Mega Metro Manila Malls [Archive] - Page 32

Waldenstrom

February 24th, 2008, 06:01 PM

MANILA PROJECT’S ROUND 2: HEAVYWEIGHT EXPANSION (https://www.icsc.org/srch/sct/current/sct0401/page48.php)
By Edmund Mander

The Araneta family, which built the stadium where Muhammad Ali beat Joe Frazier in 1975, is planning another “thrilla in Manila,” this time with a giant expansion of its retail-entertainment complex.

Covering 86 acres in the heart of Metro Manila, Araneta Center already is one of the largest retail entertainment mixed-use centers in the Philippines, with its 700,000-square-foot Ali Mall, another 650,000-square-foot shopping center next to an open-air farmers’ market, the 20,000-seat Araneta Coliseum and a 22-story office building.

But Phase 1 of the expansion alone will more than double the leasing area of Araneta Center, which lies on the south side of Quezon City, one of 17 cities and municipalities that make up metro Manila. Contractors are breaking ground on a giant new shopping center, office towers and a hotel.

Its combination of location — the complex will be served by two mass transit stations, a bus station and a convergence of major roads — and content will make Araneta Center the Philippines’ primary shopping destination, according to Robert Solomon, president of Robert Solomon & Associates, a veteran of the U.S. shopping center industry who has been involved in Araneta Center almost since its inception.

“We’ve got the north, the south, the east and the west converging on the center,” said Solomon, whose Tarzana, Calif.-based retail and property development consulting firm is one of several international companies working on the project. Others include the Los Angeles office of RTKL, a U.S. retail design company; U.S.-based retail consultants Jones Lang LaSalle; and Hong Kong-based property services company Colliers Jardine.

Araneta Center, the brainchild of Jose Amado A. Araneta, was groundbreaking back in the 1960s, and not just for the Philippines. The Coliseum, popularly known as “The Dome,” was the biggest in the world and a dramatic centerpiece of the mixed-use complex. Ali Mall, named after the famous boxer, was the first enclosed shopping center in The Philippines when it opened in the 1970s, and it was located catty-corner to a 265,000-square-foot entertainment center called Fiesta Carnival, making Araneta the first retail entertainment center in the world, according to Solomon.

“He had the No. 1 center in the industry,” Solomon said. “I don’t believe there was another shopping center in the world that had this level of retail and entertainment tied into one center.”

However, in more recent years, with the complex overshadowed by the development of other business districts, Araneta Center has lost some of its stature, and in places is run-down and poorly lit.

“It’s a little tired,” Solomon admitted.

But Araneta Center Inc., now under the leadership of Jose’s son Jorge, intends to regain the center’s former glory. And then some. In the next four years the company plans to complete a 3.5 million-square-foot mall, which will connect directly to the two mass transit railway terminals outside the center, and to build nearly 900,000 square feet of offices, a hotel and apartments.

The planned seven-level shopping center, called the Millennium Mall, is to be built around the recently renovated stadium, with 500,000 square feet of shopping on each floor. Besides offering a range of American and European stores new to the Philippines, it will house 366,000 square feet of entertainment tenants, including a full-size ice skating rink, a multiplex cinema and IMAX theater, a bowling alley and a children’s and family entertainment center as well as other attractions, said Solomon.

But the expansion of Araneta Center will not end there: Under a $1.25 billion 20-year master plan, the company intends to turn it into a virtual city within a city, with the development of about 4,000 housing units, additional office and retail space and a giant communications structure — the Manila Tower — that will rival Paris’s Eiffel Tower in height, he said. Offices will be wired with the latest in communications technology.

The owners also are considering building an additional, 200,000-square-foot mall, which they want to call Manhattan Mall, with housing on top.

Araneta Center Inc., which built, owns and manages the center, is one of several companies in the Araneta Group. Others include Progressive Development Corp., which incubates new businesses; Philippine Pizza, which owns and operates 81 Pizza Hut restaurants across the country; and United Promotions, which runs leisure and entertainment facilities. But Araneta Center is the jewel in the family’s crown, and its renovation and expansion reflect the modernization of the Philippines as a whole, as the country opens its markets to the world.

The center is ideally located to draw traffic, sitting next to two of the city’s busiest avenues — Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue and Aurora Boulevard — and is surrounded by medium-to-high density housing, as well as several universities and colleges. There are 10 million residents in metro Manila, and up to 800,000 people visit the center on weekdays and a million a day on weekends.

The mass transit stations put it just a few minutes ride from other major business districts, including Makati, home of nearly all major Philippine corporations’ headquarters, some of which have been partly responsible for eclipsing Araneta Center in recent years.

The company also intends to broaden the center’s appeal with new tenants. Ali Mall is anchored and leased by local tenants, including the 840,000-square-foot Shoemart store built in 1979, Rustans supermarket and department store, a bookstore and many other moderate price-level stores. Millennium Mall, which will house about 750 retailers, will bring in stores from the United States, Europe and Japan, taking advantage of trade reform legislation passed last year that lifted a ban on overseas retail chains. There will be stores selling fashion, household merchandise, books, music, toys, sporting goods, hardware and computers, as well as more than 100 tenants offering food and beverages, including Starbucks, McDonald’s and Jollibee, a Philippines-based fast-food restaurant. The company is in talks with Wal-Mart, which is scouting around for its first location in the Philippines, and also is eyeing Carrefour, J.C. Penney and tenants like Old Navy, Solomon said.

“To me this is a great challenge, a great opportunity,” he said.

Araneta Center Inc. is off to a running start with the center’s revitalization, having already renovated Araneta Coliseum, one of the center’s original structures, which opened in 1960. Today it is a venue for a range of sports, entertainment and community activities, including family shows, religious gatherings — Pope John Paul II addressed an audience there — basketball tournaments and international cockfighting derbies.

Farmers Plaza, a mall attached to one of the transit stops, was built in 1969 and rebuilt in 1988. A five-level complex, it was expanded and renovated last year, and today offers 647,000 square feet of retail and a food court.

Next to it is the Farmers Market, with 700 stalls offering vegetables, meat and seafood. “People from all walks of life living in and around Manila shop here,” Solomon said, describing the Farmers Market as the cleanest fresh food market in the country.

A lot of work also will go into the center’s public spaces during Phase 1, making Araneta Center a lot more pleasant to walk around; currently, like much of the rest of Manila, it is choked by vehicles of all sorts, from Jeepneys — WWII style Jeeps converted into long-wheelbase taxis — to cars and buses. While architects are not about to challenge the motor vehicle’s tyranny at street level, they are going to lift pedestrians clear of the chaos below by constructing a vast walkway connecting the center’s various components, complete with trees and benches.

“You’ll be greeted by a pedestrian-friendly retail experience that has a series of garden spaces,” said John Tindall, associate vice president and project manager at RTKL for the Araneta Center contract. “We are trying to do something that’s pretty cutting edge.” Pedestrian walkways will connect directly to Farmers Plaza and Shoemart, he added. “The whole shopping center will essentially be lifted above the street,” said Sudhakar Thakurdesai, a former senior vice president at RTKL who worked on the project.

The pedestrian area and the mass transit connectors also will help neutralize the traditional disadvantages of a multilevel center by connecting with the mall’s third and fourth stories, Solomon said.

“They’ll be several ground levels,” he explained.

RTKL also is ascribing themes to the various levels, putting entertainment on the top two floors, for example, and dedicating two other levels to fashion, explained Darryl Yamamoto, RTKL’s lead designer on the project.

Phase 1 is expected to take about four years to complete. When it is done, the renovation’s impact will be felt well beyond the extensive boundaries of Araneta Center, those involved in the project say.

“Our vision was to create a gateway to Quezon City,” Thakurdesai said. “The location is unique, and when this is done I really think this is going to become a gateway and an icon.”

thomasian

February 24th, 2008, 07:13 PM

It's an old article, so many things have changed now.

Ph Man

February 24th, 2008, 08:41 PM

the expansion site for Gateway has nothing going on in it...nasilip ko kahapon.
anyway, here are the photos i was able to take during my MM tour kahapon 24 Feb 2008

The Podium
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/Francis23/MetroManila043.jpg

Megamall and The St Francis Shangri La Place
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/Francis23/MetroManila042.jpg

That's Trinoma
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/Francis23/MetroManila029.jpg

cq40

February 25th, 2008, 03:23 AM

^^
-

I was at the podium yesterday, I was the only one at the podium yesterday morning..LOL! Grabe ako lang ang tao dun, parang nakahiya maglakad-lakad joke!

-

Trinoma, same parin, madami tao, madaming taga showbiz and naglalakad-lakad, Jen rosendahl, Iya Villania, Yung Model ng Bench si John Uy (nalaglag boxer ko, lol), Yung Guy sa Robitussin Liquid Gel TV Ad, Kitkat, Polo Ravales..etc

I wonder what that cylyndrical structure at the corner is for, beautification purposes i guess (but it's not pretty), will it be covered in metal? Or lights or something?

-

Off topic: Piolo's nips in that poster (up close) looks like it was eaten by a thousand gays,lol

JustHorace

February 25th, 2008, 03:33 AM

I wonder what that cylyndrical structure at the corner is for, beautification purposes i guess (but it's not pretty), will it be covered in metal? Or lights or something?

It's Landmark's decorative column to spruce up the look of its EDSA entrance. Apparently, they're not keen on finishing it. We asked TriNoma's guards. It's all Landmark's, and the mall can't do anything about it except urge Landmark to get working on it.

IsaganiZenze

February 25th, 2008, 03:58 AM

^^

Off topic: Piolo's nips in that poster (up close) looks like it was eaten by a thousand gays,lol

eh ang sarap kasi eh.....wala na akong magawa kung hindi kainin yung nips niya!

hahahahahahha

Ph Man

February 25th, 2008, 05:17 AM

:lol: so you were one of them Isagani?
that thing looks like the one in RCBC in some ways, but i can also associate it with SM MOA for some reasons.
the Podium was taken around 7pm. still, there are very few people inside. i also have seen some celebrities, only that i am not sure if it's them really and what their names are. toni gonzaga was there, holding hands pa with someone - looks like a FilAm to me. hehe...mga intrigero!

dancethingy

February 25th, 2008, 06:38 AM

eh ang sarap kasi eh.....wala na akong magawa kung hindi kainin yung nips niya!

hahahahahahha

am i the only one not attracted to piolo?

IsaganiZenze

February 25th, 2008, 08:06 AM

:lol: so you were one of them Isagani?

he he guilty as charged!

so madami ba mga stars na nag pupunta diyan sa mga "high end" na malls, like the podium....kung ganyon, meroon na talagang tayong clue to how much they make.....

am i the only one not attracted to piolo?

hindi lang siguro ikaw.... meroon lang siyang ka hawig na crush ko, kaya ko gusto.....pero siguro other than that, wala na...

Ph Man

February 25th, 2008, 08:11 AM

:lol: :lol: i heard he is an all around nice guy. so pagbigyan na natin si Piolo.
wala tayong clue magkano kinikita nila. di naman ata accurate declaration nila sa BIR. marami ngang nagpupunta na stars diyan sa Podium. Nakita ko dati si Lucky Manzano. Sa GB3 nakita ko din si pareng John Lloyd at si mareng Dina Bonnevie. At sa Glorietta 4 si Heart+Jerico at si Melanie Marquez. haha...kakatuwa lang makakita ng artista. parang wala lang pala.

kevinb

February 25th, 2008, 09:12 AM

am i the only one not attracted to piolo?

OT: Ako hindi rin.

Sinjin P.

February 25th, 2008, 11:16 AM

My gay classmates also dislike Piolo. He's too gay for their taste. :lol:

dancethingy

February 25th, 2008, 12:57 PM

^^ hahaha

ona

February 27th, 2008, 10:53 AM

saan kaya itatayo yung 19,000 sq. m. hypermart ng TriNoma?

thomasian

February 27th, 2008, 11:17 AM

^^ Ang alam ko dun sa side ng hallway papuntang MRT na katapat ng Landmark.

cq40

February 28th, 2008, 04:10 AM

^^ Ang alam ko dun sa side ng hallway papuntang MRT na katapat ng Landmark.
^^
Correct, katabi ng Goldilocks

SM Mall Of Asia - Old Dirty vs New Clean Cladding:
I think the new one seems to resist dirt, it's shinier.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/DirtyvsCleanCladding.jpg
SM Science Discovery Center:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/SMScienceDiscoveryCenter.jpg
Waltermart Edsa-Munoz QC:
[left: 8 level corporate thinggy, right: 3 level mall]
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/WalterMartMunoz.jpg
P.S. I took these photos myself.

traveljunkie

February 28th, 2008, 04:27 AM

Here's what I found about the IMAX theater that will be installed in The Block:

http://www.smprime.com/News.php?BlurbID=1048

By JENNEE GRACE U. RUBRICO, 24 Jan 2008
Source: BusinessWorld

SY-LED SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has signed a deal with IMAX Corp. for the opening of two more theaters in the country following the success of the Mall of Asia cinema. Rick Camaligan, vice-president for operations of SM’s leisure group, told BusinessWorld that the theaters would be in The Block at SM City North Edsa, Quezon City and SM City Cebu.

The firm, he said, had allotted over P100 million each for the additional IMAX theaters, which would open in the third and last quarters of 2009. SM Prime is the exclusive partner of IMAX in the Philippines.

"The impact of the IMAX theater in Mall of Asia was enough to convince and give us an idea that there’s a market to support the IMAX theater," Mr. Camaligan said.

