Is ORTIGAS CENTER Manila's BEST Hidden Gem? 🇵🇭 Philippines (Oranbo)

I visited Ortigas Center in Metro Manila for the firs time and was blown away at how amazing the area is. I also explored the Oranbo neighborhood and tried INSANE an Jollibee sundae. Is this area on par with Bonifacio Global City (BGC)?
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#philippines #manila #travel

[@giannishen]

It seems that Manila should be the first city in the world to celebrate Christmas! Those decorations look so pretty! This shopping mall is really big, I might get lost in it, haha! It's a pity that no one taught you the correct way to eat soup dumplings in Taiwan, as follows. I hope you won't get burned next time you eat them: 1. First, carefully pick up the top of the soup dumpling with chopsticks. 2. Dip it in vinegar and soy sauce specially made for the soup dumpling. 3. Place the soup dumpling on a spoon. 4. Use chopsticks to open the soup dumpling skin to create a hole. 5. Let the soup flow out from the hole (the temperature can be lowered a little). 6. Keep your hand steady at this time to prevent the soup from flowing away from the spoon! 7. Take a sip of the soup. 8. Put a little shredded ginger on the soup dumpling, eat it in one bite, and enjoy the thin skin and juicy dumpling! This is another great episode, thanks a lot for sharing! 👍🥰🙏

[@frieddayfriday]

if there's ber in months its christmas and newyear everyday.

[@ronnienestor]

Thanks. @giannishen. xie xie... I'm learning it, too.

[@giannishen]

@@ronnienestor You are most welcome! 👍🥰👌

[@solkalibri1376]

So, 8 steps to eat a dumpling. Very epic.

[@giannishen]

@@solkalibri1376 It will become very easy once you get used to it!

[@HighTicket2Freedom]

Cool to see more videos in the Philippines! I haven't been outside the US just yet, but the Philippines is definitely at the top of my bucket list! 👌

[@richardnuevo]

The Podium, Megamall, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Robinsons Galleria and Estancia are some of the malls in Ortigas Business District

[@incognitoone]

Ortigas CBD is the second most important business area next to Makati. It's actually quite underrated. the focus of foreign bloggers is understandably BGC because it's relatively new vs. Makati and Ortigas. But, although a lot of big business are located there, it's more of a life-style area rather than a business one. The major money circulates around Makati and Ortigas. There are other similar areas in Metro Manila like Ayala-Alabang or the much smaller Eastwood city, or even the Greenhills area in San Juan. There are also similar areas in Quezon City which is some kind of "urbanized spread," Not many high-rises but well-developed areas, where three major avenues cut through. These are the Aurora Blvd., Espana Ave. and Quezon Avenue where most Filipino owned businesses are located. The metro is just massive.

[@ronnienestor]

Hello. Ortigas will have two subway stations currently under construction, Ortigas North and Ortigas South stations. In few years, that area will have different landscape.

[@observations2011]

Ortigas has been existent even before BGC but was overtaken. Now Ortigas is a place to watch big developments are on the way like the subway and taller skyscrapers to come

[@criticalreader2023]

Ortigas has more taller buildings than BGC.

[@bluemarshall6180]

​@@criticalreader2023 The elevation in ortigas center is much higher thats why.

[@criticalreader2023]

@@bluemarshall6180 elevation has nothing to do with it. ortigas center has more than 10 buildings that is 200m high. BGC has only 3. ortigas is more dense than BGC.

[@dannysalgado6827]

@@criticalreader2023 parts of Makati are closer to NAIA and building heights are restricted in some places unlike Ortigas.

[@bryanbautista539]

Sir you need to puncture the xiao long bao with your chopsticks to release the steam of the soup. Also use the porcelain spoon/laddle to hold your dumpling. The best xiao long bao sir is at din tai fung a taiwanese michelin star franchise dimsum place. Theres one at BGC adjacent to shake shack at Central square. Theres a din tai fung also at the fashion hall at megamall. But my favorite mall is the powerplant mall somewhere in the outskirts of makati... 🎉🎉🎉 You should see that during the holidays! Best Christmas display. Thr tuk tuks here are called tricycles.

