Bonifacio Global City

A modern section of Manila that was formerly a US Military base then a base used by the Philippines military, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is a thriving section of the city.

If you like to shop or eat, BGC is the place for you. The “Bonifacio High Street” is the pedestrianised park centre of the area and where the majority of the restaurants are located with shopping centres within easy walking distance. BGC is also a thriving business district with a number of high tech company offices here as well as fairly exclusive residential developments.

There are a number of shopping areas including:

• Bonifacio High Street - The heart of BGC, a large pedestrianised area lined with mostly restaurants but a few shops as well. Not cheap and mostly American but a great place to stroll. The area is often used for demonstrations and performances in the amphitheatre. There are also cinemas nearby.

• Serendra - A small enclosed mall between Bonifacio High Street and Market! Market! with more restaurants on several levels (a great Filipino restaurant located here, Abe Restaurant).

• Market! Market! - A large multi-story shopping centre with a massive covered, open, forecourt with attached, more traditional, market stall area including small eating stalls with seating area (with very good prices). Inside the modern mall there are a large number of shops with restaurants on the 3rd floor. There is a large outdoor car park with attached Jeepney station.

• SM Aura Premier - Upscale market across the road from Market! Market! (go through the car park and cross the road). A number of floors with a large, open central atrium. The roof garden is well worth a visit with a number of bars but also an actual park with great views of the surrounding area.

See my restaurant reviews here. There are a number of American chains here but you can also find some good, authentic Japanese as well as a few good Filipino restaurants. A few other places to definitely give a go:

• Manam - Great, authentic Filipino food just a short walk from the high street.

“Fort Bonifacio” (“Bonifacio Global City”):

Some pictures uploaded to Flickr from my visit:

For further information please see:

• Bonifacio Global City - Official site
• Bonifacio Global City - Wikipedia