The 600-seat theater in Mall of Asia, he claimed, was consistently the best-performing IMAX cinema in the world for blockbusters like Superman and Spiderman. Figures for IMAX ticket sales were not available yesterday, but SM Prime said in its financial statement for the nine months ending September 2007 that SM’s overall cinema ticket sales grew by 21%, due mainly to new cinemas and Mall of Asia’s IMAX, which opened in May 2006. Mr. Camaligan said IMAX still has to fabricate the new theaters since they would be using a digital format.

"These would be ready to operate by next year," he said. Unlike the Mall of Asia theater, which makes use of projectors and reels, the new cinemas would play movies saved on a hard disc, Mr. Camaligan said.

"But the impact would be the same," he said. He added that the new IMAX theaters would have smaller screens — 14 meters, as opposed to the 22-meter high screen currently being used in the Mall of Asia — but the picture "will be clearer." Mr. Camaligan said SM North was chosen as the second mall to have an IMAX theater because of its foot traffic.

The 331,861-square meter mall has 315,000 visitors a day and counts Quezon City, Bulacan, and other nearby areas as its markets. SM City North Edsa’s visitors account for 10% of the total daily visits for all SM malls.

"SM City North is the farthest we can go up north which can be viable," Mr. Camaligan said. He also said that the 400-seat Cebu theater would cater to the Visayas and Mindanao population.

It does not stop there, I can see a 5th Level for shops That's a far cry from the original 2 level Annex. It's because, Annex 1 will be half parking, looks like a 6/7-level parking space. Annex 2 seems like shops-only as there's no pillar-less area for a Cinema? I'll just wait and see.

The IMAX will be installed in Cinema 4 of The Block. 11m wide, way smaller than that of MOA.

The Sky Park/Garden whatever is almost finished, the green wavy thinggy is being prepared for installation.

Sinjin P.

February 28th, 2008, 05:22 AM

SM Mall Of Asia - Old Dirty vs New Clean Cladding:
I think the new one seems to resist dirt, it's shinier.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/DirtyvsCleanCladding.jpg

Are they replacing the dirty old cladding or is that part of the Science Discovery Center that they connected to the rest of the mall?

Here's what I found about the IMAX theater that will be installed in The Block:

http://www.smprime.com/News.php?BlurbID=1048

By JENNEE GRACE U. RUBRICO, 24 Jan 2008
Source: BusinessWorld

SY-LED SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has signed a deal with IMAX Corp. for the opening of two more theaters in the country following the success of the Mall of Asia cinema. Rick Camaligan, vice-president for operations of SM’s leisure group, told BusinessWorld that the theaters would be in The Block at SM City North Edsa, Quezon City and SM City Cebu.

The firm, he said, had allotted over P100 million each for the additional IMAX theaters, which would open in the third and last quarters of 2009. SM Prime is the exclusive partner of IMAX in the Philippines.

"The impact of the IMAX theater in Mall of Asia was enough to convince and give us an idea that there’s a market to support the IMAX theater," Mr. Camaligan said.

The 600-seat theater in Mall of Asia, he claimed, was consistently the best-performing IMAX cinema in the world for blockbusters like Superman and Spiderman. Figures for IMAX ticket sales were not available yesterday, but SM Prime said in its financial statement for the nine months ending September 2007 that SM’s overall cinema ticket sales grew by 21%, due mainly to new cinemas and Mall of Asia’s IMAX, which opened in May 2006. Mr. Camaligan said IMAX still has to fabricate the new theaters since they would be using a digital format.

"These would be ready to operate by next year," he said. Unlike the Mall of Asia theater, which makes use of projectors and reels, the new cinemas would play movies saved on a hard disc, Mr. Camaligan said.

"But the impact would be the same," he said. He added that the new IMAX theaters would have smaller screens — 14 meters, as opposed to the 22-meter high screen currently being used in the Mall of Asia — but the picture "will be clearer." Mr. Camaligan said SM North was chosen as the second mall to have an IMAX theater because of its foot traffic.

The 331,861-square meter mall has 315,000 visitors a day and counts Quezon City, Bulacan, and other nearby areas as its markets. SM City North Edsa’s visitors account for 10% of the total daily visits for all SM malls.

"SM City North is the farthest we can go up north which can be viable," Mr. Camaligan said. He also said that the 400-seat Cebu theater would cater to the Visayas and Mindanao population.

Thanks for the article. I think it has been posted in the previous pages. :)

cq40

February 28th, 2008, 09:45 AM

Are they replacing the dirty old cladding or is that part of the Science Discovery Center that they connected to the rest of the mall?
Correct! It is part of the new Science Discovery Center and i'm sure that's a different kind of cladding, it looks shinier than the original one;testing if it's gonna get dirty;i saw the same material in other parts of the mall, or maybe it's just new...:lol:

LhexiMont

February 28th, 2008, 02:16 PM

Has anyone been here to the new Cash & Carry mall near Buendia/SSH intersection in Makati ?Nakita ko sa labas ng mall na may cinemas din pala yung mall , nung dumaan yung bus na sinasakyan ko kanina nung pauwi na ako sa Alabang . Aside from the former supermarket only ng C&C na transformed na into a mall now , may nga 1-storey structures pa na natira within that complex , yung kalapit ngang isa ay torn down na yung walls at parang ginawang covered parking space.
Mukhang promising at maganda yung mall kahit midsize ..may kalaban na ang MCS and Waltermart ..though C&C Mall is on the west side of Makati at mas kalapit ng Makro.

LhexiMont

February 28th, 2008, 02:36 PM

Also ,napadaan ako sa SM City-Manila ,may contest dun na design your own SM Mall something at naka-exhibit dun yung mga scale models ng mga sumali . Maganda yung grand prize ( nanalo sila ng 20K ) inspired sa MoA coz of the sea backdrop , though hindi pa talaga ganun ka-polished yung pagkakagawa nung model .Yung ibang entries magaganda rin , puede ngang gawing SM Mall talaga .

cq40

February 29th, 2008, 02:09 AM

SM North Edsa Facade:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/TheGarden2.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/TheGarden.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/TheGarden3.jpg
The Annex 1: [multilevel parking + Mall A]
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/AnnexA.jpg
The Annex 2: [Dwarfed Phil. Coll. of Surgeons & Mall B]
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/AnnexB.jpg
...Taken by me, views from trinoma & nearby ministop.

:banana:

traveljunkie

February 29th, 2008, 03:38 AM

LhexiMont

February 29th, 2008, 07:43 AM

Thanks Cq40 for the SM North Edsa pics! :D Would you know if they also plan to renovate the main mall? Do they plan to add more floors?

Shinjin - sorry if the article was posted before. I didn't have time to read the back pages. I'll try to make sure I don't double-post again :)

I think SM already added a floor to their main mall years back . Used to be 2 -level yung central span ,now its three level ( excluding the basement ). Hindi na siguro advisable if dagdagan pa ng upper floors. Mas maganda nga sana kung tayuan na lang uli ng new mall building . I think more than 25 years na rin naman yung pinaka-original mall building.

InformaticIAN

February 29th, 2008, 05:46 PM

guys, ask lang...any development news regarding s sm fairview?? kanina kasing umaga, nkita ko may crane na sa may fenced area ng sm fairview.. sino may balita don?? mukhang may itatayo n nman... extension ba? (hehe, tamad ko rin mag research noh..hehe)

Sinjin P.

February 29th, 2008, 05:48 PM

^ Yeah, another annex.

InformaticIAN

March 1st, 2008, 03:45 AM

tnx mr. sinj, extension pala. ano na namang kulay kaya? bawat annex parang iba iba ang may ari. so they're going bigger na rin pala... good to hear.

kennethologist

March 1st, 2008, 05:25 AM

tnx mr. sinj, extension pala. ano na namang kulay kaya? bawat annex parang iba iba ang may ari. so they're going bigger na rin pala... good to hear.

..pink ...in homage to Bayani Fernando :lol:

but seriously, i heard it will be for BPOs, it's half mall, half office.

naisip ko lang, kung mall parin yun that mall has no choice but to add those "high end" stores to their mix... almost all famous local/international brands have their presence in that mall... on the contrary, i talked to some people at SM, they said that SM Fairview is their "Masa" mall. kaya wala silang immediate need to pretty up the place. ...so i guess asa lang sila sa gagawin ng contractors?!

and speaking of prettying up they also mentioned that the people behind the interior design for SM Megamall's Dept Store is the same peeps that designed Bloomingdale's in New York... we may have to watch out dahil it might be featured on some Retail Design publication. you know naman designers, they have lots of pride.

Waldenstrom

March 1st, 2008, 08:28 AM

hmm I have to check out SM Megamall again. :D

thomasian

March 1st, 2008, 02:42 PM

..pink ...in homage to Bayani Fernando :lol:

but seriously, i heard it will be for BPOs, it's half mall, half office.

naisip ko lang, kung mall parin yun that mall has no choice but to add those "high end" stores to their mix... almost all famous local/international brands have their presence in that mall... on the contrary, i talked to some people at SM, they said that SM Fairview is their "Masa" mall. kaya wala silang immediate need to pretty up the place. ...so i guess asa lang sila sa gagawin ng contractors?!

and speaking of prettying up they also mentioned that the people behind the interior design for SM Megamall's Dept Store is the same peeps that designed Bloomingdale's in New York... we may have to watch out dahil it might be featured on some Retail Design publication. you know naman designers, they have lots of pride.

Would you know if there really is a planned SM Supercenter Nagtahan?

kennethologist

March 1st, 2008, 05:41 PM

Would you know if there really is a planned SM Supercenter Nagtahan?

i remember them saying 3... basically it's the same thing that SM releases to the press... no nagtahan mentioned.

i went there (to SM) actually for my thesis, i did an interview there then asked a few questions like: why do they use Caucasian models and some sorta like those... it was really a very gay interview kasi i was asking about how they develop ideas for their store and they like gave a lecture on fashion and textile design :lol: it was gay kasi when i asked where they get the inspiration they showed me pictures of stores from abroad (yes, they(SM) sends people abroad to study the trends!) and it was mostly men's underwear stores... with the abs and the bulge :lol:

kennethologist

March 1st, 2008, 05:48 PM

Trinoma doing a Greenbelt 5

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/CamHo7362.jpg
^^ it's one of trinoma's atrium with those reflective discs installed... a simpler version but a very similar idea to what they did to Greenbelt 5's whimsical atrium... i thought they said they want their malls to be different from each other? ...oh well... :lol:

thomasian

March 1st, 2008, 06:57 PM

hmmm... makapag-research na nga din sa SM! :D bwahaha

I wonder where all the rumors of an SM Nagtahan are coming from. Must be from the banner that announces the SM promos and three-day sales on the building right beside the rumored site, add to that the fence and the consruction materials being piled on the site. I wonder what will be built there if it's not an SM.

---

I'm not too happy with how they used the GB5 discs on Trinoma.

---

Tapos na ba renovation ng Mega Department Store? Last time I saw it they were still doing half of the third level. I assume they're now doing the lower-ground floor of the Mega Department Store in case they're not finished yet.

I'm dying to see renderings of the Mega-Expansion. I wish there would be a few renderings released in public.

---

The North Ave. open parking of TriNoma looks so bald. They could have infused more greeneries in it.

cq40

March 2nd, 2008, 04:32 AM

:lol:hmmm... makapag-research na nga din sa SM! :D bwahaha

I'm not too happy with how they used the GB5 discs on Trinoma.

That's new, lemme see to believe...I'll take shots in different angles :lol:

Tapos na ba renovation ng Mega Department Store? Last time I saw it they were still doing half of the third level. I assume they're now doing the lower-ground floor of the Mega Department Store in case they're not finished yet.

Correct, hindi pa tapos, yung basement half palang, saka yung ibang floors may partial na ginagawa, i must say Super Maganda sya talaga :)

I'm dying to see renderings of the Mega-Expansion. I wish there would be a few renderings released in public.

I saw a big space in floor 4 & 5, looks like the IMAX cinema?

The North Ave. open parking of TriNoma looks so bald. They could have infused more greeneries in it.

I guess they didn't careless as people would still go there no matter.

thomasian

March 2nd, 2008, 08:46 AM

^^ I think they didn't care because it was facing SM :lol:

Waldenstrom

March 2nd, 2008, 02:55 PM

Onga no, parang insult sa SM yun hehe. wala naman daw competition. JK :D

cq40

March 2nd, 2008, 04:42 PM

Trinoma doing a Greenbelt 5

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/CamHo7362.jpg
^^ it's one of trinoma's atrium with those reflective discs installed...:lol:

It's plain & not so ganda, ok lang :lol:

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/DSCN0127-2.jpghttp://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/DSCN0125-2.jpg

Random Trinoma Photos:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/FSCN0151.jpghttp://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/DSCN0150.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/DSCN0148.jpghttp://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/cq40/DSCN0146.jpg

richard24

March 3rd, 2008, 12:18 PM

may paint na yung sa harap ng SM marikina., mukhang final coat na. too bad they're following their original render., the white paint with the red squares.

http://i31.tinypic.com/28jxu0y.jpg

Onionz

March 3rd, 2008, 11:55 PM

Hey guys how big really is the Trinoma? in terms of Gross Leasable Area and Total Floor Area?
When will it be recognized world wide as being part of the largest malls in the world? and maybe in the top 10? what do you think?

lightsaber46

March 4th, 2008, 04:22 AM

BTW, someone buzz me this info.

there will be a HYPERMARKET (Las Piñas) along alabang - zapote road and construction would start in 2nd qtr.

also a cluster condo (i think 6 bldgs) somewhere in diosdado macapagal ave., in pasay city...parang "Flamingo" something by SM

cq40

March 4th, 2008, 05:13 AM

Geez what's up with SM, they have a whole bunch of malls and yet, only SM Mall of Asia & Megamall's Department Store (and probably Cebu's Annex deserve the words "Wow ganda"...geez)

LhexiMont

March 4th, 2008, 07:27 AM

" Wow Ganda " nga kung wala naman nabili at napunta sa mall mo, mas mabuti naman kung okay at tama lang ang features and pina-patronize ng karamihan , which what makes all SM malls a success . Wala pa naman yatang SM mall na nalugi sa pagkakaalam ko.

