If there’s anything the staff agreed on, it is that they all enjoyed the research work. Imagine getting paid to do something we all love doing – going to the mall, of course! Now, to go back to work:
At the Ayala Center, this year’s Christmas decor concentrates on the parol. They might not be as kinetic as the world-famous Pampanga lanterns, but they are just as colorful, twinkling like jeweled stars over the Glorietta Activity Center.
The lanterns come in all shapes and sizes. There are traditional lanterns – white stars that seem to have been inlaid with bright solid color fields to resemble cloisonné panels. Some of the lanterns do resemble Pampanga’s lanterns, but their surface design closely follows the traditional shape of the parol. Some stars are enclosed by a golden foil wreath, others by colored wreaths integral to the Pampanga lantern design.
Most of the lanterns hang from the ceiling beams of the Glorietta Activity Center, in groups of five or six, connected together by golden cords. Some hang by the side, dangling from lengths of faux pine that have been shaped into the form of canes, with each cane wrapped with colorful foil ribbons and decorated with Christmas balls and fairy lights.
To add variety to the decor, giant Christmas balls, decorated like Faberge eggs, hang solo from the ceiling. Each ball has a golden tassel appended to it, adding brilliance to the decoration. Only half of these balls are covered with colored panels. The other half reveal a gilded skeleton armature with a central solid panel in gold in the shape of a cross. Likewise, strings of light, resembling fairy lights, dangle randomly from the ceiling.
Up close, the decor might seem traditional and a bit gaudy. In the daytime, they might seem like ordinary Christmas lanterns. However at night, when the lights at the Glorietta Activity Center are dimmed for the daily Christmas program, when the lanterns twinkle, you forget the artifice involved in fashioning these lanterns.
The Ayala Center also has a line-up of events to celebrate the holidays. On weekends, a fireworks display is held at the grounds outside Glorietta 4. At 8 p.m. on Fridays and at 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, the public will be dazzled by pyrotechnic stars illuminating the sky over Makati. A special soundtrack, composed by Louie Ocampo, accompanies this dazzling display. – Joseph O. Cortes
I would have said that the holiday spirit in the mall is sort of diluted if not cold, but on the other hand, a majority of stores in Greenbelt cater to young urban professionals. If there’s a market that will appreciate the simplicity and uncomplicated yuletide theme of the mall, it is this particular group.
What I find visually arresting are the linear and ’20s-inspired parols that dangle from Greenbelt’s ceilings. Using a visually delicious combination of jewel tones and gold, the flair of each piece is further heightened as metallic coils envelop its golden tassles. It adds just enough of a festive feel to the place without being gaudy or overwhelming.
The refined tinsel art in the mall may be an unwelcome sight to a few and the absence of a stunning tree may strike a frosty Christmas carol in the hearts of sentimental revelers. But I love the way the ornaments, more specifically the parols, were made in an unconventional, refreshing, sans cheesy, manner. I still feel though that a dash of emotion could be added. And more creativity could have been put in the arrangement of the decor. It brings injustice to the beautiful and ingenious parols which hang uniformly and redundantly, diminishing their beauty.
The wreaths hung on the sides of the mall, could also use some help as they don’t really mesh well with the minimalist and modern parols. The garlands are adorned in a typical and uninspired fashion, which keeps the uncomplicated elegant theme from shining through.
All in all, I can compare Greenbelt Mall’s decor with a little black dress. Its beauty can be carried off on its own but with the wrong accessories, it can be quite a mess. To highlight its exquisite qualities, it must stick to a theme, which it failed to do. There must be continuity, the clashing decor simply struck a sad Christmas song for me. – Celine R. Lopez
It was evident from the day Power Plant Mall opened a year ago. You drive through its basement parking and are pleasantly surprised to find well-lit parking areas which are not the labyrinthine type. (Other malls have dark, dirty dungeons where rapists and other monsters could be lurking.) The walls and posts on the floor are cleverly painted – color-coded is a better word – so you’d remember your floor by its color. (Other malls would rather scrimp not only on electricity, but on paint as well. But then of course, other malls don’t own Meralco.)
