When it comes to no-frills hang-outs, there’s no place like Poblacion in Makati. As the night wears on, the streets continue to buzz with life. Among street after street of food joints, speakeasy bars, and hipster stomping grounds is The Ruins. As the name suggests, its appearance seems no different from that of an ancestral home that’s been left to the devices of time. However, the house tells a different story.
When you step inside the building, you’re met with an industrial-style ground floor replete with black metal poles and wide-set windows. It’s a hip place for parties and gatherings. But a climb up the creaky wooden stairs reveals an entirely different atmosphere—one that harks back to a storied past. The sepia photographs decorating the time-ravaged walls let you in on an unknown history. The antique furnishings reflect the warmth of a home. It’s as if you’ve stepped into a different period of time.
The unique vibe of The Ruins has made it an ideal space for experimental events, most notably the two-month art residency programme back in October and November of 2017. Titled “Ugnayan Sa Poblacion,” the project was not only a display of artistic talents of Taverne Gutenberg artists, but also an outreach programme to inspire the creativity and love for the arts of over 200 street children through various NGOs.
If you’re lucky, you can catch some special exhibitions of local and international artists like their resident French artist, Henri Lamy.
Chekc out The Ruins, 5855 Alfonso st. Brgy Poblacion, Makati