Waldenstrom

March 4th, 2008, 10:21 AM

Pero mas maganda kung maganda rin yung place na pinamimilhan mo. :)

LhexiMont

March 4th, 2008, 01:44 PM

Mas simple , mas affordable ang commodities mas okay for me ..sa panahon ngayon bihira na nakakapamili ng mga signature goods or manghihinayang ka na talaga sa presyo , marami ka ng mabibiling necessities sa halaga ng isang item .

Ok , napapa-WOW ganda naman ako ( Greenbelt only of Ayala ) but honestly ,I cannot afford to buy their signature goods , kasi konti lang kinikita ko , what I buy are only the necessities. Mahirap naman mag live-in style ka beyond your means. Of course ,we all have different opinions ..and I accept that.

Bosnyboy

March 4th, 2008, 02:54 PM

SM makati has that 'WOW' factor too

philip_v

March 4th, 2008, 03:55 PM

there will be a HYPERMARKET (Las Piñas) along alabang - zapote road and construction would start in 2nd qtr.

No! :ohno: This will mean traffic. Mas lalo akong mal-late sa school nyan. :bash:

cq40

March 5th, 2008, 04:15 AM

Edi pare-parehas na tau...lol, on my way to school before, i pass...3 major malls and 3 minor malls...

LhexiMont

March 5th, 2008, 11:08 AM

No! :ohno: This will mean traffic. Mas lalo akong mal-late sa school nyan. :bash:

Immune na naman yata sa traffic ang LP :):),pero depende din naman yan sa
magiging location ng Hypermart sa LP ....possibly sa northern part yan ng Alabang Zapote Road ( Pamplona area ) and they will compete with Uniwide/Makro /Manuela . Is it only a hypermart or a supercenter ?

Yung dating Ever na gagawing Dragon Complex ..what happen ?

philip_v

March 5th, 2008, 12:12 PM

That Dragon Complex did not push through.

Sinjin P.

March 6th, 2008, 03:50 AM

Ang hilig talaga ng SM magpalit ng pangalan.

From Silverscreen, naging Movietime
From Entertainment Plaza, naging The Event Centre

Ano pa ba?

cq40

March 6th, 2008, 04:11 AM

^^ The infamous Mall Of Asia Complex...Pangatlo na bang palit yun? lols

Sinjin P.

March 6th, 2008, 04:33 AM

^ Parang pang-apat na 'yang Mall of Asia Complex from SM Central Business Park to SM BayCity to SM BayCentral

Ang hilig din nilang magpalit ng logo. :lol:

kennethologist

March 6th, 2008, 08:02 AM

Ang hilig talaga ng SM magpalit ng pangalan.

From Silverscreen, naging Movietime
From Entertainment Plaza, naging The Event Centre

Ano pa ba?

as long as they have the money to change those names... why not! :lol:

benchjade

March 6th, 2008, 12:37 PM

underground mall naman sana ang gawin sa atin.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2173/2148032330_3826a62f6b_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kazakhstan/2148032330/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2255/1883705003_9c39197e4c_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kazakhstan/1883705003/)

Sinjin P.

March 6th, 2008, 01:01 PM

^ Does Japan, being a hotspot for earthquakes, have those type of malls/facilities?

cq40

March 6th, 2008, 01:31 PM

It's possible in the future, once there's no more space for new malls. I guess, when the city calls for it, like Makati.

But it seems like we can still go higher for more retail. I won't be surprised if I see a mall with 6-9 levels of retail in the next 100 years.

OSAKA: http://academic.csuohio.edu/makelaa/lectures/osaka/underground02.jpg
http://academic.csuohio.edu/makelaa/lectures/osaka/underground01.jpg
http://academic.csuohio.edu/makelaa/lectures/osaka/underground05.jpg
http://academic.csuohio.edu/makelaa/lectures/osaka/undermalls.html

Top 5 underground malls:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2007-02/15/content_810158.htm

Most likely that may happen in the future, once underground railways & tunnels and skyscrapers with a population of a small city are rampant, or if metro manila was able to deal with rising sea waters and/or flooding and earthquakes; or if we're still craving for more malls.

It's possible in a not so distant futuristic metro manila future. :)

*imagines greenbelt & megamall underground*
Hmm, pwede! Dapat puro LCD Screens or 3d projectors or hightech stuff para astig puntahan pababa (para hindi boring, hehe) Sana buhay pako nun lols! :)

LhexiMont

March 7th, 2008, 09:05 AM

Finally , napuntahan ko kanina yung Cash & Carry mall in Makati .Its is a 2-level mall , but some portions ay may mezzanine so parang 3-levels din partially.
Aside from the C&C Supermarket it has anchor stores such as Ansons, National Bookstore , Ace Hardware ,Mercury Drug and fastfood outlets as Jollibee , Teriyaki Boy , Red Ribbon ( S-T-O ) . It has also two cinemas and a food court ( Food Circle ) at level 2 . Marami pa rin ang mga stores na magbubukas . Okay din yung main atrium nila sa second level , but its a bazaar for now.
Its a nicely design midsize mall at okay nga yung railings nila ay all-glass at yung escalators ay may outer support pa for safety . Kaya lang ,yung supermarket nila mukhang luma pa rin ( cashier area /machines/racks ) , sana i-upgrade din nila , maganda naman yung mall nila kasi. Its an oasis in that side of Makati .

benchjade

March 7th, 2008, 01:41 PM

^ Does Japan, being a hotspot for earthquakes, have those type of malls/facilities?

im not sure, but most of the train stations here and railways are underground especially in tokyo.

Waldenstrom

March 7th, 2008, 11:22 PM

Sinjin P.

March 8th, 2008, 05:30 AM

Aerial of Trinoma and SM City North EDSA

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2317890248_e8fda022c3_o.jpg

photo by Storm Crypt - Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/storm-crypt/)

Sinjin P.

March 8th, 2008, 05:40 AM

Not all outdoor areas of TriNoma are smoking areas

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2304301332_606e96c9e5.jpg
photo by munsterinc - Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/munsterinc/)

Sinjin P.

March 8th, 2008, 05:48 AM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/2313989643_c08bd1354c.jpg

photo by Pedro Gerardo - Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/pedrogerardosds/)

cq40

March 8th, 2008, 05:49 AM

^^ because those are near the shops...

Most of the designated smoking areas are near the restaurants/dining and/or open air. 3rd/4th levels...

For the aerial, as you can see, TriNoma's building occupies a (almost the same if not a much) larger area than that of SM NoE.

Geez, my house is not included, :lol:

Phase 2 of Greenbelt 5 is looking good by the way..

Sinjin P.

March 8th, 2008, 05:50 AM

Market! Market!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2313710679_d4c8457e6c_b.jpg

photo by fgoetz1961 - Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/fgoetz/)

nayki

March 8th, 2008, 06:22 AM

My idea na ba kayo ano gagawin dun sa structures na tinayo sa harap ng main mall ng SM North EDSA? Base kasi doon sa nakikita ko parang iyong top nya parang gagamitin din. Di kaya lalagyan ng mini garden sa taas nya iyon?

benchjade

March 8th, 2008, 10:01 AM

Aerial of Trinoma and SM City North EDSA

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2317890248_e8fda022c3_o.jpg

photo by Storm Crypt - Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/storm-crypt/)

mas malaking tignan ang Trinoma.

Waldenstrom

March 8th, 2008, 03:52 PM

Market! Market!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2313710679_d4c8457e6c_b.jpg

photo by fgoetz1961 - Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/fgoetz/)

This was shot just recently. Of all the Ayala malls, I think this has the simplest interiors.

Sinjin P.

March 8th, 2008, 04:53 PM

^ I agree but I still love it. The first time I stepped on Market! Market! last 2005, I immediately fell in love with the place.

IsaganiZenze

March 9th, 2008, 09:44 AM

Waldenstrom

March 9th, 2008, 09:57 AM

The right lower part of that photo makes me sick.

benchjade

March 9th, 2008, 01:58 PM

^^park ba yang nasa right lower? parang ang gandang tignan.

wornout

March 9th, 2008, 02:14 PM

^^park ba yang nasa right lower? parang ang gandang tignan.

that area is a hospital complex complete with a golf course, driving range and exclusive residential areas.

wornout

March 9th, 2008, 02:19 PM

The right lower part of that photo makes me sick.

think you're referring to the left lower part of the photo. such a huge slum area but i think this area is in for demolition since the qc cbd project would include the lots occupied by the slum. hopefully there would be an efficient relocation process to clean this area as soon as possible. wishful thinking....heheheheh

WawaY[625]

March 9th, 2008, 02:56 PM

bat parang nawala ang annex ng SM north? yung ngang kailangan mong dumaan sa bridge para ma access mo

_zner_

March 9th, 2008, 03:18 PM

^^ giniba kasi pero u/c na siya.

WawaY[625]

March 9th, 2008, 04:31 PM

totally giniba? diba yan yun sa may overpass hanggang dun sa may yellow na building na may pulang roof?

LhexiMont

March 9th, 2008, 06:31 PM

a nice shot of trinoma and sm north edsa.....i didn't know that trinoma was so big!!!!

taken on 01/10/2008

by storm crypt from flickr

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/stormcrypttrinoma011008.jpg

Yung rightmost wing ng Trinoma facing EDSA and MRT hindi naman yata extent ng mall itself but only a depot for MRT trains yata ,kaya sa aerial view mukha lang mas malaki .

IsaganiZenze

March 10th, 2008, 03:21 AM

dancethingy

March 10th, 2008, 06:48 AM

^^ gentrification?? hehehe, i thought the only place i'd hear that word is around american cities like Chicago and NYC.

I've always considered gentrification as a restoration of a run-down, low-income area by the middle class and upper middle class. But some of these areas in manila are BEYOND run down and their transformation from BEYOND run down to something decent is BEYOND gentrification. hahaha

IsaganiZenze

March 10th, 2008, 07:54 AM

^^ yes! but it is a form of it in my interpretation, they will transform it to something different for the use of the middle and upper class.... well let's see what happens....

leechtat

March 10th, 2008, 05:43 PM

think you're referring to the left lower part of the photo. such a huge slum area but i think this area is in for demolition since the qc cbd project would include the lots occupied by the slum. hopefully there would be an efficient relocation process to clean this area as soon as possible. wishful thinking....heheheheh

actually, some areas are already de-ghettoed like the ones near the office of the ombudsman. that whole slum area under discussion was already de-ghettoed partially. some areas are now used as bus depots (fronting Edsa) and a new road was constructed (though a bit obscure from EDSA) that connects EDSA to Agham Road.

The resettlement for these informal settlers is in order according to my friend in QC city hall. some though are a bit stubborn since they have established businesses in the areas such as goat meat shops, hardwares and construction material depots. Also the big gravel, sand and cement mill will be relocated as well to pave way for the CBD actually, the veterans golf course has been recently acquired and will be demolished by 2010 (ang tagal pa pala).

Yung rightmost wing ng Trinoma facing EDSA and MRT hindi naman yata extent ng mall itself but only a depot for MRT trains yata ,kaya sa aerial view mukha lang mas malaki .

tama, that's why it looks so large.. actually, the trinoma mall sits right on top of the mrt train depot.. parang labyrinth daw talaga, at ilang floors down din, i think seven floors below, i am not sure though..

thomasian

March 12th, 2008, 07:59 AM

SM-NoE Annex U/C taken last week. Pictures to follow...

Ao765BWfPZc

Waldenstrom

March 12th, 2008, 08:13 AM

I think without the MRT depot mukhang mas malaki pa rin ang TriNoma.

cq40

March 12th, 2008, 12:10 PM

Share ko lang, meron din palang Sunday Morning Mass sa TriNoma Level 4 Near Max Brenner:Chocolate by the Bald Man/Krispy Kreme M4 Area. :)

Rence

March 13th, 2008, 03:48 AM

I see nothing wrong with having a Muslim prayer room in Manila malls!

venntro

March 13th, 2008, 08:37 AM

Just a question. Are there plans of linking Trinoma and SM North EDSA via a bridgeway or at the very least an overpass? They have done it in Makati where Glorietta is linked to SM via a bridgeway. Hopefully they do it in here at Trinoma and SM NOE coz it's really a hassle if you want to transfer from one mall to the other.

thomasian

March 13th, 2008, 08:47 AM

leechtat

March 13th, 2008, 05:43 PM

^^ but recently though, i have noticed that trinoma have stopped replanting the plants in an area where people usually shortcuts to sm the block. i think they are planning to make that area of the garden into a walkway since people transfer malls anyways..

Vegas Visitor

March 14th, 2008, 02:10 AM

^^magiging las vegas na ba ang pinas?

Not really, being based in vegas also i can say maganda ang mga casino resorts but honnestly Vegas malls are too bland!

Forum Shop Inside Ceasars Palace yun giant aquarium lang maganda
Fashion Show Mall very normal looking mall not even comparable in Malls in the Phils they will smoked to dust :D

just my 2 cents!

benchjade

March 14th, 2008, 04:58 AM

Not really, being based in vegas also i can say maganda ang mga casino resorts but honnestly Vegas malls are too bland!

