Robinsons Otis, April 20, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
Written and photographed
By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista
PROLOGUE: This is not comprehensive in any way. Nor was there any formal study done. This is purely anecdotal especially for the extraordinary times we’re living in. This is just a collection of experiences in malls nearest our house: Robinson’s Otis, Robinson’s Ermita, Landers Superstore and SM Manila City Hall. Peppered with thoughts and opinions that may or may not be related to them.
‘Malling’ is defined as ‘the practice of frequenting malls to socialize or shop’ from dictionary.com. For most Filipinos malling is more encompassing than that. Just think of the Lingkod Pinoy Center where government agencies like SSS, Phil Health, LTO (Land Transportation Office- where you get your driver’s license) has a designated area in Robinsons Mall. Some of them even hold Catholic masses and have Muslim Prayer Rooms. There are clinics, spas, pet grooming, you name it.
Pinoy’s Mall life is encompassing, including Ballet Philippines’ performances: Celebration: Tales of the Manuvu, choreographed by Alice Reyes, National Artist for Dance at the Grand Atrium of Shang Rila Plaza Mall, June 22, 2019. BP’s appearance at Shang Mall was their way of expanding to a wider audience. Photo by Jude Bautista
To us, the nearest mall has become a second home. They have long outgrown the basics of food, supermarkets and cinemas. But it’s still the convenient and central place for nearly everything you need and want. And the easiest, cheapest escape from the humidity and heat.
The Philippines is a mall going culture, everywhere from the biggest cities to almost every corner of the country. There’s a point of pride when a town or city has ‘earned’ the construction of a big brand mall.
It never fails to surprise me when going abroad in a new (especially Western) city whether its San Francisco, or Auckland, New Zealand. We just happen to visit their mall we always have to ask where are the people? Where are the crowds? The answer inevitably is that people are at work or school and don’t necessarily have the time to go to the mall.
RWM’s Newport Mall partially opens starting May 22, 2020 Photo from Lifestyle Inquirer: https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/362928/rwms-newport-mall-partially-opens-starting-may-22/#ixzz6OHiN7GeB
As hardworking or busy as people are in Manila, the malls are always full. Even during a signal no. 3 typhoon, I thought there would be fewer people in Robinsons Ermita and I would be dead wrong. People would be there just as full as any day.
That is why this Enhanced Community Quarantine where everyone had to stay home, was particularly difficult, even brutal for those of us who had gotten used to going to the mall almost on a daily basis. None of us realized how spoiled we all were with their convenience and ease…until we lost it.
People follow Social distancing in Robinsons Otis, April 20, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
Start of ECQ March 15
Incidentally, lockdown measures in Metro Manila have been one of the longest and strictest in the world ‘…millions of Filipinos forced into the confinement of their homes since March 15 following the government’s drastic bid to minimize movement and contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Close to three months later, the lockdown in the Philippines has been described as among the longest and most strict.’ From Philstar.com ‘Coping in quarantine: Lockdown as a literal anti-anxiety pill to swallow’ written by Kristine Joy Patag.
The whole world was turned upside down. Everyone had to stay home, our second home was shut down. Only supermarkets inside malls were left open while all other shops were closed. We all understand the necessity for the measures but for the Pinoy, the isolation was particularly damaging financially and emotionally.
Disinfectant Alcohol supply returns in Robinsons Otis Supermarket, May 7, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
First Time
Most people were willing to follow the new norms. Falling in line to go inside a mall supermarket (in Robinsons Otis) was also more stringent. There were markers on the sidewalk tiles to indicate where we should stand. This is to make sure that social distancing would be followed. By the time you got to the door there’s a temperature check. Your Quarantine Pass would be required too.
It wasn’t easy the first time I went to Robinson’s Otis Supermarket. A woman was insisting on not falling in line and going inside. She had a shouting match with the security guard and was shooting him with her cellphone, threatening to post it online. Everyone else quietly waiting in line was basically pissed off with her. Thank God she was placated by a female guard.
left: social distancing marker on tile; right: the very visible sign in Robinsons Otis, April 20, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
There was a foot bath and extra alcohol spray in the hands. We were let in by batch of 20. A voice on the speaker said I had 20 minutes to shop and get to the cashier. I treated it like Guy’s Grocery Games looking for the items on my list as quickly as I could.
It was announced they were also selling surgical masks at each cashier. Though they were out of alcohol because of panic buying shoppers. It would eventually return with a limit of 2 bottles per buyer. The sale of surgical masks are critical because you can be assured: no.1 it’s the real deal, genuine and no.2 it’s not overpriced. There are surgical masks sold online that have been reported to be fake.
2 Bottle limit for Disinfectant Alcohol in Robinsons Otis Supermarket, May 7, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
ECQ to MECQ – May 16
There was a gradual lifting of restrictions from Enhanced Community Quarantine to its ‘Modified’ version. One of them was the opening of more shops in malls. Because of the Pinoy’s penchant for them, there was an influx of people. There were also photos online of people crowding together, not observing social distancing.
