The short version
Ortigas Center is a practical central business district rather than a polished neighbourhood in one piece. It spreads across Pasig, Mandaluyong and Quezon City, which explains both its centrality and its uneven edges. Malls, offices, hospitals and condominiums provide a strong everyday base. The EDSA and Ortigas junction provides the counterargument every day.
SM Megamall and Robinsons Galleria are the obvious reference points. Towers near them offer a convenient routine, while streets farther out become more mixed and less legible. Kapitolyo sits nearby with a more local restaurant life, but it should be understood as its own choice, not as a decorative extension of the business district.
Getting around
Ortigas station is on MRT 3. The line is valuable for Makati, Quezon City and the central corridor, though platform access and the walk through the road network matter. If the workplace is outside the rail spine, allow for the road journey rather than treating MRT 3 as a complete solution.
What people get wrong
Ortigas is not a single lifestyle product. It is a work centre with residential islands. The best fit is someone whose daily destinations are close enough to avoid crossing the whole metro. Anyone choosing it for a theoretical midpoint may discover that every direction is congested.
Would I live here?
Yes, if the office is nearby and the building has a sensible pedestrian route to shops. I would choose function over a view. Ortigas is good at shortening a particular commute, not at making Manila frictionless.