Forum Shop Inside Ceasars Palace yun giant aquarium lang maganda

just my 2 cents!

and that Atlantis show is like nothing!:lol::lol:

RonnieR

March 14th, 2008, 07:30 AM

I see nothing wrong with having a Muslim prayer room in Manila malls!

I also agree with it....

Waldenstrom

March 14th, 2008, 11:01 AM

naOki

March 15th, 2008, 01:00 AM

if there is a sufficient demand for muslim prayer rooms, then why not,.. but if there will be muslim prayer rooms, might well install other prayer rooms for different religions.
imho, it is up to the mall owner to decide for the project.

Vegas Visitor

March 15th, 2008, 01:43 AM

a nice shot of trinoma and sm north edsa.....i didn't know that trinoma was so big!!!!

taken on 01/10/2008

by storm crypt from flickr

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/stormcrypttrinoma011008.jpg

Visualizing this Aerial shots, definitely Trinoma is bigger that SM NoE unless na lang kung malabo ang mga mata ninyo :D

venntro

March 15th, 2008, 02:00 AM

^^ It's not a suprise that they link SM Makati to Glorietta because it's SM that leases from the Ayala Center. Not to mention that SM is linked to the MRT, completing the MCBD walkway. North EDSA and TriNoma is a different case, let's not compare them with their Makati siblings.

^^It's not a matter of comparison but a matter of continued partnerships between the two. If you look at it at a shallow level then the point is well taken. But it only shows the lack of experience and understanding on how corporate partnerships work. Previous and present business relationships between corporate entities are often used as leverages by either party in proposing plans and structures in developments involving both parties. This is true even if the relationship may be limited to a lessor-lessee relationship. That's how business partnerships are fostered and taken advantage of. In the negotiating table, business relationship goodwill is a trump card in pushing a proposed plan with a counterparty regardless if the parties are now involved in a totally different project and are situated in totally different positions.

Having said that, putting up a link between Trinoma and SMNoE would, in the long term be beneficial to both parties to promote the free movement of foot traffic and taking advantage of the eventual access to the MRT 3. 7 and LRT loop stations of both malls. It was reported that even the QC council, through I think former Councilor now Congressman Crisologo, is actually citing the Makati relationship as the foundation for the proposed link between the two giant malls. ALI seems to be open to the idea considering it can benefit from the established crowd of SM NoE. ALI may even use, if it wnats to, its superior position as lessor in the Makati set-up to convince SM as well. Let's see how it will pan out.

nayki

March 15th, 2008, 06:16 AM

Diba may plan ang SM and Ayala na gumawa ng interconnecting bridge from SM north to trinoma? Sana gawin na nila kasi sobrang traffic na sa area na yan nakakadagdag pa iyong mga taong patawid2 between 2 malls.

jcb

March 15th, 2008, 10:50 AM

sana nga makaroon ng bridge if i not mistaken eh during the official opening ng TRINOMA eh nandun si Henry Sy at magkasama sila.The thing that i want to say is its better to have cooperation to have a good business environment. SM NOE and Trinoma compliment each other

jbkayaker12

March 15th, 2008, 11:19 AM

richard24

March 15th, 2008, 02:48 PM

SM City Marikina Update: pics taken a few hours ago., by me. :)

http://i29.tinypic.com/rshfnt.jpg

http://i29.tinypic.com/2pt7220.jpg

note: you can notice some shanties under the bridge., those arent squatters., they're construction workers.

the roadway infront of SM will start before the bridge and will cross the river, then merge with marcos highway after the bridge. :)

kennethologist

March 15th, 2008, 04:26 PM

richard24

March 15th, 2008, 04:30 PM

oo nga., looks like they'd be able to open this thing by may or june., :)

kennethologist

March 15th, 2008, 04:53 PM

LhexiMont

March 15th, 2008, 06:43 PM

Is that flyover on the main entrance of the upcoming SM City Marikina built for the mall itself . They used to have underpasses in the malls like Megamall,Southmall ..now its the other way around because of the malls location beside the river.

jbkayaker12

March 15th, 2008, 08:40 PM

Filipinos have alot of local brands to take the place of those "high-end" brands... I am definitely sure, Filipinos won't even care if those brands are setting up here 'cause not alot of us can afford it...

i have to say that Philippine malls have sophistication, maybe not in your standards... but in fact, in the retail industry, Filipinos are looked up to when it comes to innovation... not just design-wise but in the way Filipinos operate and maintain their shopping centers. we may have hired some help for the designs but in the end, it's the Filipino mall owners who have the final say.

we have to be proud of whatever we have, because in the end, we will never be Las Vegas but we will always be the Philippines :D

Sorry to disappoint you but those innovation you're talking about were actually the malls which were designed by American firms. Trinoma, Greenbelt, Gateway, Mall of Asia have all been done not just in Vegas but the United States.

Somehow Filipinos overlooked the fact these malls were just a copy of the ones here in the United States. What you have in the Philippines, we already have in the United States. What we have in the United States, the Philippines wish they have it.

Filipinos can be proud of what they have in the Philippines but others are too proud to a fault.:)

amras

March 15th, 2008, 09:43 PM

WawaY[625]

March 15th, 2008, 09:58 PM

kennethologist

March 15th, 2008, 11:10 PM

Sorry to disappoint you but those innovation you're talking about were actually the malls which were designed by American firms. Trinoma, Greenbelt, Gateway, Mall of Asia have all been done not just in Vegas but the United States.

Somehow Filipinos overlooked the fact these malls were just a copy of the ones here in the United States. What you have in the Philippines, we already have in the United States. What we have in the United States, the Philippines wish they have it.

Filipinos can be proud of what they have in the Philippines but others are too proud to a fault.:)

will it make any difference if a japanese firm or german firm designed it? the fact is, these malls may be designed by foreign firms, but as designers, they have the responsibility to design considering the needs of their client, in this case, a Filipino client. these malls are designed to fit the Filipino taste and needs. it doesn't mean that if a foreign firm created it, it will be adhere to the preference of their country of origin... design is subjective.

you're like saying that the statue of liberty is not american because the french designed it or the burj dubai isn't arab because an american designed it.

it's a mall... what's a mall supposed to look like? i've read a lot of retail design books and the system is the same from US to Japan to Dubai to Malaysia to Bangkok... ano yun pag mall sa pilipinas kelangan mukhang bahay kubo para masabing filipino?! you're stereotyping too much. :lol:

what is your definition of innovation? Lemme guess: AMERICA! :lol: ...with all due respect, you are in a Filipino forum... (I know this is beyond topic but forgive me for venting this) the nerve of putting metro manila under your username.. :P I don't want to be personal but id rather be blunt: You are what you dislike about the Philippines. It is your kind that is the reason why the Philippines isn't moving forward... too trapped in an american dream never waking up. :D

we Filipinos want what's best for us, and there nothing wrong if we follow what US or any other country did best... it is not mediocrity because at the end of the day, we only want what's good for us...

jbkayaker12

March 15th, 2008, 11:12 PM

naku humirit na naman si mayabang... kahit ano pa namang sabihin ng mga tao dito di na magbabago yang pag-iisip mo... kaya sige na lang, TAMA ka!! yes! galing!! wohoo!! :lol:

and anyways... Ken was talking about the retail industry, not the "mall concept" itself. And it's true that the Philippines has one of the biggest thriving retail and franchising industry in Southeast Asia, even my prof in my urban planning class admitted that.

Not really, being based in vegas also i can say maganda ang mga casino resorts but honnestly Vegas malls are too bland!

Forum Shop Inside Ceasars Palace yun giant aquarium lang maganda
Fashion Show Mall very normal looking mall not even comparable in Malls in the Phils they will smoked to dust

Perhaps your thought process has not yet grasped what started this discussion so I decided to quote vegas visitor.

What innovation in the retail industry were you referring to? As far as the mall concept and retail industry is concerned, Vegas and the United States are miles ahead of the Philippines. The United States is one of the biggest if not the biggest consumer market in the world. The proof that majority of the newer and most recent malls that have opened in the Philippines were designed by an American firm says it all.

Like what I have said, nothing wrong with being proud but not too proud to a fault.:lol:

JustHorace

March 16th, 2008, 01:52 AM

^^Perhaps vegas visitor would be surprised. He'd never realize that such a plain opinion would result to this unnecessary rant on how a world's superpower can be better than a developing country in many ways, always.

Too proud to a fault? May you care to explain? I don't see anything here which manifests such a sense of pride.

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 02:04 AM

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 02:11 AM

n where I live in the US... malls here bite the dust of even provincial malls in the Philippines.. I dont know about vegas but malls here just force ypu to buy stuff... its not like in the Philippines that its like a city within a city... ive never come across an american mall like that... I am thoroughly dissapointed... IMO

Vegas Visitor

March 16th, 2008, 02:13 AM

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 02:13 AM

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 02:17 AM

Someone holding a gun to your head whenever you shop?:lol:

not really... its just too bland... and what is that level of sophistication you are talking about anyway? if there is a gucci and a prada or a coach in an american mall,its just a name of another store... im speaking in the point of view of an ordinary shopper... maybe Philippine malls have spoiled me... thats why I really dont find american malls too exciting... boring even... :ohno:

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 02:21 AM

So i guess if Phil Malls dont have Abercombie & Fitch, A/X, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfigier and to name etc etc american brand they would already suck!!! What so special with high end brand when most of them are made in pakistan and bangladesh!

Since being based here in Vegas i only compared the malls ive seen here to the Philippine malls. Could u pls define lack of sopihistication, ive been to a lot of malls here in USA from California, New york, NJ and other state and i could say they are not sophisticated. If u have seen or have been to a very spohisticated American mall can u pls post a link or a picture.

Thank You!

IMO the difference between american malls and Philippine malls is that Philippine malls are designed to be lifestyle centers... american malls are design to show and sell.

kennethologist

March 16th, 2008, 06:52 AM

So i guess if Phil Malls dont have Abercombie & Fitch, A/X, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfigier and to name etc etc american brand they would already suck!!! What so special with high end brand when most of them are made in pakistan and bangladesh!

Since being based here in Vegas i only compared the malls ive seen here to the Philippine malls. Could u pls define lack of sopihistication, ive been to a lot of malls here in USA from California, New york, NJ and other state and i could say they are not sophisticated. If u have seen or have been to a very spohisticated American mall can u pls post a link or a picture.

Thank You!

korak! we don't need those brands in our malls, if those were the definition of sophistication, i'd rather be jologs!... Abercrombie? Thanks but No thanks... but i'm very happy with my bench and penshoppe. :lol:

Jarvijarv

March 16th, 2008, 08:14 AM

not really... its just too bland... and what is that level of sophistication you are talking about anyway? if there is a gucci and a prada or a coach in an american mall,its just a name of another store... im speaking in the point of view of an ordinary shopper... maybe Philippine malls have spoiled me... thats why I really dont find american malls too exciting... boring even... :ohno:

^^
I'll be another one to jump on this! I lived in Southern California all my life (i'm in my 30's now) and the mall concept has slowly been fading away here in favor of the outdoor 'Town Center' concept. the Simi Valley Town Center is an example....i agree the indoor malls here in the U.S. are much less impressive now then the one's in the Philippines, or in all of Asia for that matter. It's just the different lifestyles, climate, cultures which have changed the way we shop or entertain.

Now i just came back from Metro Manila last month, and i was so impressed with the Mall of Asia, Trinoma, and Robinson's Place Midtown malls...i really love how they design the shops and especially the restaurants to entice people to come in. So many of the restaurants where always FULL! and their was always some kind of concert or promotion going on! it just seemed alot more alive than the malls here in the U.S. my fav cookie place Ms Fields cookies looked so much better there...the pizza places, spas, bowling and billiards, movie theatres, ice skating, art galleries, furniture shops, Kultura,....i can go on and on.....oh, my fav mall is the Alabang Town Center, i love how they incorporated the outdoor and indoor mall concept....and yes there's Greenbelts 1,2,3,4 and 5(?) and Libis, beautiful!

just like bariQ^^, malls here in the U.S. are boring, just get what you need and leave! Philippines malls cater not only to shoppers, but add so much more-can shop, eat, watch a movie/concert, get a massage, go on the internet and go bowling all on the same place on the same day!!!!:lol:

Lightspeed

March 16th, 2008, 02:11 PM

amras

March 16th, 2008, 06:53 PM

Perhaps your thought process has not yet grasped what started this discussion so I decided to quote vegas visitor.

What innovation in the retail industry were you referring to? As far as the mall concept and retail industry is concerned, Vegas and the United States are miles ahead of the Philippines. The United States is one of the biggest if not the biggest consumer market in the world. The proof that majority of the newer and most recent malls that have opened in the Philippines were designed by an American firm says it all.

Like what I have said, nothing wrong with being proud but not too proud to a fault.:lol:

ummm.. yah.. whatever you say... :cheers:

WawaY[625]

March 16th, 2008, 07:18 PM

thomasian

March 16th, 2008, 07:32 PM

^^^^^^The stores Filipinos wish they have in the Philippine malls are dime a dozen in the shopping malls in Vegas and the United States. Don't even bother talking about high end shops, these shops will more than think twice before setting up shop in any of the Philippine malls.:lol:

For tourists I think it's not just the high-end stores that matter. Would they fly all the way to the Philippines just to buy something that's available maybe a few blocks away from their home? I think the local stores would interest them more, getting a taste of quality Filipino design, craftsmanship, and materials, something that they don't have at home, something Filipino.