Almost instantly there was a response by local governments to control the number entering them. The following days military personnel were posted on the entrance checking the Quarantine Pass and even instituting a coding scheme, for those who had them. I found this out on my attempt to enter SM Manila City Hall, May 18. With better rules implemented inside for mall goers, the restrictions were eased days later.
We were watching it in the news, my mom was asking, ‘why would they rush into the malls?’ Obviously not everyone had to be there. It wasn’t absolutely necessary. I told her it was psychological, they needed to go back to some semblance of what they used to do before, which was ‘malling’.
The new Covered walkway will protect pedestrians from the heat of the sun or the coming rainy days. It’s a joint venture between Robinsons Place Manila and City Government of Manila; May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D. May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
Disciplining Ourselves
We can play the blame game and say: the government is too strict, mall management didn’t do enough etc. Eventually, we have to take responsibility for our actions. Without even having to go there we ALL already know what we should do. Wear facial masks, wash our hands or use sanitizers. Kids and seniors are still not allowed in malls under GCQ. More importantly, observe social distancing, meaning keep at least 1 meter apart from the nearest person.
If you see two or three people crowding by getting on the escalator what should you do? Should you do the same and rush going up the escalator or let them go ahead so you don’t add to the crowd? Better still, use the stairs. If everyone who went the first weekend (May 16) disciplined themselves, and truly observed physical distancing, would there have to be added restrictions by LGUs?
If we all want to continue going to our beloved malls that we miss so much, then we should discipline ourselves. If we all want to prevent ourselves and our families from acquiring covid-19, same thing. Be aware of the ‘new’ rules and follow them.
Social Distancing in Robinsons Otis Supermarket, May 7, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
New Covered Walkway – Pedro Gil and Taft
Anticipating the surge of mallgoers May 16, I deliberately avoided that and instead went a few days later on the weekday. I needed to get chores done, have important documents printed etc. That was the first time I was able to go to my ‘regular’ mall in Robinsons Ermita after a two month hiatus. I was very much surprised to see a newly constructed covered walkway. I was elated to discover that it stretched from the corner of Taft Ave. and Pedro Gil and lead to Robinsons Ermita.
The new Covered walkway will protect pedestrians from the heat of the sun or the coming rainy days. It’s a joint venture between Robinsons Place Manila and City Government of Manila; May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D. May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D. (10)
I love to walk, this was exactly my route. There were a few people already using it taking shelter from the hot afternoon sun. In the coming months, or even next year thousands would be using the roofed walkway, much appreciated in rainy days too. There are two major schools right in Pedro Gil: U.P. College of Medicine and St Paul Manila. Down the corner to Taft is Phil. Christian University and another block Phil Women’s University. No doubt, their students would be grateful for it.
St Paul University Manila is right across the new covered walkway in Pedro Gil Street, a joint venture between Robinsons Place Manila and City Government of Manila, May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
How Did They Do it?
To be perfectly honest, I couldn’t figure out how anyone could construct the walkway during the quarantine restrictions. Even with the tarpaulin saying it was a joint project between Robinsons Place Manila and the City Government of Manila. The logistics of it could not have been easy. Most probably the construction was funded and initiated by Robinsons while the necessary permits especially during ECQ was provided by Manila City Hall.
The new Covered walkway on Taft corner Pedro Gil Street, a joint venture between Robinsons Place Manila and City Government of Manila, May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
The act seemed particularly generous considering Robinsons’ losses during the covid closures from March 15 onwards has amounted in the billions of pesos. They could have easily shrugged and cancelled the project citing the loss in revenue AND the quarantine restrictions. Instead they saw the period as an opportunity to construct something that would help pedestrians.
Pernia Resigns
NEDA (National Economic Development Authority) Chief Ernesto Pernia had a similar proposal on a wider scale to continue infrastructure projects during the quarantine. This is with safety protocols in place of course. It seems to make perfect sense because it would take advantage of significantly less traffic, while roads were repaired, Skyway would be extended, critical repairs for the metro rail transit would be made. The proposal was in line with the Build, Build, Build program of the administration. Instead we received news that Pernia had resigned from his post due to differences of opinion with other cabinet members.
The new Covered walkway will protect pedestrians from the heat of the sun or the coming rainy days. It’s a joint venture between Robinsons Place Manila and City Government of Manila; May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D. May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
From cnnphilippines.com, “I’m not a lone voice because, for example, there have been proposals to get on with some critical infrastructure projects, like the maintenance of the MRT (metro rail transit system),” Pernia said. However, the proposal to resume infrastructure work was denied by the government’s inter-agency task force, Pernia said. Policy approaches to COVID-19 crisis ‘not well orchestrated,’ resigned NEDA chief says
Please visit official Robinsons Place Manila facebook page for list of open restaurants and essentials available for delivery service.
BAWAL JUDGMENTAL
Even before the quarantine, my mom and I were already TV addicts. So you can imagine how much trauma the closure of ABS CBN caused us. The dining room TV set was an older SONY, CRT type unit with the newer wider ones in our bedrooms. During lunch we’d watch BAWAL JUDGMENTAL, a popular guessing game segment of EAT BULAGA (on GMA) and of course DZMM Teleradyo and TV Patrol (on ABS CBN) for news. The problem was the CRT tube finally gave in after a decade (maybe more) of service. Half of the screen went black, cutting off the heads of Bossing Vic, Joey and their guests. So we had to replace it.
