Makati bar earned its 10th awards in Asia's Best Bars 2025

Makati's The Curator included in Asia's Best Bars 2025 list

Camille Santiago
Philstar.com
05 July 2025

Makati's very own The Curator Coffee and Cocktails is once again making waves after securing a spot on Asia's Best Bars 2025 list.

For the tenth consecutive year, The Curator has earned its spot among Asia's elite bars, securing the 78th position on this year's prestigious list.

The Curator was hailed as a "stalwart" in Asia's 50 Best Bars rankings, particularly noted for its "specialty in all things caffeinated."

While its ranking fell from last year's 33rd spot, the third-wave coffee shop proudly remains the only Philippine bar featured on the extended 51-100 list.

The Curator, founded by David Ong and Bernice Tiu, is a cafe by day and a bar at night. Make your way to the back of the store and enter the hidden door that leads you into a cozy lounge.

Their unique menu is a storytelling experience in itself, with each notable story and name thoughtfully paired with a distinct cocktail and flavor profile, inviting patrons to explore.

The complete list has yet to be revealed.

According to its website, the Asia's 50 Best Bars list is compiled from the votes of its Academy, which comprises 265 "most knowledgeable and travelled members of the bar industry, drinks media, and mixology experts from across Asia."

Office space occupancy in PH ranked 3rd globally

PH office space occupancy 3rd highest globally in H1 - consultancy firm

Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas
GMA Integrated News
30 August 2024

Philippine office space occupancy averaged 80% in the first half of the year, the third highest in the globe mainly due to the growth of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, real estate consultancy firm PRIME Philippines said Thursday.

According to PRIME Philippines executive vice president Cholo Florencio, the country’s office rate was only behind Singapore’s 88% and India’s 85%. It is also higher than the global average of 70%, the United States’ 62% and Europe’s 60%.

Florencio attributed the occupancy rate to the BPO sector, which reported an annual growth rate of 7% to 8%, the increasing demand from the government, and the high adoption of flexible working arrangements.

For Metro Manila alone, the occupancy rate was recorded at 85%, slightly higher than the previous year’s 84%.

“I think we will be able to sustain our momentum in terms of adding a bit of occupancy levels. The challenge really is when more buildings will be left by the online gaming companies,” Florencio said on the sidelines of a briefing in Makati City.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in his third state of the nation address (SONA) in July, announced the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to wind down and stop all operations by the end of the year.

A cost-benefit analysis by the Department of Finance (DOF) showed that the POGO industry had a net cost of P99.52 billion to the Philippines, equivalent to 0.41% of the country’s economy as of 2021.

According to Florencio, there has been a decline in office space takeup, especially from POGOs since the COVID-19 pandemic, and vacancies are expected moving forward following the ban ordered by Marcos.

“There has been a very sharp decline ever since the pandemic. As you all know, the pandemic really triggered everything. It’s unfortunate lang, of course, we’ve heard a lot of negative stories about criminality, about scams that have really affected the POGOs here,” he said.

“The President has announced of course a total ban so once it is fully implemented, it will be more challenging for developers to attract more (locators) to come in,” he added.

To address the decline of takeups expected from the exit of POGOs, Florencio said developers should offer more to prospective locators such as including more benefits for them to take up space, like building more amenities.

Florencio noted, however, that he believes the country will be able to sustain the office occupancy rate as demand is still picking up from occupiers.

“Major economic driver pa rin talaga ang BPOs and then government has taken a large share of office space,” noting that government agencies have picked up demand as a lot of them need an interim space given the ongoing rehabilitations of their headquarters.

“Demand can also translate to co-working facilities, so it’s not just the traditional office space you’re seeing right now. There’s consistent demand for co-working spaces, because co-working also technically is part of the office sector,” he added.—RF, GMA Integrated News

Makati's The Curator in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024

The Curator in Makati bags 33rd spot in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024

Story by Ayie Licsi 

Philstar Global

17 July 2024

Makati's The Curator has again made the list of Asia's 50 Best Bars for the ninth year.

50 Best has released its full list of top choice bars across the continent after previously revealing its 51 to 100 list. Southbank Cafe + Lounge made the rankings placing at 82.

For the top 1 to 50 bars, The Curator emerged as no. 33, being the lone bar in the Philippines.

The top 1 best bar in Asia is Bar Leone in Hong Kong, with Zest in Seoul in second place, and Jigger & Pony in Singapore in third place. Hong Kong's Coa and Tokyo's Bar Benfiddich round out the top 5. Singapore had 11 bars in the 2024 list.

Established in 2016, The Curator is located in Legazpi Village in Makati and has been on the list since. It also won the accolade as The Best Bar in the Philippines for the fourth time this year.

50 Best describes the Makati bar as an "excellent hostelry" with a dedication to caffeinated beverages and mixed drinks. It also took note of the cocktails served in an intimate backroom and how The Curator hosts international bartender takeovers.

The bar's menu features drinks designed with notable figures in mind. For example, The First Refrain is inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda and "delivers a symphonic combination of whiskey, chai-spiced red vermouth and bitters," as per the list.

Other bars that made the list include Nutmeg & Clove in Singapore, BKK Social Club in Bangkok, Penrose in Kuala Lumpur, Argo in Hong Kong, Virtù in Tokyo, Penicillin in Hong Kong, Craftroom in Osaka, Bar Mood in Taipei, Barc in Kathmandu, Alice in Seoul, and The Haflington in Hanoi.

The Asia's 50 Best Bars list was fully unveiled on July 16 at a live awards ceremony at Rosewood Hong Kong.

Makati, finalist in WWF's One Planet City Challenge

Makati a finalist in WWF competition

Story by Nillicent Bautista 
Philstar Global 
May 5, 2024

MANILA, Philippines — Makati City has earned a spot as a national finalist in the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) 2024.