^^It's not a matter of comparison but a matter of continued partnerships between the two. If you look at it at a shallow level then the point is well taken. But it only shows the lack of experience and understanding on how corporate partnerships work. Previous and present business relationships between corporate entities are often used as leverages by either party in proposing plans and structures in developments involving both parties. This is true even if the relationship may be limited to a lessor-lessee relationship. That's how business partnerships are fostered and taken advantage of. In the negotiating table, business relationship goodwill is a trump card in pushing a proposed plan with a counterparty regardless if the parties are now involved in a totally different project and are situated in totally different positions.

Having said that, putting up a link between Trinoma and SMNoE would, in the long term be beneficial to both parties to promote the free movement of foot traffic and taking advantage of the eventual access to the MRT 3. 7 and LRT loop stations of both malls. It was reported that even the QC council, through I think former Councilor now Congressman Crisologo, is actually citing the Makati relationship as the foundation for the proposed link between the two giant malls. ALI seems to be open to the idea considering it can benefit from the established crowd of SM NoE. ALI may even use, if it wnats to, its superior position as lessor in the Makati set-up to convince SM as well. Let's see how it will pan out.

Ah, okay. I hope the linkage materializes. :okay:

cq40

March 16th, 2008, 08:52 PM

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 09:32 PM

Let me put you in this perspective...

Why are you comparing the Philippine Malls to US Malls when you know that they are similar architecturally? :lol:

Perhaps you need to read a few posts back. You will figure out what started all this discussion.

Sadly people does not want to admit the fact that the newer and grander malls in the Philippines were actually designed by an American firm and that these concepts and innovations has already been done in the United States.

Now if Philippine developers and architects start building a structure that is being copied all over the world then be proud of it because that is what you call innovation but otherwise some people need to keep their feet on the ground and sh*t up.

Building malls in the United States is now passe. Been there done that type of thing. In Las Vegas, we have a better alternative with the likes of Town Square Las Vegas and The District. A whole new town built just for shopping.

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 09:36 PM

For tourists I think it's not just the high-end stores that matter. Would they fly all the way to the Philippines just to buy something that's available maybe a few blocks away from their home? I think the local stores would interest them more, getting a taste of quality Filipino design, craftsmanship, and materials, something that they don't have at home, something Filipino.

Just in case you dont know, the United States is the biggest if not one of the biggest consumer market in the world.

You are entirely wrong to think that our shops here do not sell quality products and merchandise from the Philippines. The shopping centers here in the United States carry products pretty much from all over the world.:lol:

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 09:38 PM

ummm.. yah.. whatever you say... :cheers:

Yeah you're all talk but lack substance!:lol:

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 09:42 PM

Whenever I think of malls in the United States, I always am reminded of the functional, no-nonsense type of malls. "No frills" 'ika nga.

In terms of sophistication in design and concept, I really think the Philippine malls win this one.

Once again the malls concept you were referring to were conceptualized by an American Firm which as a matter of fact, it has already been done in the US long before any of the malls in the Philippines.:)

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 09:43 PM

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 09:48 PM

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 09:49 PM

Perhaps you need to read a few posts back. You will figure out what started all this discussion.

Sadly people does not want to admit the fact that the newer and grander malls in the Philippines were actually designed by an American firm and that these concepts and innovations has already been done in the United States.

Now if Philippine developers and architects start building a structure that is being copied all over the world then be proud of it because that is what you call innovation but otherwise some people need to keep their feet on the ground and sh*t up.

Building malls in the United States is now passe. Been there done that type of thing. In Las Vegas, we have a better alternative with the likes of Town Square Las Vegas and The District. A whole new town built just for shopping.

The town square thing is old in the Philippines.. I think the mall phenomenon is the one that almost killed it just because malls have airconditioning...

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 09:51 PM

still doesnt change the fact that malls in the US are boring... maybe they only cater to the elite... some US malls ive been to look beautiful, but thats it, its pure eye candy.

at tama si lghtsaber... US malls are no frills buy our product or get out...

Boring, hahahaha! Just in case youre still in denial, the shopping malls in the Philippines that you are so proud of were designed by an American firm and these type of malls have been done in the United States long before it opened on Philippine shores.

Hahahahahaaha "maybe they only cater to the elite" Ok our discussion is over with.:lol:

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 09:53 PM

Just too bland, hahahaha markets, shopping malls, lifestye centers in the United States carry far too many products from all over the world compared to their counterpart in the Philippines.
:lol:

not really... well the shops are humongous though i give you that and yops they do have a wide variety of shops which i could say philippine malls also have... but i wouldnt call a US mall a lifestyle center... its not fit to be called a city within a city... as is said earlier its straight to the point shops buy our product or get out. simple as that. Philippine I mean not only MM malls offer more than just product... thats why I think US malls are a bore...

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 09:56 PM

Boring, hahahaha! Just in case youre still in denial, the shopping malls in the Philippines that you are so proud of were designed by an American firm and these type of malls have been done in the United States long before it opened on Philippine shores.

Hahahahahaaha "maybe they only cater to the elite" Ok our discussion is over with.:lol:

well thanks to the american firms for the concept.. i wonder why they dont do that in their own malls.... sorry bro, but if youre trying to convince me or wake me up to reality that US malls are indeed better.. youre not doing very good... i still think theyre boring :)

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 10:01 PM

The town square thing is old in the Philippines.. I think the mall phenomenon is the one that almost killed it just because malls have airconditioning...

Well if Town Square you meant Divisoria and Quiapo, well hats off to you or if you include any other town square in the Philippines with a few stalls. Being better is a matter of opinion. :)

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 10:04 PM

Well if Town Square you meant Divisoria and Quiapo, well hats off to you or if you include any other town square in the Philippines with a few stalls. Being better is a matter of opinion. :)

lol no. im talking about our divisoria in CDO. well divisoria and quiapo are not bad as well since they have their target consumers. which is the masa :D

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 10:04 PM

well thanks to the american firms for the concept.. i wonder why they dont do that in their own malls.... sorry bro, but if youre trying to convince me or wake me up to reality that US malls are indeed better.. youre not doing very good... i still think theyre boring :)

Once again you missed the point. The concept has been done in the past in the US.

Show me an innovative mall in the Philippines that I can be truly proud of as a Filipino. Dont be too proud of something that is just a copy.

When the time comes when structures in the Philippines designed by Filipinos are being copied over the world, then I say Bravo but until then reality check for you.:)

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 10:13 PM

Once again you missed the point. The concept has been done in the past in the US.

Show me an innovative mall in the Philippines that I can be truly proud of as a Filipino. Dont be too proud of something that is just a copy.

When the time comes when structures in the Philippines designed by Filipinos are being copied over the world, then I say Bravo but until then reality check for you.:)

what is your point anyway? as i said earlier US malls IMO are boring... you prove me wrong, but you said it was because of the american firms' concept, then i said thank you to these american firms for the ideas that DO CATER for the Filipino taste as well as tourists! now you say show me an innovative mall. Just go to the Philippines and experience yourself :D I dont think my words can change your mind. coz ive been to malls here in the US and in the Philippines and after all your rebuttals, i still cant understand how US malls are better. sorry.

and malls are built for the consumers, we dont need experts to say which is better. so even though i am not an expert, as a consumer, i can say US malls bite the dust of Filipino malls. :D you can convince me, i will hear what you say but ive experienced it :D

jbkayaker12

March 16th, 2008, 10:39 PM

^^^^^^^

Try to remember the post that started this discussion. Then you will only realise the absurdity of the claims by some of the Filipinos on this thread.

Let me end by saying,

Worse than not having any patriotism is BLIND PATRIOTISM!! :)

bariQ

March 16th, 2008, 10:43 PM

lol this has nothing to do with patriotism, its all about experience! and IMO US malls are boring!!! bland! sa bisaya pa, mala! oh well.. thats you...

cq40

March 16th, 2008, 11:07 PM

Vegas Visitor

March 17th, 2008, 02:06 AM

Gosh you're a Filipino and you are dissing our malls?
Only a Great Filipino Mall will make you a Proud Patriotic Pinoy?

So Far, that District/small town type of Malling has not arrived here in the philippines just yet (Or i need to visit the Bonifacio High Street to see it myself)

Since there aren't any Pinoy Made Malls that satisfies your sophisticated high-end tendy, top of the line, state of the art & proud taste....Just get a US Green Card, WE Don't need "that" ideology.

Or better yet, come here and build it then be proud.Its called crab mentality and killjoy! He doesnt want Filipinos to appreciate what good stuff they have back home, he just wanted to point out if Aint in America in aint Good! May sophistication pang nalalaman di naman ma elaborate, may pa high end high end pang sinasabi eh sa Wal-Mart din naman namimili!!!

Lightspeed

March 17th, 2008, 02:11 AM

I think due to the intense heat in the summer months, the so-called "Town Center" concept might not be as accepted by the Philippine market as readily as the U.S. market. Airconditioned malls will still be preferred in the Philippines.

I think the traditional "boring box" design of malls is increasingly on its way out as the new lifestyle centers of TriNoma, Greenbelt 5 and soon, SM City North EDSA incorporate a lot of greenery into their designs. Mall of Asia, on the other hand, makes a spectacular use of the bay to create a personality all its own.

But I think Bonifacio High Street is in the throes of taking the "Town Center" concept to a new level in the Philippines. With its planned expansion and the incorporation of museums and exhibition areas, we'll have to see where this development goes.

In the years to come, I think Philippine malls will increasingly look to new design inspirations. I personally think that Philippine consumers have reached a certain level of sophistication that they now want to see new and better concepts. That means mall developers like Ayala, SM, Robinsons, Federal Land and others will have to look in places like Europe, China, Japan and Korea for inspiration.

And who knows, maybe one of these mall developers will take the Philippine-inspired design of Tiendesitas into a higher level and thus satisfy jbkayaker12's criteria for a truly Philippine mall.

But the retail scene in China, in particular, is growing by leaps and bounds, and I think it's just a matter of time before it seizes the lead in mall architecture away from the United States, and that more and more countries will look to China for new and better concepts in retail architecture.

Jarvijarv

March 17th, 2008, 03:35 AM

^^
I AGREE!! let's remember this is 'Mega Malls' thread, so we are discussing here the impressive and YES, new innovative concept of the mall experience. The U.S. may have started the concept, but the Philippines, as well as Thailand, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Dubai......are taking it up a BIG notch and creating it in their own distinctive 'lifestyle' centers! :)

ashton

March 17th, 2008, 06:26 AM

hahaha. I like you bro. Really, a lot of Pinoys who've been in the US have become hmmmmp. :)

Gosh you're a Filipino and you are dissing our malls?
Only a Great Filipino Mall will make you a Proud Patriotic Pinoy?

So Far, that District/small town type of Malling has not arrived here in the philippines just yet (Or i need to visit the Bonifacio High Street to see it myself)

Since there aren't any Pinoy Made Malls that satisfies your sophisticated high-end tendy, top of the line, state of the art & proud taste....Just get a US Green Card, WE Don't need "that" ideology.

Or better yet, come here and build it then be proud.

kevinb

March 17th, 2008, 07:16 AM

^^^^^^The stores Filipinos wish they have in the Philippine malls are dime a dozen in the shopping malls in Vegas and the United States. Don't even bother talking about high end shops, these shops will more than think twice before setting up shop in any of the Philippine malls.:lol:

Philippine malls lack the sophistication compared to its counterpart in the United States. Hellooo, Greenbelt, Mall of Asia, Gateway, Greenbelt 5 just to name a few were all conceptualized by an American firm. Mind you, the concept of these malls have already been done in Vegas and elsewhere.:lol:

naku humirit na naman si mayabang... kahit ano pa namang sabihin ng mga tao dito di na magbabago yang pag-iisip mo... kaya sige na lang, TAMA ka!! yes! galing!! wohoo!! :lol:

:lol: Matagal ko na 'yan nahahalata. Ngayon lang ako magsasalita kasi asar din pala kayo sa mga "high-end" posts nito. :lol:

what is your definition of innovation? Lemme guess: AMERICA! :lol: ...with all due respect, you are in a Filipino forum... (I know this is beyond topic but forgive me for venting this) the nerve of putting metro manila under your username.. :P I don't want to be personal but id rather be blunt: You are what you dislike about the Philippines. It is your kind that is the reason why the Philippines isn't moving forward... too trapped in an american dream never waking up. :D

I can't say anything more. I'll just laugh off with Kenneth. :lol:

Too proud to the extent of negating others and if you read what has been posted above, it should answer your query.

As far as this ranting is concerned, I've not seen anyone negate others until you started it.. Well, maybe rebutt, but in a professional manner. Unlike...

Yeah you're all talk but lack substance!:lol:

That's because the substance you're speaking of is so shallow.

Sadly people does not want to admit the fact that the newer and grander malls in the Philippines were actually designed by an American firm and that these concepts and innovations has already been done in the United States.

You've blabbered about this particular point all over. Have you anything more to add for the US to actually outclass the Philippines in this field? Or is this the only thing that you could think of?

Once again the malls concept you were referring to were conceptualized by an American Firm which as a matter of fact, it has already been done in the US long before any of the malls in the Philippines.:)

Another blabbering of the same point.

Its called crab mentality and killjoy! He doesnt want Filipinos to appreciate what good stuff they have back home, he just wanted to point out if Aint in America in aint Good! May sophistication pang nalalaman di naman ma elaborate, may pa high end high end pang sinasabi eh sa Wal-Mart din naman namimili!!!

