Within the joint boundaries of the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong and Quezon is a bustling central business district, much-admired for its eclectic mix of towering behemoths and mind-boggling profusion of offices, residences and commercial institutions. Its busy streets, filled with vivid colors of yellow and red from taxi cabs and cars going to and fro in numerous directions, perfectly blend with high-rise buildings that exhibit modern elegance, class and style.
The grandeur of the skyline of Ortigas Center is a reflection of its fast-track route to progress from a once unused and barren estate in early 1900s. After the tremendous transformation the district has undergone, iconic and valuable structures that epitomize its rich growth story have come to define its skyline. These structures, amid other lofty developments, are gems in their own rights and witnesses to the center’s extraordinary progress.
Sprawling at the northernmost tip of the Ortigas Center is the historical Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary – more popularly known as the EDSA Shrine – that evokes the freedom of movement and celebratory spirit of the People Power Revolution in 1986.
The sacred shrine symbolizes various works of art including the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary on top of its roof. Crowned and clad in golden robes, the Virgin Mary is holding a dove and an olive branch that are traditionally known as symbols of peace. The holy place is accessible through cascading stairs and ramps from both EDSA and Ortigas Ave. with an open space in the center, where Eucharistic celebration is held each year to commemorate the peaceful revolt.
Located about two kilometers away from this historical site is another prominent landmark, considered as one of the icons of the Philippine modern architecture, the Meralco Building.
The architect of the now 50-year- old structure is said to have used the 1960’s brise-soleil architectural medium for the building design, where vertical shutters curve their way along the facade of the 13-storey establishment. The element works not only as an embellishment but as well as a protection from direct sunlight.
South of the Meralco Building is the home of professional Filipino athletes and some of the country’s sports associations, the Philippine Institute of Sports Complex, or simply PhilSports Complex. It houses various sports facilities, including the PhilSports Arena, formerly known as the University of Life Theater and Recreational Arena or ULTRA, which is considered an important destination for concerts, sporting and religious events.
The blooming financial center of Ortigas has been known not only for these iconic structures but also for the presence of various shopping centers, entertainment hubs, dining strips, hospitals and academic institutions, scattered throughout or located in close proximity to the district.
A few years down the road, the stunning backdrop of the thriving commercial district will be painted with more skyscraping towers as property developers secure their spots on the prime land. For instance, Megaworld subsidiary Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI) is constructing a resort-inspired development, to be called The Fifth, with the aim of redefining the cosmopolitan living in the busy district.
This first condominium project of GERI in Metro Manila is the fifth residential cluster to rise within the Renaissance complex along Meralco Ave. It is comprised of 32- and 35-storey-high towers (Astra and Luna), with more than 700 units of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units that offer cityscape views of Ortigas, Quezon City and the Antipolo mountains.
The Fifth is envisioned to become the perfect oasis for young professionals, millennials and start- up families that allows them to slow down and relax at the end of each busy day. With its unique aesthetics, the development is primed to join the prestigious list of iconic structures in Ortigas Center, reshaping the district’s modern skyline.
For more information, visit The Fifth’s official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/TheFifthTower) or contact (+63) 917-836-3278.

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