Power Plant also has a thoughtful heart for drivers, providing a waiting lounge for them with a TV set and comfy chairs.
You go up the escalators and feel good at the mall layout which is not suffocating, not confusing, not tiring. (Many other malls are.) Why, there are even corridor benches where shoppers and non-shoppers as well can rest. (In other malls, you feel as if resting is a crime – you must shop nonstop.)
The restrooms are clean, well-maintained all the time, and most of all, free. (Some malls charge P10 for a decent pee. Or else you suffer from asphyxiation in their free restrooms.) My only complaint is that the theater restrooms are miles away from the Power Plant theater itself. You have to hold your bladder in the middle of a suspense movie.
Habitues of other malls complain that the Power Plant Mall doesn’t have a comprehensive range of choices when it comes to shopping. Well, personally, as long as some of our favorite shops are there (Human, Bench, Dimensione, Rustan’s Supermarket, Planet Sports, Marks & Spencer), we cannot complain. And when it comes to dining choices, as long as two of our favorite restos – Dish and Macau Pigeon House – are there, all’s right with the world.
All’s right with the world – yes, that’s exactly what you feel when you’re inside Power Plant. You forget your aches and worries because it’s a relaxing place, so shopper-friendly, so First World it reminds you of America’s best malls. Power Plant Mall, in fact, should serve as a wake-up call for other establishments to be more consumer-oriented. And in the process, be more world-class.
Last Halloween, we were so delighted to find Power Plant Mall decorated with lifesize statues of Dracula, witches and monsters that looked more funny than scary. It was a Halloween mall decor like no other, so witty and classy.
And this Christmas, we see that world-class effort once again at Power Plant Mall with its Santa Claus and toy store theme permeating the mall. You get that warm, nostalgic Christmasy feeling. Santa is so western yes, but what Filipino did not grow up with Santa in his or her Christmas?
"Santa Claus figures prominently in our mall as a universal symbol of gift-giving. He represents hope and good cheer, even in trying times," explains Rockwell Land president Tong Padilla who came up with the overall concept for the mall’s Christmas decor. Rockwell Land landscape architect Jacko Zialcita was in charge of the setup.
"The spirit behind the Power Plant Mall’s Christmas design was to recreate a toy store similar to FAO Schwartz. With Christmas being a special season for children and adults alike, the toy store concept offers a cheerful setting for visitors," Padilla adds.
Originally, the designers planned to use only all local materials for decor. But an authentic-looking Santa Claus could just not be found so Padilla sourced the Santa figures abroad.
Money seems to be no object here, but the Rockwell managers are not that peso-foolish. Most decor items from last year have been recycled to fit the toy store atmosphere. "Last year’s centerpiece was a magnificent Christmas tree in the mall’s North Court."
Outside, at the mall garden, sparklers were installed to replicate fireworks in the evening. No noise, no pollution in this "fireworks display." The lampposts around Rockwell Center wear a classical look using locally available materials.
And the toy store concept continues outside with Thomas the Tank Engine, a 40-passenger character train that circles the mall for 10 minutes every weekend until January 6, 2002. The ride costs P70 but it’s free if you purchase any Thomas item from Page One or Kidz Station. Thomas is a well-loved British children’s classic character from the Railway series of books by Rev. W. Awdry, first published in 1945. He was brought to life on British television in the early ’80s.
Inside the mall, we see Santa figures laughing, climbing poles and dangling from a hammock. (Do look closer and notice how Santa’s facial expressions are so realistic.) Santa is omnipresent here but so is a very Pinoy feeling, as the smell of bibingka and puto bumbong from Via Mare fills the air. Starting today, Simbang Gabi Masses will be held for nine days every night at 9 p.m. at the second floor of the new Lifestyle Wing.
For shoppers who have not outgrown fairy tales (yes, we need escape from the Bin Ladens of this chaotic world), Power Plant Mall is showing an original children’s play, The Greatest Gift, twice daily on Dec. 15 and 16, 22 and 23 at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. There will be choirs and singers in and around the mall, too, to make you feel, as Gift Gate and Martin Nievera would say, "You Can’t Stop Christmas."