:lol: Ano kaya nangyari dyan? Akala ko ba hindi uso ang crab mentality sa States? :lol:

hahaha. I like you bro. Really, a lot of Pinoys who've been in the US have become hmmmmp. :)

:D

leechtat

March 17th, 2008, 07:57 AM

I love the malls here in the philippines! i spend 2k++ for dates just by going to these uber hot malls in the metro. i love it! walang kokontra... hehe...

jcb

March 17th, 2008, 07:24 PM

Guys tanong ko lang Pilipino ba si jbkayaker12? if yes Wow American mentality!

WawaY[625]

March 17th, 2008, 08:36 PM

kayo naman, inaasar lang talaga kayo ni ms kayaker :) wag nyo na lang patulan, obviously mas natutuwa siya sa mga reactions nyo

minsan talaga ang mga taong malungkot, ginagalit ang kapwa hoping na sa paraang ito ay maibsan ang lungkot nya :ohno:

not worth getting brigged or banned IMO :)

basta oks ang malls sa pinas hehe

bariQ

March 17th, 2008, 08:38 PM

aw... ms pala... i should have been nicer :D

ashton

March 17th, 2008, 09:44 PM

^ I thought he's a he... and I thought he's the same guy who used to have a Philippine thread in the Travel and Geography section. :)

JudeD

March 17th, 2008, 09:59 PM

rGm

March 17th, 2008, 10:48 PM

yeah comparisons of the U.S. and Philippines are pointless, it's like comparing apples and oranges. Two completely different countries with completely different needs. It is Filipinos who patronize these malls therefore the only opinions that matter are the Filipinos who patronize these malls and not some foreigner living in Vegas comparing Las Vegas to Manila, Also two completely different cities. I have lived in the United States all my life and I love going to the Philippines for the malls. You have to drive so far if you live in the suburbs here to get to a decent mall. Here I only go to malls when I need something. In the Philippines its more about the experience than buying stuff. I hung out at Glorietta to meet the cute girls :) haha anyways I can't wait to get back to the Philippines. Oh by the way will Glorietta 2 repairs be complete when I come back in July? I miss that mall so much aha

WawaY[625]

March 17th, 2008, 10:50 PM

sorry, akala ko babae po siya (actually di ko alam) ;)

LhexiMont

March 18th, 2008, 12:56 AM

amras

March 18th, 2008, 03:00 AM

^ I thought he's a he... and I thought he's the same guy who used to have a Philippine thread in the Travel and Geography section. :)

yup that's him! at pikon din tong "babaeng" to... nakanti lang nag kaunti eh, tinanggal lahat ng pictures na napost nya.. what a baby... :lol:

Onionz

March 18th, 2008, 06:03 AM

even before skyscrapercity this guy has already been annoying filipinos over at the lonelyplanet thorntree board and others with his us-of-a-mericentric conceit. his posts really mean to provoke flame wars between fellow filipinos. best thing to do would be to completely ignore him. only way to make him go away. if no one replies to anything he posts he'll eventually get bored and move on to annoy other filipinos elsewhere.

yeah comparisons of the U.S. and Philippines are pointless, it's like comparing apples and oranges. Two completely different countries with completely different needs. It is Filipinos who patronize these malls therefore the only opinions that matter are the Filipinos who patronize these malls and not some foreigner living in Vegas comparing Las Vegas to Manila, Also two completely different cities. I have lived in the United States all my life and I love going to the Philippines for the malls. You have to drive so far if you live in the suburbs here to get to a decent mall. Here I only go to malls when I need something. In the Philippines its more about the experience than buying stuff. I hung out at Glorietta to meet the cute girls :) haha anyways I can't wait to get back to the Philippines. Oh by the way will Glorietta 2 repairs be complete when I come back in July? I miss that mall so much aha

Correct , that's what she/he is up to .

yup that's him! at pikon din tong "babaeng" to... nakanti lang nag kaunti eh, tinanggal lahat ng pictures na napost nya.. what a baby... :lol:

Yeah I couldn't agree more with what you people say about this JBKayaker, I've had conflicts with her...I think it's a she mataray, maybe multong bakla...hahaha it's been a while since I've said that back in high school mid 90's
I live in a foreign country too and a citizen of it but always proud to be pinoy
and just against anyone bashing my mother land of its achievements...

DOWN WITH THAT MULTONG BAKLA JBKAYAKER!! just ignore the he-she person...he-she thinks we Filipinos are all losers because we don't live in his-her beloved fat America.

JudeD

March 18th, 2008, 06:11 AM

It is Filipinos who patronize these malls therefore the only opinions that matter are the Filipinos who patronize these malls and not some foreigner living in Vegas comparing Las Vegas to Manila

He's not "some foreigner". He's a Fil-Am who has taken colonial mentality to the absolute worst levels, the ugliest kind of little brown American. Since he probably doesn't get much respect in his adoptive country, he pretends to put on airs over his fellow Filipinos making a go of it here back home. Having worked and interacted with lots of bonafide "foreign" foreigners who sincerely love our country and admire its people, and who actually do something to help out with our problems or at least provide constructive criticism, it's insecure fair-weather Filipinos like this guy who really make me sick. Nakatuntong lang sa tate, pag umasta parang di na ma-abot.

For example, our consultant at work is an American (of German-Jewish descent) who was born and raised in Las Vegas (unlike you-know-who who just moved there several years ago most likely), has a business and family there, and who has been literally everywhere in the world. Talagang jaded, hindi lang nagpapaka-jaded. And yet, he still does marvel at our malls and the development of the commercial centers here, enough to encourage him to invest in restaurants and other businesses. He does talk about some other really impressive malls around Asia, but he doesn't even compare Asia to America anymore in the way you-know-who loves to do.

and he's a he. he posted his pictures before. marami pa siyang kailangang inuming glutathione. hehehe

Vegas Visitor

March 18th, 2008, 06:15 AM

Yeah I couldn't agree more with what you people say about this JBKayaker, I've had conflicts with her...I think it's a she mataray, maybe multong bakla...hahaha it's been a while since I've said that back in high school mid 90's
I live in a foreign country too and a citizen of it but always proud to be pinoy
and just against anyone bashing my mother land of its achievements...

DOWN WITH THAT MULTONG BAKLA JBKAYAKER!! just ignore the he-she person...he-she thinks we Filipinos are all losers because we don't live in his-her beloved fat America.I bet He/She is the type of person that comes too early and goes home late on Filipino gatherings/party in the State. Its his/her assurance na hindi siya maging topic, alam niya kasi at his/her absence na siya at ang sobrang kayabangan niya ang paguusapan ng mga noypi!

MakatiBoy

March 18th, 2008, 04:12 PM

I bet He/She is the type of person that comes too early and goes home late on Filipino gatherings/party in the State. Its his/her assurance na hindi siya maging topic, alam niya kasi at his/her absence na siya at ang sobrang kayabangan niya ang paguusapan ng mga noypi!

Those who are regular visitors of SSC already know this person.

Actually, ang lakas talagang mang-asar.

Nawala na nga yan ng medyo matagal, bumalik na naman.

Ano ba dapat gawin sa ganyang klase ng tao? Ignore na nga lang sana pero mahirap atimin 'yong pinagsasabi!

nick_marayag

March 18th, 2008, 07:06 PM

Hi guys..when i open this thread this morning, I noticed that there is something wrong. Then I found out that there is 1 forumer here is sarcastic. As a new member, it's better to ignore him/her if he continue his attitude posting provoking statement but if his respond have sense and nice try not to ignore. Ksi baka ugali n nya yun at hindi n natin mababago. Perhaps he don't even aware that he hurts somebody's feelings. Pero parang ayokong makipag usap s kanya baka kasi ma-sarcastic ako saka kontrahin.:nuts:

nick_marayag

March 18th, 2008, 07:12 PM

Btw guys, do you have any news about SM City Marikina opening? I saw in wikipedia, It will open on April 2008. But base on the pics I think they can't open this next month.

jcb

March 18th, 2008, 07:18 PM

Tama ignore na lang yan kung hindi mapapaaway lang ang ilan sa atin. And hindi rin naman tama na icompare mo ang mga mall sa isang develop and powerful country sa isang newly developing country like the philippine di ba.Kung baga parang nag-compare ka ng project ng Ayala sa project ng Phinma?o ng isang Ferari sa isang Hyundai? (example lang po) sori guys sa example ko. example lang naman po.

Onionz

March 18th, 2008, 11:50 PM

TheRick

March 19th, 2008, 02:44 AM

Let's just ignore this jbkayaker12 person in this forum - I'll be blunt who this person is dahil nakipag away rin ako sa kanya...just pisses me off.

He-She is an American citizen and that just shows how Americans are, bossy arrogant thinks they are and have the best in world and others in the world are just sloppy seconds.
So as Filipinos and as much we like to defend our own turf from people bashing our mother land let's just ignore this person any battles and conflicts with whatever this person says is not worth to it na makipag-away.

I still think na bakla siya :P talagang mataray eh parang eh Maricel Soriano hahaha, does she still make movies or shows there in the Philippines?

I agree with all the comments on jbkayaker12.
See he/she is not responding anymore.
I think that's typical he/she would rant then when the crowd comes crashing in he/she disappears...

I respectfully disagree.
I would not make a general sweeping statement about americans.
I have met so many american (living here for 18 years) who are good people and have such a different view from what you mention. And yes, I have met some people who are that way too.
I guess just like in any race there will be good and bad people but I won't put a general sweeping statement like that.

Onionz

March 19th, 2008, 04:47 AM

Ok let's go back talking about malls, mega metro manila malls

kennethologist

March 19th, 2008, 05:10 AM

Ok let's go back talking about malls, mega metro manila malls

ang haba nun ah! :lol: ok back to topic!!

cq40

March 19th, 2008, 05:51 AM

jbkayaker12

March 19th, 2008, 07:08 AM

Worse than not having patriotism is BLIND PATRIOTISM.

Funny bunch here with the mob mentality.:)

Waldenstrom

March 19th, 2008, 08:16 AM

jbkayaker12

March 19th, 2008, 08:17 AM

his posts really mean to provoke flame wars between fellow filipinos.

.....and I thought I've already read all the absurdity on this thread but this one is worthy of quoting.:ohno:

On the other hand your post was nothing but an incendiary meant for the other members on this site. :)

leechtat

March 19th, 2008, 09:10 AM

Back to topic na nga geez, nakakahiya, may pilipina palang SUPER kitid ng utak (kung may utak!) :lol: :lol: :lol:
----
Eto yung topic...bago umepal YUNG ISA DYAN! :lol:
----
When or Will the TriNoma-SM North Edsa Bridgeway matrialize? I notice kc na yung part ng Sky Garden, may wall, binutas nila, looks like it will fit the walkway in the future...is it really coming soon? :)

alam ko rumor pa rin until now pero sana gawin talaga yung walkway. it will benefit both malls.

^^ i think hindi muna nila gagawin yung elevated walkway eh.. considering that the mrt-7 may traverse in that area of north avenue then it would be futile to invest in a structure na gigibain din naman...

i think they will be tiling or paving a walk path that used to be a garden.. kasi dinadaanan din naman ng mga pasaway na pinoys (practical lang naman kasi, its the fastest route from trinoma to sm city -- displacement).. so better pave the path towards sm city than repeatedly landscaping that area...

Colonel Burger

March 19th, 2008, 09:43 AM

jbkayaker12 is just someone who thinks he is now a big shot since he is now a resident of the GREATEST NATION IN THE WORLD, the United States of America :lol:

flymordecai

March 19th, 2008, 10:09 AM

Eh, I went back 3 three pages to look for news about Greenbelt 5, but all I saw was a troll starting up stuff (which worked). :lol:

Anyway, to get this thread back on topic...is Greenbelt 5 finally 100% open? Or was it supposed to be this summer?

Sinjin P.

March 19th, 2008, 10:12 AM

^ Greenbelt 5's 2nd phase is slated to open within the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2008. :)

cq40

March 19th, 2008, 10:34 AM

^ Greenbelt 5's 2nd phase is slated to open within the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2008. :)
Yup. It was looking good, but guards everywhere, i can't take a shot of it. The walls are almost finished. I like it because the old garden there can still look lush even with greenbelt 5 phase 2 in the scene.

:banana:

Waldenstrom

March 19th, 2008, 10:43 AM

GB5 is so posh and grandiose. :)

kennethologist

March 19th, 2008, 11:27 AM

OK! First Picture of another crappy SM mall up for expansion! :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/SMCF2.jpg

It's the perspective of SM Fairview's Second Annex... and it looks like half SMX, Half SM Cebu Northwing...

It's interesting to see that SM property in Fairview once that's done... 3 totally different mall designs side by side by side.... They have the classic box, the colorful one and now a shiny glass box! :lol: it's like they put the City in SM City! :lol:

JudeD

March 19th, 2008, 12:04 PM

.....and I thought I've already read all the absurdity on this thread but this one is worthy of quoting.:ohno:

On the other hand your post was nothing but an incendiary meant for the other members on this site. :)

And so what? Whatever my intention, it worked! And who's got his tail between his legs now? I will now take my own advice and ignore you.

Anyway, I'm still puzzled why there's absolutely no peep from Ayala whether there'll be a Traders Hotel incorporated into Glorietta 5 and yet the Traders Hotel Manila people seem so confident about confirming it. And whatever happened to the connection between Landmark and the Ansons building?

LhexiMont

March 20th, 2008, 12:15 PM

INCENDIARY ....

:lol: Napakatalinhaga naman ng ibang terminolohiya na ginagamit niya sa kanyang mga pangungusap. ..nakakadugo ng ilong at utak . Ito ay simpleng palitan lang naman ng mga opinyon at kuro-kuro ng bawat kasapi .

