Silver Linings: Philippine Malls will be better post-pandemic
Those aged 25 and up may have some vivid memories of Philippine malls back in the day. The template was simple. Expect a mall to be a big block of cement, steel, and glass. That was pretty much it – an eyesore smack in the middle of the city.
A massive parking lot, no green spaces, an entire floor for little more than the cinema, and oversized department stores. All in all, probably pleasant enough memories, but likely not for the reason of brilliant design of these character-less urban monoliths. We can agree that it’s time to leave all that in the 20th century.
New age, new look
Today, Philippine malls new and old have received tremendous facelifts and have moved away from traditional designs. From embracing technology in contactless parking, to smartphone applications for navigating one’s way inside, and green spaces that don’t turn into live music venues in an instant.
The best example of this modern and progressive design is probably Evia Lifestyle Center in Las Piñas. With its atrium as a design centerpiece, it takes mall interiors to a whole new level. The natural light flooding the mall is an energy-saver, for one. But within the context of everyone having spent too much time indoors, it’s a welcome hybrid for families and individuals eager for an air-conditioned stroll.
On days with good weather, and for pet lovers, Bonifacio Global City’s High Street reigns supreme. These have been the developments breathing new life into the favorite Filipino pastime of malling.
Pandemic-proof
While the Covid-19 pandemic certainly made a significant dent on the state of Philippine malls, one should expect that this will only lead to better things. For one, a safer malling experience. Safety has undeniably become paramount due to the health crisis. From garage to kiosk, with malls requiring merchants to provide and ensure disinfection in nearly everything, mall-goers now have more peace of mind.
Another change driven by safety which has been aesthetically pleasing has been the emergence of al fresco dining. This is best done by Rockwell Power Plant mall, which has even gone as far as closing part of the street for their customers to enjoy a more spacious, safer outdoor dining experience. For those missing dining in streetside cafes and bistros in other countries, this will have to do for now!
Malls as investments
Finally, the fact that these Philippine malls are owned by big corporations is actually a good thing. We can expect continued investment, adjusting these businesses to suit the New Normal. These mall moguls will be relentless in competing among themselves, borrowing best practices from overseas, pouring in funds for improvement.
How lucky are these younger generations, really? Their memories of malls will be of lantern-adorned food parks, romantic first dates in internationally-acclaimed restaurants, and neon-lit selfies. A far cry from our most memorable mall experiences in the 1990s, where we would lose our parents in the supermarket, find them again, and call it a day.
