Ayala Triangle Gardens in the heart of Makati City

In the center of the busy business district of Makati, lies the calming paradise encompassing over a hundred trees varying with many evergreens. It has a very expansive landscape of over 20,000 square meters. The present-day Ayala Triangle Gardens were previously part of the large Hacienda de San Pedro de Macati. It was Manila’s Pre-World War II airport owned by Zóbel de Ayala family. The site was returned to the Ayalas and renovated into a business district after the airport was deactivated in 1948. Indeed, it was such a momentous restoration that has come to possibility in a developing country. Introducing something breathtaking for the present and the future community to experience.

The Ayala Triangle Gardens has become the haven for well-known monuments, eye-catching contemporary public art. You will not get hungry because fast food, and restaurants that serve delectable cuisines are all over the place. It ranges from the most affordable to the most expensive foods. The guests can leisurely roam around with feet or bike without getting compromised even with its vastness. Grasses carpet the courtyard amid a backdrop of towering trees and industrial modern architecture still complements the vicinity. Can you imagine what else you can do there? This urban oasis is truly relaxing enough to de-stress and forget about the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

Evening Spectacle

The Ayala triangle gardens staged the first Festival of Lights in 2009. Since then, the gardens have become a vital part of every Filipino’s Christmas season.  As Christmas songs play, lights swaying from the trees bathe the landscape in an enchanting luminescence. The very first light show bewildered visitors and started a Filipino family tradition. However, the annual Festival of Lights has gone virtual since the spike of the pandemic in 2020. “Make It Makati’s” online platforms share the light of Christmas with everyone wherever we may be.

Meanwhile, despite of the Covid restrictions, the garden is still boasting beautiful brilliance at night in a rather simpler yet captivating display. Rules and regulations are strictly observed to for social distancing the cleanliness of the the urban oasis.

Makati Central Business District

As mentioned, you will find Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati Central Business District. It is one of the Philippines’ prestigious financial and central business areas, situated in the heart of the Metropolis. Makati’s West District is also known as “Central Cluster”. Majority of the famous law firms, construction firms, stock brokerages and other big companies in the Philippines have their main offices here. In fact, the MCBD is also recognized as one of the most vibrant commercial districts in Southeast Asia. Majority of the buses and jeepneys mostly come from EDSA.

Here’s how you can get to Ayala Triangle Gardens:

Via Train:

• First, ride any stations of MRT to Ayala Station MRT (Php 13.00 – Php 28.00) 
• Then, take an approx. 15 minutes walk going to Makati Central Business District (Ayala Avenue)

Via Bus:

• First, ride the Bus from Cubao Bus Terminal Northbound to  Epifanio de los Santos Ave, Makati City (Php 40.00 – Php 65.00), 
• Then, ride another bus going to J.P. Rizal Ave Intersection (Php 13.00 – Php 18.00)
• Finally, take an approx. 6-min walk until you get to Makati Central Business District (Ayala Avenue) 

Via Taxi or GrabCar

• Take a Taxi or GrabCar from Cubao to Makati Central Business District (Ayala Avenue) (Php 200 – Php 350)

Family and Pet friendly

Moreover, nobody wants to leave any family behind right? Of course, that includes our furry babies! What I like the most here in Ayala Triangle Gardens is the freedom to bring out pets in the vicinity. You’ll see people leisurely walking their cats and dogs around the place regardless of the size. Small to medium sized are allowed long as the owners make sure they keep the area clean upon leaving.

Recommendations

Indeed, the outdoor courtyard itself was already a utopia to explore. Nevertheless, try spotting these main attractions you can find in the area for a fully satisfying experience:

Ayala Triangle Gardens Attractions:

• Filipinas Heritage Library
• Gabriela Silang Monument
• Ninoy Aquino MonumentSultan Kudarat Monument

Ayala Triangle Gardens Public Art:

• Homage to Antoni Tapies, Homage to Eusebio Sempere, Homage to Fernando Zobel, Homage to Luis Feito
• Rueda 1 Series #1 and #10, Rueda Series 2 #9
• Tribal Series #6

Nearby places to visit:

• Rada Promenade
• Salcedo Saturday Market & Legaspi Sunday Market
• Greenbelt Ayala Mall
• Legazpi Active Park and Washington Sycip Park
• Glorietta Mall