So here goes my top ten fave ‘scrapers here in our country:
1. GT International Tower, Makati
2. Ayala Tower One, Makati
Tall, glassy and powerful, the Ayala Tower One fittingly performs its role as the headquarters and crowning glory of one of the most prestigious conglomerates in the Philippines, the Ayala Group of Companies. The story of how Ayala Tower One was proposed and built is one for the books. In the early ‘90s, the Philippine Stock Exchange was planning to relocate from Makati to the Tektite Towers in Ortigas, which was, at that time the only building big enough to hold the PSE trading floor. The Ayalas quickly proposed this new tower in a bid to keep the trading floor in Makati. They didn’t really fully succeed since the PSE ultimately decided to have two trading floors: one each in Makati and Ortigas.3. PBCom Tower, Makati
Rising from Ayala Avenue 259 meters (849.7 feet) into the sky, the PBCom Tower is the tallest building in the country today and the 70th tallest in the world. This tower was designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, also the architectural firm behind the erstwhile tallest building in the world, Sears Tower in Chicago. Although relatively straightforward in its design, PBCom definitely conveys strength and power, soaring 55 stories above the busy Ayala Avenue below. As the headquarters of the Philippine Bank of Communications, some may jokingly refer to it as a giant cellular phone, given its shape. Still, if only for its simple grandeur and height, the PBCom Tower deserves a place in any top ten Philippine skyscraper list.4. The Enterprise Center, Makati
The Enterprise Center, a complex composed of two towers of varying heights, is probably one of the grandest-looking and most beautiful buildings in the entire Makati area. The Enterprise stands out from the rest of the rather generic-looking glass clad giants around it through its impressive Art Deco styling. At night, the floodlit Enterprise Center is truly a sight to behold. I have also heard that its interiors are very luxurious – definitely a prestigious address for any office.5. Pacific Plaza Towers, Bonifacio Global City
Rising majestically at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the Pacific Plaza Towers are iconic in their own right. This is one of those projects I was referring to in my previous post that I used to ogle at on full-page ads. At that time, I thought these towers were the most modern in terms of design. I marveled at the modern configurations of the two towers – one is a curve and the other, a wave. The gorgeous blue glass facade also makes a proud statement in the newly developing Global City.6. 1322 Golden Empire Tower, Manila
For anyone visiting Manila’s famed Roxas Boulevard, this gleaming golden tower is hard to miss. The 1322 Golden Empire Tower is the tallest building in the country’s capital. It being located practically on the shores of Manila Bay, makes it a stunning landmark. It rises from the seafront area and perpetually gazes at Manila’s famed sunsets, the golden colors of which impart its gleaming tinge upon the tower’s fantastic glass cladding.7. RCBC Plaza
Massive is one word to describe the Makati’s RCBC Plaza. Launched at the turn of the millennium, the RCBC Plaza is also composed of two towers (46 and 41 storeys) as well as a 450-seat auditorium, the Yuchengco Museum, a food court and a host of other amenities. It is a modern office building equipped with advanced system making it a most preferred address for many of the country’s top corporations. RCBC is also the first IT Zone in Makati, where its tenants can enjoy tax incentives.8. Insular Life Corporate Center, Filinvest Corporate City
Clad in cool greenish glass, the towers of the Insular Life Corporate Center looks spectacular in almost all angles. These towers are probably two of the most photogenic buildings in the metropolis, Especially because of its location amid the still vacant lots of the Filinvest Corporate City in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Its curved façade and cut corners give it a sleek and modern touch.9. Robinsons Equitable Tower, Ortigas Center
The 45-storey Robinsons Equitable Tower is one of two of my favorite buildings within the Ortigas Central Business District. The best aspect of this tower is the sleek semi-circular, almost cylindrical portion rising majestically from the corner of ADB Avenue and Poveda Drive. Another plus factor about this tower is its cool blue glass cladding which makes it always a sight to behold anytime of the day. The Robinsons Equitable Tower was designd by Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum.10. Unionbank Plaza, Ortigas Center
The multi-faceted Unionbank Plaza is a geometric wonder. The tower rises from a rather nondescript podium to a series of step-like levels clad in magnificent blue and gold glass cladding. Unionbank Plaza presents a different facet in every angle from which it is viewed. That’s why it is a favorite among photographers and skyscraper enthusiasts. It surely deserves a place in my own ‘top ten’ list.So there you have it folks, my top ten favorite Philippine skyscraper list. Of course, it doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the other skyscrapers. Actually, I’d love to make a longer list but I guess I would be rambling by then. Anyway, bubbling up my list of fave Pinoy ‘scrapers are: (in random order)
- Petron Megaplaza, Makati
- LKG Tower, Makati
- One Roxas Triangle, Makati
- Rizal Tower, Rockwell Center
- Rufino Pacific Tower, Makati
- The Shang Grand Tower, Makati
- One McKinley Place, BGC
- Orient Square, Ortigas Center
- One San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center
- Philippine Stock Exchange Center (Tektite Towers), Ortigas Center
- Philamlife Tower, Makati
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