Almost 30 years working in Makati, that’s quite a lot of mileage traveling by foot & still counting. For 2 years at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ayala Avenue in Makati Central Business District had seen empty bus lanes & bus stops with no foot traffic. It’s like the underground Ayala Avenue, previously imbued with life, became a haunting tunnel with lonely murals that could make for a good Halloween movie.
Not anymore! While still waiting for the BPO firms to finally end their hybrid work setup, it has been quite normal these days as it used to be in the 2-kilometer stretch Ayala Avenue, the busiest street in the country’s leading commercial district. Proof of that was the unveiling of the newly-completed mural last October 12, 2022 on the ceiling of the Apartment Ridge Underpass.
Bikers & cyclists, rejoice! The latest mural was in your dedication created by renowned artist Glenford Lumbao who brought the vision of sustainable mobility to life & health protection with his beautiful cycling-inspired masterpiece. The mural provides Makatizens an enhanced walking experience in the city keeping them off the road for safety & convenience.
Make It Makati with Ayala Land, Inc. & Makati Central Estate Association, Inc. (MACEA) in partnership with other private firms had for years bringing arts closer to the community with exciting & colorful pedestrian experience. The murals by local artists reflecting their advocacies are one of the organization’s goals to supporting initiatives that makes a difference. They also stir the imagination & uplift the spirits of all those who pass in this pedestrian-friendly city.
The Legazpi Underpass was the 1st underpass built in 1995 in response to the heavy traffic congestion in the 1990s. The latest to be constructed was the Paseo de Roxas-Villar Underpass opened in 2021 which connects the Ayala Triangle Gardens to the posh Salcedo Village. It has a minimalist design (with no mural) & had old Makati photos on its walls. It also leads directly to the newly-opened The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens.
Now, let’s roam & re-discover the ins & outs of Makati’s underground via these 8 pedestrian underpasses named after their connecting streets with colorful photos & murals, namely: Paseo de Roxas, Legazpi, Salcedo, Apartment Ridge, Makati Avenue, V.A. Rufino, Sedeno & Paseo de Roxas-Villar.
