusiasts and travellers can have a field day checking out the wide selection of gear at the four-storey R.O.X. outdoor shop. Interior designers can scheme as they contemplate the eclectic choices of furniture and accessories available at Bo Concept, Dimensione, Make Room, Alessi and Muji. Designer brand stores like Kenneth Cole, Topshop, and Gap are sure-fire hits. Gadget freaks aren't left out: there's an i-Studio where you can gawk at Apple products; a Canon store for photographers; and JBL Sound Gallery for audiophiles.

For shoppers on the hunt for bargains, the budget-friendly Market! Market! is a must-stop.

Want a taste of the islands without leaving town? Come on over to the OTOP (One Town, One Product) stalls at the entrance for a showcase of products from different provinces in the Philippines.

A variety of dining options caters to different palates and budgets. The elegant Serendra strip houses many fine-dining restaurants that offer a selection from Filipino fusion to French cuisine, Mediterranean cooking to American comfort food.

The Fort Strip, one of the first commercial centres at BGC, still has the favourite eating hangouts such as Minggoy's Resto, Toyz Bar and Draft Bar. BGC resident, foodie and founder of ourawesomeplanet.com, Anton Diaz, recommends dining at Chef's Table by Bruce Lim for Filipino food, Mamou for the great steaks and Abe for the traditional Kapampangan cuisines. The Midnight Mercato (market) is open every weekend with its huge variety of eats.

And what decent destination doesn't nurture the coffee culture? BGC is home to a good number of coffee shops, from local stalwarts such as Figaro and Bo's to international names like Starbucks, Seattle's Best and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

A common sight at the Fort is the well-groomed pets strutting on the sidewalks with their owners or walkers. "I really like the fact that dogs are welcome in Bonifacio High Street. At BHS, my dogs feel like stars," says Gail Villanueva, a web designer and blogger, who occasionally brings her dogs to the Fort. BGC is also a favourite meeting place among dog lovers, since many cafés and restaurants have alfresco dining so their dogs can stay with them while they chat and dine.

Any day (or night) you drop by at BGC, you're likely to bump into athletic types of all ages. BGC has been a favourite venue for running and fitness events. There's also a Fitness First at the Fort Strip and Curves Gym in Serendra to keep offthose extra pounds after a binge. For medical tourists, St Luke's Medical Center is popular among the international set.

BGC is continually evolving, with progress accelerating at an ever faster pace. Construction of the country's tallest building, the 250-m Federal Land Tower, is ongoing, with 25 of its 66 floors housing the Grand Hyatt hotel. The country's first world-class science museum, the Mind Museum, is set for completion this year while the Shangri-la at the Fort is expected to open in 2014.

TAKE ME THERE

FULLY BOOKED
Bldg 6, 902 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, tel: +63 (2) 858 7000

R.O.X
B1 Bonifacio High St, tel: +63 (2) 2) 789 7700856 4638/9

BO CONCEPT
B2 Bonifacio High St, tel: +63 (2) 856 2745/48

DIMENSIONE BONIFACIO HIGH STREET
Unit 901 Quadrant 5 Block 6, tel: +63 (2) 856 6756

MAKE ROOM
Block 5, Bonifacio High St

ALESSI
Building 5, Unit 1E10-1E11, Bonifacio High St, tel: +63 (2) 856 4452

MUJI
2nd Flr, SSI Building, Quadrant 7, Bonifacio High St, tel: +63 (2) 659 6731

CHEF'S TABLE BY BRUCE LIM
Unit 106 The Infinity Tower 26th Street, tel: +63 (2) 399 1888

MAMOU'S HOME KITCHEN
Unit 1C - 15 G/F Serendra, Fort Bonifacio Heights, tel: +63 (2) 856 3569

ABE RESTAURANT
Serendra, tel: +63 (2) 856 0526

FITNESS FIRST FORT BONIFACIO
The Fort Strip, Katipunan Dr, tel: +63 (2) 819 0000

CURVES FITNESS CENTER FOR WOMEN
2/F Serendra, McKinley Parkway, tel: +63 (2) 828 0208

ST LUKE'S MEDICAL CENTER
32nd St, tel: +63 (2) 789 7700






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