[@user-hc9vu5st8c]

You should visit Rockwell which is located in Makati. Very nice place especially in the evening where their buildings are lit with led lights.

[@nightwing4065]

Ortigas Center & Ayala Makati Business District already existed even before BGC. 9:04 "Liempo" is Pork Belly likr Bacon, but bacon is cured pork belly.

[@cresenteayo3638]

Yes correct BGC is connected to larger dense communities of Taguig & Pateros is that most locals find convenient to stroll and do shopping.

[@Oliver-ik7ws]

You should have taken a walk from Podium to Emerald Ave, where you can enjoy the beautiful Ortigas skyline. After that, you could have continued walking from Emerald Ave to Metrowalk, where you can find nightlife activities. From Metrowalk, you can take another walk to Estancia. This is how you should explore Ortigas. Nonetheless, you had a nice tour of Ortigas Center. Enjoy your stay here in the Philippines.

[@DogRoze]

Going in January for my 2nd time, can't wait 😀

[@philipnewman7531]

Same here I’m going back in January 😊🇵🇭

[@Beckala67]

Heading there on Jan 11, 2024.

[@holidayhotboy88]

Yoooo…. Im headed there in January as well. Where will y’all be.

[@axizcorp]

Podium was acquired by SM and they made a very good improvement. Ortigas Center was known as the little Ayala Center. It's the 3rd oldest business center in Metro Manila. BGC is the 4th, then Eastwood, then MOA and more townships are sprouting.

[@ProudChinoy]

WHAT? Ayala Center is a mall comprising Glorieta and Greenbelt hahaha. Ortigas for so long is a competitor of Makati as the country’s premier and luxurious areas.

[@axizcorp]

@@ProudChinoy syonga nagmamarunong ka pa. ano ba ibig sabihin ng CBD. Kung hindi mo alam ibig sabihin ng CBD mag balik eskwelahan ka na lang o kung tamad ka mag voice search ka kung ano ibig sabihin ng CBD. hahahahahahahha

[@ProudChinoy]

@@axizcorp kung hindi ka ba naman boba sasabihin mo Ayala Center hahaha ano yun mall lang katapat ng Ortigas cbd, hahaha aral ka muna inday pagtapos mo maglaba. Hahahaa

[@axizcorp]

@@ProudChinoy hindi ako nakikipag talo sa mga bobo bye hahahahha

[@ProudChinoy]

@@axizcorp sinabihan mo sarili mo haha mag aral k kasi inday

[@enricotoloy]

Actually the Ortigas CBD (Central Business District) is already established and developed, way ahead of BGC, BGC was practically developed only in the last 10 to 15 years ago. Ortigas Center already existed in early 90's. In fact, SM Megamall has been built in 1991, a decade earlier than BGC was. Ortigas is already a busy business and commercial hub, So Ortigas CBD is more like the older brother of BGC. Also, trivia, the corner lot where Podium now stands used to be the main corporate office of the Benguet Mining Corp (one of the established mining firms in the country back in the 80's and way until late 90's)

[@Abroadero]

Yea right... I can still remember that beautiful Benguet Center/BDO

[@hillroberts1311]

Metro Manila is comprised of sixteen cities and one municipality. Manila City is part of Metro Manila where Rizal Park is located. Ortigas is a lot older (and younger than Makati) and developed long before the inception of BGC.

[@sfrealestatedealmaker6001]

36:30 I’m in San Francisco, Calif and never even seen a Starbucks Reserve 😂 in our entire state. Pretty impressed with the Philippines right now.

[@a.v.c.9028]

Ortigas Center is SO underrated. When it comes to CBDs its always BGC or Makati. Ortigas is seldom mentioned

[@ronnienestor]

True. Even for local vloggers, Ortigas CBD is the least favorite..

[@jrm2254]

Underrated indeed…and that’s ok. Some of us Ortigas dwellers prefer to keep it that way - on the low & hush. Great place to live.