Some people say that with Rockwell’s very classy ambience, it is not exactly the favorite hangout of Judy Ann Santos’ fans. Too bad, because it offers a lot of cheap thrills for everyone. Aside from photo ops with Santa and free musical and drama offerings, it also has a raffle promo with a Ford Explorer Sport Trac for the grand prize winner.
We’ve had enough of stinking restrooms and the usual tired and tepid Christmas decor. Give us shopaholics a break. Please, Santa, all we want for next Christmas are malls like Power Plant which respect us and make us feel good even when times are hard. – Millet M. Mananquil
ATC is all lit up by Christmas lanterns that are the season’s traditional symbols.
"Last year, we tried to reinvent Christmas," says Maricris Bernardo of ATC’s ad and promo office. "This year, our thrust is very Filipino, very bright, very Christmasy. We’ve lighted up every corner of the mall in the hope of lighting up people’s lives, too. In these bleak times, people are looking for hope in any corner."
The ATC lanterns remind you of Pampanga’s colorful parol festival where lanterns come in all sizes, shapes and shades. The ATC lanterns are the handiwork of Lily The who heads an Indonesian company called Maphilindo, which also did Glorietta’s Christmas decor this year (and the previous year). "We have a very good working relationship with this Indonesian lady," says Maricris.
In keeping with the times, adds Maricris, the ATC decor is not as ostentatious. "The happiness indicator must be down – decking up the mall this year is not as grand as last year. Even Rustan’s opted for very minimal decor."
While ATC is lighting up every corner of the mall and putting up fireworks shows to fire people’s interest, it is also cutting corners where it can. "Certain things in our decor had been salvaged from the past," Maricris points out.
The lights went up section by section at ATC starting last month. At certain hours of the night into the early morning, some areas of the mall are better lit than the others for security purposes. For instance, there’s the well-lit Corte de Las Palmas where a lot of young people enjoy nursing their frappuccinos at Starbucks till wee morning hours.
As an added Christmas attraction, ATC has put up bazaars where basics like food and clothes are sold at bargain prices. "It’s an established mix of local products," says Maricris. "And prices are really cheap, like you can get three shirts for only P100. Or you can buy a nice potted plant for less than P50. Because even if you’re from Alabang and you’re rich, you still look for bargains at the end of the day."
The rich are not really different from you and me.
Then again, so Maricris notes, Ayala’s (of which ATC is a part) Christmas theme hinges on more than the material. It’s about being "maka Diyos and makatao" as well as caring for the environment and being socially responsible.
You’re right Martin – no way anyone can stop Christmas if it lives in our hearts. – Ching M. Alano
Hard times or not, it’s a mall world after all. The malls south of Manila have dressed themselves in holiday glitter earlier than usual to boost shoppers’ flagging spirits. But alas, the spirit is willing but the cash is weak.
If that’s what’s eating you up, Festival Supermall in Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang has cooked up some treats to let assorted shoppers have a piece of the Christmas pie. Approaching the main entrance of the mall, you feast your eyes on a huge gingerbread house with a candycane towering on each side, enough to give you a king-sized toothache. The house was not well-lighted when we first saw it and we thought that Hansel and Gretel would have probably missed it in the dead of night. Is Festival Supermall scrimping on the Christmas lights? A telling sign of the austere times?
Inside the mall, giant gingerbread boys and girls hang from the skylighted atriums. Care for more goodies? There are white clouds trimmed with cupcakes, candies and lollipops. Can’t get enough? Streaming from the clouds are strings of lights interspersed with candycanes and licorice in all shades.
"When we brainstormed on our theme, we were very focused on cheering up our customers this season," asserts a cheerful Rose Nuqui, marketing division manager of Festival Supermall. "We try to be different by appealing mainly to children. Because we believe that the bleak economic forecast, political and social turmoil, and the international crisis should not rob children (or the children in all of us) of the joys of the season. Even if parents are hurting in their pockets, children shouldn’t suffer. Their childhood memories of Christmas will nurture them until they’re adults."
