No plans for the long weekend? No problem. Makati makes it happen so that you don’t have to deal with the “Carmageddon,” turtling out of the city to get away from the corporate chaos only to get more stressed due to the traffic situation.
What was once a poor excuse for those who couldn’t afford to escape has now become an equally fulfilling (at times more preferable) alternative for the holidays – the “staycation.”
With five star hotels like Raffles, Fairmont Makati, InterContinental Manila and Holiday Inn & Suites Makati offering as much as 50 percent off on their premium rooms, wellness packages and breakfast buffets to cater to the growing number of staycationers, staying in when everyone else is going out has never been friendlier.
What’s more, these luxury hotels are also offering a Circuit Makati Bundle that includes two Circuit Bazaar tickets, two Karl Edwards Bazaar tickets, two Solar Mad Fest tickets, and a food voucher for every Power Mac Center Spotlight ticket purchase.
What to do in Circuit Makati
Rising in the outskirts of Makati is Circuit, an Ayala Land development where city lights meet street life.
For the average millennial who wants to take advantage of being closely situated to the workplace but still have enough room in their lives for play, Circuit is strategically situated along South Avenue just 30 minutes from the Central Business District with access from the Sta. Ana road of Manila. In it is the Circuit Mall that offers a wide array of restaurant choices like Backyard. Owned by musician Rico Blanco, the restaurant is famous for savory grills, its tequila and beer bundles, and local artisan brands that are exclusive to the mall.
Circuit has what wake boarding is to Nuvali – the go-kart. Think bump cars for adults minus the actual collision but still maintaining the thrill of the race. What makes go-kart especially fun is that you can satiate your need for speed with a dozen other racers all at the same time without being crowded in the track for a couple of rounds of joyride.
It is the ultimate after-office barkada trip to break away from the stress of the daily grind, and a perfect place to spend fun activities during the holidays.
Another highlight of Circuit is the Spotlight Theater that stages plays like #No Filter – a series of monologues about Millennials: The Me Me Me Generation. The play depicts the current generation’s personal struggles on career, love, religion and life in general. Witty, melodramatic but curiously so-on-point, the stage drama is led by powerful performances from eight cast members. Four of them are local celebrities making their debut on stage –Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Mikael Daez, Saab Magalona-Bacarro, and Lauren Young. The other cast members include veteran theater actor Khalil Kaimo along with other homegrown theater talents Cai Cortez, Sarah Facuri, and Micah Muñoz.
Circuit Makati also boasts of the Globe Events Ground which can host 20,000 people, and is home to several pocket museums, a spacious skate park and is anticipated to house the next CCP of the Philippines.
So, now is the time to prepare for your long weekend and holiday Makati staycation. From November to December 2015, MasterCard cardholders can avail of Raffles and Fairmont Makati rooms at a 50 percent discount on best available rates on weekends, Friday to Sunday (except for the following black out dates: November 13-19, and Dec. 31). Spend your holiday lunch and dinner socials with one free buffet for every four diners at Spectrum. While savoring your staycation, indulge as well in some “me” time at the renowned Willow Stream Spa, with a 50 percent off promo on weekdays Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on all a la carte massage treatments.
Availing of Makati staycation packages is easier through reservations, which can be made by logging on to www.makeitmakati.com, or by contacting the reservation desks of participating hotels.