Barangay Forbes Park 3.88

Early in the 20th century, affluent families and individuals wanting to get out of the soon-to-be bursting residential districts of old Manila found their solace in Forbes Park and the other villages that rose from the vast plains and rolling ills of suburban Makati. The exodus of the new village was soon followed by diplomats and expatriates business executives looking for a big and exclusive residential places. By the 50’s, Forbes Park had established itself as the favorite uptown for the country’s corps of business and industry leaders, wealthy families and other dignitaries. Later, it became a barrio(predecessor to the Barangay) and its barrio leaderVirgilio Hilario was elected president(the first) of the Barrio Lieutenants Association of the Philippines(now the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas).

In 1945, the ground work was laid for the most stylish residential settlement in the country, named FORBES PARK (named after the 5th American Governor General of the Philippines, W. Cameron Forbes). The primary purpose was to attract affluent families, foreign capitalists, business tycoons and industrial titans. Ayala planners felt that if the influential and the wealthy came to live in Makati, others would invariably follow and development would be assured. Other inducements were offered for buyers to own a piece of the finest real estate in the country. All of these proved enticing to the social life. Today, Forbes Park is not only for the affluent but is very cosmopolitan. Many ambassadors of different countries live in the area making the subdivion truly a symbol of world unity.