Please visit official Robinsons Place Manila facebook page for list of open restaurants and essentials available for delivery service.
My brother Timothy volunteered to sponsor the purchase and tasked me to buy in LANDERS Superstore (Manila), which has wide selection of appliances. Although, I was also aware that they tended to be pricey. Luckily, while buying meds for my mother in Mercury Drug, I happened to pass by the Robinson’s Otis Appliance Center, near the entrance.
Temperature check at door in Robinsons Otis, April 20, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
Appliance Sale
Upon closer inspection I noticed a huge sale with significant price cuts. There was an LG 32 inch whose regular price was P19k, but with the sale it was only P9,990. There was a cheaper one beside it at 8k but wasn’t able to connect with Netflix or Youtube. This LG 32LH570D on sale could connect wirelessly to Youtube via WiFi.I found out from the manager that the sale could only last until stocks were available. So we immediately got it and couldn’t be happier. Thank you again to my brother Tim for helping us get it.
The LG 32 inch Smart LED TV (32LH570D) had a huge price cut in Robinsons Otis Appliance Center. Reg price of P19,990 was slashed to P9,990. We could watch Youtube, NETFLIX and iWant along with regular TV channels; May 22, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Cherry Mobile Flare J8.
Youtube changes our viewing habits even with what is supposed to be telecast news. We’d watch uploaded episodes of TV Patrol at our convenience. There were a number of other items on sale that I wanted for myself like an LG Soundbar. The regular price was P14k but was on sale for P10k. I saw someone purchase an air conditioner while I was there. If you’re in the Manila area and need to upgrade your appliances Robinson’s Otis Appliance Center is worth checking out. The quarantine period may have influenced their decision to hold a price cut to boost sales.
There were a lot of appliances on sale in Robinsons Otis Appliance Center. May 22, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Cherry Mobile Flare J8.
Before GCQ – May 27
It was only the second time I returned to Rob Ermita since the lockdown. Little by little the mall was coming to life. Thankfully, HANDYMAN and National Bookstore were now open. There were already a few more restaurants that opened for take-out only: SBARRO’S, S&R, Hainanese Delights etc. Naturally because of the fewer electrical signs turned on, it was darker, and I wasn’t used to it. I was walking on the ground floor when I saw it, like a shining beacon, illuminating my isolated, humdrum life; from the second floor, the Cha Time sign was on!
Smiles through the plastic bubble – Cha Time staff was just as happy to see me as I was to see them after 2 month long hiatus. Robinsons Place Manila, May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
After 2 months of not tasting it, I was so happy. It didn’t matter if they had a plastic barrier. They were happy to see me too! Again, I have to confess another addiction: milk tea. About 2 weeks before, I had to make do with 50Tea in Rob Otis. Although good enough it just wasn’t the same. Serenitea is another one of my favorites in Rob Ermita. But they were still closed as of May 27. Maybe they’re open by now? I’ll make sure to go through the new covered walkway.
Sanitation Workers are not any less of a front liner. Thank you for your sacrifice! Robinsons Place Manila, May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D. (20)
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50Tea – open for take-out and delivery in Robinsons Otis, since April 24, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
People follow Social distancing in Robinsons Otis, April 20, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
Social Distancing in Robinsons Otis Supermarket, May 7, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.(23)
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The new Covered walkway is on the same side as the U.P. College of Medicine. It’s a joint venture between Robinsons Place Manila and City Government of Manila; May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
Cha Time’s – covid precautions; Robinsons Place Manila, May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
Smiles through the plastic bubble – Cha Time staff was just as happy to see me as I was to see them after 2 month long hiatus. Robinsons Place Manila, May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D. (26)
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Special Lane for Front liners in Robinsons Otis, April 20, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
Social Distancing in Robinsons Otis Supermarket, May 7, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
The new Covered walkway on Taft corner Pedro Gil Street, a joint venture between Robinsons Place Manila and City Government of Manila, May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D. (28)
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People follow Social distancing in Robinsons Otis, April 20, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
2 Bottle limit for Disinfectant Alcohol in Robinsons Otis Supermarket, May 7, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
St Paul University Manila is right across the new covered walkway in Pedro Gil Street, a joint venture between Robinsons Place Manila and City Government of Manila, May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D. (31)
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The new Covered walkway is on the same side as the U.P. College of Medicine. It’s a joint venture between Robinsons Place Manila and City Government of Manila; May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
The new Covered walkway is on the same side as the U.P. College of Medicine. It’s a joint venture between Robinsons Place Manila and City Government of Manila; May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
Social Distancing in Robinsons Otis Supermarket, May 7, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6. (35)
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Cha Time’s – covid precautions; Robinsons Place Manila, May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
Social Distancing in Robinsons Otis Supermarket, May 7, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Samsung Tab A6.
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Sanitation Workers are not any less of a front liner. Thank you for your sacrifice! Robinsons Place Manila, May 27, 2020. Photo by Jude Bautista with Canon 80D.
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