The Busy Streets of Ortigas CBD

Ortigas Center in Pasig City has been one of the busiest business districts in Metro Manila. I've lived, studied, and even worked here for almost 20 years. Currently, the district still has construction sites and newly constructed buildings. I know these things because I've walked around the streets in this steadily growing business district. Makati CBD is bigger and more crowded but Ortigas seems to be catching up...at least in terms of being one of the business centers in Metro Manila that has many commercial and residential buildings--even skyscraper types.

Well, I'm here to highlight some of the major streets of the Ortigas CBD. In several trips I've made to Ortigas Center, if you're coming from the Eastern part--that is from the Province of Rizal (Antipolo, Tanay, Binangonan, and Angono to name a few), including the cities of Marikina and Pasig, you'd most likely reach Ortigas CBD via the Ortigas Avenue Extension. A major stop light highlights one of the busiest streets of Ortigas CBD--Meralco Avenue. This street begins from Ortigas Avenue--directly in front of the Meralco Main Office--and ends at Shaw Boulevard. Meralco Avenue is where you'll find the Metrowalk, the Philippine Sports Arena (formerly the Ultra), and many condominium complexes including the Renaissance, Alexandra Condominium, and others.

Meralco Avenue: that building to the left side of the picture is part of the Meralco Compound

Meralco Avenue, going towards the flyover that intersects Julia Vargas Avenue

Meralco Avenue also contains the fly over that passes over another busy main thoroughfare of Ortigas CBD--Dona Julia Vargas Avenue. This avenue begins from C-5 and ends at EDSA. You could divide the Avenue into two distinct halves--the eastern half passes by the Valle Verde Residential complexes as well as some commercial centers like  Frontera Verde (along C-5) and the Ortigas Home Depot (closer to Meralco Avenue). The western half passes by the business district itself including El Pueblo, Emerald Avenue (where many office /residential buildings are built), and the San Miguel Corporation. Finally, Julia Vargas is the main road that leads to SM Megamall.

Julia Vargas Avenue, vehicles moving towards SM Megamall / EDSA

Speaking of San Miguel, this is also the name of one of the busiest streets in Ortigas--San Miguel Avenue. It begins where the company's namesake is located and ends at Shaw Boulevard. Cutting through Julia Vargas, San Miguel Avenue is renamed ADB Avenue. This avenue not only hosts the Asian Development Bank HQ, but also houses The Podium, the JMT Corporate Center, the Discovery Suites, as well as Robinsons Galleria.

San Miguel Avenue, vehicles moving towards San Miguel-Julia Vargas Intersection;  San Miguel Corporation at the background

San Miguel - Julia Vargas Avenue Intersection, Metrobank and the Philippine Stock Exchange Towers at the background

ADB Avenue, the building further down the road is Robinsons Equitable Tower

ADB Avenue,  the building across the street is Joy-Nostalg Center

I've mentioned Emerald Avenue. Well, it's no longer named that. It was renamed to F. Ortigas Jr. Road. This used to be the place where the Ortigas Center Association holds its weekend night market, the Banchetto. One Sunday morning, I happen to pass by this road. On weekends, this avenue is closed to cars and public transports. Keeping up with environmentalist concerns, they turn F. Ortigas Jr. Road pollution free by making it a Bike Day. It's a nice place for family bonding. There'd be bikes for rent and kids can actually play on the road. After all, the weekends is a rest day and the business centers are normally closed especially along this road.

F. Ortigas Jr. Road on a Sunday morning

F. Ortigas Road, to the left is Strata 2000, to the right is Strata 100

F. Ortigas Jr. Road, bikes for rent--weekends

F. Ortigas Jr. Road, imagine this place on weekdays--rows of office buildings found on both sides, on the right is Strata 100

Another busy area is the Exchange Road--named after the area's main business center, the Philippine Stock Exchange. On weekdays, this encircling road gets filled up with cars and public transports especially during peak hours in the morning and late afternoon.

Exchange Road, the Philippine Stock Exchange Towers

Jade Drive,  a road parallel Exchange Road

access road connecting Jade Drive to Exchange Road

After several days touring the area, my long walk is done. Let me leave you with his image below. This is Escriva Drive. So much has changed on this avenue that it has given me a unique nostalgic feeling. But I'll reserve that for another blog perhaps. Till the next adventure!

Escriva Drive, coming in from Shaw Boulevard