If you are a member of the #Batang90s, then it is highly possible that you are now one of the many Pokémon trainers using Pokémon Go, a gaming app based on the Japanese animated TV show that has taken the world by storm.
Since the game’s launch in the Philippines last August 6, streets, parks, malls, famous landmarks, and even condos in Metro Manila’s central business districts (CBDs) have never seen so many people walking with their head down while clutching their phones, trying to spot and catch Pokémons—which is short for Pocket Monsters.
To be a Pokémon Master, one must go through several levels throughout the game by capturing over a hundred Pokémon species. There are over 15 types of Pokémons, such as water, plant, and electric—just like the crowd’s favorite, Pikachu—and they evolve into something stronger after the player has gained Experience Points along the way. They then battle at Pokémon gyms, and after that, the player can heal or revive them with potions or even power-up their skills.
1. Catch a Pokémon
2. Lure a Pokémon to your location
3. Treat or revive a Pokémon
These helpful items can be acquired when you visit Pokéstops, which give you free items every five minutes, and these Pokéstops can be found all over the metro.
Unfortunately, not all streets have their own Pokéstops. As reported by some Filipino Pokémon trainers, Pokéstop counts in some Metro Manila areas could be as low as two. This low number forces them to travel or drive many blocks away. However, in some areas such as the CBDs, Pokéstops are literally just a few feet away from each other.
A nearby Pokéstop is essential for Pokémon trainers to quickly replenish their items and continue on with their Pokémon adventure. But how great would it be if the Pokéstops are not only nearby, but are actually the places you are residing in?
has listed 10 condos that serve as Pokéstops to its very lucky residents and future Pokémon masters.
POKÉSTOPS IN MAKATI1. Eton Tower MakatiLocated at the corner of Dela Rosa and V. A. Rufino Streets of Makati’s Legaspi Village is the newly built 41-story
Eton Tower Makati. In this high-rise condo you can reach the Pokéstop “Ang Buwaya at ang Groto.” But depending upon the accuracy of your handheld device, you might even access three more Pokéstops that are only a few feet away from the mentioned Pokéstop.
Eton Tower Makati is a mixed-use condo that offers mini suites (single, double, family rooms) and SOHO (small office/home office) units. And for Pokémon Trainers who are bored with catching Pokémons in their room, they may do so by the swimming pool, or even inside the gym. A covered elevated walkway connects this condo with nearby commercial areas, such as Greenbelt Mall and Glorietta Mall, while the Ayala Triangle Gardens is just a block away via Ayala Avenue, where lure parties to attract Pokémons are usually held weekly.
2. Signa ResidencesSigna Residences by Robinsons Land is a Pokéstop (its Pokémon trainer pit stop is aptly labeled Signa Designer Residences). These 30-story twin towers are located at the corner of V. A. Rufino and Valero Streets, and is next to PBCom Tower—the country’s tallest building and another Pokéstop.
Trainers residing at Signa Residences’ one-, two-, or three-bedroom units may walk around their 25-meter lap pool, 80-meter jogging path, landscaped and pocket gardens, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, music room, gym and studio, and residents’ lounge—where Wi-Fi access is available—while catching Pokémons.
3. Jazz ResidencesDeveloped by SMDC,
Jazz Residences’ Pokéstop is named Beauty Queen Mural. This is just one of the many murals along N. Garcia Street designated to be Pokéstops. Aside from being a Pokéstop to its four residential towers, it is also home to SM Jazz Mall, a one-level mall with a supermarket, hardware store, banks, and numerous dining establishments. Aspiring Pokémon masters may catch their favorite Pokémons at Jazz Residences’ swimming pools, function rooms, jogging paths, and more.
4. The Beacon MakatiIndicated by name as a Pokéstop,
The Beacon Makati is described as “a high-rise condo in Pasong Tamo” in the Pokémon GO game. This three-tower condo, the tallest of which is Arnaiz Tower, has 50 stories. This condo estate is situated quite conveniently at the corner of Chino Roces and Arnaiz Avenues and Amorsolo Street. In addition to a private theater, The Beacon also has a sky lounge at its tallest tower’s roof deck, where trainers might encounter rare flying-type Pokémons.
POKÉSTOPS IN ORTIGAS CENTER
1. Discovery Suites
The sidewalk marker of Discovery Suites, a 220-unit serviced residences along ADB Avenue, is just one of the many Pokéstops in Ortigas Center. This upscale mixed-use tower is being managed by JTKC Land’s hospitality arm Discovery Leisure Company, the same company behind Discovery Primea in Makati and Boracay’s award-winning Discovery Shores.
2. BSA Twin TowersStanding 221 meters above ground,
BSA Twin Towers will definitely inspire you to reach the top as you play at one of the tallest structures in the country. Each of these two towers has 56 stories, with units ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Its hotel-like amenities include a lagoon-shaped indoor swimming pool, a lap-pool, Jacuzzis, and a fitness center. This Pokéstop—also labeled BSA Twin Towers in the game—is located at the St. Francis Square Complex just behind SM Megamall.
3. St. Francis Shangri-La PlaceThe two-tower
St. Francis Shangri-La Place at St. Francis Street (just beside the Shangri-La Plaza Mall) is home to the Pokéstop St. Francis Shangri-La Place Fountain. As expected, the stop can be found at the driveway fountain of this very luxurious residential condo. The Pokémon Trainers and residents of both towers may continue catching Pokémon from the comfort of their own units or walk to Shangri-La Plaza Mall, which is connected to the towers—for the residents’ exclusive use, of course—via a link-bridge.
POKÉSTOPS IN BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY
1. Fort Palm Spring Condominium
The Pokéstop at the corner of 30th Street and 1st Avenue is named after this 28-story condo tower developed by First Global BYO Corporation. This mixed-use building is situated near BGC’s famous Burgos Circle, home to a collection of restaurants, a park, and many other Pokéstops. Aside from the pools and jogging paths, the Pokémon Trainers residing in this building can enjoy access to a game room, playground, and sky garden.
2. Forbeswood Heights
Megaworld’s Forbeswood Heights is a mid-rise condo complex in BGC’s Forbes Town Center area, close to Burgos Circle, and it has a fountain that also functions as a Pokéstop (which is named Forbeswood Heights Fountain). Pokémon Trainers at this condo development may head down to the tennis court and barbeque area, in addition to the usual roster of topnotch amenities, while they are on break from being a Pokémon Master. Across Forbeswood Heights is Forbeswood Parklane, another condo project by Megaworld, whose fountain is also a Pokéstop.
3. Two SerendraAlveo Land’s
Two Serendra along McKinley Parkway is part of the 12-hectare greater Serendra development (the other half being One Serendra by Ayala Land Premier). It has 10 towers (Aston, Meranti, Red Oak, Sequoia, Almond, Belize, Callery, Dolce, and Encino), and is a haven for Pokémon Trainers as it has two Pokéstops: Two Serendra Playground, situated at the playground, and Two Serendra Lobby Centerpiece. The latter is described in the game as “a giant centerpiece pot” that can be found at the condo’s veranda. It will surely be easy to recover lost and used items after catching numerous Pokémons in Two Serendra.
Main image via Shutterstock
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