The OPCC, which was launched in 2011, was previously known as the Earth Hour City Challenge, a friendly competition that recognizes cities with proactive climate initiatives and commitment to sustainable urban development.

“This distinction not only celebrates Makati’s environmental achievements but also sets us as a leader in ecological responsibility among over 350 cities from 50 countries,” the Makati City government said in a Facebook post.

The cities of Baguio and Tagum were also selected as finalists out of the 15 cities in the Philippines that pitched their entries.

‘Compliance badge’

Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Friday also announced that the city has also earned a “compliance badge” from the Global Covenant of Mayors for its action on climate mitigation and adaptation.

According to the city government, the badge is awarded to cities that have “accomplished and achieved progress in their local climate action in all three pillars: mitigation, adaptation and access to energy.”

Only three other cities in the Philippines received the same distinction: Quezon City, Ormoc City and Dipolog City.

Makati to become halal hub

Philippine capital’s financial center to become halal hub

Arab News
27 April 2024

• Makati Halal Hub to act as a platform for manufacturers, traders and consumers
• Philippines’ central business district is perceived as trendsetter for other regions

MANILA: Philippine businesses in Makati City are joining hands with the Department of Trade and Industry to make the country’s financial center a halal hub, the head of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Makati branch said on Saturday.

Makati City in Metro Manila is often referred to as the Philippines’ central business district. It has the highest concentration of banks and multinational and local corporations in the country. Foreign embassies are also based there.

The predominantly Catholic Philippines — where Muslims constitute about 10 percent of the nearly 120 million population — plans to raise 230 billion pesos ($4 billion) in investments and generate around 120,000 jobs by expanding its domestic halal industry by 2028.

The DTI signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding with PCCI Makati to join the government’s efforts to tap into the global halal market, which is estimated to be worth more than $7 trillion.

“To be able to implement its policies more effectively — such as the promotion and development of the country’s halal industry — they (the government) have to collaborate or strike a partnership with the business community or the businessmen who will be responsible in making this a reality,” PCCI Makati President Toots Cortez told Arab News.

“We can be the catalyst. We will begin by creating awareness, especially among the MSMEs (micro, small and midsize enterprises) because, according to the records of DTI, 99.5 percent of business in the Philippines are composed of SMEs.”

The agreement on establishing the Makati Halal Hub will position the city as a “central point for innovation and business in the halal sector, spanning a variety of industries including food production, financial services, and more,” the DTI said in a statement, as it expects the initiative to “provide substantial opportunities for Filipino entrepreneurs and international investors alike, fostering a robust economic ecosystem.”

According to the vision, the hub will act as a platform facilitating connections between manufacturers, traders, buyers, distributors and consumers in the halal sector.

“If we can group together and promote halal, I think that will be the best approach … You don’t need a big budget,” Cortez said.

“There are many Muslim embassies in Makati City, many restaurants and major establishments … Many tourists come to Makati, so if we can convince the establishments in Makati to be accredited as halal, that’s a good beginning from our side as a catalyst.”

He believes that the industry’s promotion in the city will make an impact as Makati is widely perceived as a trendsetter for other Philippine regions.

“The others, they follow the lead,” Cortez said. “They follow the lead on what’s happening in Makati City.”

Makati's Street Among the World's "Coolest"

 L.P. Leviste Lands Among the World's 'Coolest' Streets

Story by Tarra Quismundo and the SPOT.ph team 
25 March 2024

L.P. Leviste Street, a bustling stretch in Salcedo Village in the heart of Makati City, has just been voted one of the world’s coolest streets.

Time Out, a global media and hospitality brand headquartered in London, included L.P. Leviste on the cool list alongside the world’s most underrated. There's Paris’ Rue de Belleville, known for its bars and eats, the tree-lined Consell de Cent, Barcelona with its endless shops and artisan bakeries, and New York’s "other Fifth Avenue" in Park Slope, which has become a preferred third space among locals. 

What got the Makati street the crown? Time Out says while L.P. Leviste "doesn’t scream cool at first glance," it’s still a crowd drawer for its "coffee shops, thrift stores and a host of independent food and drink joints hidden inside nondescript buildings if you know where to look." 

If you’re keen on visiting this cool strip in Makati, here are some things to do in L.P. Leviste.  

Visit the Salcedo Community Market

This market, which offers food finds and other artisanal products, has become a Saturday staple among locals and expats alike. It happens at the Jaime Velasquez Park, located on the block bounded by L.P. Leviste and Velasquez streets. 

Enjoy Endless Eats 

L.P. Leviste is also a restaurant row, offering eats that will appeal to all tastes.

As Time Out recommends, there’s Elbert’s Collective, which offers a mix of European cuisines and a wide selection of burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and pastas for a power lunch. Its high-ceilinged interior gives you a classic yet contemporary diner feel, with its arched booths and tile-designed tables. Elbert’s Collective is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., with extended operations until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 

If you lingered long enough in the city in time for dinner, you can try Golden Gibbon, which offers Southeast Asian fusion cuisine in a jungle backdrop fit for nights both wild and tame. Don’t miss their nine-course degustation every weekend, and top it off with your choice of cocktail. Golden Gibbon is open for lunch Tuesdays to Saturdays at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and for dinner on Tuesday to Sundays, from 6 p.m. ‘til late. 

Pablo Bistro, a Spanish resto bar, meanwhile, brings together great food with good music and a cozy interior that will urge you to let your hair down. If Mushroom Truffle Paella or Smoked Wagyu Brisket won’t make your mouth water, we don’t know what will.
Beyond being cool, L.P. Leviste Street is timeless. Whether you’re there for a quick stop or visiting for a full-on exploration, it’s worth one day of your weekend.