[@Miguel-tw4xe]

​@@jrm2254exactly don't tell anyone it's already crowded

[@Heyya01]

Rockwell Center next bro in Makati. A Whole new world! You can walk around their Power Plant Malll. Thanks for this. Subscribed!

[@tedhermano7563]

I am watching your clog all over the Philippines. You are doing a superb job. Keep it up. I enjoy it. Have a wonderful and safe stay in our country. I am watching it here in Vancouver British Columbia.

[@norsgarcia6334]

What a beautiful place, fantastic view cool amazing.😮

[@imeldarose6068]

I'm so in love and addicted with your vlog in Metro Zane! Seriously I am enjoying and excited for the next vlog, especially here in Metro Manila and meet you soon 😊 have a good day Zane!

[@hillroberts1311]

Ortigas is a lot older than BGC. Makati was developed in the 50s and became a benchmark for other ASEAN countries which were former slum areas like JAKarta BAngkok Singapore etc. Makati was their model and blueprint guide.

[@NengCrochet]

Hi thanks for all of your videos, me and my 6 friends from France will be coming to The Philippines in 2026 and I'm preparing the locations and places to go to, wow after 15 years coming to my Hometown is a huge difference, i love all your videos.

[@nielk799]

MANILA is a very Massive Metropolis so keep exploring.

[@NewsMoto]

Welcome back! Best ube shake and best Filipino food is in Manam BGC. vloggers love it! I get good Birria Tacos in Army Navy. The cinemas in Uptown and High Street are pretty good too and less crowded vs market market. And the seats are really nice! Also buy your own helmet for Angkas / Joyride bookings for hygiene purposes. There are good $40 half face helmets in Market Market. Enjoy!

[@itsgettingchili]

Zane, the way to eat the soup dumplings is to put it on a spoon, bite the top or side and sip the soup before you eat the dumpling. This is the most traditional. I on the other hand, wait until it cools down and eat it in one bite and have the cooled down soup explode for a flavor bomb. That said, Ortigas is an interesting place for when I start my looooong trip.

[@RayDee-y4l]

A lot of the comments here have said Ortigas is “underrated” for foreign vloggers compared to BGC or Makati. There’s a simple reason for that. Ortigas wasn’t designed for pedestrians or as a walkable city. But it’s a very good place to live if you own a car and drive or have a driver because of the variety of malls, restaurants, hotels. Ortigas has a lot of really nice, established, and iconic malls and hotels, from SM Megamall, Shangri-la Plaza, Edsa Shangri-la hotel (the first Shangri-la property in the Philippines), Marco Polo, Grand Hyatt, Discovery Suites, etc. There’s also upscale residential condos and gated subdivisions there that have the same exclusivity and price of Makati and BGC.

[@RayDee-y4l]

A lot of foreign vloggers or tourists would put down Ortigas if they don’t have a a car or driver. But if you can get around that way, there’s a lot to see in Ortigas.

[@robocop581]

I have condos at OSP, The Sapphire Bloc and Westin. All of my condos are walking distance to most of the malls in Ortigas. I don't care much for Estancia Mall, too many loud dogs

[@KevinEssence]

Keep the videos coming! Loving the constant content, my go to Vlogger atm!

[@bangwi]

Ortigas has been a business district way before BGC was built. The bgc area used to be a military base.bgc had the advantage of starting from scratch and so the area was well planned before it was built

[@chessmaster9842]

Beautiful place! I have goosebumps 😳

[@skip1815]

Thanks for another enjoyable walk in Manila, keep up the good work, Zane 👍

[@Spy-hp8ki]

Try Eastwood City, the Shangri-la Mall, and Alabang next. The country may still be developing, but the population growth rate is slowing as more couples are smarter, deciding to have lesser number of children, and shopping malls/areas are springing out more, depicting the stronger purchasing power Filipinos now have as the economy continues to grow to higher levels compared to its other Southeast Asian peers.

[@mikeealtiveros137]

Happy Birthday Zane! Wishing you all the best and enjoy your stay here in PH. Hope you gain more subscribers too, more and more people should see how good your contents are!

[@HisLife1994]

Theres also nice places outside Ortigas. Arcovia City, Bridgetowne and Parklinks soon to open, Tiendesitas and Eastwood City.