But where, oh where, is Santa Claus? Again, there’s no truth to the rumor that good old St. Nick ain’t coming to town, all the way from the North Pole, because he’s afraid his sleigh would be hijacked by terrorists. Truth is, the gingerbread house at Festival mall’s Carousel Court, lit up by a fireplace (that’s been used for two Christmases past) serves as Santa’s little corner. It’s actually a souvenir photo corner where kids – and kids at heart – can have a "Click with Nick" every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 25. Of course, you have to cough up some cold cash to make that big fat guy in a stuffy Santa costume pose with your kid. Why can’t malls have a tie-up with Kodak or Island Photo and treat shoppers, for a certain amount of purchase, to a free photo with Santa?
To go back to our gingerbread before it gets stale. Gingerbread may be a mite foreign for our taste buds but escapists that we are, we need food for the spirit as we thirst for peace and goodwill on earth.
And lest we forget what the whole hullabaloo is for, there’s a giant belen on Chef’s Avenue at Level 3 of Festival Supermall. The native belen is made of papier mache with sinamay trimmings.
Cheers to Festival Supermall’s in-house creative services and production teams, headed respectively by Don Navarro and Eric Ofaga, as well as artists/propsmen Melchor Bersamina, Ariel Malonzo, Merton Zoleta, Gary and Gil who started working on the Christmas decor as early as September, never letting anything dampen their spirits.
For its part, Shopwise at Festival Supermall goes global with its Christmas decor this year. At the entrance is a lit globe amid a backdrop of a mural of children from all over the world. The globe is repeated as a design element throughout the store in various colors: red and green, lavender, and light blue. Also ubiquitous are the global dolls, ranging from 24 to 36 inches in height.The especially handmade dolls are decked up in costumes representing different countries of the world and they’ve got features clearly defining the doll’s nationality.
Step on the walkalator and be dazzled by the show of lights covering the ceiling. Gondolas are decorated with costumed dolls holding hands to show unity. It’s a small world after all – a bright yellow mural with children’s faces brighten up both sides of the walkalator. To add meaning to the decor, each doll is marked with a tag that says, "Sponsor says yes for children." The dolls had been sold to sponsors, with proceeds donated to UNICEF’s programs for children. At the second level where a colorful Christmas shop is, there’s also a UNICEF corner that says, "Give the children the world this Christmas."
We say yes, give until it hurts. – Ching M. Alano
"There are over a million sparkling lights in the Robinsons Malls this Christmas," says Tess C. Miranda, advertising and promotions manager of the malls. "Like stars in the heavens, they symbolize peace, hope and prosperity – appropriate in these bleak times," she adds.
The stars are painted gold and outlined with twine and lights. The Christmas balls are see-through and made from wrought iron and then carefully wrapped with twinkle lights.
The "stars" are best viewed while riding the glass elevator (which is also dolled up in twinkle lights). "It’s like going to heaven," sighs this little girl who had her mouth open during the entire ride.
It’s definitely a slice of heaven. – Elvira Mata
Of course, the Shang doesn’t do any of these things. What it has been consistent in doing for the past years – or as long as we have been awarding the malls for their decor anyway – is that it veers away from the traditional Christmas themes. It’s always different. Its only concession to mass appeal is the Christmas tree. After all, what would Christmas be without the tree?
As far as belens go, Shangri-La again takes the cake with its live belen show on weekends. It’s a royal birth, darling, set in a cathedral-inspired stage with Trumpets actors.
Last year, the Shang took mallers to Russia with its matryoshka and Faberge eggs decor. Kids were practically hugging the giant dolls as they had their pictures taken with them. This year, it takes them to Italy – during the Renaissance period. A giant chandelier hangs in the hall, lanterns are covered in gold paper with the image of – is that Jesus Christ or some dead Italian emperor or is that the logo of Versace? The mall looks wonderful with its tivoli lights coming down from the ceiling, its teardrop lights and multi-colored lanterns.
