A Stroll Along Ayala Avenue and Ayala Triangle on Christmas Night

I joked with my friend and former colleague, Mario, who now lives in Canada, that we must have memorized all the names of the buildings and familiarized ourselves with all the street names in the Makati Commercial District during our days as young accountants working in an accounting firm in Makati City, Philippines.

One of our duties as junior auditors was to deliver confirmation letters to financial institutions, law offices, and other entities as part of the audit process, and their offices were mostly scattered around Legaspi and Salcedo Villages, and along Ayala Avenue. And this was pre-Google Maps!  To make sure we wouldn't get lost, we would call the addressee's office if it was in the labyrinth of streets inside Legaspi and Salcedo Villages, or ask our colleagues in the office who knew the location. 

Those days were fun because we could stretch our legs outdoors instead of just sitting in the office the whole day among piles of working papers, and we could also stroll around Makati like it was our park! Even on hot days, walking seemed fun!😎 

             (The Ayala Avenue pedestrian tunnel)

A few times, we would ride a jeepney going to Pasong Tamo when it was in that area, and once, I took a cab because the addressee's office was at a residence inside Dasmariñas Village! I just told the cab to wait for me.😋

And before we headed back to the office after one of those 'legwork' (that's what we call the task), we took a side trip with my film camera and went to the rooftop of a building at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas and had our own photoshoot! I still have the photos!😂

And during all those Christmases that always brought really bad traffic jams on Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, and Paseo de Roxas, our busy work lives would be momentarily distracted by the Christmas lights and decorations of the buildings in the Makati business district and on the island along Ayala Avenue.🎅🎄 

So, when I was in Makati City lately, I did not pass up the chance to stroll once more along Ayala Avenue and the Ayala Triangle to enjoy the Christmas decorations that bring the Christmas spirit to the busyness of the place.😋

From the Greenbelt area, I simply walked towards Ayala Avenue, not via Paseo de Roxas, but through the De La Rosa Street side using the pedestrian tunnel near the PLDT building. I decided to go there before 10PM when I thought there would be less people on the streets. A few times that night, I stood still and just looked up to the tall buildings, and reminisced the days of my professional life (and legwork days!) as well as the fun Christmas memories with friends and colleagues.😍  

Looking at those office buildings, I could almost see deadlines, work pressure, and stress!😂

The best time to visit is late in the evening when there are less vehicles cruising along Ayala Avenue, and make sure you enjoy, not only the lights and decorations, but also the spirit of the holidays.😀 

These are the photos and videos of my 2023 Christmas stroll along Ayala Avenue and Ayala Triangle.😀

Merry Christmas! Maligayang Pasko!😎

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