[@alexanderricarte22x]

the place is named Capitol Commons, because the Rizal Provincial Capitol Bldg. used to stand there. Pasig City and many other Metro Manila cities used to be part of the Rizal Province.

[@ceciliaabrilla3841]

Nice to see you again in the Phil.& vlogging

[@vicjrbass6907]

Wow. So nice, so clean and so modern. What a beautiful place to live. Watching from, Maryland, USA.

[@Ria_n_Brian_93]

Wow, I was just as shocked as you Zane to see a West Elm in the Philippines! One of my favorite stores! I’m Filipina born and raised here in Chicago. One day I may like to live there for a few months. And BGC looks like it may be my choice of area. However, Ortigas area is also very nice. Honestly would love to be able to experience living in many different areas while there. 😊

[@piacash5216]

Yes That Place is Beautiful I Visited Manila in 2018 We Stayed There in SHANGRILA For 3 weeks Thanks For Showing it in Your Videos 👍👍👍👍👌🤩🥲❤️🙌🇺🇸

[@LSH-v4j]

사람들이 항상 행복한 표정을 짓고 있네요. 좋아보여요

[@fonplain8094]

Pasig City ( Ortigas Center) is one of the beautiful modern cities in Metro Manila Philippines

[@nightskysniper1553]

i'm not sure if you have been to the rockwell area but the powerplant mall is my favorite. might be worth your time to check it out!

[@winnieyoung613]

Wow,thanks Zane for vlogging that mall in Ortigas...I have never been there.Need to check out someday😊

[@richardnuevo]

I used to hang out together with my friends in Capitol Commons when i was in college and its formerly known as kapitolyo. Never would have thought that its gonna be such a high end place like what it is today

[@jaimtingin]

New subscriber here...just in time to celebrate christmas in the phil.(the longest)...happy birthday Zane!

[@tinanugget5419]

Happy Bday Zane.. Cheers and Enjoy your Birthday celebration in the Philippines wooohoooo Mabuhay 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🎂🍾🥂🍺🎉🎊🎁💗💗💗

[@raygun1414]

You need to check out Eastwood City before signing the lease then! I wish you could check these places out during dusk to night cause it always looks different with the lights on!

[@redmild3833]

belated happy birthday Zane, wish you good health and more more videos to come 😊 🇵🇭

[@rjaydelossantos4307]

Belated happy birthday. Have a great time in 🇵🇭. Take care.

[@adrianlakan7428]

I love the front of megamall ground towalk by nice view greenery with huge massive buildings

[@robertsanjuan994]

nice vlog... the waiter did not explain correctly what "liempo" is - it is a pork belly which is the best part for berbecue. thanks for showing the place.

[@alvinantonio8033]

Wow you just opened up my eyes to Ortiga's City! I've once stayed at Crowne Plaza so many years ago, not sure if it's still there. Also I attended a party\ held at Shangri La EDSA. Have never seen those new malls, develpments all around the area. Empress 1bdrm for 10M php??? That is a nice investment property!!!!

[@OdrazilChannel]

nice one zane 👍

[@gabrieltravelsph]

Saw you walking near CCP earlier today. I would have said hello and asked for a photo but I was driving. 😊

[@observations2011]

I started craving when you got the chips ahoy sweets might as well try it today haha. I like guys who have sweet tooth 🦷.

[@RandomAskPh23]

*I do suggest to go to Eastwood Libis, it's San Francisco inspired place.It's very beautiful especially in a Christmas evening*

[@wynncruz1467]

Welcome back to the Philippines, Zane!

