My parents were from Binondo and Tondo. They spent most of their childhood there, and would often recount their stories growing up, living on top of a hardware store, having imbibed the values of hard work and perseverance by working to help make a living even before turning the age of double-digits (Dad) or by learning to turn life’s lemons into lemonade by, say, happily dancing and playing in the rain whenever it was monsoon season (Mom).
Growing up, my parents would always drive us around Binondo and the streets where they used to live, pointing out several landmarks, and where the business started, so we would always be in touch with our bearings and our roots.
One day in 2011, while driving by the area, I noticed the tall modern structure that was erected at the heart of the oldest Chinatown in the world outside of China — established in 1594 — on Reina Regente Street. It was the first full-fledged luxury mall, Lucky Chinatown, a sprawling five floors of luxurious shopping, dining and cinemas. It is Megaworld Corporation’s heritage project, built to revive and enliven the trade, commerce and tourism activities that defined Binondo for so many years.
Having grown up in the area, Megaworld Corporation chairman and CEO Andrew Tan wanted to give back to the community and its people. Putting up the upscale urban renewal project that would cater to the needs of the residents of Binondo and its environs was his means to achieving this objective.
“(Although) there is already a large presence of establishments selling low-priced merchandise and offering authentic Chinese cuisines, Binondo is often too crowded and muddled; it falls short of offering shoppers the variety, convenience and exquisiteness that an upscale mall like Lucky Chinatown can offer,†explains his son Kevin Tan, first vice president and commercial division head of Megaworld.
Myriads of premium choices
True enough, Lucky Chinatown offers a wide selection of local and international fashion brands which had not been available in the area previously like Cotton On, Mango, 158 Designers Boulevard, Cache Cache, as well as Aldo, Esprit, Clark’s, Payless, Sperry, Levi’s, Nautica, Charles & Keith, Giordano, Bench, Kashieca, Human, F&H, Bayo, Penshoppe, Oxygen, Plains and Prints and Maldita.
Foodies will delight in the roster of Asian and Western cuisine offered like Tao Yuan, Italianni’s, Red Crab Alimango House, Uncle Cheffy, Kuse, Kogi Bulgogi, Sumo Sam, California Pizza Kitchen, UCC Café, Cibo and Bon Chon Chicken. King Chef, in particular, an imperial Chinese fine-dining restaurant that started in Banawe, Quezon City, has a special offering for the holidays. Known for their dimsum promo, which is offered at 50 percent off at certain times of the day, this Christmas season they are offering the Eight Treasure Stuffed Chicken, a tasty and tender whole chicken stuffed with glutinous rice and eight kinds of Chinese premium delicacies such as dry scallop, mushroom, lotus seed — topped with oyster sauce, mushrooms and vegetables — a complete feast in itself.
For those who would rather cook at home for the family, shopping for fresh produce, quality food products and other household items is made easier with the two-level Metro Market Supermarket. The Cebu-based company is known for carrying a range of imported items and commodities, mostly Western, Asian and European brands.
State of the Art Cinemas
The mall’s cinemas are another talk of the town. Four upscale movie theaters equipped with state-of-the-art studio and video equipment are the first of its kind in Binondo. Their Emperor Twin Seats, designed to accommodate two people comfortably, boast extra legroom and a retractable middle armrest — perfect for romantic dates or a full stretch of relaxation after a long day. All the cinemas are 3D with Dolby Digital Surround Sound equipment.
A Pedestrian-only Chinatown
Completing the Lucky Chinatown experience is the Chinatown Walk, a street concept reviving the Chinatown of Binondo, with select homegrown restaurants, cafes, furniture, jewelry, charms and traditional Chinese medicine.
Ai Ren Tang, one of the metro’s most prestigious Chinese drugstores, carries over 1,000 traditional medicinal products imported from the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong, bringing both health and prosperity to its customers, at this new branch. Dragon Phoenix, known for their feng shui and lucky charms, is also worth a visit before ushering in 2014’s Year of the Horse.
A Binondo classic known for their crispy homestyle fried chicken, Sincerity Restaurant, has also become a Chinatown Walk favorite. So have Shi Lin, known for their xiao long bao and hand-pulled noodles, and Little Asia, for their fusion Asian cuisine.
The best thing about the Chinatown Walk is that you get transported back to the old Chinatown without having to worry about constantly looking over your shoulder in fear of possibly being hit by the honking bumper-to-bumper cars — as it’s pedestrian only — and also clean and peaceful, you can take your time strolling and admiring the different attractions.
A Future Museum
As a heritage project, Lucky Chinatown plans to open a museum showcasing the best of Chinese culture, paying tribute to the history of Old Binondo as well as highlights the rich history of Chinese immigrants and the cultural diversity of Manila.
Lucky Chinatown has already clearly succeeded in paying tribute to the country’s Chinese-Filipino heritage, while moving progressively with the times — reviving and enlivening the trade, commerce and tourism activities that have so defined Binondo — all while living in the present, and with foresight into the future.
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Lucky Chinatown is located at Reina Regente St. corner Dela Reina St., Binondo, Manila and is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call the Lucky Chinatown Concierge at 576-8139 or visit our website at www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com. Like us on facebook.com/luckychinatownmall or get your quick updates by following twitter.com/luckychinatown.