belonging that can become the very fabric that holds a community together – its own beating heart and soul. Despite living in an ‘always on’ world where smart phones and social media offer connections at the tip of our fingers, many still prefer to look past their ‘friends’, ‘followers’ and online ‘circles’ in search of more ‘real’ community experiences.

In the real world, arts and culture shape a city’s sense of community, leading to human interaction and experience that the virtual world simply cannot offer. How these assets are designed and integrated into a community’s landscape also plays a role in the quality of life enjoyed by residents and the capacity of that community to attract visitors.

Experts believe cultural assets are intrinsic to a community’s identity. Take the case of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or simply the MET in New York City or the Louvre Museum or just the Louvre in Paris. These are cultural destinations that have become synonymous with the cities in which they reside. Arts and culture have that special ability to cut through social boundaries, disregarding class, age and education.

In the Philippines, there are certainly several institutions like the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Museum or Ayala’s very own Ayala Museum – where anyone can go into these places, walk around, look and experience the many amazing art offerings and feel part of something much bigger than themselves.

The Ayala Group of Companies is certainly one of the most active business entities in the country that continuously promote and support the arts. This is most evident through the many initiatives done by its arts and cultural arm, the Ayala Foundation (AFI). AFI runs and operates one of the premiere museums in the country – the Ayala Museum.

Civic pride comes from inhabitants identifying with the nuances that give a place its vitality.  The many intricacies provided by a community’s cultural infrastructure are pivotal to creating and sustaining the relationship between a place and its people. The bond between business and the arts is truly the soul of any city. 

In addition, the foundation also has an extensive and robust library – the Filipinas Heritage Library. Filipinas Heritage Library is a one-stop digital research center on the Philippines whose mission is to spark and stoke interest in the visual, aural, and printed story of the Filipino. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has one of the most varied and rich private art collections in the country. They have the artworks displayed in their offices and branches across the country, and also hold special exhibitions of the collection for all to see. Globe Telecom has a separate arm, Globe Live!, that is dedicated to promoting and supporting arts and entertainment. One would often times see Globe Live! co-producing and presenting performing arts productions around Metro Manila.

The Malls have served as avenues of artistic expression hosting exhibits, performances and similar events that highlight the most exciting artistic programs available.

It can be said that the most deliberate way of imbuing arts in the daily lives of Filipinos is done by Ayala Land through its Estates. With its mission of striving to continually elevate the quality of life for the general public, Ayala Land uses art as a means of breathing soul to the city. Whether it’s through the architecture of the different buildings found throughout the estates, to the colorful murals and wall paintings that greets your daily commute, to the public art structures that are strategically placed everywhere, to the varied interactive installations and events that excite and engage the public, the presence of art is both subtly and obviously felt.

This is of course no more than apparent than through ALI’s flagship estate of Makati Central Business District (MCBD). The massive statues that line up along Ayala Triangle and Makati Avenue reminds people of their history and the important events that shape their stories. The walkways are lined up with wall art while our underpasses are filled with ceiling art that provides a temporary escape from the hustle and bustle of corporate life.

Public art installations are found in their parks elevating the community’s urban oasis experience. Murals and artwork decorate the city’s walls and allows the community to gather and have shared experiences. Curated events are held routinely, actively engaging the public whether via an art fair or a light show that has already become a much loved and award-winning holiday tradition. MCBD has certainly exemplified the novel idea of business meeting the arts.