[@HighTicket2Freedom]

Happy late birthday Zane! 🎉🎉 Was wondering how old you were, I originally thought you were like 27-28 haha

[@tinanugget5419]

You should try Wild Flour Zane best food choices ever 😋😋😋

[@darwinyuson9338]

Oh yeah, let me give you my list of the business districts of Metro Manila that u can visit and review bro. 1. BGC 2. Ayala Makati 3. Rockwell Center Makati 4. Circuit Makati 5. Mc Kinley Hill and West 6. ARCA South 7. Ortigas Center and Capitol Commons 8. Greenfield District 9. Greenhills District San Juan 10. SM Bay City beside MOA 11. ASEANA City 12. Filinvest City Alabang 13. Alabang Westgate 14. Madrigal Business Park 15. Newport City near the airport 16. Eastwood City 17. Arcovia City Pasig 18. Bridgetowne and Parklinks in Pasig 19. Araneta City Cubao 20. Ayala Vertis North up to SM City North EDSA 21. Eaton Centris Q.C. There bro, enjoy exploring those...

[@girlfrombaltao]

Belated happy birthday Zane!!!🎉🍻🥳🎂

[@nielk799]

MANILA has numerous Massive CBDs in ASIA so just explore more and dont stick only to BGC. And MAKATI there are alot of CBDs in Metro Manila like ORTIGAS CENTER, EASTWOOD CITY, FILINVEST CITYALABANG, ROCKWELL CENTER, GREENFIELD DISTRICT, GREENHILLS, NEWPORT CITY, VERTIS NORTH, ARCA SOUTH and ect.

[@eddieboeing777]

And Bridgetowne, too, a mixed township in Pasig where the world's tallest lighting projection The Victor is located.

[@lukasloh2509]

I dont know why people keep on recommending CBDs as a place to visit in Metro Manila. Like those places are very western and this foreign vloggers have seen similar places for sure. And what will they do in this places? But yeah, Pinoy audience will surely watch this and felt immensely proud how progressive PH is because of those skycrappers. Though most of us couldnt even afford to eat in those restaurants common in CBDs

[@solkalibri1376]

​@@lukasloh2509 Because...you know, you know...now you know.

[@ronnienestor]

@@lukasloh2509if i am a tourist to a new country, i would visit the places that are modern, safe, convenient, accessible, interesting, etc. Metro Manila has numerous CBDs. Some of the new districts used to be slums like the one in Quezon City’s Trinoma and its vicinity. Our point here is: The media outside the Philippines don’t know that we have these modern areas that are massive. You will always hear the old stereotype of Manila like the chaotic Divisoria and Quiapo.

[@nielk799]

@@lukasloh2509 Its Because when your in the Massive Cities like MANILA obviously tall and numerous skyscrapers are the tourist spot. few Cities in the world that has numerous tall skyscrapers and Manila rank top 10 and 2nd in SOUTH EAST ASIA just behind Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

[@flip1sba]

While Manila is the capital and Makati is downtown along with BGC, Ortigas is more MIDTOWN along with Capital Commons, Greenfield and even Greenhills. Ortigas is also arguably the 2nd most important CBD in Metro Manila and many local and multinational companies have their HQ there such as San Miguel, Jollibee, Meralco, Asian Development Bank, etc.

[@marichuarmodia2375]

Love ortigas I been many time and miss that place so very nice around in huge as well

[@alfcapili1952]

Yes, BGC is nice and swanky but I feel more at home with Ortigas. It's in the middle of Metro Manila so going home to my house in the north is easier. It's also near BGC, Makati, Greenhills and Quezon City too. Lastly, rent is more affordable compared to BGC (you can rent a basic studio condo unit for 12 to 15k PhP a month right in the middle of the business district).

[@DawnofaBlueDay]

I want a Jollibee Christmas Creation Sundae now! Yumm!

[@cecilecandaza6775]

Belated happy birthday Zane! 🎂🥳

[@lindadorman2869]

Thanks for taking us on a walk with you! Can you share some of the prices for food, home furnishings, etc...in future vlogs? I'd be interested to know if prices at West Elm are different from the US. And if prices in Ortigas, Pasig, etc...are lower than in BGC.

[@ozpinaysupermom3218]

You’re back Zane!

[@ozpinaysupermom3218]

I’m excited for you to experience Christmas season in the Philippines ❤️

[@ozpinaysupermom3218]

Director’s Club is different from ordinary cinema, it has a recliner-like seats, wide and spacious; used to have unlimited popcorn and drinks (not sure now), it has staff to serve snacks… It’s nice to experience watching movie there.

