If you plan on joining the Nokia N95 Wireless Adventure (I know I do), then one Metro Manila trivia that you should learn is that the Philippines’ tallest building is PBCom Tower right at the heart of the Makati Central Business District. Standing more than a quarter of a kilometer high (259 meters) at 55 stories, this skyscraper is a joint project of the Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCom) and Filinvest Asia Corporation and was completed in 2000. Previously, it was the Petron Megaplaza, also in Makati, that held the distinction of being the tallest building in the country at 210 meters.
A digression. When Google Maps first added high-resolution satellite imagery for Metro Manila back in June 2006, the initial elation of many people (post #226) at finally exploring the metropolis was dampened when they discovered that the Makati Central Business District, of all places, was covered in clouds! This situation improved when Google finally added the Digital Globe CitiSphere image of Metro Manila last October. For the first time, ordinary citizens can now view Makati City, like the PBCom Tower, from space in all its glory.
Photo by Rico aka Alchameo.
Going back to PBCom Tower, did you know that this skyscraper was designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM)? They’re the architectural firm behind such great buildings like the Sears Tower, currently the tallest building in the U.S.; the Jin Mao Building in Shanghai, currently the tallest building in China; the Freedom Tower (with others), being constructed to replace the destroyed World Trade Center, and soon to be tallest building in America; and the Burj Dubai, soon to be the tallest building in the world, replacing Taipei 101. To answer the obvious question, no, the Taipei 101 is not designed by SOM. 
The Philippine Bank of Communications holds the first ten floors of PBCom Tower, while Filinvest manages the remaining upper floors. The Tower is one of the country’s high-tech buildings, having a fully-computerized building management system. PBCom Tower is also PEZA-certified, which means that IT tenants get tax incentives. Learn more about the tower from PBCom and Filinvest.
PBCom Tower is such a nice building that I find it sad that I never ever stepped inside of it yet. 
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7 people have responsed to “PBCom Tower”
Me neither, even if I pass by often. There’s no viewing deck. I have been inside Petron Towers though, but the floor I was on had no view.
I wish these tall skyscrapers had some viewing deck of sorts. The tourism opportunities are nice. I’m even willing to pay a reasonable entrance fee to be able to go up to a top floor and take pictures!
Hehe, jan ako ng wwork, 4X floor kame, taas na din. Nung 2005, wala pa nka rent sa 53rd floor (last floor), lagi may 1st Friday mass dun kaya attend kami sbay na din pag view sa buong metro manila hehehe. Then everytime may pyrolympics, kita namen.
Hoi! Ikaw..! Lol just kidding… i love this tower i am doing research right now on it! I just need how many ppl visit is every day week and year!!!!!!!
Jan ako nagwowork, 33rd floor kami. Gusto ko lagi nasa tabi ng window ang station ko kc kita ko ung view sa labas at ung changing of color ng sky pag dawn. Refreshing…
Yeah, I agree with Eugene
“PBCom Tower is also PEZA-certified, which means that IT tenants get tax incentives.”
- Does this mean lower taxes for employees to?