The thing is, references like this one are as obscure to Filipino shoppers – even the well-heeled – as a Dennis Miller reference to a Czech indie film during Monday Night Football. It’s nice to look at definitely but when you’re pressed for a description, what do you say? "Hmmm, aside from the chandelier it had fuchsia and yellow and lanterns shaped like bacteria – oh, can it be a cross perhaps?" There’s that nagging feeling that the Shang wants to look elegant for elegance’s sake. (They did manage to be different and still cater to kids these past two years with the Ice Queen and matryoshkas.)
One commendable thing about Shang, of course, is that it is never commercialized like its neighbor. You won’t see a single advertisement masking as ornament. This mall pays for its own decor, thank you.
So what’s in it for the kids in this year’s decor? The towering Christmas tree decked in balls and lights and ribbons. Shang’s tree has always been opulent – and inspiring for kodakan moments. It is topped not by a star but by a smaller white cone-shaped tree (like a dunce cap). This top is replicated elsewhere, this time the tree itself stands on a gold base and is propped up by four red pillars. Here you can appreciate the elegance of the tree with its pearl ornaments at the bottom and gold trim.
Shangri-La stays true to its position as one of the more classy malls in the country. It’s no different this Christmas, but it leads one to ask: For whom is the mall decorating? – Tanya T. Lara
There’s also a cutout of Belle and Beast waltzing romantically, though we wonder where’s the Christmas in that.
Throw in a couple of AIG credit card posters (and a banner that painstakingly explains the company’s holiday promo) and you have another regulation Christmas at SM – not too elaborate, not exactly subdued, and certainly commercial. Conspicuously missing from this yuletide tableau are the big trees that usually tower in either building. Many of us certainly yearn to see the Coke-can trees of yore.
Shoppers traversing the aisles are sure to notice more posters suspended from the ceiling. The loud and cluttered pink "Walt Disney’s 100 Years of Magic" visuals are flanked by credit card cutouts of AIG with the copy "Enjoy exclusive savings only with AIG credit cards." How Christmasy... not!
Thankfully, SM redeems itself in the yuletide spirit department by sticking to traditional colors and images of Christmas – as far as the decor of its department store is concerned. Giant beribboned wreaths with faux mistletoe and Christmas lights are suspended at various heights by the escalator area.
A multitude of cardboard posters in red and green proclaiming "Celebrate Christmas @ SM" also helps liven the interiors. The Christmas trees scattered throughout the premises certainly help get us in the mood – if it weren’t for the price tags on them.
But hey, we’re in a department store, right?
The best decorated trees are located at the ground floor, by the Toblerone booth and at the Holiday Shop section. Talk about Christmas trees in their Christmas best! But they sure cost a bundle for us middle classers.
Also at ground level (by Men’s Boutique and Men’s Accessories) are attractive assemblies of small Christmas lights installed on pieces of wood and hung a few inches below the ceiling. The effect for the viewer from afar is a blanket of stars. However, we thought it would have been a good idea to install these lights throughout the store for a more balanced effect and ambience.
All told, SM Mega perhaps reflects what Christmas is for the lot of us Pinoys this year – not too extravagant, but hopefully just as colorful. – Text and photos by Kap Maceda Aguila
For this season, the malls’ Christmas buntings are concentrated at the main atrium, with some motifs carried on in select places such as those in between escalators and department store entrances.
Sta. Lucia departs from the usual decorations, all dripping from the ceiling, that were the norm these past years. In their stead, outsized Christmas bouquets were attached to the side railings of the mall concourses. Huge paper poinsettias, their petal rims dusted with gold, copper and purple, Christmas balls and golden leaves complete each cluster.
From these are suspended pendant and star lanterns, contemporary takes on the popular Christmas symbol, the star of Bethlehem.
Yards and yards of silken cloth literally tie the whole setup together.
The Christmas colors red, green and gold are tempered by softer hues like peach for the lanterns and teal and old rose for the drapes.
Filtered sunlight from the mall’s huge skylight plus the flicker of tivoli lights provide the illumination in the daytime while the whole thing becomes more magical at night when the waters of the fountain become an added visual element of the whole setup. – Eric Catipon