Waldenstrom

March 20th, 2008, 12:47 PM

And so what? Whatever my intention, it worked! And who's got his tail between his legs now? I will now take my own advice and ignore you.

Anyway, I'm still puzzled why there's absolutely no peep from Ayala whether there'll be a Traders Hotel incorporated into Glorietta 5 and yet the Traders Hotel Manila people seem so confident about confirming it. And whatever happened to the connection between Landmark and the Ansons building?

IMO, G5 looks so small for it to have a hotel inside.

JudeD

March 21st, 2008, 07:32 AM

supposedly, the hotel will be on top of the mall, mala-oakwood/ascott

WawaY[625]

March 21st, 2008, 07:44 AM

Sinjin P.

March 21st, 2008, 09:12 AM

^ True. Parang car showroom ang dating n'ya. Kamukha n'ya ang Mazda showroom dito sa Cebu :D

kevinb

March 22nd, 2008, 11:00 AM

supposedly, the hotel will be on top of the mall, mala-oakwood/ascott

If GB5 will have a hotel, where will Convergys be located kaya? Ayala.. Sometimes.. Mall + call center + hotel = GB5. :lol:

JudeD

March 23rd, 2008, 01:41 AM

It's Glorietta 5 (between intercon and Rustans) not GB5

thomasian

March 23rd, 2008, 02:45 PM

I lost track of the date but it's pretty recent...

Looks like they're starting work on the main building.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/ofngol/2008/103_0108x.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/ofngol/2008/103_0109x.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/ofngol/2008/103_0115x.jpg

cq40

March 23rd, 2008, 04:42 PM

It has been like that for weeks now...No sign of the green thinggy anywhere.
I think it's unwise for them to cover the glass parts with the green thinggy.

kennethologist

March 23rd, 2008, 06:31 PM

SM North Edsa will look like the Mall of Asia when all those work is finished... a cubed version of MoA.... on elevated land :lol:

Sinjin P.

March 24th, 2008, 06:51 AM

Metropolis Star's facade: under renovation

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1152/a46yd1.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6972/a45al9.jpg

kevinb

March 24th, 2008, 11:07 AM

I was at TriNoMa yesterday. I watched Step Up 2. The cinema was nice. But the movie was nicer! :D

thomasian

March 24th, 2008, 12:34 PM

cq40

March 24th, 2008, 05:07 PM

About SM City North EDSA, isn't the new digital IMAX supposed to be one of The Block's existing cinema? How come I just learned that one of The Block's cinema is now called the D-Cinema? Why not IMAX? Does that mean that the new IMAX will be at the u/c annex instead?

Beats me...The Block's Cinema No.1 Has been showing films in 3D Already before they even spew the IMAX news...It's kinda bizzare, IMAX should be in Cinema 4 though...But with the competition next door, changes changes? It's no surprise! lol :lol:

DaimosLA

April 1st, 2008, 12:14 AM

what's with the animosity in this thread?

I live in LA and I find the malls here boring. There's one mall called The Grove, near where I live, which is somewhat of a joke, a disneyland-cum-vegas open-air mall, trying hard to have that 'main street' feeling and even includes a trolley in the middle of 'main street'. I find it too artificial.

As far as Century City goes, forget about it.

Although Greenbelt is designed by an America firm, I do like it a lot.

dancethingy

April 1st, 2008, 07:56 PM

fighting about malls, tsk tsk tsk

ona

April 1st, 2008, 09:29 PM

Metropolis Star's facade: under renovation

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1152/a46yd1.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6972/a45al9.jpg

I like the Green Color theme of the mall, It's unique among the blue SM's, Orange Robinson's and Yellow-Orange Ayala's.

cq40

April 2nd, 2008, 02:26 AM

If we see things compare manila malls with those from other countries just ignore them as they are completely useless and will result in flaming as the culture between is different, different place, different people, different needs.

lightsaber46

April 3rd, 2008, 04:05 AM

Thursday, April 03, 2008
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/apr/03/yehey/business/20080403bus7.html

SM Prime to build mall on GSIS
property outside UP campus

By Chino S. Leyco Reporter

THE country’s largest mall developer and operator has secured a property
deal that would allow it to put up a shopping mall just outside the sprawling University of the Philippines (UP) campus in Diliman, Quezon City.

In a statement, state-run Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said it entered into a lease agreement with SM Prime Holdings Inc. The deal covers a three-hectare GSIS property along the Elliptical Road that is seen to earn P1.3 billion for the pension fund.

The GSIS property is a stone’s throw away from an ongoing commercial development at the UP campus undertaken by the Ayala group, which bagged a long-term contract to develop and manage a huge tract of land owned by the university along Commonwealth Avenue. The Ayala project involves the construction of office space for business process outsourcing (BPO) firms.

The SM group’s lease would run to 25 years and is renewable upon mutual consent by both parties. SM Prime will develop the property into a commercial complex, GSIS said. At present, the property is home to the GSIS Quezon City Satellite Office.

“For the duration of the construction period, the GSIS QC Satellite Office will still be open for business in the area. The satellite office will then be housed in the new SM commercial complex after completion of the development,” the pension fund said.

The GSIS published its offer to interested parties for the development of the GSIS QC property in 2006.

Three interested parties made an offer for the development of the property with the SM Group coming up with the best offer after a thorough evaluation process, the pension fund said.

The GSIS Board of Trustees authorized the pension fund’s management February 6 to negotiate with the SM Group for a long-term lease of the property.

mambo

April 3rd, 2008, 10:09 AM

and here's another confirmation.....

SM Prime signs P1.3-B lease on GSIS property

By Daxim Lucas

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 02:01:00 04/03/2008

Close this Mall operator SM Prime Holdings Inc. has entered into a deal to lease a piece of prime property of the state-run pension fund Government Service Insurance System, the GSIS said Wednesday.

The deal is valued at P1.3 billion and gives SM Prime the right to use the three-hectare property along Elliptical Road in Quezon City for 25 years, and is renewable by mutual consent, the GSIS said.

A GSIS satellite office currently occupies the site. SM Prime will develop the property into a commercial complex, the GSIS said.

It said its Quezon City satellite office would be open for business during the construction period.

After completion of the development, the satellite office will be housed in the new SM commercial complex, it added.

The GSIS said it had published its offer for development of the property in 2006. It said three groups made offers and the SM group came up with the best offer “after a thorough evaluation process.”

It said its board of trustees authorized the GSIS management last Feb. 6 to negotiate with the SM group on a long-term lease of the property.

Last year, SM Prime inaugurated three malls: SM City Bacolod, with a gross floor area of 61,413 square meters, SM City Taytay with a gross floor area of 91,920 sq. m., and SM Supercenter Muntinlupa with a gross floor area of 53,986 sq. m. It also expanded SM City Pampanga, SM City Cebu and SM Mall of Asia.

As of end-2007, SM Prime’s 30 malls nationwide, including 13 in Metro Manila, had a combined gross floor area of 3.9 million sq. m., with an average daily pedestrian count of 2.5 million.

This year, SM Prime intends to open three new malls and expand two others, with an estimated capital expenditure of P6 billion. The new malls are SM Supercenter Rosales in the northern province of Pangasinan, SM City Baliuag in Bulacan province, and SM City Marikina in Metro Manila.

Scheduled for expansion are Metro Manila malls: SM City Fairview and SM Megamall. At the end of this year, SM Prime will have 33 malls in the Philippines, with a combined gross floor area of 4.1 million sq. m

Waldenstrom

April 3rd, 2008, 02:49 PM

we have too many malls already. but i do hope this new one will have better design.

arkitrip

April 3rd, 2008, 04:45 PM

I think that the yellow part is the GSIS land that SM Prime is eyeing for..

Correct me if i'm wrong.. :)

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/7453/bbbbcopypw0.jpg

ona

April 3rd, 2008, 07:28 PM

Ayala go head to head with SM in QC again.

Colonel Burger

April 4th, 2008, 05:19 AM

isn't it too near SM North Edsa?

kristopher

April 4th, 2008, 09:00 AM

Anyone knows when exactly Mid-Year Department Stores Sales begins and ends at The Landmark (Makati) & SM Mall/Megamall (Makati/Mandaluyong)? thanks

Waldenstrom

April 4th, 2008, 12:16 PM

^^ lapit nga

ona

April 4th, 2008, 05:19 PM

isn't it too near SM North Edsa?

not really. probably 3 kilometers away.

thomasian

April 4th, 2008, 05:45 PM

^^ lapit nga

It's not a supermall naman eh, kaya okay lang yun.

Anyone knows when exactly Mid-Year Department Stores Sales begins and ends at The Landmark (Makati) & SM Mall/Megamall (Makati/Mandaluyong)? thanks

Hindi ba bandang June pa yung mga ganyan?

cq40

April 4th, 2008, 06:22 PM

Scoop lang:

If you've been to TriNoma to watch Shutter or Fool's Gold, you'll find that all 7 cinemas are closed, at this point of the week right? Why? The Airconditioning system broke down and is under maintainance. Scheduled be back to business by Tuesday..share ko lang, warning, hehe

thomasian

April 4th, 2008, 06:35 PM

Kaya pala. Di lang siguro cinemas ang apektado kasi may mga lugar kanina na medyo mainit, lalo na sa Food Choices. The whole of Landmark seems fine naman.

benchjade

April 4th, 2008, 07:07 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/2313989643_c08bd1354c.jpg

photo by Pedro Gerardo - Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/pedrogerardosds/)

kala ko sa europe

kennethologist

April 4th, 2008, 09:24 PM

the new esplanade:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/moa2008/12.jpg

the new park:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/moa2008/13.jpg

closing time:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/moa2008/14.jpg

*all photos taken by me :D

kennethologist

April 4th, 2008, 09:29 PM

taken while sipping coffee at figaro :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/moa2008/11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/moa2008/06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/moa2008/05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/moa2008/03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/moa2008/04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/mbassy2003/moa2008/10.jpg

**again photos by moi! :D

leechtat

April 4th, 2008, 10:32 PM

wow, ang super sosyalan ng greenbelt 5. thanks sinjin for the nice pics..

Jarvijarv

April 5th, 2008, 04:39 AM

^^

Kewl MOA pics! i like the evening low lit ambiance....looks relaxing. Malls only keep getting better, can't wait to see what the renderings for the new malls for PAGCOR E-CITY and FBGC SHIMAO GROUP will look...:soon:

feistyradical

April 5th, 2008, 05:48 AM

Guys, what is the floor area of the Annex which is presently being renovated at SM City North Edsa? Any idea when this Annex will open?

cq40

April 5th, 2008, 06:52 AM

Guys, what is the floor area of the Annex which is presently being renovated at SM City North Edsa? Any idea when this Annex will open?

I don't have the numbers in my head but whatever is the amount, it will place SM North Edsa as the 2nd largest mall in the philippines, putting SM Megamall to 3rd place even after the latter's mega-expansion thinggy.

As far as i remember, includes the Annex & the Garden, it's Early 2009.

Ang ganda anu? 6 level shopping galore. :banana:

thomasian

April 5th, 2008, 07:33 AM

^^ I thought it would place MoA as 2nd largest in terms of GLA, and Mega (Mega-Expansion included) 3rd?

jcb

April 5th, 2008, 02:51 PM

ang ganda naman nung Greenbelt 5 para nasa isang city sa europe

-TC-

April 5th, 2008, 03:33 PM

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Modern%20Living&p=49&type=2&sec=46

The Filipino soul finds a home in Greenbelt 5

CRAZY QUILT By Tanya T. Lara
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Filipino talent finally comes home and settles right in the middle of our favorite lifestyle complex. The new, stunningly beautiful mall whose design and concept has never before been seen in the country houses the Filipino soul, which finds expression in the creativity of our local fashion and furniture designers and chefs.

Greenbelt 5 started as a concept in 2003, born out of the Ayala Malls Group’s talks with their customers. It’s the answer to numerous requests by customers to add more retail outlets to the complex — but not just ordinary retail outlets. Greenbelt 5 pays tribute to local talent in a grand way and brings to the local market the best in fashion, furniture design and culinary arts, and at the same time popular and new brands from abroad.

Greenbelt 5 is an idea whose time has come. Finally, we have a place to appreciate what the world has long been privy to — and to actually buy what stores abroad have been for the past many years displaying proudly in their showrooms.

You could say that this world-class mall is a product of love and dedication, of pursuing and convincing our artists that the local market is ready for them.

The newly launched first phase of Greenbelt 5 focuses on local designers. The second phase,
which will open later this year, will complete the fashion offerings to the upscale market. The main feature of the new mall is the Filipino Zone with two floors devoted to it.

Myrna Fernandez, Ayala Malls Group assistant vice president, says, “We wanted to pay tribute to the Filipino talent. We’re giving them the venue to showcase their ingenuity and artistry, and it makes sense for us to locate them in Greenbelt 5 particularly because it’s right beside the Ayala Museum, which is a project of the chairman emeritus of Ayala, Mr. Jaime Zobel de Ayala.”

By the time it is completed, Greenbelt 5 will have four floors, 20 percent of which will be restaurants and 80 percent retail stores. The fourth floor will house a Fitness First Platinum gym with its exclusive “platinum” facilities such as a lap pool and Jacuzzis.

The ground floor will have local fashion brands that have gone global side by side with foreign names: Tina Maristela-Ocampo’s Celestina, Raffy Totengco’s Rafe New York, alongside Marc by Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Banana Republic, Kiehl’s, Furla, Laurel and Paul Smith, among many others. “We’ve put our local brands beside the best foreign brands because we feel they are at par.” There will also be the “staple brands” such as Zara, Mango and Liz Claiborne.