[@ThisIsHarderThanIThought]

wow, ur sundae from jollibee looks so amazing...but sadly an ice cream like that will make me feel lazy LOL

[@mikep5731]

Belated happy birthday 🎂 Zane!

[@rosebrown2267]

Cheapest condo is cityland at the back of robinson galleria, you can rent for as low as 12k-15k monthly.

[@marianeil6630]

Whom to contact for that Condo?? Where is that Robinson Galleria located??

[@karlbasallote6719]

Jollibee Christmas creation sundae is definitely in-Zane-ly good.

[@avenidokipte2338]

Belated Happy Birthday Zane, hope you enjoy here in the Philippines.

[@jobalvaro3440]

happy birthday zane!!!

[@aaron1983]

I miss home. That's my neighborhood. We have the most malls ever! Everything is so walkable and I just love that place. I literally lived next to estancia and I'd be at that mall everyday. Here in Seattle, everything is so far - and brand varities be it food or shopping have a lot to be desired.

[@aaron1983]

I also miss the Christmas spirit back home. Fills you with such happiness and excitement. In Seattle I feel subdued.

[@aaron1983]

Oh and one thing you forgot about that $167k studio is that area will have the Ortigas Subway Station, Ortigas is the only CBD that has two subway stations, so that $167 will skyrocket once it’s done.

[@gilmontero6275]

i hope we have those kind of malls here in the US

[@Katrine-h3d]

Beautiful City!

[@MarkPuke13]

Wow this is awesome 👏

[@annewaraytv]

Enjoy here in Philippines and staysafe sir.

[@joelrivera9394]

New subscriber here mabuhay and God bless...

[@Khing-r8m]

Hey bro, before BGC was ortigas center. it is the 2nd biggest CBD next to makati built in the 90s. this place is where i stay at present.

[@EMcC-pr6zx]

Any plan to lay away to Bacolod city? change of atmosphere will surely help, Masskara festival is in the horizon one week to try, good luck and enjoy

[@richardnuevo]

October fest Manila version that is. I think beers are still given free

[@denniszenanywhere]

Wow, lots of things have changed in Ortigas -- for the better. Btw, what camera are you using. It's so clear -- or did you color code your video?

[@gerliegrino8126]

Stay safe and healthy Sir....😊😊😊

[@MrJacksuper]

That country have pretty mixed cultures predominantly filipino but other cultural influences like spanish, american, chinese, italian, korean(specifically Angeles city) japanese, indian and other asian and europlian cultures by intermarriages...

[@nildasabang-vo1ys]

Four month's christmas celebration ❤Philippines...

[@jeremyteves28]

Nice vlog

[@123Ryanist]

It's up to you, but you should also check out Eastwood, Quezon City, Alabang and Cavite City. And if you have time try to visit Cresent Moon Cafe in Antipolo, Manila it's should be alot cooler in Antipolo. And Vigan, but that is up in the north west of the Philippines!

[@onyxriver]

1:20 Ortigas Center is not developing, it's already over developed, no vacant spaces anymore that's why it's spilling over to nearby Greenfield District, Capitol Commons and the Metrowalk area.

[@YoungCampbell]

Did you visit during the early hours? I wonder why there's not much people (which is cool) or that's how normally the mall is?

[@sfrealestatedealmaker6001]

3:13 HA! You got an umbrella 😊

[@Marie760]

Capitol commons is in Pasig . The mall is Estancia . Inside the mall is an SM store and Unimart supermarket

[@bassboosted9708]

Philippines is the place to be

[@romyv1077]

My condo is only few blocks from the Podium. I love Ortigas Center.

[@LlemujinTheGreat]

i have subscribed because of that Caramel ice cream with cookies

[@user-koko1ba29pgd84]

The food looks yummy.

[@mariaperea9949]

❤ NICE MALL ❤ 👍👍👍

[@blp5840]

Youre back

[@dlpro619]

My favorite for XLB is Lu gang. Theres one in MOA. I order the soup dumplings with pork and crab roe. 🔥