Chilling Out at McKinley Hill - Fort Bonifacio

Taguig City, Metro Manila - I've often wondered what McKinley Hill is like. It's this prime property that I usually get to pass through from the airport. Located in a Taguig City township, it's a property development within Fort Bonifacio that houses several big corporations: HP, Canon; World Square Buildings are home of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies; embassies are also found here (Korea and the UK); Internationals Schools (Korean, Chinese, Enderun).

I've recently visited McKinley Hill which has a lot of space for parking. The accouterments around are tasteful enough; the building gleams with graceful arches and porticos. There's an open ground with a space and a stage (a band was playing before an almost non-existent crowd).The main hall of the commercial complex has a dome decorated by what would seem like stained glass (pictured below). It has two-stories filled with restaurants: fine-dines (Pho Hoa, Gerry's Grill) and fastfood (KFC); Asian, Italian, etc. But on a Wednesday evening, a few minutes before clock strikes 10, these shops were already closing down! It was amazing how such a place could close so early.

I was told that there are shuttle cars running from here and Market Market and/or Ayala. These shuttles are important because I am not aware of any public utility transportation this side of town. Either go there by car, or you'd have to wait a long time for a taxi... and I mean a "long time". I asked a friend why a company like HP would prefer a place like McKinley Hill which seems too remote from the hustle of Makati nearby. "Rent for space is very cheap," my friend said. That is a valid factor. I doubt though if a place such as this is easily marketable to a larger crowd or wider demographic. But then that's what they said about Eastwood City several years ago. Who knows.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Beautifully lit!

Perfect when you want a not-so-late (most shops close at 10) date in a place without much people!

A band played on!

Fountain leading towards the open parking.

Serendra, High Street & some Fiddling on the Roof

There was a time not a few years ago where I'd have a mental checklist of the restaurants in Greenbelt 2 & 3; even of Eastwood's row of specialty food nooks. I'm no party boy but I pretty much loved having intimate dinners with dear friends.

Well... i haven't been to Fort Bonifacio's High Street and Serendra. It's a bit out of the way, but, what the heck, might as well re-visit a place where I once had dinners when there was just a dozen restaurants there, and Market Market was still a figment of someone's imagination.

I was amazed of the sprawling rows of high-end restaurants, cafes, shops and hobby nooks, etc. We picked a restaurant whose waiters shouted "Mahalo!" as we entered the door. Yeah, a Hawaiian restaurant called Polu Kai Grill which had a cozy ambiance. We were the only one there. It was too early for the dining crowd, although much later, the place started to fill.

What surprised me was the very affordable price of what was on the menu. Fried Calamari @ PhP180, a hearty serving of Fish and Chips @ PhP300, bottomless lemonade @ PhP 90 each. I picked Roasted Kalua Pork Rice, which turned out to be something like an adobo flakes served with rice, vegetable salad and slightly grilled slice of fresh pineapple - @ PhP290. I also had to order wedges. I miss the british Fish & Chips - cod fish dipped in batter, with vinegar. I was able to taste a slice of the fish - it wasn't bad, but it wasn't the London fish-&-chips anyway. Service charge was PhP104.50. They were attentive without being cloyingly annoying (read: unobtrussive).

With just my phone-cam, I doubt if i will do justice to a place like Serendra (pics below). But it is an amazing place to visit. Haven't seen a local place with so much dog-walking around; not since my Cricklewood days in London's Gladstone Park anyway.

I am so glad to have gone there before I watched a musical later that night which, though it had a great set, was a huge letdown. I couldnt wait for the whole Act One to end. My lids fluttered and drooped at several scenes. Funny thing really, coz I had a restful nap that afternoon. I wasn't supposed to get drowsy. Moreover, i was familiar with many of the songs, including Tevye's "Sunrise Sunset" - a favorite of my dear father. The same wistful song also became a piano piece back when I was a teeny weeny child, and mom was closely keeping watch as i hammered on with the piano piece, "Where is the little girl I carried..." Lalala!

In the midst of "Sunrise Sunset", a jubilant Miguel Faustman had an assured earnest vocal performance; but as they started dancing, "Matchmaker!!!"... I got lost in the revelry of the 40-cast musical. It just didn't draw me. I was a detached audience who would probably be thankful to Faustman for singing "Sunrise Sunset" again. I miss my dad. Just for that number, my Php1,500 had found its worth. I am not sure though if this would suffice for others with no emotional baggage to any of its songs.

This is the Eye in the Sky!