Rowena Tomeldan, vice president and deputy group head of Ayala Malls Group, explains that when Ayala Land launched Greenbelt 4 — the luxury mall that’s home to Louis Vuitton, Salavatore Ferragamo, Prada, Gucci and Tod’s — people were really happy with the brands and expressed their desire for more. “Every time we would talk with our customers, they would say, ’Add more shopping,“ but they were very selective and specific about the brands they wanted, so Greenbelt 5 addresses that need to complete the retail component. We found out that not all shoppers find their brands under one roof, that they have to transfer from one mall to the other, so we are actually creating a shopping area for the fashion forward with Greenbelt.”

And what a world it is! Greenbelt 2 and 3 with its numerous restaurants and coffee shops, and stores like Firma, Jo, Kate Spade and Celio. Just across the park is Greenbelt 4 with its luxury brands, and now, Greenbelt 5 with its spacious hallways and walking paths.

“We asked our customers, what else are you looking for that’s not in Manila? They said, ‘How come you don’t feature Filipino products that are sold in Europe or the US?’” says Rowena.

The Filipino Zone comprises two floors. For the first time, many of these fashion designers are opening their ateliers to a larger market in a convenient venue. Names such as Kate Torralba, Vic Barba, Lila Almario, Randy Ortiz, Jojie Lloren, Amina Aranaz, Ivarluski Aseron, Joey Samson, Jun Escario, Lulu Tan Gan, Dennis Lustico, Ana Rocha, Butch Carungay, Patrice Diaz, Arnel Papa, Michi Calica, Cesar Gaupo, Victoria Marin, Choc, Religioso, AC 632, Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre. And then there’s Adora, the lifestyle store that takes “attention to detail” to a whole new level, from the plush and textured wing chairs and ottomans scattered all around the three floors to the mirrors in the bathrooms and the chandeliers. It’s truly a beautiful store that’s fresh and elegant.

“We got expert opinion on who to get,” says Ayala Malls Group assistant vice president Myrna Fernandez. “We set the guidelines on the level of Filipino artists and designers that we wanted and we consulted the Fashion Designer Council of the Philippines; it made sense to approach them first because they’re an organized group.”

Also part of phase 2 is an area for the fashion forward, the active lifestyle, children and families, specialty shops for the home, and the gym on the fourth floor.

Budji Layug, inarguably one of the best furniture designers in the Philippines, is bringing his B Home store to Greenbelt 5. The store carries designs by Movement 8 members such as world-renowned designers Kenneth Cobonpue and Ann Pamintuan. There will also be Borders, Domicillo and Designs Ligna.

I remember a particular show, the first year CITEM head, the late Eli Pinto, launched Movement 8 and everybody was just blown away by Milo Naval’s Zen-inspired sofas and tables, the award-winning wire wall décor of Ann, and Kenneth’s twig sofas.

Seeing all their designs in export shows and being awed by the creativity and astounding detail they put into their products, I thought, “How come they’re not available in the Philippines?” This sentiment, of course, was echoed by fans of Filipino furniture design. And now, Greenbelt 5 has them.

Because the concept of putting a mostly-Filipino mall is a new one — even the restaurants are Filipino-owned and managed — it took a bit of pursuing from the Ayala Malls Group for these artists to locate there.

“We flew to Cebu to talk with furniture and accessories exporters, we read fashion magazines and lifestyle pages to update ourselves on who’s hot,” says AC Legarda Ocampo, department manager of Greenbelt.

Rowena admits that with the furniture exporters, it took a little more convincing, “Most of them, their first reaction was to say no because they were already happy with their export business and they didn’t want to manage a retail store. But after telling them about the concept, that it was a tribute to the Filipino artist, and we were not doing this for business alone, we were able to get a good number of exporters and artists.”

First time to locate in a mall are also some entrepreneurs whose cooking already have a cult following. There’s Pia y Damaso by Bambi Sy-Gobio, who used to co-own the restaurant Fidel in Malate, and Baba Ibazeta, famous for her homemade banana cream pie, who opened Classic Confections. Then there are the established restaurant groups such as Gaita Fores’ CIBO , LJC Group’s Fely J and Chateau 1771. New concepts to check out are John & Yoko, Travel Cafe, Zuni, Myron’s Place, Solihiya, and Fish Out of Water.

It’s interesting how, in many ways, the success of Greenbelts 2 and 3 has changed the way people dine out and the way malls are built today. It was a gamble on Ayala Malls’ part back then to create venues for al fresco dining given the country’s temperate weather and the Pinoy’s love for being inside air-conditioned places to escape the heat. “With Greenbelt 3, we embraced the park. The anchor is not a traditional anchor, but a three-hectare park. Now they’re not just able to eat in good restos but are also able to walk along the park with their families,” Rowena says.

Greenbelt 5 — as with many Ayala Malls ventures — is innovative in many ways. “We make sure there’s always something new with what we develop,” she adds. “We are not content to build the same and this is bound to add value to the whole area.”

The structure of Greenbelt 5 is an elegant testament to their faith in the Filipino talent and also, in a sense, to an improving economy. It took faith, too, on the part of first-time retailers and restaurateurs — faith that the public will patronize them.

In the end, it’s not only the Filipino soul that Greenbelt 5 is showcasing, it’s also the Filipino heart — that we will appreciate local talents and help them grow.

ona

April 5th, 2008, 05:16 PM

^^ I thought it would place MoA as 2nd largest in terms of GLA, and Mega (Mega-Expansion included) 3rd?

I think that the gross-GLA of SM NoE (180,000+) is already bigger as it is compared to SM MoA (150,000+). Though with this annex it's GLA may pass 200,000 sq.m. TriNoma's GLA will also increase to 214,000 sq.m after it's Hypermarket is constructed.

Glorietta is still the highest in GLA though with over 250,000 sq.m.

[dx]

April 6th, 2008, 03:17 AM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/2353522669_e0e347d3a7_b.jpg
by Joshua San Juan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsanjuan/)

Waldenstrom

April 6th, 2008, 11:41 AM

^^ G5 looks bigger in real life. :)

cq40

April 6th, 2008, 03:15 PM

^^ G5 looks bigger in real life. :)

True...Let's see how they can bring out class in such a tiny space of GB5..

*waits!* :lol:

Sinjin P.

April 6th, 2008, 03:27 PM

Kababalik ko lang from TriNoma. Ang init po grabe kasi may sira daw ang aircon nila. Ilang litro ng cold water at drinks ang naubos ko. Buti nalang ang ibang shops, may sariling aircon at electric fan na iba sa centralized airconditioning. More comments later kasi matutulog na po ako at bukas ay sa mga tiangge naman ako: sa 168 Mall, Tutuban at Greenhills. :D

thomasian

April 6th, 2008, 04:01 PM

^^ Yeah, sa Food Choices naka isa't-kalahating baso ako ng isang inuman lang. I noticed they placed several evaporative-airconditioning units (parang Iwata yata ang brand) around Food Choices to help counter the heat coming from the restaurants' kitchen.

Well they need to borrow more of those to help cool the place kasi mainit pa rin.

True...Let's see how they can bring out class in such a tiny space of GB5..

*waits!*

Ano ba talaga tsong, GB5 o G5? Di yata nagmi-meet yung sinabi nya at reply mo eh. :lol:

GB5 looks so classy, no doubt about that. G5, ewan ko lang, it's not meant to be upscale naman yata eh, but I think whatever it's design will be, it will be somewhat a template for the redevelopment of the whole center.

Lightspeed

April 6th, 2008, 05:41 PM

Naku! TriNoma management should fix that airconditioning ASAP!!!

During these hot summer months, people are drawn to the malls because of the airconditioning.

If they don't fix the aircon soon, the nearby SM City will just be too willing to take in the people looking for refuge from the oppressive heat!

thomasian

April 6th, 2008, 09:50 PM

Di pa ba tapos punchlisting ng TriNoma? Ang dami pa kasing halata na mga workmanship flaws eh, aayusin pa ba talaga yun? Parang ang tagal na kasi eh.

cq40

April 7th, 2008, 03:55 AM

Di pa ba tapos punchlisting ng TriNoma? Ang dami pa kasing halata na mga workmanship flaws eh, aayusin pa ba talaga yun? Parang ang tagal na kasi eh.

Yeah! Sorry Aaron, it was G5! nyahaha, i had a different mall in mind lols! :lol:

Sinjin! Grr... :bash:

Diba diba me topak ang maling aircon ng TriNoma diba punta-punta ka pa dyan, yan tuloy ang pangits ng impression mo sa TriNoma, huhuhu, tuesday/bukas pa daw yan maayos...anyways, kahit maayos yan, same lang ang lamig, mas malamig parin sa Landmark for some reason...:ohno:

That's the bad of slashing funds from 7B down to whopping 3.5B budget... :ohno: kahit mainit, better looking mall parin, compared to nearby (trying hard) SM :lol:

anonymous_filipino

April 7th, 2008, 05:31 AM

nakakainis sa Trinoma!! since after holy week pa pala nasira aircon nila, the building admin was not trained enough how to operate the mall's unique aircon system. that is the 2nd time since Trinoma's opening (if you remember the opening weeks of Trinoma)

ona

April 7th, 2008, 03:17 PM

hundreds of shoppers are being lost everyday. anyway TriNoma will take things more seriously once SM City NoE upgrades its mall.

garzland

April 7th, 2008, 03:28 PM

we have too many malls already. but i do hope this new one will have better design.

Malls are unstoppable!

Sinjin P.

April 7th, 2008, 07:44 PM

Yeah! Sorry Aaron, it was G5! nyahaha, i had a different mall in mind lols! :lol:

Sinjin! Grr... :bash:

Diba diba me topak ang maling aircon ng TriNoma diba punta-punta ka pa dyan, yan tuloy ang pangits ng impression mo sa TriNoma, huhuhu, tuesday/bukas pa daw yan maayos...anyways, kahit maayos yan, same lang ang lamig, mas malamig parin sa Landmark for some reason...:ohno:

That's the bad of slashing funds from 7B down to whopping 3.5B budget... :ohno: kahit mainit, better looking mall parin, compared to nearby (trying hard) SM :lol:

You know, no one can stop the mall rat. :rofl:

Who said I had a bad impression? As I said in my earlier post, I'll post my comments, good and bad, when I have enough time. But here's a clue: I brought home 5 shopping bags, mom brought 7, yaya brought 2. :D

Waldenstrom

April 9th, 2008, 03:57 AM

one of the best malls pa rin ang trinoma kahit na may problem sa aircon. :)

Sinjin P.

April 9th, 2008, 04:32 AM

^ True.

[dx]

April 9th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Mall Aerials

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2396217263_f82df13142_b.jpg
Market! Market! and Bonifacio High Street

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2396212119_c5d94c74f0_b.jpg
Market! Market! and Bonifacio High Street

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/2397057558_fe107d6506_b.jpg
SM Megamall

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2286/2396229763_cbfe2dd221_b.jpg
Araneta Center

photos by connnspicuous (http://flickr.com/photos/7523502@N05/)

Sinjin P.

April 9th, 2008, 12:02 PM

^ Nice! :okay:

Btw, when was the blue lighting on the roof of Market! Market! added? It looks nice. :yes:

benchjade

April 9th, 2008, 01:30 PM

ano yung nasa tabi ng market market, ang ganda naman. yun ba yung newport? or serendra?

Sinjin P.

April 9th, 2008, 01:33 PM

^ Serendra

shutterman

April 10th, 2008, 03:53 AM

From:http://www.philippine-builder.com
Sunday, 06 April 2008

SM Prime signs P1.3-B lease on GSIS property

Mall operator SM Prime Holdings Inc. has entered into a deal to lease a piece of prime property of the state-run pension fund Government Service Insurance System, the GSIS said Wednesday.

The deal is valued at P1.3 billion and gives SM Prime the right to use the three-hectare property along Elliptical Road in Quezon City for 25 years, and is renewable by mutual consent, the GSIS said.

A GSIS satellite office currently occupies the site. SM Prime will develop the property into a commercial complex, the GSIS said.

It said its Quezon City satellite office would be open for business during the construction period.

After completion of the development, the satellite office will be housed in the new SM commercial complex, it added.

The GSIS said it had published its offer for development of the property in 2006. It said three groups made offers and the SM group came up with the best offer “after a thorough evaluation process.”

It said its board of trustees authorized the GSIS management last Feb. 6 to negotiate with the SM group on a long-term lease of the property.

Last year, SM Prime inaugurated three malls: SM City Bacolod, with a gross floor area of 61,413 square meters, SM City Taytay with a gross floor area of 91,920 sq. m., and SM Supercenter Muntinlupa with a gross floor area of 53,986 sq. m. It also expanded SM City Pampanga, SM City Cebu and SM Mall of Asia.

As of end-2007, SM Prime’s 30 malls nationwide, including 13 in Metro Manila, had a combined gross floor area of 3.9 million sq. m., with an average daily pedestrian count of 2.5 million.

This year, SM Prime intends to open three new malls and expand two others, with an estimated capital expenditure of P6 billion. The new malls are SM Supercenter Rosales in the northern province of Pangasinan, SM City Baliuag in Bulacan province, and SM City Marikina in Metro Manila.
Scheduled for expansion are Metro Manila malls: SM City Fairview and SM Megamall. At the end of this year, SM Prime will have 33 malls in the Philippines, with a combined gross floor area of 4.1 million sq. m